Scenes from Summer

Wow, it is hard to stay updated on here since Summer has begun! We literally live outside everyday and then at night too, so there has been little time to get on the computer, which has been nice in a way! We have a nice routine going during the day and I just love having Simms home all day with us. We've been gone most weekends, mainly to the lake, but this past weekend Dru and I, along with the rest of my family (minus the kiddos) attended my cousin's wedding in Augusta. We had such a fun time! It really was a great getaway and lots of fun time with family and friends. Simms and Cope had a blast at the lake with Gigi and Papa! We were happy to get them back yesterday evening although I can't even explain how tired I was last night. There is something about staying up late, late, late two nights in a row that I am not used to anymore :)
Here is a picture of Dru and Miles before the wedding..I wish I had more pictures

and here is the bride and groom..my cousin Jimmy with his new bride, Amanda..congrats to you two!

And even though our children weren't with us, we had fun with these two. That Mary Margaret was a wild woman, dancing all night long. Love the strawberry stains on that beautiful dress..just kidding!

Simms couldn't wait to give Dru the card she and Cope made, although for some reason she got shy and didn't want to hand it to him, she asked Cope to. I wanted to stick with our tradition of homemade cards for Daddy, but couldn't think of anything we hadn't done, so I looked online, let  Simms look too, and told her she could pick something out. Luckily she chose one of the easier cards :)

And how true it is..he is THE BEST Daddy..our kids are so very lucky to have a daddy that wants to be with them all of the time, is so much fun, and loves them more than anything! Dru and I were able to spend time with our daddies and the kids were able to spend time with Ninnie, Papa and their Great-Grandaddy, my grandaddy. We had fun eating pizza with them last night and then going to Minnie & Ninnie's to pick blueberries, and now we are ready to tackle a homemade pie tonight..well, Dru is going to attempt my Aunt B's recipe..hope it turns out as good as hers..

One of the best things about summer has to be lazy summer mornings. Wouldn't trade this time with my two for anything! I get them their breakfast, get myself my coffee, and we enjoy no schedule!

We have spent several weekends at the lake. Nothing beats Lake Martin.

Lots of afternoons spent outside..best money spent has been the $8 plastic baby pool, although we've spent time at the Kirk's pool swimming too! And Simms' loves playing "laundry" in the water table. Ha!

And Dru has worked hard on his garden this year. He is trying out a container garden and already we are getting way better results than last year..

And here are some shots of Cope just being Cope. My sweet boy. He is so big now and he is talking so much better now. Just this morning he said plain as day, "hold my hand mama." Ahhh, love it!

A Lake Martin Memorial Day

We spent Memorial Day weekend at the lake. It was a wonderful getaway. Dru's parents, us, the Allgoods, the Fowlers, Uncle Taylor & Jessica and Uncle Miles. Plus lots of visits from different friends. We had so much fun and I was sad to go Tuesday morning. The house was full of little ones, but that's all we know now, so it is wonderful {in my opinion at least ;) }

There was lots of swimming and playing in the water..



Simms & Merrill..So happy the Huddlestons came over!





There was jet-skiing...

Simms with Uncle Gee & Lilla

Cope & Daddy

There was the return of Fun Island...



Simms, Lilla & Charlie Fowler



And relaxing on the boat, including naps for some..





Simms & Merrill relaxing..
Cope, Charlee &baby Manning
were taking serious naps

As evidenced here..

Cope &Lilla taking a break

We enjoyed lunch at Chuck's..I ate 4 pieces of pizza. So good...

Charlie, Lilla & Simms



Cope tubed and loved it. Simms did not..

Before taking off...

Cope with Dru, Miles and Matt

Simms & Merrill

Simms & Lilla enjoyed watching an old VHS of Dumbo..

Simms had lots of fun with these 2 girls..

Simms, Anna Crawford &Lilla

Cope and Simms enjoyed posing for pictures, for once!

And of course there was a few times Simms got to be the captain!

We had a great time! The kids did so much better than I expected. Cope was beginning to get moody on Monday, but I know he was so exhausted. He even fell asleep on the little rug in front of the fridge one night. We hope to be back this coming weekend & can't wait! And I was so happy to come home and find my gardenia bushes weighed down with that most wonderful, fragrant flower. And what makes me even happier is that my grandaddy gave me and Dru 11 more bushes he'd rooted and grown which we planted in the yard 2 weeks ago. They are doing great and we can't wait till they are as big as these first two he gave us! That is so special to me to have those growing in my yard from him!

Happy 5th Birthday Bennett!

I can't even wrap my mind around the fact that Bennett is 5 today! Has it really been 5 years since that wonderful day that he joined our lives? I guess in fact it has been, but it sure doesn't seem like it has. He has brought so much into all of our lives and we continue to love him and be amazed at all he knows about this world and nature and how it all works. And trust me, he knows alot! He is a true scientist, that boy! He changed all of us on May 22, 2007 and oh what a wonderful five years it has been with him. He is one amazing little boy.







He isn't much of a fan of having his picture taken these days. Guess that comes with getting older..



  

His birthday is actually today, but we celebrated safari-style Saturday. Such an adorable invitation.



Little safari people..the birthday boy with his little sister



Simms was so excited Addison was there..notice Simms' new summer haircut. Took us a few days to convince
 her how cute it was. She loves it now thank goodness..


Mae Mae loved all of the animals..she is used to them though. I get pictures of her wrestling
 fainting goats
and a pot bellied pig all of the time.

Cope wasn't too scared either, as evidenced by
this ostrich coming after him.

 

Look at her staring him down..she meant business.




 

The fun began once we boarded our rented safari van. And by we
I mean 9 adults and 13 kids,
5 of which were 2 and under.
 Lots of laughing and screaming. Some of the other adults were smart
and stayed back at our party site.

Cope was loving it at first..

And then this got a little too close to him..
he hid his face the rest of the
ride behind a seat..

Lanier having fun!

Simms surprised me with all of the giggling and feeding
 she did with the animals..
she is usually very cautious



Lunch was waiting on us when we got back..
after sanitizing,the kids couldn't wait to eat!
Adorable lunch boxes..Sissy thought of everything!

                   Adorable and DELICIOUS cupcakes. The monkey was the best..he was iced in fudge!

    While most of the kids ate lunch..

   Cope contemplated round 2 with the ostrich..And if you are gasping for air wondering how we could let his hair get this out of control, have no fear. Dru and I cut it last night, amid screams and protests from Cope. He looks 4 now. Sad.

 

And here is the 5 year old today! We took him a pizza and balloon today and enjoyed a pizza picnic by the pool to celebrate! He told Sissy when he woke up that he looked and felt a little bit taller today! We love you Bennett. We had a great day at your party and Uncle Dru and I are so glad Cope has such a great cousin to look up to, and that Simms has you to look out for her! Happy Birthday!