Grandpa Tim and Nana with Uncles!

We have had such a good visit with Grandpa Tim, Nana, Uncle Ross, and Uncle Kent! Our kids adore them! It is so nice to have the extra hands to help manage our trio, but even more than that is the fun they have together! The first night that the Uncles were here Johnathan talked Uncle Ross into "snuggling" or sleeping with him that night. Joseph said "my not want uncles in my bed!" Jayne Elizabeth's spunky personality surely made laughs for Grandpa Tim and Nana! The boys have learned defense and offense of basketball from their Uncles! I desparately wish that we could spend more time with each of them. Our kids have learned so much and had so much fun during their visit.

 We went to the library and farmers market with Nana and Grandpa Tim

 Jayne Elizabeth had the attention she always wants when they were here!

 You would think with an engineer, and two Auburn engineering students here that my boys wouldn't have to play on a tricycle with two wheels!! ha!

B I N G O was the song and book favorite!

This little baby goes to the market!

Granna and Papa called and asked to take the kids to the livestock market in Athens, Papa was going to buy a few cows. However Joseph did not earn the privilege, so much to Granna and Papa's dismay he stayed home. Johnathan and Jayne Elizabeth packed their bags (Jayne Elizabeth ALWAYS packs her pink horse bag to go to the farm!) and off they went in Papa's big diesel truck, pulling a cow trailer! The report was good! They bought 21 cows, and Johnathan asked inquisitive cattle buying questions! He came home using the words "baldy", "pink noses" etc. Mommy had a call Papa a few time for explainations!

Johnathan and Jayne Elizabeth waiting to hear the diesel engine coming :)

 Please dont feel to bad for Joseph! He had Mommy and Daddy to himself, and enjoyed the evening too!

Mother's Day Fishing

Before I had the privilege of being the Mommy to little kids I would have not spend my special day fishing on the farm. BUT---enter three gorgeous little ones who love to fish, and see their Granna! It was an easy decision to go to the farm to fish with Granna after I was off work.....that is a story for another day.  Despite work, we had a gorgeous afternoon. It was complete with homemade cards, fishing, and pizza on Uncle Clay's porch with our family. Though I must confess that I am beyond excited about the gift from Anthony! I am waiting on the mail man to deliver my 16 x 20 canvas portrait of our family to go over our mantle! ( A big thanks to Joe Lowe Photography for the photography skills!) Motherhood brings many changes, but I couldnt be happier about the things that excite my heart now! Little hands fishing and family pictures over the fire place, life is blessed!

Oh, my camera is not working. I am relying on the phone camera, or Uncle CLay to send me pictures of the day. Please tell my husband that I need a new camera soon!  (sending mine to Germany to be repaired seems to be a difficult option!!)

Words...

The most entertainment is listening to the kid's discussions! I am going to try and blog some of the cute things they say so that I have a record of it when they are older! Maybe a weekly post on just words!!! Sorry to the grandparents, no pictures today!

Joseph entered our bedroom at the lake house early one morning and Anthony said "hey buddy, a little mouse came and told me who was coming today to see you today." Joseph said "Daddy, my not understand that, my dont speak mouse!!!" ha ha ha! We still laugh about not speaking mouse!

Johnathan was in a lengthy discussion last night in the car disussing the chickens and the large hatchery that we drive by. Johnathan said " you know those chicken houses, those chickens fly up and "duck" at night, then fly down in the morning to lay eggs." I think he meant "roost!"

Jayne Elizabeth now has "sam" the imaginary bear friend that all three of my kids have in their life. Sam is always with us, and we discuss him all day. Sam originated with the boys several years ago when somehow he came back with us from the Smoky Mountains. Johnathan, Joseph, and Jayne Elizabeth "sam's" are different colors, ride different color motorcycles, and are involved in all activity!

Maiden Voyage to the Lake House

Last year we finished the remodel on the family lake house! This year we plan to create thousands of memories here with our family! We made our first trip there this weekend, Anthony took off two days of work to "enjoy" this weekend! It was soooo much work!!! The leaves from the year needed to be raked. The debri and logs washed up from the year needed to be cleaned out. The house needed to be dusted, mopped and cleaned! BUT- we did it! Lots of Advil and blisters later we have a lake house ready for the warm weather! The kids enjoy being outdoors, even if the water was still cold and unable to swim. Granna, Papa, Uncle Clay and Aunt Justina came for a short visit too! The kids enjoyed catching fish at night with Uncle Clay on the dock. The fish with "whiskers" (catfish) was worth talking about! Aunt Justina managed to assist all three climibing trees at the same time! Granna and Papa brought fresh strawberries to enjoy on the dock. The boys enjoyed carrying the strawberries around the hill with the shovel and hoe, ahh boys! Johnathan and Jayne Elizabeth discovered that they sleep better together in the same bed.  The "vacation" was lots of work, but the reward will be great!

 Lake House 2011

Many, many leaves are now gone to a compost pile, and  not against the house!

Down by the water with Daddy!

 Spring cleaning in a pull-up and rain boots!

 Joseph digging and helping with yard work!

 Johnathan and Joseph love to climb THIS tree!

 Then Aunt Justina ( troop leader)  helped them climb another tree!

 A canoe ride around the point was a favorite, but Mommy was nervous on the shore watching!

Now I need a vacation, from this "vacation!"

Easter

He is not here; he is risen; just as he said.

Matthew 28:6

Happy Easter!

 I was so happy that my family joined us for church!!!!! It is special to have everyone together to worship Jesus. I am so  thankful for our family.

 Ecstatic that Uncle Clay was off work and there with us, the kids were pretty proud of him too!

 Johnathan, Granna, Joseph, Papa, Uncle Clay, and Jayne Elizabeth!

Hopping down the bunny trail.....

Brody and Briggs were given rabbits for Easter!!!! This is the first family pet chosen by our dear friends Joe and Dana! We made a trip to their house to meet "Rusty" and "Pepsi" and to dye Easter eggs with the kids!!! We had a great evening! The rabbits are amazing! Rusty and Pepsi were poked, prodded, held, dropped and chased all in the name of love by these five children! The rabbits were out in the yard and didnt run away! We dyed countless dozens of eggs for the church egg hunts the following day! Johnathan had a "factory" going to dye eggs, and Briggs' favorite egg color was obviously blue! I think it went very well, especially considering all the little hands that were involved! Joe and Dana are such great parents, and even Brody and Briggs' grandparents braved this adventure! We adore this family and look forward to many holiday gatherings together at their new home!

Brody with Rusty ( a girl rabbit according to the veterinarian!)

Dana bought, loaded and delivered these great rocking chairs to celebrate their anniversary!

Johnathan and Pepsi ( another girl rabbit according the the animal doctor!)

Joseph and Jayne Elizabeth holding tight to Hoppy (cousins girl rabbit!) and Pepsi

 This crew is hilarious, and all rabbits made it back safely to the hutch later!

 Brody and Jayne Elizabeth catching Rusty in the yard, hee hee!

 Enjoying pizza on the porch, farm life is good life.......

Mrs. Dana assisting with the eggs, on her very protected new counter tops!

 The kids did so well with the dye and eggs, only stained fingers that I am aware of :)

 Mr. Joe adding his artistic touch to Johnathan's egg...

 The line up......

 Jayne Elizabeth was a little messy, but did her part to dye eggs too!

Thank you Lowe Family for a night full of fun!