So. . . these pics may not be in chronological order, but then again they might be. We must of launched that rocket 4-5 times! I think it was because Colt kept saying “more rocket please Dale” to Uncle Dale. He’s a softy for those little ones 🙂 We had to save some for this weekend though! Looking forward to some time with fam this weekend. David and I are staying with Mamaw Betty. We are supposed to be a blessing to her, but she is so precious and just made us an awesome breakfast this morning!

Anyways, enjoy the pics. Wish I would’ve filmed the actually rocket launching in addition to our little rocket boy 🙂

Most of you who read this blog (friends and family) already know that Papaw Gene went home to be with the Lord last Monday, June 21. We were so thankful to be able to see him before he passed. David, Colt, and I were at his bedside by 9 am that morning, and he flew to the arms of Jesus at 11:10, just 2 short hours later. I’ll post a blog specifically in his memory hopefully on July 4, which would have been his 85th birthday. Let me just say that I loved him more than life though!! He was such a special man!

There were good memories made last week in WV despite the circumstances that took us home. We had lots of fun at Aunt B and Uncle Dale’s on Friday evening. Pictures can’t lie:

We had lots of fun launching rockets too. I’ll post some pics from that later.

You know you are in love when you can look at a person in awe and wonder how they can love someone like you.

You know he’s the ONE when no one else compares and you aren’t even INTERESTED in looking anyways 🙂

You know it’s for life when you say your vows. . . and almost 3 years later, being married to him just keeps getting better!

That’s how I feel about him – my wonderful husband who turned 26 years old today! Wow. I guess that means we got married when we were 22 and 23. It doesn’t feel like it’s been that long!! I guess when we pop out of our fantasy and hear the voice of our nearly 2 year old . . . the math DOES add to 3 years huh? Don’t get me wrong, Colt IS part of our “fantasy” wonderful life. He is (most of the time) such a blessing to be around. We are grateful for this lively and happy boy and wouldn’t trade him for the world.

But, today is not about Colt. It’s about his Daddy. My Husband. Happy birthday Babe! Thanks for your wonderful example and leadership. Thanks for your seemingly endless love, patience, and forgiveness (especially that first year). Thanks for helping to sanctify me – which is what marriage is for. Thanks for pointing me to Christ more times than I could count. Thanks for being consistent. I can’t think of any changes in the last 3 years that haven’t been for the better. Except the fact that we now buy (and eat) chips. Maybe we can work on that this year and my post on your 27th bday will be about the “better change” of not eating chips!! Nevertheless, I love you unconditionally 🙂

————————————————————————

Now, we were also blessed by a vacation at the Lake with my fam. It was good to see my parents, Heath and his fam. These pics are of the first day at the Lake, before Heath, Kelly, Sarah, and Jacob arrived. So there aren’t any pics of them. You can see that Colt LOVED driving the “yellow boat,” he sure bonded with his “Papaw,” and he loved the water. Rosie did great too. She should probably live with a family on the water, but I think she likes us enough to stay with us even though we don’t live on the water.

David and I had fun skiing and knee boarding. Colt enjoyed the “yellow boat, ski-ski (jet ski), and tubing.” He did great, which made it more enjoyable for everyone 🙂

Thanks Mom and Dad for the memorable week! We love you and appreciate all you do!

——————————————————————

So, we arrived home from this great vacation to a house full of family and friends! David was surprised! I was surprised I pulled off a surprise!!

Thanks for your help Mama T and Daddy D! And thanks for keeping Colt for a few days!! We’ll see you Wednesday!

(Happy birthday hun. . . did I tell you I loved you?)

These videos make me smile. . . hope they make you smile today too!

Hydrangeas are my favorite flower!! Obviously, the Lord knew this and our house came with 3 huge bushes of blooming hydrangeas!! We have blue, pink, and purple. . . they must have mixed. So beautiful, and I had some fun with them and my little guy while Daddy was away this afternoon.

The inevitable. . . Colt drinking the water from the “vase”

Sweet Rosie will stick right by Colt, even after he tries to sit on her and make her eat flowers. . .

David, Colt, and I treated ourselves to a milkshake today after Jumping Beans. Colt started choosing whose turn it was as we all shared:
Daddy started
“Tolt turn”
“Mommy turn”
“Tolt turn”
“Mommy turn”
“Tolt turn”
“Tolt turn”
Notice a pattern? Daddy wasn’t getting much milkshake and Colt was getting stingy. David fixed that 🙂

Anyways, here are some pics of “Tolt” playing in the water. He has a small obsession with jumping in puddles ever since this time at Nana and Gramps –

We had a great evening with the youth from chrch at Joyner Park. There was a live jazz band playing and about 1/2 the county present 🙂 Thankfully, the weather was nice and comfortable! Colt was really wanting to go play those instruments. . .

His girlfriend from chrch, Aubrey, was there too though. He’ll pretty much look forward to going anyways if we tell him “Aubrey will be there.”

Aubrey eating some doughnut. . too cute girl!

Colt’s attempt at ladder ball. Uncle Daniel and Aunt Renee would be proud 🙂

Our fabulous “Yuf.” We just love ’em to pieces 🙂

Sarah is 2 now. Hard to believe. What’s even MORE hard to believe is that Colt will be 2 in August! Yikes.

He’s been on a “NO!” kick the past 2 days. I don’t like that. It’s just random “no’s” to the dog or his toys or people 5 feet away that aren’t even interacting with him. So, we’ve been working on that and disciplining when necessary. The funny thing today was Colt was playing outside and yelled “POTTY” and proceeded to poop in his diaper. I said “let’s go to the potty Colt!” He thought about it and said “no please.” 🙂 I guess the “please” makes it better?

He is also liking to drink the milk from his cereal bowl. It’s not the best manners, but he learned it somewhere ?? 🙂 So, he ate about 3 bowls of cereal this morning, I think just to practice his milk drinking skills.

It’s hard to believe that Sarah will be 2 on Tuesday, May 11. She was born on Mother’s day – what a great gift, right? She is a hilarious child 🙂 She sings “Jesus Loves Me” and counts everything like this: “1,2,3,4,5,8,9,10!” You would have to actually see her and hear her to realize how funny her mannerisms and tones are. So glad we got to spend some time with her!!