Monday, April 19, 2010

He can READ!

Duke has been putting together and blending words for a while now. He has been able to read and build sentences, but he hasn't (until now) actually sat down and read us a book. He checked out a library book and was very excited to find out that he could READ it, all by himself! We are so proud of this! Duke is too. He just had to read it over and over. This is a video of him reading the shortened version of The Three Little Pigs.
GO DUKE!



Photobucket

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Pass the hose pipe please!


Gotta love the ice cream man!
They actually had it dripping down their arms and on their feet!
I really did use the hose pipe to wash them up.
But, what's better than hanging out at the grandparent's on a beautiful day
and eating ice cream from the ice cream truck?
I actually enjoyed a screwball myself..... I heart screwballs!


Photobucket

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

A GrEaT DaY for.....


riding a dirt bike....


and even giving little sister a "very careful, slow" ride!


It was a great day for playing with the kitty.....


and climbing a tree.


It was a great day for just hanging out in the sunshine!


Hope you had a great sun shiny day!


Photobucket

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Makeover!

OMG!
Check out my blog makeover! I think it is gorgeous!
Thanks to Jenifer for her hard work on my blog.

I won the contest that Jessica had on her blog for the makeover.
I am so pleased with it!

Thanks again Jenifer!

Oh and don't forget to grab my button!


Photobucket

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Easter 2010

Easter is a very busy holiday for us, as most are. We are so grateful that we have several places that we go to each holiday!


Growing up, my family always visited my grandmother's house each holiday, so it's important to me to continue to go there with my children.
(Duke and Molly with Nanny Finley, which is their Great Grandmother)

Saturday, we visited Nanny and Pawpaw Finley along with Paw paw Jerry, Aunt Joy, Uncle Scott and Gavin. Nanny ALWAYS has the table set so beautifully! The talent that this woman has is just unbelievable. This was her table setting this year! Isn't it beautiful!


It's always great to spend time with them! This year, Aunt Joy brought in Duke and Molly's goody bags and one of the things in it was noise putty! OMG! We all laughed so HARD! It was by far the best spent dollar EVER. If you've never heard of it, it is putty that makes toot noises when you push your fingers into the tub. We all laughed at Duke and Molly until we were teared up and choking! If your children don't have it..... you've got to get it. Here are some pics of these two goof's making their toot noises!



(Think nothing of the cleats! They stayed the night with Pawpaw and I sent brown flops and when I showed up, he had his cleats on. Oh well!)



I still crack up when I think about how much fun they had with this stuff!

Duke and Molly had their first of three egg hunts there. The two of them and Gavin (who is getting a little older now) are the only children on this side of the family, even so, the egg hunt is always fun!


We woke up Sunday morning and found that the Easter Bunny did indeed visit our house!
Duke and Molly each had a basket of goodies!



Duke and Molly with their new sun glasses from their Easter baskets. It's not the best Easter pic, but it was the best I could get!



After Church on Sunday, we headed to the Barnett Easter Dinner. There are way too many of them to name and unlike on my side of the family, Duke and Molly have lots of children to play with on this side.
After dinner, we went out for the egg hunt. Again, it was exciting for them and they had a blast.




Before leaving, Duke and Molly got an Easter basket from Nana and Pops. Aunt Kesha, Uncle Mickey and Gavin were there for the fun.


Once we have spent some quality time with Nana and Pops.... it's off to Nina and Papa's (my mom and step-dad). There we spend time with Amy and Chris and Marty and Tatum. As soon as we got there, Duke jumped on his dirt bike and took off!


After eating, the kids opened their 3rd Easter basket, this time from Nina and Papa,



and got to do ANOTHER egg hunt! It's like they've never done it.
They are just as excited as they are the first time.
Papa gives Molly a hint!



And, as always, Nina hides and egg for the grown kids! It has money so we are all wanting to find it! I found it last year and Chad found it this year!


Just as any other holiday, this one was great! We have such a large combined family.
Our children have more love than they can imagine!
I'm so proud of my little family of four!


Photobucket

Spring has sPrUnG.....

and with it comes the hectic Tee ball season!


As hectic as it is.... we LOVE it! Duke is doing really well this year (his 2nd year) just as we knew he would. Molly, bless her, just hangs out with us at the field and runs around during the game, entertaining herself.


Duke is playing on average, 3 games per week, so although it is great fun, it is also exhausting!

(on 1st with Dad as the 1st base coach)


I am also learning a lot about parents and their terrible behavior at the ball field. The way some of these people behave blows my mind. The Mama Bear in me has definately come out! I'm thinking, these kids are 6 years old and they are still learning what is even going on out on the field. They are precious and they try just as hard as they can!

Duke has worked really hard at practice and we are so proud of the improvements he has made.
This season he started out playing 1st base and although he did well,


the coach's (chad being one of them) have made some changes and now
Duke will be playing pitcher! He is super excited about that!


These guys are the sweetest little team! Duke is already making new friends and talking about how proud he is of his team mates.

I love that Chad has taught him so much about being a team player.... it really shows.


He is striving to do his very best and smiles soooo big when he makes a good play. He wants to make us proud and looks at our every expression to see what we are thinking.



Duke baby,
Mom and Dad love you very much and we are so proud of the boy you are! You are so full of energy, compassion, and love! You strive to please everyone, especially your daddy and you are one of the most thoughtful little people we know. Always remember to do your very best and we know God has awesome plans for you! We love you more than you will ever know! Stay sweet.
Love,
Mom and Dad