HAPPY 19TH JESS!!!

On Saturday, we went to mom and dad's to celebrate Jessica's 19th birthday. Her and Brian were there and in pretty good spirits. They both still have some recooperating to do.

Dad's cooking it up!! The hamburgers on the grill were a great treat!

Everyone enjoying the party and having a good time. It poured the rain down before the party and it held off long enough to eat and then as soon as we started to do presents and cake and ice cream it started to sprinkle and we moved the party inside.

Triston tried his best to not blow out the candles but Jessica told him that he could help.

Mommy and Trenton!! Strike a pose!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRIFFIN!!!!

It was so great to see Griffin after 2 1/2 years. Jessica and I have tried to stay in contact with brief phone conversations but we haven't got together since the kids were only 1 1/2. The boys and I joined Griffin and many others on Saturday at Stoney Creek Roller Rink in Woodstock. It was a lot of fun. He had a cowboy boot cake and it was yummy! The place that the party was held in was really cool! It had skating, which we didn't get to try, bumper cars for the big kids, miniature golf, a huge tubes and tunnels play area, and lots of video and ticket dispensing games. The boys would have stayed in the playland forever. I am so glad that I made the trip to Woodstock. On the way to the party I passed Kiblers car wash and seen two other old friends that I haven't seen since my wedding! It was so great to see Ricky and Melissa. They were regular customers at Cracker Barrel and I was really close with them. They were just as tickled has as me. It was a great day indeed!! We finished the evening by stopping at Michele's for a cookout. My camera's batteries died by then so I didn't get to snap off any pics but it was fun. They boys took turns entertaining the "kid less" guests. They were all really playful and went along with pretty much anything that the boys dished out.

This was pre-party excitement!! I guess they really do love each other, even though mus of their time is spent arguing.

Triston watches as Griffin opens his presents! He is modeling one of his gifts. Triston just sat back and watched and asked for everything that Griffin opened for his birthday!

Showing off the new look!! It was really dramatic for Triston to see himself in the mirror. He cried and said that he wanted his hair back!

The boys had a blast in the playland. Poor Trenton kept sinking into the ball pit. Once all you could see was his little face. Triston received his first nose bleed, when he didn't duck down far enough under one of the tunnels and cracked his nose.

If I could build one of these ball pits and tube tunnels in my back yard I would! They stayed in there forever and I had to bribe them just to get them out. Trenton was such a big boy, he followed Triston around and went all over. I had to go in once and rescue him because he got stuck in one of the lower tunnels.

The more Trenton moved the further he would sink down. Some of the big kids almost jumped on him because they couldn't see him.

Trenton was in his glory with all the balls.

Trenton had a lot of little helpers in the tubes and tunnels. The bigger kids really helped him out when he needed to find his way.

This is the only bus they will be riding for awhile. If Triston gets into pre-K next year he could ride the school bus but I don't think that I am ready for all that yet.

Triston did an awesome job of climbing the rock wall. He almost made it to the top, but he couldn't keep his grip without shoes on. I always knew he would reach for the top. Way to go!

As most of you may already know, Jessica and her boyfriend Brian were in a motorcycle accident on Friday night. Jessica is home and doing ok. Her boyfriend is still in the hospital and may have to have reconstructive surgery on his clavicle. Jessica has a sprain knee and ankle, and lots of road rash on her hands and feet. They both have a long recovery process but they can thank God for this one!! Please keep them both in your thoughts and prayers.

MR CLEAN!!!!

Well, Josh finally got his way and shaved more Triston's head. I was so upset and I cried. But I made sure that Triston didn't see me because he was a little shocked as well. He has had his hair cut short before, but not bald!! His first reaction was, "Dad, I told you not to cut it like yours!" But it is growing on me a little bit. He is still as cute as ever but that cue ball head of his is shining bright without any sun on it! As fast as his hair grows, he will need two or three more haircuts before his birthday so that makes me feel a little better. Thank goodness he didn't get a hold of Trentons head. He can't wear his hair as short as Triston can. Although Trenton does need a haircut, I dare not to mention it around Josh anymore. I had been begging him to take the boys to get a hair cut but the barber shop was closed last night and we already mentioned a hair cut to Triston so Josh said that he would do it. When he started cutting without a guard, my first reaction was not a good one. Notice his shirt, that is how we convinced him that his hair cut was cool. We told him that the girls would love it!!

Josh's New Love!!!!

Of course most of you know by now that Josh has found a new love! I am now sharing his time with the dogs! His new hobby of coon hunting has kinda got out of control, my point of view, but his time is paying off. He won his cast in the last three hunts that he went to. Congrats to Josh!! Check out these mug shots!

Can you say double chin?

NICE CHAPS!! CHEEK CHILLERS~ YOU LIKE!!! (That was from the movie Son-in-law)

I am thinking that these dogs are thrilled to death of bein in this picture.

Mandi's Bridal Shower

Mandi's bridal shower was on Saturday and it turned out really nice. She was very excited and got a lot of nice things. Her family and friends were there to share in the joy as well as my mom, Beth, Emma and Tammy, whom I could not have done without. I really am thankful for such great friends. Beth did a great job decorating the room, mom helped with the cooking and keeping me in line and Emma and Tammy did an awesome job on the cake. I stressed out, like usual, pretty much all afternoon even with the "spirited" punch! The boys were there to take in all the fun but Trenton fell and got his first major boo-boo. All in all it was a great afternoon and I am glad that everyone enjoyed, but I am also glad that it is over with!! Thanks again to my saviors, love ya!

Mandi is showing off one of her many great gifts that she got. I think this is a candle centerpiece

Emma and Tammy did a fanstatic job on the cake. They have been making cakes for my boys since the very first birthday and they have continued to do outstanding work! They are also making the cake for the wedding.

Triston asked for cake all afternoon and finally when it was time to eat cake he had his heart set on the red car, with the chicks with no legs!

Our bride to be with her new hat! How lovely!!!

Poor Trenton!!! He jumped off the stoop at the hotel and scraped up his little nose on the blacktop and then used his forehead to pull himself from the ground. This is his first "major" (well we all know it isn't that major but.......) boo-boo!!!!!

Triston's dance partner

It didn't take Triston long to make friends at the party! This little girl and Triston danced the night away!!

IAN'S 40TH BDAY

The boys and I went to a birthday party on Saturday night for Ian. He is the husband of a friend of mine that used to take mom's jazzercise class. It was so great to see Carmen again and she looked beautiful. The boys had a good time dancing and playing with the other kids. Mom and dad seemed to have a good time also. It was great to get out, especially since I have been feeling a little down in the dumps lately. But I think that it is just time that I am so ever grateful for all the wonderful things that I have and to not sweat the small stuff. I am going to try to do a much better job at that!!!!!


Triston and Carmen!

Triston was my big helper because the kids had to try and stay off the stage due to the equipment that was set up, and a couple of times I had to send Triston off to catch him!

Trenton and his big smile! He had a great time running around after the big kids.

Mom and dad still struttin' their stuff!!

When I could catch him, this was my dance partner for the night because Triston was too busy making friends of his own.