Boys Day Out with Talmadge

Luke was treated to a very special day with his Uncle Talmadge yesterday! It all started when he told us a few days ago that Talmadge was going to take him to play golf, and do "a lot of fun stuff." Talmadge agreed to take Luke out for a day of "fun stuff", and "fun stuff" was what he got!!! They started at McDonalds for breakfast, then Chuck E Cheese for games, then to the driving range at the Country Club. After that they went out for lunch. Ben was going to be included for the "fun stuff" but woke up with fever and was pretty sick most of the day. Talmadge was kind enough to say this is only the first BDO and there will be more to come. Check out the video of Luke's swing on their blog, http://www.katieandtalmadge.blogspot.com/. It was a very special day - one that Luke will remember for a long time! Thanks, Uncle Talmadge.

A Fun Fourth!

Cassie Ray, our favorite dog!


Sam found a new friend: Dr. Hilbun

Graham and Sam waiting for the parade with Mimi

Ben, Luke and Mia Katherine

Ben

Luke

We had a great time at our neighborhod Almost Annual Popsicle Parade! We started off the morning hosting a breakfast at our house, which of course I don't have any pics of. It was fun to visit with the neighbors, and we enjoyed all of the yummy food brought! Then the kids walked over to Mrs. Jeanie Lagrone's for the festivities. They sang the national anthem, said the pledge and she introduced "Uncle Sam", "Lady Liberty", and the Grand Marshals of the parade. The parade was complete with police escort, a Waste Management truck (i think the "theme" this year was recycling), a fire truck, a trailer with porch swings on it with various area "celebrities" such as Church St Principal Miss Collins, followed by lots of bike riders, wagon pullers, scooter pushers, strollers, etc. All of this was led by Mrs. Jeanie decked out in a sequined drum major outfit twirling a baton. For those of you who don't know Mrs. Jeanie, well, let's just say she is retirement age. Although, she is very young at heart, and the other day we passed her and Ben said "There is that girl that lives in our neighborhood!" She was thrilled by his comment! The Hilbuns (a third set of grandparents) and my parents and Graham joined us for this fun event!

Sarah Caroline's Catch

After the parade we headed to Forest for the weekend. Marcus took the kids fishing at their pond, and Sarah Caroline caught this bass that you see! She did catch it by herself, but if you will notice in the picture she did not want to hold it for the picture! She also learned how to drive the all-terrain golf cart while we were there. And of course we ate lots of home cooked vegetables, a chocolate cake, homemade ice cream and a chess pie while we were there.

Visit With Graham

Isn't he just so cute?

Sam isn't sure about Graham!

Sam did love Graham's passy.

Graham, Rebecca and Justin's baby, came to Tupelo for a visit while they celebrated their anniversary. We got to keep Graham one morning, and our kids loved having him! He is a really sweet baby and was so happy and smiley! He really loved Sarah Caroline, and was constantly entertained with all the action in our home. Luke and Ben commented that he probably thinks our house is wild! And I guess it is! Graham, you are welcome any time!! We miss you!

Hmmm...Hmmm..Good!

Sam sure does love some strawberries!! No need in cutting them up for him- he prefers them whole and just eats them as fast as he can! We went to the Symphony in the Grove at Ole Miss last weekend, and took a picnic with friends Jenny, Kevin, Carlyle, Rhett, and Savannah Smith! The kids had a great time catching lightning bugs, and Sam just ate strawberries and other picnic treats. It was a fun summer night!

Church Street Wedding

Sarah Caroline's first grade teacher, Miss McCain, got married last weekend! She and Mia Katherine were so excited to see her marry "Super Trey", who also works at Church St. School. Also at the wedding were classmates Paxton, Mack, Savannah, and Tamiya. They all had a great time and had looked forward to this big event for many months! Miss McCain was a wonderful teacher, and was such a blessing to us all this year. Now we'll have to get used to calling her Mrs. Wyatt! Best Wishes, Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt!!!

Would You Like to Buy Some Lemonade?

Last week the kids decided to be little entrepeneurs..... a lemonade stand was set up along with some snacks for sale. They made a few dollars thanks to some friendly neighbors coming by. They were really looking for Mr. John, the tree cutter who gave them $5 a cup last summer, but he wasn't around this week. A few days later they wanted to make a little more money, and before I knew it they were outside selling books! Good books! For one dollar each.....obviously they did not realize some of the book were recently bought for $10-$15 each. I ended that sale a little earlier than they would have liked, but they did have a good time while it lasted. Now if we can just teach them to save the money they have earned!!

Father/Daughter Ball

Sarah Caroline had a special treat recently...the annual Father/Daughter Ball. Marcus took her last year for the first time, and they quickly learned that this is an annual event they won't want to miss! The ball is complete with formal pics taken, music for dancing, princesses available to sign autographs, a silent auction, a station to decorate their own cupcakes, etc. She loved every minute of it! I wish I had a better picture of her beautiful dress- it is adorned with "crystal" beads on the bodice, and is just what any princess would love to wear. She wore this same dress last year, but we did update it with some new accessories! She wore a pink rhinestone bracelet, a tiara, and the shoes were to die for! They were clear heels and a silver heart shaped "charm" hanging from the silver straps. She says she did suffer from a few blisters because of the new shoes, but she said they were worth it! She loved it, and I am so thankful for such a special time for them to spend together. She says "Thank you, Daddy, for taking me!"

Summer Fun!

We are finally joining the world of blogging!! We are having a great summer, which started with a Memorial Day weekend at Pickwick Lake with all of my family. Mimi, Dodad, BecBec, Justin, Graham, Katie and Talmadge, along with us six, piled into a great cabin together for the weekend. It was a fun start to summer! Last weekend Talmadge's family was nice (and brave)enough to invite us to Lake Darden in Union County for another fun time together. Posted are pics of both family events.

A highlight of the summer so far was having pictures made at our home. What?? Did I really just write that pictures made of four kids was fun?! Actually, for the first time ever, it really was fun! Usually, everyone is crying, including me. And Marcus usually begins screaming (or at least talking VERY loud) and making empty threats. This time, there was no trauma! Stephanie Rhea came over and did all the work! She had them pose together for a few pictures, and after that she just let them play as she snapped away. They loved her, and Sarah Caroline really enjoyed being creative with some "modeling" poses. And I really did take them to McDonalds AND Baskin Robbins after it was all over. You can see these pics at www.stephanierhea.com/ukids/.

We also have had a great time with tball games! Ben and Luke were able to be on the same team, and Marcus helped coach. Marcus and I enjoyed it as much as they did! I have made a huge discovery about why God gave us mostly boys, and a girl who loves sports - we are much better at enjoying ball games than dance recitals!!!! Sarah Caroline did a fantastic job dancing in her recital this year (which was jazz/tumbling....she said ballet is too boring!), but about 10 minutes into the recital, Marcus started asking, "When is Sarah Caroline's turn?" Her turn, by the way, was one full ninety minutes into the program. Ben fell asleep while waiting for her to come onstage, and missed her part completely. In addition to the two hour long recital, she had been at practice about for four hours that day (AND had to be there one hour early, but who's counting?) Might I add that she is not taking dance next year, so we will instead have three soccer players in the fall! If you EVER hear me complain about soccer, just remind me of the dance recital weekend!

Here is a little about what Sam has been up to lately. He celebrated his first birthday in May, and he also is becoming quite a little helper. One of his favorite things to do is "help" me unload the dishwasher! And yes, he really does have a knife in his hand - typical fourth child being left in a dangerous situation - but it is a butter knife!