Daddy & Simms

took a ride in Daddy's pride and joy

{it definitely looks as if Dru posed for this picture. He didn't. He's gonna kill me.}

Dru puts lots of himself into this Jeep. You know, like time and money. I don't sound like I could get frustrated with this orange beauty do I? Ha! If you could hear him driving up the driveway, you'd probably ask yourself, "is this guy 31 or 16?" I kid, I kid. But he certainly hasn't outgrown the need for "speakers" and rap music when he drives this thing. He and Simms took a trip to the store and our local peach stand this afternoon. That is about as far as I will let her travel in it. If Dru had his way we'd take this to Alabama every weekend. Not happening.

Did I mention he has rigged up his own latches for the kid's car seats? Oh yes he has.

I'm being a little hard on him I think. He wouldn't put Simms' in there if it weren't safe. But still...glad they got back home safely!

Not sure what she was saying here. Probably, "mommy we are FINE!"

Unloading the "Jeep Car" as Simms calls it.



Holding on for dear life to our Peach BBQ Sauce. Soooo delish!! Can't wait to taste it on our chicken tonight! Yummy!

Busy, Busy, Busy

This post's title is pretty accurate..obviously..it has been almost 3 weeks since I've updated! We've done 2 weeks of swim lessons, summer "camp" a few mornings a week for 3 hours at Simms' new preschool, some trips to the lake, celebrated Father's Day, and Simms had her very first dentist appointment today! Happy to report she is cavity FREE and was a dream patient during the exam. She handled it totally differently than I expected her to! I guess I should give her more credit! Let's start with today's appointment and work backwards!

Simms' First Dentist Appointment

Simms' pediatrician has always said do the first appointment between 3 and 4. I know everyone's doctors recommend different ages, but I was putting it off to as close to 3.5 as I could, hoping she would handle it ok. And she did! I was really impressed with her. Besides requesting "Thomas" toothpaste and the hygienist and I conjuring up a quick fib about how it was indeed the same toothpaste we use with her at home, we had no bumps in the road! And I was so, so happy she had no cavities. Her dentist even said that her teeth being super spacey was a wonderful thing, as it usually indicates no braces! Daddy was happy to hear that!

Swimming Lessons

Simms just fin shed up 2 weeks of Level I swim lessons. Naively I thought that she would be swimming when she was done. Like in the deep end. It was really more of teaching her how to go under, float, kick, jump off the side and go under, etc. Level II is where you actually swim in the deep when you are done. Regardless, it was a big step for Simms. She isn't comfortable in the water, so for her to trust these instructors, whom she had never met before, and go under for them, etc. was a big accomplishment. Now don't get me wrong, there were several lessons with tears involved, but she did great, and we are very proud of her! And Dru and I aren't ashamed to admit there was bribery involved! You do what you have to do!

Father's Day

We left immediately after learning swim lessons were cancelled (due to weather) for the lake. The weather was perfect there. The kids and I went into total relax mode while Dru got the grass cut and did his usual responsibilities once we arrive. We had a great weekend celebrating with Dr. Donny, then with Ninnie and great Grandaddy on Sunday. And of course my children enjoyed spending the weekend with the greatest daddy that there is. We continued our tradition of homemade cards for him!




You see where Cope gets his good looks?


Just so you know, my engagement ring, bands and watch were all covered in paint when this was done. I will let you guess what color paint it was and which child did it.
So that is what we've been up to! Busy but having fun! Hope to be back reguarly soon!

Weekends on Lake Martin

We've spent the past 2 weekends on the lake, loving every second of being at that wonderful place. I LOVE Lake Martin. Probably because it is the place where I remember beginning to fall for Dru. Yes, we met at Auburn my first spring there, but I fell in love with him that spring and summer and most of our memories are from weekends at the lake. Of course now it is even more special..dating, meeting all of his family, experiencing my first family reunion there with Dru in 2001 {that was a great way to be welcomed into the family..their reunions are huge and last a week}. newlyweds, being a large preggo woman two times over two summers. Now our children are loving it too! We are grateful to Dru's parents for always welcoming our little circus up. Anyway..a little history on my love for the lake. We anticipate many more trips this summer!
Memorial Day Weekend

We spent Thursday thru Monday at the lake for Memorial Day. Simms was so excited. She knew it was going to be fun-Lilla, Charlie, Anna Crawford, Bennett and Mary Margaret were all going to be there! We even got to visit with Merrill {and her beautiful blue eyes-check out Janel Gay Photography on my side bar for some great pics of those eyes} and baby Charlee {she is beautiful too}. We had a great time! We have loved getting to know Becca and Grover's friends from Mississippi and Simms and Charlie had fun, although not as much fun as Charlie and Cope had!

This weekend

Sissy and I packed all 4 kids up early Friday morning and drove on up to the lake. Cope CRIED at the TOP OF HIS LUNGS till we got to the dam. That is about an hour and half of crying. He was having tummy issues. Besides that bump in the road it was great to get all of Friday at the lake too! The daddies and my parents came up that evening. It was a fun weekend, and the four of us were able to head into Auburn for Bret and Leah's wedding Saturday night. Lots of fun catching up with friends!

This bream washed up on our beach {it was dead} and I asked Bennett to move it. He said, "do I really have to Aunt Margaret?" I said "yes, please." He then said, "well a man has to do what a man has to do." He is SO hilarious!

Fun times at the lake!

17 Months

Dear Cope,

You were 17 months old yesterday! It is hard to think about the fact that you are almost a year and a half! Your mommy loves you so much. I have loved every day of having you as a son. In some ways you are just like your sister, in other ways you are the total opposite.

You still say very little {something I hope to address in depth with your pediatrician} but you are very verbal..we just can't understand you. I am just interested in what she has to say about this. It isn't like we don't interact enough..we read and sing basically all day long together. You, me and Simms have some trio going. You are such a funny boy, with a fun, quirky personality that makes almost everyone around you laugh. We still call you Bubby.

You still don't eat very much, although looking at you, no one would know that. I hear so many comments about how big you are. You are a great sleeper and napper. You rub your eyes just like your daddy when you are getting tired.

You have beautiful blond hair and gorgeous curls. I am nowhere near ready to cut your hair, despite what people say about you looking like a girl. You are fearless. Something I am having a hard time getting used to. Simms is very cautious. Like I said, you are the opposite. You dance and love anything with wheels.

You have had more cuts, scrapes, bruises and splinters than Simms ever has. You push, hit and pull Simms' hair. You prefer your daddy over mommy any day. You even push me away and turn your head if I try to take you from his arms. He loves it. I understand it. You are with me all day everyday.

Your time with daddy is special and something you look forward to. This is you at 17 months, Copeland Evans. A precious little boy that we love with all of our hearts.

**Memorial Day post coming soon**

4 Years of Bennett!

Four years ago this was me staring at the little bundle we immediately began calling, beautiful boy, which turned into BB and now is just B. I hardly left his side. Job? Oh, summer started early for me that year. Husband? I made him come back and forth to the hospital a lot, then Bennett's first night home, we all stayed at Sissy and Drew's. While Sissy was learning, I was practicing. And falling in love with that boy at the same time. For 5 months he was my world too, and then once Simms came along, he was no longer the baby receiving all my attention. But that bond had already been formed. A strong, special bond between me and Bennett. I like to think it is still there. What a special boy he is. So polite, loving, well-mannered and sensitive. Truly, a parent's dream child, and I can say that without feeling braggy, because he isn't my son.
And now, so grown up. Four years later. It is just crazy how fast 4 years have gone by. I consider us big buds!

Bennett had a great party Saturday. I may have mentioned before, but he is lucky enough to grow up on a family farm with tons of horses, miniature horses, fainting goats, exotic birds..really..they could charge admission and I promise people would pay. Not to mention just how beautiful it is out there. Well..he had a fun ole farm party. There were horse rides {big and small}, hay rides, goat chasing, pin the tail & a pinata. Tons of fun! Here is his party in pictures!

Happy 4th Birthday Little Farmer! We all love you so much!