Sea World

So, for the 4th of July we met my sister's family in San Antonio for the long weekend.
It was the BEST weekend EVER!!! (Now, repeat this phrase & try to replicate the scene in "Tangled")
I have not seen my sister for 11 months....it was the longest we have ever been apart from each other in our whole lives. (aside from her 18 month mission.) Rest assured, I will never let it happen again that we apart for that long of time.

Day 1: Schlitterbahn Water Park.
Water Park + Camera = Bad idea...therefore....No photos to show you.
We didn't do all the big rides, but had lots of fun in the kiddie area.
After the water park, we walked the Riverwalk & ate BBQ outside by the water.

Day 2: Sea World
One word: A*W*E*S*O*M*E
We are definitely going back again and again. The place had something for everyone: animal shows, sesame street shows, indoor aquarium, a huge waterpark, kiddie rides and roller coasters. We went on the busiest weekend of the year (38,000 people on the day we went), but no fear because we had a "fast pass." You pay extra for this wrist band & you LITERALLY cut in front of all the lines!!!!!! Worth every penny, we will do it every time we go because it was THAT awesome!!

The boys had the best time are still talking about cousins, dolphins, cousins, sharks, cousins, penguins, cousins, whales, cousins, cousins, cousins.....
(PS - they had a REALLY good time with their cousins!!!!)

This group shot was at the end of the day....we were all pretty worn out, but boy, was it fun!!!

Last week a friend passed away.

I only met him about a year ago, but he and is family left quite the impression on me and Jason. Wes Truman was diagnosed with a brain tumor a few years ago, it was treated & he went into remission for a bit. A year and a half ago it returned with a vengeance. No amount of treatment could stop the disease. Wes left behind a devoted wife, Lori & 2 young children, Lucy & Spencer. Anyone who knew this family has been changed for the better. Through their trials this family has been nothing less than devoted to their God & family. Wes & Lori have a love story that you only find in movies. Lori's strength & commitment to her husband is inspiring. If you'd like just a glimpse of this amazing family, you can visit their Family Blog or the Wes Truman Memorial blog.

You may want to grab a box of tissues.

7 years & going strong

On June 30 Jason and I celebrated our 7th Wedding Anniversary. It's hard to believe we've been married that long...time has gone by so fast! I become more in love with him every day. He has a heart of gold and is a genuine person. He doesn't do things for show, but gives service behind the scenes. He loves me and our children so much. Our temple marriage means that we can spend an eternity together and it's going to be GREAT!!

I love you Jason.

Jason brought these home the other day and I don't think I have had flowers this beautiful before....ever!! They make me smile every time I see them.

2 in Texas

The boys turned 2 in Texas. We didn't have any wild party on their birthday, but were able to spend time together as a family for the first time in months. We had lunch at Chick Fil-A and later the boys rode their new bikes to the playground.

It was the perfect day.(The boys borrowed shoes from other kids at the chick fil-a playground - I couldn't say no, it was their birthday)

Arlo riding his bike with rainboots (my boys have a shoe fetish, it's genetic from their daddy)

Josiah & his bike

Happy Birthday boys. Daddy & I love you more than you could ever understand.

We now have two - 2 year olds in our house.
Happy 2nd Birthday to Arlo & Josiah!!!!!!!
Before we left Virginia we had a family BBQ to celebrate.

This is what the boys & cousins were doing while we were all singing happy birthday!!! No time to waste!!

Uncle Travis provided us with some music...

Great Uncle Kenny, Great Uncle Boone & Grandaddy Hall

Great Aunt Dixie, Aunt Renee & Great Aunt Jean

You may never believe me except for this photo is small proof that my boys love new clothes as much as their momma does!!! Can't you see the excitement Josiah has for his new clothes!?

And even Arlo was SUPER excited for his Crocs from Aunt Susan. (Both boys insisted on wearing them to bed that night!)

Coles Knob

We spent 3 wonderful months with my parents in Virginia. The boys absolutely loved living there & called it home. We could stay at the house for days & not get bored - there's so much to do - we hardly went to town except grocery shopping or church. Even the drive to town is entertaining to look at tractors & farm animals the whole way there. The only thing that could have made Grandma's house better would be to have Jason there with us.

So, here is our top ten reasons why Grandma & Grandaddy's house is AWESOME!!!

10. Cows & sheep (next door)
9. 60 acres to run around
8. Go-cart & bicycles to ride
7. 2 power wheels to drive around the driveway
6. A room FULL of toys, toys, toys
5. Sandbox
4. Swing set
3. Outdoor Trampoline
2. Visiting with cousins EVERY week!

and #1 reason why we love being there......

1. Hanging out with Grandma & Grandaddy EVERY day!!!!

The boys LOVED to sit at the bar and eat Grandaddy's breakfast with him in the mornings.

Grandma treated us to lunch at the park!

My Addiction

I think I can finally admit...
Step 1. I have an addiction to rewards programs. You know, the kind where you buy stuff, collect "points" and redeem for free stuff. I love to shop, but on a budget, there's a limit to how much shopping I can do; this way I can get stuff FREE!! (love that word!) For a while I got so hooked on so many programs that I found myself completely absorbed on the computer ALL evening!
Step 2. I've decided to cut a few programs out like Pampers diapers GTG or the Huggies "Enjoy the Ride" and all those other sweepstakes, drawings & programs. I still do a few though...I just can't resist......

My ALL TIME FAVORITE rewards programs is www.mypoints.com. In the past year, I've already earned $150 in FREE gift cards!!!! No joke, I'm totally hooked on this program. All you have to do is look at their daily advertising emails. Anytime we make a purchase online, we can earn more points by visiting the mypoints website first. I'm so silly that one time I cried because Jason forgot to go through the website before buying plane tickets, so I didn't earn any points!!! Is that silly or what?!!
DON'T join this program without me sending you an invitation via email - If you join through my email, we both get BONUS points!!! Leave me a comment with your email address & I'll send you an invitation. (I'm crazy, right?)

Another favorite in mycokerewards. I wouldn't have joined this program except that my husband, mother & father are all POP ADDICTS!! They drink so much pop that I thought "Hey, why not save the pop lids, enter the codes and get free stuff? I've gotten a Chilis gift card & a few magazine subscriptions for free. They don't have the best prizes, but a few little things are fun.

Swagbucks is another good one, but I don't spend much time doing it, so it takes me a while. I like to save up my points for Amazon gift cards....that's about the only decent prize available.

On to cuter news.....

*Josiah can peel a clementine like a pro. No help needed.
*Both boys can use the "big kid" swing at the playground. (although they prefer the baby swing because they can swing faster and higher!!)
*They have become exceptional at speaking in complete sentences. They can say anything they want.
*We will only be in Virginia for 2 1/2 more weeks...it's bitter-sweet...we are all SO EXCITED to head to Texas & see Jason, but SO SAD to leave my parents. They have been so good to us & the boys LOVE grandma & grandaddy Hall so much.

We went to Floyd this past Friday evening for all the live bluegrass music & as you can see, WE GOT ICE CREAM!!! The boys got so messy & sticky that we had to take them back to the van & change into PJs. Of course we went back to listen to some more music after getting cleaned up.

Arlo, I don't think that napkin is helping much. Don't give me that look, I won't take your ice cream.

Josiah, enjoying his ice cream & the music.

OUTside!!!!!

Who doesn't love to spend the ENTIRE day outside with beautiful weather?!

Last month it rained a LOT so we didn't get outside very often. (April showers....) On one of those non-rainy days of the month we took a walk with the stroller. At one point Arlo stood up on the foot rails of the stroller, stretched his arms as wide as he could reach and yelled "OUTside!!!"

The boys really appreciate the nice weather & their mood changes instantly when we walk outside! WELCOME MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST & every day of beautiful weather!!!



Josiah on the Powerwheels. He's pretty serious when he's driving. Focus.


Loving the trampoline!!!


Helping Grandaddy get the ground ready for flowers!!

A trip to the park!!

And when it's time for a nap, it's much better to fall asleep on the floor together with all our blankets, pillows & stuffed animals.