Tennessee Aquarium Pictures

Chris, Michael, and Juliana checking out the saltwater fish.

I know this one is very blurry, but Michael was in such a dreamy state at this point, it fits the mood.

At the penguin exhibit.

Michael and Juliana climbed up on the ledge, but were too scared to touch the stingrays. (The stingrays are called "stingfish" according to Michael.)

Creative Discovery Center Pictures

Michael

Chris had fun in the toddler area.

Chris sat and played with this automatic piano for a long time!

Aiden and Chris. I just love this picture!

Zoo Pics

Juliana and Michael in the "Bamboobs" garden.

Michael, me, and Chris

Juliana and Michael checking out the crocodiles.

Silly Mommy!

Chillin' with a little juice

Photos coming soon...

I've spent much of the past couple of weeks with the boys trying to make the most of summer since I'm about to be back at work full-time. Meredith and I took the kiddos to the zoo and to Chattanooga (Creative Discovery Center and the TN Aquarium). *I have lots of great pictures, but will upload them to a post later in the week. We're having our internet speed upgraded on Friday.

Nashville Zoo:
My best girlfriend, Meredith, and I piled the 4 kids into her van and hauled them to Nashville and went to Grassmere. We saw all the animals, but the kids were most interested in the Bamboo garden. Well... I should correct myself - the most interesting part of the trip to me was when Juliana called the Bamboo "Bamboobs." I just about wet my pants when this sweet little girl said that she wanted to "touch the bamboobs!"

Chattanooga:
The next week, we took all the kiddos to Chattanooga where we went to the Creative Discovery Center and the Tennessee Aquarium. There was LOTS to do and they loved every bit - especially the music section of the Discovery Center and the sharks at the aquarium.

Cute kid pictures coming soon!
Brooke

Weekend at Center Hill Lake

This past weekend, Todd and I piled the boys in the car and we went to Center Hill Lake with his mom and dad (Patty and Larry), and his brother's family (Jeff, LeAnn, and Davis). We tried the boat thing with the kids, but Chris and Davis just weren't ready (they're both a year old). So we hung out at the house (big Thank-You to Ramona and Jim for letting us stay there) and had fun. Well... Todd didn't have that much fun. On Saturday morning, his stomach began hurting. At first, we thought it was food poisoning or bad gas (is there good gas?). By Sunday morning, he was having trouble walking, so I packed Todd up, left Michael and Chris with Grana and Grumps and high-tailed it back to Franklin to the ER. Unfortunately, Todd had to have his appendix removed on Sunday afternoon. He is on the mend now and doing well. I've posted some pictures from the happy parts of the weekend below.

Michael being sweet and loving on his Aunt LeAnn.

Chris only wanted his Grumps... I took this picture as they both nodded off at the same time.

Cousin Davis being handsome!

Michael and Aunt LeAnn playing with the bubble gun... I'm not sure who was having more fun!

Here are a couple of short videos of Michael being his usual silly self! :)

"What do pirates say?"

This is how Michael calls turkeys... yes, he is saying "wobble gobble!"

Fourth of July

Todd and I took the boys out to Jerad and Crystal's farm for a big get-together... I was not very good on camera duty that day! I saw a lot of friends that I had not seen in a long time - it was so nice! Here are a few pictures that I did get:

Two very handsome boys.

I love this smile!!! My cup runneth over!


This is Chris's "I'm not sure about this grass" face... He had stayed on the picnic blanket up until this point. After that, he decided it was ok and he was going to take off full speed ahead!

"Auntie Mille, will you lift up your shirt and let me squirt you?" says Michael.

We went to our friends' (Jerad and Crystal) house on the 4th of July for a cookout/party. Todd had gotten me a little handheld fan that has a water reservoir on it so you can cool off with the fan, or mist (squirt) yourself (or others) at the same time. Great idea and very thoughtful of Todd. Michael had, of course, gotten his hands on the fan and was running around showing the other kids how it worked... in other words, he was squirting everyone. He and the other boys were lifting their shirts up and spraying their bellies... that's when Michael goes up to his Auntie Mille (Camille was wearing WHITE by the way... makes the story funnier) and asks her, "Auntie Mille, will you lift up your shirt and let me squirt you?"

That little boy will be the life of the party when he gets older!

Growin' Up... Literally!

So, we're sitting at the table eating lunch when Todd whispers to me, "Baby, look at Chris!" I look into the living room to see my little man FINALLY standing on his own!!!! I have been trying and trying to get him to pull up and here he is! He's a late crawler/walker - which is fine, medically speaking... but the Momma and teacher in me wanted him walking months ago!

"Look at me, Mom! I'm standing up!"

(Yes, my kid looks redneck in a pj shirt and diaper, but it's the summer and it's easy!)

This is a video clip of Todd coaxing him up for the 2nd time. Proud Momma and Daddy!!!

Thank You to My Heroes

This is a picture of my wonderful husband, Todd. It was taken as he sat in his Humvee in the desert of Kuwait in '99 (I believe). This time of year is very special to me as we celebrate two very special days. July 3rd is our wedding anniversary and the 4th of July is very special to us for obvious reasons.

I am so thankful for Todd for many reasons, the first is for being my husband. Yes, marriage is work, but he loves me completely every day. We help each other grow as spouses and as people. Being a parent is work - and is very trying at times - but he is always there to be part of our "team." He works extremely hard to provide for me and the boys. Todd, I hope that you know this already, but you are the world to me and I love you.

Another reason that I am thankful for Todd is his service to our country in the US Army. Your service gave Americans our freedom, and for that I am thankful and proud. I hope to never take it for granted. I also want to thank some other soldiers I know and knew:

Ken Anthony, "Pop," US Army

Brennan Hammett, US Marines

Jason Pollard, US Marines

Davis Burke, US Army

Holly Adams, US Air Force (You will always be with us, Holly.)

Cris Maier, US Navy

John Blue, US Navy

Jason Hixson, US Marines

Robbie Smith, US Army

James Otey, US Army

I hope that I haven't left anyone off the list.

Love to you all, and Happy 4th of July!