We're having a party

My Grandmother (Mom's mom) recently turned 86. A couple of mom's sisters and my mom decided to have a little party for her. Unfortunately, the birthday girl was tired so I didn't get any pictures of her. The kids enjoyed themselves and I think the nursing home residents really got a kick out of seeing 5 children in their wing (Raegen was there too). Griffin is on an overall kick and insisted wearing overalls. He even cried when I made him change into bigger ones. On the way to Searcy Kent made the comment that Griffin looked like the kid on the movie Secondhand Lions. When we arrived at the party that was the movie of the day! LOL Griffin put on quite a show dancing and prancing around. I think he really enjoyed so many people thinking everything he did was adorable.

Fun in the Sun

Last week we went to the beach. There is a huge man made lake that my family used to visit frequently when I was small. Mom, Robin and I took the kids the week before and decided to return and begged Dad to go with us. I was amazed at how much the kids' swimming improved.

Ben, Mommy, Mammy and Griffin

Granddaddy chasing Raegen (again ;)

Madisyn, Ty, Mammy, and Griffin

Granddaddy and Ben

Trip to the Nature Center

My sister, Raegen and my dad came over Friday and we headed for the hills. Ok, not really the hills but the ridge. We went to Crowley's Ridge Nature Center in Jonesboro. It's managed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and they have done a fantastic job. It was a little cold out so we couldn't enjoy the trails but we plan to go back.

The visit began with a short movie on the history of Crowley's Ridge. Except for a few "a million years ago" comments it was really very neat. The theater room was designed so that lights flashed during a thunder storm, mist sprayed during a fog and the ground shook with thunder and an earthquake. Madisyn wasn't too sure about the long shaking and even got a little scared when the movie was describing the earthquake in 1812 or 1813 that caused the Mississippi River to run backwards. Ben almost went to sleep. HA! That should tell you those two have very different personalities.They had a really neat arcade/laser shooting game. I know that Griffin hunted wild boars once. The rest of us stuck to deer. I believe there was also a varmit game, and possibly ducks or turkeys. Another family from the homeschool group also went. I was so impressed with the way their sons were willing to help Madisyn. They offered her pointers on the correct handling of the gun and never complained about her or Griffin being in the way.

The center had a place where the kids could try on hunting clothes. Madisyn never misses an opportunity to dress for the occasion.

We even had time for a puppet show!

Cousin Madisyn attempted to strap poor Raegen in his car seat. Luckily his Mommy came to the rescue.

You might be wondering why I didn't take any pictures of Ty. He is all boy and spending the day with Mommy was trumped by the chance to spend it with Daddy.

Wye Mountain

For about four years we have been traveling to Wye (it is important to realize the name on the map is Wye NOT Wye Mountain - this causes some difficulty in locating and can upset some people if you don't know the proper name of where you are going - I digress) and visiting the Daffodil fields. This year we tried something different and hired a photographer to meet us and take some family shots. Uncle Billy, Aunt Robin, Raegen, Mammy and Granddaddy all came as well. When the photographer lets us know the proofs are available I'll post those as well. We took about three cameras so all the pictures are here yet. I'll have to get the others off the other computer and post more later.

My favorite picture from the whole day. Poor Griffin really didn't feel well and missed his nap.

Ty wasted no time hopping up in that tree.

Griffin couldn't be outdone by big brother. Although, I believe this was taken as Uncle Billy climbed in the tree and Griffin wasn't sure that was such a great idea. (See Robin's blog for more of those ;) )

Just to prove that Ben does occasionally get upset. This lovely face was caused because Mommy wouldn't let him eat a pine cone.

I took Ben over to the side and took his socks and shoes off to capture of couple of pictures of just him. Ben does favor Ty but he looks a lot like Griffin as well. I'll have to figure out how to do a side by side of Ben and Griffin from two years ago.

Because Griffin didn't feel well it was hard to get good pictures of him. Who knew taking his socks and boots off would make such a difference?!?!

The only one of Madisyn I have on this computer. I'll post more later.

A few projects

I have started my own cloth diaper cult being a good leader I made my first recruit a wet bag for dirty diapers while traveling.




Robin put the zipper in the bag but the embroidery was done on my machine.





Robin made these. The burp cloth on the left was made with the machine at her school and the other two were made at my house.

Sew fun!

Today Aunt Robin and Raegen came over for some sewing fun. Aunt Robin is making some burp clothes for a new niece due any day.

Madisyn took to opportunity to get out her sewing and make a duck. This was her first experience with a "real" needle. We are working through the My First Sewing Book - Hand Sewing by Winky Cherry. It's an adorable book with rhymes to teach techniques.

Of course, the boys couldn't be left out of the action. I think the little cousins are plotting to take over the world.

Griffin wanted his picture made just so he could see it on the back of the camera. Such a little ham.

Could it be . . . FIVE kids all looking at the camera!

Just hanging out.

Why are there so many people here!?!?!?! My house is so much quieter.

Maybe it's not so bad. :D