The picture says it all...

Sanders used to love getting in the dryer when he was little (isn't he still little?!?) So mom and I wanted to see what Sawyer and Shephard thought about the dryer...y'all tell me. Which one will love going on thrill rides at Disney and which one will be content to sit them out?

Sawyer

Shephard

***DHR Disclaimer- No child was hurt during this photo shoot.  Please do not feel the need to call DHR- Sawyer and Shephard live in a warm and loving environment.

10 months

Sawyer and Shephard

Shephard and Sawyer turned ten months last Thursday...I only was able to get one picture because my camera battery died.  Oh well- at least I got one!

* Both have seven teeth. Sawyers bottom right broke through about two days before Shephards bottom left.
* The 4PM bottle is gone! Only down to morning and night.  In place- yogurt and a sippie cup.  They both do really well drinking out of straw sippie cups. So now its bottle and oatmeal for breakfast; Veggie and fruit for lunch; Yogurt for afternoon snack; and veggie for dinner with bottle before bed.
* Both crawl everywhere...including up the stairs.  About three weeks ago it got really quiet...so I went to the stairs and there Sawyer was- opening the gate and scooting on up.  We've learned to actually get the intended use out of a gate, it needs to be actually closed
* Sawyer loves to play peek-a-boo. Shephard loves to play...anything...he's easygoing!

They are growing and getting big so fast...pretty soon they will be turning one!!! Augh!!!!

Independance Day

    For the fourth we decided to pack up the cars and head up to Lake Martin.  On Thursday Matt, me and the kiddos headed up and visited Grandma and Grandpa in Wetumpka.  We had a good time visiting and letting them love and play with the children.  On Friday we ventured to the lake and that's when the fun began!  The Creels and Lawsons joined in on the fun.  Six adults + eight hoodlums + Balderdash + Toy Story + Chimney Rock + Fireworks + Noodling + Flat Tire + Water Slide + Boat + Tubing + Yummy Food (Ryan hoarding over the desserts) + the witching hour + lots more = non-stop fun!
    Let's talk about Chimney Rock.  I've gone to the lake for about ten years now and I've always said "nope...not going to do it...people who do are crazy morons." I guess I fit into that category now.  I don't know what got into me.  Ryan Creel went and when he finished I thought maybe I could do it.  When it was time for me to go, Lee and I jumped off the boat.  Little did we know that Ryan was laughing at us saying it was the scariest thing he had ever done.  When I got up to the top I just stared at the water...thinking Jesus and I were about to meet.  I finally jumped and after I did I vowed to never do it again.  I was alive, but OH.MY.SOUL!!!!
    The weekend was a lot of fun and full of memories that will last a long time!  I'm so thankful that we were able to go and have friends to take along with us!

Sanders and Knox watching Toy Story

Sawyer and Greer

Knox and Sanders in the tub

Ryan and Teal

Chimney Rock

Lee the lifeguard

Foxie Knox

Murphy and Sanders on the boat

Captain Shephard

Ryan jumping

Yummy PBJ

Jumping Ninja Style

Lee about to jump

Teal, Regan and me noodling

Teal and Regan surveying the scene

Regan jumping

Matt reading to Trotter and Sanders

Nine Months

Planning their escape

Yup- I forgot to post an eight month picture (much less take one!) and stats.  Forgive me.  If you'd like to complain, I'd love for you to come around my house and see if you can do more than brush your teeth during the day.  Here are the nine month pics and stats:

Sawyer: 17.13 lbs, 28 in (10th% for weight...that's right...he was in the 3rd!)
Shephard: 19.3 lbs, 28 in

**  Both boys began crawling really well this past month...they are getting fast! Both are pulling up onto things and starting to cruise on the furniture.
**  Both gibber-jabber. Shephard said "da-da" the Friday before Father's day.
**  We went to the lake for Father's Day and both loved swimming for the first time
**  They are really starting to notice and interact with Sanders...it's fun watching how they love to see what he is doing!  Last night they all took a bath together...too cute!

Sawyer

Shephard

Shephard escaping

   In case y'all weren't aware, baby food is stinkin' expensive.  I don't think I realized this with Sanders...but good golly- feeding two food at once is ridiculous.  So, I decided to try and make my own food.  It's going pretty well...and it's much cheaper.  Right now Shephard will eat ANYTHING.  Sawyer, not so much.  They both love apple cinnamon oatmeal.  They've had blueberry/apple applesauce, sweet potato's, squash/zucchini/parm cheese mix, and cinnamon applesauce.  They are also given the opportunity to try what we are having for dinner.  Sawyer seems to like the more adult food...chicken pot pie, fresh veggies.  I never thought I would make their food, but its really, really easy- cook things in oven and put into food processor- that's it!

Summertime...

It's hot. Summer officially started two days ago, but I'm pretty sure it has been around for the past two months. We have been busy playing outside...trying to be in the water as much as possible!  I've been busy chasing around the boys and studying for the AFAA personal training test...it's taking up my upcoming weekend and hopefully I pass! Prayer please! : )  Here are some pics taken over the past month:

Sanders playing in the yard with water ball

Jumpy with Halee

   Gigi and Jim came to Daphne for a visit.  It's always a treat to see these two! Sanders wanted Gigi to get into the jumpy with him...ha!  It's really fun seeing both of them interact with the children.  All of the children love having them around and we really enjoy spending time with them.  I don't have any memories with my great-grandparents, so it's special that my children are getting to make memories with theirs!

   Aunt Britt- Have I ever said how awesome she is? My children LOVE LOVE LOVE her!!! Aunt Britt=NON STOP smiles, laughter...FUN! I am so blessed to have a sister that loves my children as though they are her own.  Plus, I enjoy hanging out with her as well : )

Shephard ready for the lake

Aunt Britt and Shephard

Sawyer bug ready for the lake

Sawyer

   Aunt Erin and Uncle Pat came to visit! YAYYY!!!! For their anniversary, Pat and Erin came down to Orange Beach.  One of the nights they were here they came and ate dinner with us.  We ate at Moes BBQ (yum!) and came back home to play in the yard...where Matt did some MAD circles with Sanders-right Pat and Erin?!  They helped us with the feeding, bathing and putting to bed of the kiddos.  The boys love to be read to, so we let the guests have the honor this night!

Sanders climbing a water slide

Sawyer got a hold of a grill tool and decided it tasted good- we seriously can't turn our backs for a minute!!