Welcome Home Daddy!!

Zach has been gone for training for the last 5 weeks. Today he gets to come home, and we are so excited. It is never easy for any of us when Zach has to leave, but we always make it. A lot of people ask me how I do it with 3 kids. I was thinking about this the other day, and decided that it is not easy. It is really hard, and I lose my mind sometimes. I could feel bad for myself, but I don't. I am not the one people should feel bad for. Zach has to leave his family alone (he always feels guilty), he misses out on fun things with the kids, he leaves his own home and bed, and has to go and do hard training. Zach is the one who gets the bad end of the deal. We are so glad that this training is over and we are so excited to see him today. We are also thankful for the wonderful husband, and dad for working so hard so we can have a great life. What a lucky family we are to have such a great guy!!! Welcome home baby!!! My hot pilot!

A great daddy!!

breaking out

I think this is what my family would say I am. I didn't think it was right at first, but then I guess that is why I live in Mississippi and everyone in my family lives in Idaho or Utah!

You Are Jasmine!

Independent and adventurous. You don't want much; just to break out of the guilded cage society has put you in and experience life to the fullest. Following orders isn't really one of your strong points, and you would rather live a life of poverty than being forced into something that you hate.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Happy Birthday to SHADE!!!

Today is my little man Shade's birthday!! I can't believe how grown up he is. It has all happened so fast. Our lives are defiantly more action packed from his very rushed entrance to today. We would not change one little thing about this crazy boy. He always keeps us laughing, and running. We get a good workout chasing this boy around.

We have had a great day today. We opened a few presents this morning because he could not wait, then we met some friends at the local Swim Park. Really just a concrete slab with water spraying out, but the best thing in the world on these hot days. Zach drove home this weekend so he could be here for his birthday so we opened presents again tonight. He got some great things, and thank you to all of you that thought of him today!!! The scary part of this day is that last year we were in Idaho for his birthday and my sister who makes cakes as a business, check out Cakes By Courtney on my link list, made him a lion cake. She set the bar WAY to high. Shade asked for a Crocodile cake this year. I was left out when the craft talent was handed out. I can not do creative things like that. I tried my hardest and made him a croc cake. I think it turned out ok. You can check out the pictures later.

We had a great day, and are so proud of our little Shade. He is such a great blessing in our lives. I am so thankful for him every single day. We love you Shade. Happy Birthday!!! Shade 1 day old
Happy First Birthday

Two

Happy 3rd birthday!!! So grown up!

Thanks Papa and Grandma Leak

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Stewart

Cool Wallet!!!

At the Swim Park

His Croc cake

Ready to blow out the candle

Mr. Croc

Not bad huh?

Our garden

Remember a few months ago when I was talking about everything we planted in our garden. Well, we are finally enjoying our first tastes of our hard work. Well ok, so our garden is not quite working out the way we had hoped. When our house was built they took all of the good soil and left the hard clay. Gardens don't grow well in Mississippi mud. Don't let anyone fool you. The water does not go down into the ground like in most places, it kind of just moves around the plants until it is all spread out. It is also amazing how well the weeds grow in there. It was so bad, I finally had to get out our weed whacker and cut them down. Don't tell my dad!! He will be very disappointed!!! Anyway, we do have a few things growing. When we planted our tomato's I was sure they would be the ones to die. I have never had any make it before. They are doing the best. On the label it said "Big Beef Tomato" in my mind I saw very big, plump, juicy tomato's. Well take a look at the picture and see what we got. At least they tasted good!!! This is a child's plate. You only had to chew twice!!

Maybe next year!!!!!

Montgomery Zoo!!

Before I start this post, I would like to say sorry for the lack of posting. Things have been crazy these past few weeks, but here is a fun one to make up for it.
This past weekend we went to Montgomery Alabama and met Zach's cousin Chris and his family at the Zoo. We all love the Zoo, and had so much fun! It was a VERY hot day, but down here they are all hot. They had tents set up along the way that sprayed water to cool you down. Those were a lot of fun for the kids. We saw a ton of great animals, and had a great time visiting with the Tarbets!!
We spent the night in a great hotel and of course went swimming, and made sure we had enough time to go shopping. I miss my Target here, it is like my arm is missing. So, Zach let me go wild and we spent a long time there. Thanks Zach. We had a great Father's Day just hanging out. Zach has been gone for training for the last 2 weeks, so it was REALLY GREAT to see him. We are missing him a ton!!
I would also like to tell Zach, my dad, and Zach's dad thank you for being so great. These are 3 of the greatest men in the world. I could never imagine a better father for my children. He is just what I would have ordered if I could. My kids also have the greatest grandpa's ever. They all love to go to Idaho and spend the entire time outside on the farm or the ranch just following our dads around. I love you all, and I am so thankful for the great guys in my life!!!!

Take a look at the slideshow. I took a million pictures, but the animals were so close that the pictures were great. Enjoy!!

The BIG game

20 minutes of loading kids, clothes, stroller, food, drinks, and so much more into the car, we finally made it to Jax's first T-Ball game. Then, 20 minutes of unloading all above after we got there, Jax ran to the field and the kids started stretching and warming up. Then, RAIN!! 15 minutes of running around trying to find a place to squeeze my 25 foot long double stroller into a spot that would shield us. We finally found a disgusting bathroom door that someone let us share!!! I have never loved a bathroom more. GAME ON!! We ran out to find a place to watch...RAIN!!!! Back to the bathroom door. 10 minutes later...GAME ON!!! Back to our spot. Shade of course was playing in the mud, and Aynslee was crying that she couldn't. 15 minutes later... GAME DONE!! WHAT??? One inning and the game was done. I guess they thought that was enough for a T-Ball game? During all of this, of course there was no cell phone reception and poor Zach was not able to be there and did not get the play by play I had promised. As bad as that sounds, and after all of the craziness (I don't think that is a word), it was the best night ever!!! I am SO glad that I have Jax, he is my best buddy and I love that I get to have all of these fun times with my kids. This is truly what life is about. These are the times we will all remember and laugh about later. I love being a soccer/T-ball mom, and I would never give this up for anything. GO DODGERS!!!!

He was at first base and he held his ground very well.

Getting ready to bat

He always has to hit the bat on the ground before he hits. It is cute, but the only one his team to do it. This is getting ready to hit the ground first.


Yay, he made it to first on his hit!!!

This week

This is what has been going on in our house this week:

Jax was chasing Shade around in the house and this happened: Poor boy

Almost needed stitches

Jax started T-Ball

They are the Dodgers as you can see, and he is SO cute out there!!!

He thought this would be a "cool" picture

Aynslee and her friend Julianna at the pool. It has been SO SO hot down here, the pool is the only way to cool down.

P.S. Ayns has a double ear infection, but I can't get a picture of that, so this is what Ayns gets posted about her.