Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is always a celebrated weekend for us! My dad's birthday falls on it, and it marks the kick off to summer. This year our good friends the Johnsons came to see us. Shayna, David, Remley and Rhett. The kids had a great time. Jameson and Remley always get along great, and this year Brighton was old enough to interact with Rhett.

We played at the lake on Saturday. Sunday the guys went to the race, and the girls and kids had a pool day. The weekend was really fun, but even a long weekend is never long enough!

Happy Birthday DB!!

Brighton's Last Day of the School Year

Today was Brighton's last day of the school year. Oh, how I remember those 1st weeks in September when he would cling to me and cry. His teacher Mrs. Keri having to call me to come get him because she was scared he was going to make himself sick he was crying so hard. I remember how thrilled I was on week 3 or 4 when Brighton actually smiled when we pulled into the parking lot of the school! He has come a long way. We will miss Mrs. Keri's class, but B will be going back in a few weeks to start the Summer Safari program there.

Our 2nd Beach Trip

Last Thursday Jason, Brighton and I left for another beach trip. This time we stayed in Jason's mom's place and brought Jameson with us. We had a good time but honestly, when are we going to catch a break with the weather at the beach?? We had 3 days of cloudy, cool weather. What do you do with 2 small kids at the beach in these conditions? You go to the arcade and play games.

Go out to eat and have lots of oysters!! Chicken nuggets do well for the little ones.

Take lots of golf cart rides! Thank goodness for the golf cart!

On Saturday evening, after days of vitamin D deficiency, Jason and I decided we would pack up and leave in the morning. This would be a day earlier than planned, but according to the weather reports we had another (even worse) day coming. Low and behold, we woke up on Sunday pleasantly surprised to see the sun shinning!! Naturally we could not pass up what we had been waiting for all along, so we stayed.

It was one glorious day spent alternating between the beach and the pool. Happy children, happy adults!

Even a happy little crab! We brought Sunshine back to the beach with us. I think Jason was secretly hoping to leave him there, but Jameson is very attached to him, so he went home to NC with us.

Mother's Day Weekend

What a great Mother's Day weekend it was! Lets see, Friday evening Jason went to be with his family for his step brother Billy's college graduation. I stayed behind as Brighton is way to young to sit through that. I hate I missed it but am so proud of Billy! Brighton and I had a fun time together. We went "shop shop" Saturday and had lunch with Aunt Lacey. When Jason got home the 3 of us went for a kayak ride. I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it! It was a lot of work but also very relaxing at the same time. It was very good exercise, which I need! We were out for over 2 hours on the boats! To bad the sun was hiding behind the clouds most of the time.

As always, I am so thankful for my mother. She does so much for me and is such a huge part of my life. I love you Mom!! I had the privilege of sharing mother's day lunch with her once again. Lacey and I are 2 lucky girls! I am also very thankful to Jason who makes me feel so special. We are a great team. I couldn't do this without him!

The rest of the day was spent with my little Brighton. It was pouring down rain after lunch on, so we stayed inside. He wanted to watch movies in Mommy's bed so that was more than okay for me! I don't know of a better way to spend a rainy Mother's day than cuddled up with my SWEET, SWEET baby boy. I feel double lucky this year knowing that another sweet one is on the way!

Speaking of that, some of you have been asking for some recent pictures. This is all that I have. Ha, it may be the only one I take as my cravings are outrageous this time around! Pistachios and pizza are not the best cravings to have, let me tell you. I hope that all my friends and family members who are mothers had a great day/weekend! I am especially grateful to my mom, Jason's mom, my grandmother, and the grandmother's who are greatly missed!

Why did the turtle cross the road?

I thought that I would share something that happened while I was at work today. My dad's office is on busy Hwy 16. I was working away when I heard a woman shrieking, a little hysterical like, much like I would be doing in her situation. She was standing across the road from our office, had stopped traffic because a very large water turtle was trying to cross. She was unsure of what to do as she was scared to pick this beast up. Now, I can sympathize with her because I have been in this same situation. Well, sort of. I am all about saving a turtle but I am either in the car with a male who actually gets out and picks the turtle up and moves it for me at my request, OR I can flag down a male passerby who sees me standing in the road afraid to pick up the turtle. Turtles freak out when they are picked up and try to snap at you!! Also, this has never happened to me on a busy road like Hwy 16. Back to the current story though, by the time I had come on the scene, a man in a van had stopped and moved the turtle out of the road but the turtle was hissing and snapping at him like crazy. I mean this was scary stuff. So I yelled for my dad to grab a large box and he went across the street with it. The turtle was so angry that he snapped a hole in the box!! After grabbing a 2nd box, my dad and the man got the turtle into the box. There was no water anywhere near for this poor turtle to go. He must have gotten washed out by the down pour of rain that we had yesterday and this morning. Being a good nature boy, my dad took the turtle to my house and released him near the water.

This is Turtle after his release. You can't really tell from this picture but the turtle was quite large. I wonder if I will run into him ever again. Nothing like a little excitement during the work day!

Weekend Fun

Jason has found a new hobby. Kayaking. He makes it look so easy. I have not tried it yet. He is buying 2 of them today so I will attempt it sometime, but knowing my athletic history, I do not predict I will be very good or have much patience for it! I am willing to try it though. I like the idea of being able to explore my surroundings that way.

Jason took Brighton for his 1st kayak ride on Sunday and he loved it as much as his dad.

Awe, maybe next time Wesley!

Donnie just got back from China and brought Brighton these awesome China pajamas! We love Chinese pajamas with actual "Chinese frog buttons". They may be hard to fasten, but they look sharp! We will have to take extra good care of these to make sure that Brighton's little brother can wear them too!

Yes, it's another boy! Though it would have been really fun to have experienced one of each, I love the idea of two siblings of the same sex growing up together. My biggest hope is that these two brothers will be just as close as my sister and I are. She is truly my best friend and the best gift that my parents ever could have given me. I know Brighton is going to love his little brother so much.

Brighton's Gigi and Pop took him to the Spencer, NC train museum and railroad this week. He got to ride his 1st real train. This picture was taken in the train gift store where I know he was in high HEAVEN! He brought home several souvenirs to remember his big day. Brighton loves his Choo Choos. Jason and I are planning a trip for us to stay at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel in June. I cannot wait to show Brighton the grounds there. I was always in awe of that hotel when I was a child and I know that he will love it. We have several train themed adventures planned for him while there, and hope to do a few attractions in the area. I love Chattanooga and Look Out Mountain. I wonder how much it has changed since my childhood though. We are looking forward to it!

Antley & Flowe Myrtle Beach Trip

We have just returned from our 1st beach trip of the season. It was quite an adventure. We decided to borrow my dad's car which has a 3rd row seat to accommodate 2 car seats, a child's safety seat, a huge cooler, bags and bags of food, all of our luggage and various beach toys. Somehow we made it happen. For the record, Mickey arrived the next day and he brought some more of our stuff in his car. So, we made it! The weather was not perfect. We had 1 and a half days of nice weather for enjoying the beach.

Jameson still enjoys to be buried and made into a mermaid. Brighton enjoyed destroying the sand castles that they made immediately after construction.

Jason and Mickey took the kids to pick out a hermit crab. Oh joy! Jameson named her Sunshine. She is still with us today, and seems to be doing well. Brighton and Michael could care less about her but Jameson adores her.

We did not come back with much of a tan, but we ate well, and had really good times. I am already ready to go back as soon as possible!

Our latest news is...

Pop's Birthday

We had a wonderful weekend. Jameson spent the night with us on Friday night. We had Lacey and Michael over for breakfast the next morning. The cousins continue to get along great and do not seem to get sick of each other! We also played at Aunt Lacey's house Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, Jason, Brighton and I went over to Rachel and Donnie's house to celebrate Donnie's upcoming birthday. Donnie's son made a low country boil and it was delicious! The weather was great. The guys played cornhole and Brighton happily played in GiGi's sandbox, when he was not imposing on the cornhole games.

Brighton was very proud of his new water shoes and wanted to show everyone! "See my new shoes".

Happy birthday Donnie!

Billie's Wedding Weekend

My long time friend Billie Jo Kiser got married to Todd Parrott over the weekend. Those of you who follow this blog have seen various pictures from showers and celebrations for Billie that we have had along the way. Friday was the big day! It started with the rehearsal and dinner Thursday. It was cold and pouring down rain. We practiced in the barn where the reception was to be held, instead of the sight of the actual wedding, because of the weather. We just had to hope for the best. Billie did not seem worried though. After the rehearsal, Billie and Todd had the rehearsal dinner at the Galway Hooker, the upstairs private party room where mine and Jason's rehearsal dinner was. Friday morning, the weather cleared right up and by 5:00 it was the most glorious day! The weather was perfect and Billie was radiant! I have to say that Todd was as well! Both were just glowing.

The wedding and reception both took place at the Brawley House in Mooresville. We were able to do the ceremony outside after all! Everything was absolutely lovely! I was so happy to be a part of it, and am thrilled for Billie and Todd to start this part of there life together!

This picture was from Thursday night at the rehearsal dinner.

Here are a few from the reception. The flowers were so pretty. Billie had the barn of the reception site decorated romantic and rustic. It looked great! I must have been to busy having a good time to take to many pictures though :(

Lacey and Mickey at the reception

Billie and Todd about to cut the cake. Ha it looks like Todd is hiding behind Billie.

Easter Bunny

On Sunday Jason and I took Brighton to see the Easter Bunny. He was sooooo excited! No, really he was. I am having awful luck catching him smiling on camera.

Waiting his turn.

Taking it all in.

We couldn't get a smile in front of the camera, but he cried when we left because he wanted to go back and see the Easter Bunny again! We went to eat lunch instead.

Saturday I went to a bridal brunch for Billie. Her future sister in law had it at her house. It was a very nice time. Now, only 4 days until the wedding!

Big Boy

This was the scene at our house 1st thing Saturday morning. We have been talking to Brighton for weeks about how it is time for him to give up his "Poos" (Pacifier, long story why they are called that). He has known that he is a big boy and doesn't need them anymore, but there are little babies that do need them, and he needs to give his to them. Ever since Brighton turned 1 year old, he has only been allowed to have one while he is in his bed at nap time or bedtime, so I think the fact that he didn't have access to them 24/7 helped us all out in this situation a little bit. Anyway, a habit is a habit and hard to break regardless. Friday evening we boxed up the poos and took them to the mailbox for the mailman to pick up and take to the babies that need them. Brighton was brave for this part of the event but of course cried at bedtime when he realized that they were really and truly gone. He eventually went to sleep, but he did wake up crying several times. It was hard but we did not give in. The next morning the mailman had left him his own fishing rod at the front door as a reward! He was really excited. Now, at bed time when he asks us for Poo, we remind him that he gave his to the babies and that he got a fishing rod because of it. He has been a little bit sad, but for the most part he has handled it so well, and I am proud of him.