Big Cousin

While my brothers were at camp, I was living the dream!  But seriously, only kid status rocks.  Although, I wasn't really sure of what to do with myself all day.  So, I got mom to hold me.  And we had cousin visitors that I got to play with all by myself.

'HEEYYY BABBYY ELL-AA-NOOORR!!'  She acts like I am loud or something.

'CHEESEEEE! HENRY SAY CHEEEESSSEEEEE!'  He acts like I am loud of something.

Huck Finn

Jackson and Nash went to camp last week at the Sun Star Farm.  They played in the creek, fed pigs, ran around in the hot-hot sun all morning long and did not complain about it one bit.   Everyday when I picked them up they were a filthy mess and even a little bit tired...

The dudes.

I just started putting Nash in his bathing suit.  I have no idea how he got completely soaked but can't blame him.

Handsome boy.  Sneaking in his pokey cards.  ;)

Doing a little farm work.  Theo is ready to be old enough to join in on some fun, but he loved being the only child for the week.  All the mama loving he can stand.  

Poke monsters

I know you have heard about Pokemon Go.  I refused to download it or tell my gaming addicted son (husband) about it or really learn what it is about.  I lost, they won.  Except for the learning about it part, I still have no idea or desire to figure it out.  Along with the rest of America, they are addicted.  It could be worse, they are outside and hanging out together and saving the world or whatever it is you are doing you poke monsters.

Jackson told me he was going to go ahead and get in his bed??!!  I walked in a few minutes later to find him sorting some Pokemon cards that he found.  

The boys had a cousin sleep over and we had a kid free night!  We had dinner AND a movie at Silverspot.  And... Pokemon... help me.  

New neighbors - 3 boys and a girl! - moved in across the street.  I couldn't find them for a while, should have known, out back, introducing them to Pokemon.

Monday

Monday has got me wanting to eat corn dogs in the nude while watching Ninja Warrior.

VBS

Jackson and Nash attended Vacation Bible School in the evenings this past week at a local church.  It is the same one they went to last year and again thoroughly enjoyed it.  This church goes all out and does a great job loving on our children.  This year they collected change for the 'Hope House' and its ministry of welcoming refugees who will be resettled in Durham.  They decided to have a lemonade and cookie stand to raise some money.  

                                    

Jackson was at a friends house for the morning.  Nash, Theo and I gladly did all the prep work.  

I spotted Nash outside doing some early morning marketing.  He had a hard time waiting until 4:00 to start our big sale and start making that money.  'I am gonna keep a little bit of the money too.' I thought we were going to give it to the refugees?' 'Yeah, well I am like a refugee.' 'Really?' 'Yeah, I have zero dollars.'  Bless him, he is almost getting it. 

Finally!  After this picture they ran off and played.  I awkwardly held up the sign and polished off all of the cookies.  Success.

The final program at VBS.  Work it boys.  

sleep-over!

Jackson had his first sleep-over with the Lee family!  They went bowling, made ice cream Sundays, played game after game, and he got to choose anywhere he wanted for dinner - Jersey Mike's!  This makes me want to have a sleep over with just Jackson!

Cannon Ball!

While we were away, my parents hung out with these guys -

Hood River!

This past weekend Charlie and I headed to Hood River, Oregon for the most scenic wedding of my dear friend Mary.  Almost all of my best girl friends from college were there (we missed those currently having babies) it had been way too long!  The weather was gloriously chilly and sunny the entire time.  We ran, hiked, ate, partied, and did a lot of porch sitting.  I lacked in picture taking, but this trip goes down as one of the best ever.

Pizza - Keg - Party by the waterfront when everyone arrived on Thursday evening.

The wedding was Friday night at a gorgeous winery & farm, followed by cocktails and a dinner.  Seriously felt like we were in another country.  Oregon is beautiful in July.  (You couldn't pay me to be there in the the winter, grass is not always greener...)

UNC Teenies-Tappas Group shot with the bride!  Take me back!

I scored a hot date with the red shirt guy from Jersey Mike's! YEOW!

Hiking to some waterfalls before a big party on Saturday. 

Happy Campers!

These guys all had camp this week.  Jackson was at Lego camp and Nash & Theo at Superheroes camp at their pre-school in the morning.  Everyone had a blast.  

Lego Camp!

Super Heroes Camp!  Hulk Smash Nash!

Post Camp grubbing with sweet and very patient Eleanor.  Everyone (ME!) wants a turn to hold her. 

bragging

On Monday morning everyone was at camp!  I worked out and cleaned and did loads of laundry and it was quiet and glorious.  I even took a shower and was going to shave my legs, until my phone kept buzzing like crazy.  As a mom, you immediately think something must be wrong or someone is sick or who knows (why do we do this to ourselves?!) so I hopped out to check my phone.  Tons of people were sending me texts, did you see the post on Facebook, etc., I even had voicemails about it.  So again, I start to think the worst, until someone sent me a screen shot of this...  

I am the envy of 4,000 plus South Durham moms!  Unfortunately it was taken down, before I could reply, but not before I got numerous screen shots sent to me.  It made my day!! He is smoking hot and makes really good subs.  She speaks the truth.  And I think this is good marketing.  Sorry Charlie.  ;)

Baptism

We celebrated the Baptism of my sweet niece, Eleanor Frederick Winslow, on Sunday.  Thank you God for the blessings of this day!

May the Lord bless you and keep you.  The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.  The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.  Numbers 6: 24-26

Winslow, Farris, LEE! families.  

visitors!

We had lots of visitors at the beach.  This mama was sending out an SOS and the people came!  Taking a vacation with kids and a hard working husband is more like a 'trip.'  Carolina Beach is super family friendly.  We hit up the aquarium, putt-putt, ice-cream, the boardwalk and lots of Britt's Donuts and Jersey Mike's subs.  I am already looking forward to next year - or maybe one more time this summer, hint-hint.

Friends invited us over to grill out at their parents condo.  Three out of five boys were ready to roll out on the party boat!

Digging for gold with Tat & Will.

Britt's donuts with Grandmama & Granddaddy.

My bestest friend forever lives in Wilmington and brought her crew over one morning for some beach action.  

We met some cousins for dinner and Boardwalk music, games and fireworks!

We even convinced Newlywed-Nat to come for a day!  More Putt-Putt at the boardwalk ensued.  Seriously if you are a little bit redneck, you will love the boardwalk.  Apparently we are a lot a bit redneck.

And on the last night, we jam out.  With friends, on the boardwalk.  That is Ellie in the background.  Her dad opened the J-Mikes in Carolina Beach.  She and Theo may marry one day.  Just saying.  

Beach Bumming

'THIS IS THE BEST PLACE TO BE!' - Jackson, yelling from the ocean

'Aww, he is the sweetest.' - Tat, my mom

'I am pretty sure he said pee.' - Will, my dad

Muscle men!  Sending pictures to dad.  We miss his muscles at the beach and on walks to and from.  And really we only make it out to the beach for about 2 hours and then someone, Theo, is ready to come in.

Some friends met us out there one day and buried Jackson.  Nash thought it was awesome.  Theo was a little concerned when Jackson didn't want to get out.  

Boogying on the boardwalk.

Goober Guards.

Happy Independence Day!

We had a wonderful July 4th at the beach!  We are always at home to celebrate (we missed our neighborhood parade!) but this year we are in Carolina Beach for the week.  A brand spanking new Jersey Mike's just opened down here that we are helping out with.  Charlie is working his booty off all week... so the boys and I decided to join.

We celebrated with an All-American game of crappy putt-putt.  My parents and some friends with kids joined us.  It was like a speed round of chaos.  Everyone wins!

UNC Baseball Camp

Jackson had his first 'full day' camp last week.  He went to the UNC baseball camp on the real baseball field and the real baseball players were his coaches.  I thought he would be pretty exhausted and kind of over it after a day or two, but my little Tarheel loved it.  He now wants to be a professional baseball player instead of a professional basketball player.  I would say he just increased his odds by about 100 percent.  His biggest fans (Nash, Theo & ME!)  missed him and went to pick him up early every day so we could watch him play.  I loved everything about these afternoons.  Every now and then I think of how fun it would be to have a girl and then I remember how much I love baseball and dirty boys and ratty clothes and just how God knows exactly what he is doing blessing me with these 3 rascals.  

First day!  Jackson was a little nervous and Nash was trying to sneak in.  

But really, he looks like he is 10.  Slow down buddy.

Go Tarheels!  Go Angels! (his group)