First trip to the lake

I grew up going to the lake all the time. My grandparents have a place there, and I have many fond memories of our times there as a family. We have a big family on my mother's side. I told Phil on our drive today about all of the fun times we had there when we were little. All of the aunts, uncles, and cousins would meet up there. We would swim, ski, ride in the boat, and just hang around! Then, we would spend the night and wake up to breakfast cooked by my Mama Jo. I also spent a lot of time up there as my grandparents got older just spending time with them. Nothing.. and I do mean nothing could beat my Mama Jo's cooking. She was a wonderful cook! I have even said in the last few months that I would love to have her here again with us. She could make her famous (at least in my mind) fresh corn. Miss her still. I want Rush and Sydney Frances to have memories like these, too. My parents and my aunt have been working at the lake house to get it back into good shape after several years of not being used very much. Since my granddaddy moved here to live a few years ago, we haven't been going to the lake much. I have missed it, and I think everyone else has, too. My granddaddy has been going with them on the weekends, and he has been really enjoying the trips. I have been hearing about early morning coffee on the porch, breakfasts with oven toast, and delicious dinners cooked at night. I am ready to get up there to spend the night myself!! Today is my 34th birthday, so Phil and I took the babes to the lake to meet up with my family for lunch today. We took some pictures by the lake, but we didn't get in this time. We didn't have much time today. Next time, the babies and I will get in the water for sure! Can't wait!! I wouldn't mind staying for a night or two, as well. It is so peaceful there at night now. The quiet nights used to scare me a little when I was a little girl, but I could really use some of that peace and quiet now.
:-)


Family by the lake


Rush wearing Papa's yard workin' hat


There is plenty of floor space in the lake house, so the babies were in a crawler's heaven.

More summer fun

We are trying to squeeze in all of the last minute fun we can as we get ready to start a new school year. There will be lots of changes for everyone. The biggest change will be that the babies will start going to a home daycare every day. I am very excited that I was able to get TWO spots in the day care where I wanted them. I know they will be very happy, but I am having a hard time dealing with leaving them. They have only ever stayed with family, so this will be a big transition. I know after a week or two we will be in a great routine, though.

We took a trip to visit Aunt Ivy and Uncle Tony. The babies did great sleeping in the pack and plays. They were also real troopers while Ivy and me did our usual marathon shopping. They each got a new hat and onesie from Aunt Ivy. The babies took their first bath together on our visit. It was lots of fun... for Rush. He splashed around like a crazy man. I think he thought he was in hippo pool. He soaked the bathroom and us. Sydney Frances thought it was funny at first, but then she stood up and tried to climb out of the tub. She was over it by then! We gave them mohawks. Of course, Fran's is already in perfect position to be placed in a mohawk when dry, so her wet head would be a punk rockers dream. Ha! Rush's hair is starting to get curly, so it was just curling around everywhere as he splashed.






We have also been hanging out in the hippo pool when we are here at home. Always a fun time! I took lots of picture last time trying to capture some with their toothy grins.





Now, this one is just for fun... Rush just cracked me up because something caught his attention on TV one afternoon after the pool. He was mesmerized. Knowing my summer television habits, it was probably Pa playing his fiddle while Half-pint and Mary danced in a circle with Ma and Carrie clapping nearby. :-) They don't ever pay attention to the TV, so this was little unusual.

Eat your wagon wheel!

Many of you already know that I have been struggling with the fact that the babies would not feed themselves. I want them to do what they are supposed to do when they are supposed to do it. We had been giving them little bits of food to try, but they just couldn't get it to their mouths. They would chew it if we put it in, but despite my best efforts, no food was entering by way of those chubby little hands. I had been giving them Puffs. They are like little pieces of cereal. Phil suggested that maybe we should do something bigger because Rush was putting the Puff to his mouth, but it just stayed clamped in his palm and never made it inside. My friend, Michelle, said her boys loved Wagon Wheels. They are a lot bigger and seem to be quite tasty as you can tell from the pictures. Frantastic actually cried when I took the last slimy, gummy bit from her hand before washing up last night. There is a fair amount of slobbery drool and wet sogginess involved. I am trying to move past that. Do you know that I actually talked to God about me perhaps not having a baby that spit up before they were born? I just told him how nice it would be if I didn't have to deal with the dirty, spit-uppy bibs and such. Unfortunately, the answer on that one was... Laura, I can make her really, really, cute, but the dirty, spit-uppy bibs are a part of your future, dear. I really like clean, fresh-smelling babies, so this is difficult for me. But, I moved on after accepting that I had a child that was going to vomit half of what she eats every time, so I can move on from the soggy, drool covered wheels as well. Wagon Wheels, thank you for solving my problem. Good thinking, Phil and Michelle! (Oh yes, and thank you, God, for my sweet little refluxy baby girl. I have loved every day with her so far. And, thank you for the chubby cheeks on the other one.. I am also enjoying every minute with him.)

The Great Escape

It is an interesting concept. Two babies. Crawling. Like Maniacs. All over the house. Like maniacs. Two of them. We have turned the den into a semi-corral that gives them room to crawl but not crawl away. They were in the pack and plays for a few days if I needed to get a few things done around the house, but that just didn't really seem fair because they can't do anything but sit there. They will also be sleeping in them when they start daycare in August, so I didn't want them to confuse a place to play with a place to sleep. So, Rush wanted a toy from the basket. This basket is also part of the "border" of the corral. It also contains two five pound dumb bells to keep them from turning the basket over on themselves. Well, now we know the weights work because Rush did this 3 times on Saturday morning. It made him REALLY mad, but I couldn't help but giggle... and take his picture.


Yes, that would be his head in the basket and his feet flying around up above the basket.

Spoiled Rotten

My best friend since 6th grade came into town on Thursday to spend the night and visit with the babies (oh, and me). :-) She brought a few surprises for the babies, and even bought them some gifts while she was here. Spoiled, spoiled! See if you can pick out which gifts were Phil's favorite. If you know him at all, it will be easy to figure out.






All Phil said was, "It sure was nice of her to buy Sydney Frances two hats." :-)

Swimming with Gigi and Papa

The babies stayed with my parents during the day for a week this summer while I had to go to a teacher workshop every day. Mama just sent me these pictures, and I thought they were too cute not to post. Don't all children need to swim in a metal tub wearing nothing but a diaper at least a time or two in their lives? I think so!

Fourth of July

We had a great day yesterday! We stayed at home and played around here. Phil and I took the babies to the pool in the afternoon and then came back home to rest for a little while. Then, we played in the back yard, and Phil grilled some chicken. I made homemade macaroni and cheese and baked beans. I am gonna give y'all the recipe for this macaroni and cheese because it is great. You just have to promise that if you come to an "events" that are the same as me that you won't bring it. It is my go-to dish for get togethers on many occasions, so you can't be stealing it from me. :-)First, a few pictures.

Oh, by the way, both babies had something cute and festive to wear for the 4th but we didn't go anywhere, so I was going to let them wear the outfits when we went to my friends, Lisa and Leslie's parents' house on the 5th. Well, when I went to put Fran's dress on her, it was HUGE! It was a 6-9 month size, which should have fit perfectly. It was WAY too big, though. Too big to wear... oh well. No cute outfit for Frantastic.

OK... now a few pictures...



As a part of the festivities for the 4th, SF shredded a magazine for me. Thank you!


She also hit her head on a little table while trying to pull up. Phil had to hold the Boo Boo Bunny on it. Can't you tell how much she loves Boo Boo??




Sitting in the yard while Daddy cooked


Love this expression!


Granddaddy (Phil's Dad) also stopped by to play for a little while.


Rush getting his airplane ride from Granddaddy


He loves it!


End of a long, fun day!

Macaroni Casserole

1 12 oz. pkg. macaroni
1 small can of pimento
2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
1 cup of mayonnaise
1 small chopped onion
1 stick of margarine
1 pound of cheddar cheese (grated) (Yes, my friends, that does say ONE POUND!)
salt to taste

Cook macaroni according to directions on package until tender but not soft. Chop pimento, onion, and cheese. Combine all ingredients while macaroni is hot. (You need a very large mixing bowl for this.) Bake in 300 degree oven for 30-40 minutes. If any of you have the yellow "phone company" cookbook, it is on p. 236. YUM!