While Mom's Away, Sis Will Play...

Last week I had a much needed girl's night out. A dear friend and I went to see a movie followed by a Kid-Free dinner at Applebees. So VERY nice and relaxing....We then decided to walk to work off the "tub" of popcorn we ate. I arrived back home a little after 10p.m., certain that the darlings would all be asleep.-I told Denise to wait outside just in case I needed a get away car if they weren't.(L.O.L.) This is what I came home to. Caleb standing in the hallway all "dolled-up." Yes, sissy had been playing dress-up. Caleb was so proud of his new attire!!

I didn't know until I was uploading the pictures that Corey got in on the fun too....I told daddy she really is in need of a little sister. Shannon, maybe we can do a "kid-swap" one day. Mackenzie for Sawyer!!!!!L.O.L.

Sweet Summer Time...

Summer and swimming they just kind of go hand in hand dontcha think???? This is our second year of being members at Hilltoppers Swim Club in Dupo. This has been a crazy Summer weather wise with all of the rain and cool temperatures. It doesn't seem like we have used our passes this year as much as last, but the kids always have a lot of fun when we go.-Especially when daddy comes, which is a treat because they love playing with dad in the pool!!!

Corey with Flounder his new found friend....

Caleb showing off his muscles and his ability to balance in two rings at once!!!

Connor boy just being cute...

This was the game they played that day. They would link together as a chain and take turns pulling each other around the pool!!!!

They had so much fun together that day....

Mommy and her little girl. Not to often mom will actually get in pictures.....

Caleb was in the baby pool when we took this one and Mark was at camp this week, that is why he is not in any of the photos....

A Trip To The "Denist"...

Last week the boys made their first trip to the "denist", at least that is how Corey pronounces it!! I brought grandma along for back-up, not really certain how the experience was going to go. Typically Corey will cry for grandma when he is hurt or scared, and he was showing the most resistance to going, so grandma agreed to come along. I scheduled Corey and Connor on one day, and Caleb on another.-I didn't want to overdue it for them, or the poor dentist. Connor, being the brave boy that he is, went first. He was a little apprehensive when he first went to sit in the chair, and we quickly found out that he was NOT going to lay back. The lady that did their cleanings was FANTASTIC with them. Incredibly patient and worked around any "issue" that arose. Connor did really good, he loved wearing the "sunshine glasses" and had a sparkly white smile when we left. None of the boys had any cavities which was a huge relief for mom!!!!

Let's see those pearly whites Connor!!!!

Theresa tried to get x-rays. Connor was very cooperative until she told him the camera would rotate around his head, than he panicked. She said, "Not a big deal, we can get x-rays next time." He was relieved and excited to hit the treasure box!!!

Countin' Corey's teeth while wearing the cool shades!!! He actually did really well.-No crying or anything. I think it helped that he got to watch Connor first and that he knew grandma was right by his side.....

Corey getting his teeth brushed.-Makin' sure mom got the back ones really good!!!

Caleb went a week later and got to wear the yellow shades!!! He was so brave and couldn't wait to get his new toothbrush like his brothers!!!! His pick from the treasure box "pirate earrings".....

You're lookin' like a movie-star!!!!!!! Overall, the trip was uneventful. Another "first" that went over without a hitch....Yeah!!!!!

Mark's Week at Bible Camp

Last Sunday Mark left for a week long camp at Bond Christian Camp. It was his first time of being away for a whole week. - Quite an experience for him and his mom. He wanted only dad to drop him off, probably because he didn't feel like spending over an hour in the car with the three little indians.-I can't blame him really, they do tend to get very loud while traveling, and it is definantly NOT a relaxing time. That being said I now realize it was a very good idea that I did not accompany them with the drop off. Dad said he had a difficult time staying. There were tears and all and at that I was thinking so good I did not go, I would have probably loaded him back in the car with me and headed home. If I would have done that however, he would have missed out on an incredible, life-changing week.....

These photos were taken the day we picked him up. This is Mark, on the right, walking to to Boy's Dorm with a friend getting ready to load up his luggage...

Here he is with and AWESOME friend he met named Marcus. This boy was really neat and I think an answer to prayer. He befriended Mark on Sunday when he noticed he was having a hard time staying. This boy is persistent and wouldn't take no for an answer. Him and Mark became quick friends...

There were 8 kids from camp that gave thier lives to Christ and were baptized on Friday!!! This is Mark and Mackenzie with their dad watching the baptisms....

Here is a shot of half of the crowd that watched this AWESOME event!!!

And this my friends is what clearly has been the most exciting thing to happen to my son in a VERY long time. Mark was one of those children that made a commitment for Christ and was obedient by being baptized!!!! I can tell you, I truly did NOT see this coming!!! I was beyond excited when I got the call on Thurs. at 9:40 p.m. that Mark was going to be baptized in the river and that he had made a commitment to Christ!!! Truly this was an act of God and an answer far and above what I prayed for for that week. When his dad called on Sun. evening saying how difficult it was for him to stay, I began to pray. I prayed into the night, because of course I didn't sleep well. I prayed the next day and into the night AGAIN. I asked that God would be with him and help him develop friendships and that he would do mighty things in Mark, that the week at camp would be a life-changing experience for him. On Wed. I got a call from his "parent" at the camp saying he was doing GREAT. Becoming a social butterfly!!!! Memorizing scriptures and smiling like she had never seen him smile before! God began a work in my little boys heart and come Thurs. he made a decision to follow Christ. I was incredibly excited!!!! He wanted his dad to baptize him and Mark didn't think he was going to be able to get off work, but God worked a miracle, arranged Mark's schedule, and he arrived at camp for the baptism with 10 min. to spare!!! God is so good, and I am praising him for his faithfulness.....

Fourth of July Fun!!!!!!!!!

The Fourth of July fireworks were cancelled in Columbia, due to the rain. So the celebration was on July 5th. We didn't do much on the actual fourth, although the kids were excited to see a fireworks display over at the neighbors house. On Sunday though, we were able to have some fun with some sparklers and enjoy the display Columbia puts on. The boys were very excited about fireworks this year, at least up until the point of going to watch them!-Then it was how many boys could fit on mom's lap and how many M&M's can we put in our mouth at once!! Kind of a "weird" fourth being as Markie wasn't with me to watch the fireworks this year(He left for camp) and also the first fourth ever that we were wearing jeans.-The boys were at least...It is very difficult for me to get a good shot of fireworks, but I really like the one above, it almost looks like a dandelion!!!

Brotherly Love...

Boys Will Be Boys.....

Corey

Connor

Caleb

Love Caleb's face in this one!!!!

They loved doing sparklers this year. - At least 2 out of 3. Corey enjoyed watching rather than participating....

Mackenzie's Statue of Liberty pose....

The only time they were all in their own chairs!!!!

Mackenzie watching fireworks with her friend Lauren and Zoe the dog....