Celebrating Independence

After a little break from the boys, we returned to Graham to spend another weekend with family. Debra's side came in for awhile and we had a great time on the lake with fireworks, food and fun!

When we got there the first night, Ryan was in his overalls.
I just love this look on him!

Ryan is using a walker very well now!
Here's a video of his success!

I love this series of pictures...
had to include them all because I love his faces!

My aunt got the boys matching outfits

Ready to tube...

But mommy had to ride along...

All weekend, Logan wanted me to tube with him. The last day, he allowed Jeff to be the one to ride along (I was exhausted!) and Jeff fell (jumped) off the tube to leave Logan there alone. Logan enjoyed doing it by himself, but it had to be done the same way, over and over. Let's just say that Jeff did a lot more swimming than usual! We were just so proud that he was being brave enough to tube alone!



Ready for the water!

The neighbors have a garden (and enough tomatoes to feed an army!) and while Logan was there all week he learned the art of working a garden. He got to pick with Ms. Linda in the mornings and LOVED it! He would often ask to go pick some more!
Here he is, proud with his basket!

Daytime Fireworks
Daddy and Ryan
Getting a little darker
Katie and Kelley waiting for the big show!

It appears here as though he was waiting patiently for the real fireworks. I assure you that "patience" is not what this was!


Doing some more sparklers to hold him over

Roman Candles
No way would he hold one, but he was happy to count the ten explosions while mommy did the holding!

Nighttime fireworks


Two weeks of lake fun in a row...
what a blast!

Jeff's turns 30!

After the family reunion, we left the boys in Graham for the week and came home, just the two of us, for 4 days. Jeff had to work and I got to get a lot done around the house without having the boys here. I didn't want to let Jeff's big birthday go by without a real celebration (since we were in Graham on his birthday!) so I planned a surprise party for him and I actually pulled it off!

Surprise!
Making a toast
We played musical chairs a few times and confused the waiter a bit, but eventually we were sitting guys on one end, girls on the other!

The guys
Pat, Jeremy, David, Jason, Jeff and Dad
The girls, side 1
Sarah Grace, Mandy and Me
The girls, side 2
Mom, Hannah and Laurie
The whole group
Back at the house for Marble Slab cake!
Great friends, great fun!

Thanks to all of you for being on time to help make sure the surprise was a success. I know it meant a lot to Jeff to bring on the 30s surrounded by such great people!

Family Reunion 2010

The last weekend of June is always the Grace Family Reunion. It was at Jeff's parents house this year (which was SO NICE for us!) and we had a GREAT TIME! Here are some pics from the weekend... at one point there were 38 people there!!!

Ryan's first time in the lake!!
All the young ones...
Gage, Cameron holding Ryan, Donovan and Logan

Most of our fellowship revolved around the table...


Donovan and Logan playing Gorilla Mountain

Jeff with his Aunt Jackie (holding Ryan) and his Dad

Ryan loved the grass (and eating it too!)

Ryan and Aunt Kelley

Jeff turned 30 while we were there!
Opening his card with his boys!
(More on that to come later!)

A lot of time was spent fishing

I just LOVE these shots of Papa and Logan



The last meal was very special. Aunt Jackie did a little devotion and Uncle Benny lead the family in prayer. It was such an awesome thing to see our family in prayer together, thanking God for allowing us to spend this time together each year. We are very blessed!


Prayer
What an Awesome God we serve!
My how these two men have blessed my life!

Getting to catch up with the Grace/Corley side each year is truly a delight! Already looking forward to next year's reunion!

July, already???

Ok, so I haven't finished posting about June and we are almost halfway into July... so, here goes...

Opening week of Toy Story 3, I took Logan to see this GREAT movie! He's a HUGE fan of the first two, so I knew this was a great one to use the energy needed (by mommy!) to see in the theater!

So excited!

Luckily, he is starting to understand the clock and can tell time... unluckily, this meant that he wanted to stare at my watch and countdown to when the movie was going to start. Thankfully, they started RIGHT on time, or that would have been a challenge for my little OCD boy! :-)


Self portraits are always fun!

Loving the popcorn!