Rock Ranch

Here are Grace and Sam on the 'cow' train. Too cute.
This was the jumping pillow. It just popped up from the ground, although I didn't get a full shot of it.
Love it! Action shot of "the wave". My most favorite wave in the world.
Sam's first ride on a John Deere. He ran into many hay bails during his riding time.
LOOK!! Another picture of Mom and the boys. I'm sure all you mothers out there know how rare this actually is, although I have two recent ones. I'm blessed!

Here we go!!

We heard about this place called "The Rock Ranch" by a brochure and it looked like a lot of fun. It is sponsored by the people that own Chick-Fil-A on their ranch in Rock, Georgia. We had no idea what it was going to be like but Becca and I were super excited to go. I think more than the kids were, honestly. We were just glad to have a Saturday off from soccer.

This is the pumpkin maze that they had set up for the kids to run through while the parents wait for tickets. Can you see how teeny Gracie is? She is so petite, but beautiful!
For some reason, Sam didn't want his picture taken at this moment and no one knew why. Carson went and dragged him over for the picture. Carson is such an AWESOME help whenever he is around to help with Sam.
We guilted Mimi and Papa into coming with us, but they had a good time too! I thought for sure that Gary was gonna buy some goats as soon as we got back. He is just right at home on anything that resembles a farm. (yall know he finally go a baby bunny right?)
Lukers and Becca on the tram headed to the Rock Ranch. The tram was this big thing hooked up to a John Deere. Luke was a sport and the weather was beautiful so it was a good time for all.

Thanks Grandma!!

As you all know, the boys play hockey any chance they get. They normally play in socks on the tile floor or wet the trampoline down and play outside. After much agonizing and debating, we have decided to let them have a go at youth hockey here. It is expensive to get all that equipment so we have to say THANK YOU GRANDMA!!!! Mick talked with his mom and she got the boys both outfitted within a week! It was awesome! Now of course they have to put it on daily until they are ready to hit the ice!

Do hockey players smile like this?
It's very nice that we have 4 rooms of floors that are hockey friendly.
Look at this tough guy!! Ignore the undies though! Sam shoots!

Kindergarten!!

Happy for his first day of school.
Sam was ready to go with him. And his purple monkey that is hanging around his neck.
In the classroom. Not sure why I got him by the 'Girls' sign, LOL.
Don't smile Ben! He was trying to contain the excitement. He wanted to be cool and calm for his first day with the new students.

Most moms posted these first day of school pictures weeks ago, but well, I'm just trying to be different!! ;)

Another funny!

So Sam has these bumps on him that are confusing because it looks like ant bites but they are kind of multiplying. Well the inevitable was brought up about it possibly being the chicken pox. (we will try to go to the doctor today) So this morning I'm counting his bumps and here goes the conversation:

Sam: That one looks probably like chicken 'pops'.
Ben: Sam, if you have chicken pox you can't go to school.
Sam: Yeah, if you have chicken 'pops' you have to go to the doctor and flap your wings.

I kid you not, I can not make this stuff up! And at least I have a blog so that they can see this for themselves when they are older!!

HEE HEE!!!

I was filling out a form they sent home for Ben, I guess to consider him for the gifted program. One of the things was, are they interested in current or world events? (he's five, but oh well) So, just for starters, I ask Ben, "Hey Ben, do you know who the President of the United States is?" He says, "No." Then immediately after he says, "Wait, isn't it George Bushington?"

Mick and I cracked up laughing!!! Obviously.

I hope that brightened your day! It sure did brighten ours. Kids! They say the darndest things.

Grandma's Birthday!!

We got to throw Grandma a birthday party at our house. The boys had a great time with it, not only because they LOVE birthday cake but also because they colored and decorated the wrapping paper for Grandma's present. Such a cute pic of the three of them. I love it!!Make a wish! I wished Grandma and Titi were closer!
Sam learns a lot of his clown moves from Isaac, his cousin. He is doing the old birthday hat ears! Alot of times he does a rhino horn off the front too. Look at all these Kempffers at our table!! It warms my heart, truly.
Mick did so good picking out his mom's present that I wanted to steal it from her. You can tell these two weren't all that comfortable with the spot light being on them for picture time.
And who had the most fun at the birthday party???? SAM!! He turns into the human pogo stick after sugar. Good times!

Callaway Gardens with Grandma and Titi

Here is a shot of everyone waiting for the "Birds of Prey" exhibit. Now usually it is outside but since it was "too hot for the birds" they brought a falcon inside this auditorium and talked with us about it. Now, I'm no genius but if it was too hot for the birds, do you think it was too hot for us? LOL! Carrie Ann and Donna sure got a taste of the August heat in Georgia. They swear they loved it though since they get 3 weeks of 80 degree weather, and that is their "hot". YIKES!

After lunch we went on the bridge and fed the turtles and fish. I love this picture because I don't have many of Donna and the boys!
Good ole putt-putt. Mick and Grandma were playing serious and I think Grandma won. The boys just tore through the place. They can play 18 holes of putt-putt in 10 minutes. I've seen it here and at Hollywood Connection.


A picture of me and the boys before the "Butterfly Exhibit". This is really cool for the kids, they give them maps so that you can go through and try to identify the different kinds of butterflies. I suggest a cooler day to go though, that place could have melted me.
This is one of the butterflies and I don't remember the exact name but it is some sort of "owl" butterfly, notice the eye?

YAH, SURE, YOU BETCHA!!!

Coming soon...posts about Grandma's birthday and Titi and Grandma's visit. I'm too pooped to do it tonight, and I'm trying to keep it in chronological order. Hopefully tomorrow I will have it up.

The Johnson/Collins Beach Trip

This was dinner for the Drydens when me and Becca teamed up for dinner, we had each individual family come in for their "reservation". We had the kids waiting tables which is pictured below. Like the moustaches? They had a blast doing it too. Tucker and Jack came back and waited on us when it was our turn to eat and guess who had them running back and forth? Isaac!

Sam was so excited for this train ride, thanks to Elle for standing in but then after I paid for three tickets the guy let us be buy one get one free?? Whatever, so Zach, Carson and myself all rode for free! Fun huh, Zach? ha ha
Beautiful girls!
Warped photo but this was a really cool park that we found one rainy night.

I can not express how much fun we had with my family this summer. We got to spend a whole week at the beach with them. We had my brother and his family in from Utah. My sister and fam from Virginia, my other sister and fam from California and of course Becca and our families were there. We even had Michael and Uncle Willie with us for a few days.
For as much fun as I had though, I think the cousins had 20 times that much fun. It was awesome to see everyone. That is the sweetest bunch of children you have ever seen. I think it is time to pay tribute to them individually so that no one gets shortchanged. If you want, feel free to scroll on down, but this is my blog and so I'm gonna write about all my wonderful nieces and nephews.
I'll start with the Johnsons.
Zach-sweet, handsome, polite and helpful, the jellyfish love him
Max-kind, nurturing and always willing to help out, very courteous, hurt his ankle but kept on like a trooper the rest of the trip.
Tucker-fun, kind, always helpful with the little kids, loved the ocean, he should live near one
Bailey-like a little mother already, wants to help everyone she can, pretty, great gymnast
Aimee-silly and fun, pretty and petite, can swim but doesn't know it, ;)
Cooper-ummmm....loves his Daddy and his new crocs, ha ha!! he finally warmed up the last two days, and when he did, I think he had a lot of fun.

The Drydens
Elle-sweet, pretty, athletic, like Zach, being the oldest, she always helps with the youngins
Jack-funny, handsome kid, happy all the time, jellyfish love him too!
Will-hilarious, handsome, quick with the knowledge, I learned to differentiate between ligers and tions and which can reproduce.
Sophie-ringleader among the girls, athletic, pretty, rides boogie boards well for a 6 yr old
Sadie-much happier now that she's aging, I think she likes me now, but definitely made a friend in Sam

The Sniders
Carson-handsome, sweet, had a ball with all his cousins and having his dad there
Isaac-always the life of the party, played up the waiting table nights, gets a tie reward between him and Jack for darkest tan, yes he asks, who's darker!!
Luke-my buddy, I'm 90% sure that I'm his favorite aunt but he wouldn't want your feelings to be hurt by letting that out, most handsome, his dad was sure glad he liked to nap and take 'breaks' from the sun. He loved the waves when Bec had him sitting in the chair as they broke.
Grace-HOG HEAVEN to have all those girls to play with instead of stinky brothers, pretty, sweet and athletic

The Carruths
Savannah-hilarious, beautiful girl, DUH!!, she can handle her own and no one loved the sand more than her
Caro-round, chubby, beautiful, eats well, points, doesn't like me much, will let me hold her ONLY if Mike and Erica aren't around, oh, or Mimi.

Sayings or Memories? You guys will have to add some in for me but so far,

Say you did, did ya?

Jessico-They's love in marriage, but theys also anger, hatred and sorrow.
Stop picking at my brain what little bit they is left.

Little Arduth

Song of the trip: I'm so lucky, lucky!!! (get down Aimers!! grind those hips)

To all of my family, I had such a wonderful time with all of you. I love you all so much and wish we could do this more often.

MIMI AND PAPA, Thanks one billion times over for doing this for us, you are the best! What great memories you created for all of us for years to come!!

Beach Trip

They couldn't be bothered with professional pictures, they just wanted to be WILD!!
Cute pic of the boy cousins, Luke was in the professional one along with Cooper but I'm not sure that Cooper stayed in the picture. They are a handsome bunch of boys!
For those who have met Sam, is this typical or what??? Do the opposite of what everyone tells you Sam, that's right.
Of course you have to drop some money at the Build-A-Bear when you are nearby, or am I the only dummy that does that?
They all got to ride in the back of Papa's truck. The picture with all of the kids is too dark and this one may be as well now that I'm looking at it. What is it about riding in the back of a truck that is just good times??

More great pairs!!

Ben and Grace, I'm hoping that silly smile will correct as he gets older.
Beautiful picture of the Johnsons. Six kids later and you can still see the love!!
Me and my studly!!!

Matt and Mick look all gangsta

Dedge and Elle. Elle is now officially taller than Deidra.

Things are always better in pairs!!!

Yes, Savannah, we think he is crazy too!! We got a little puzzle obsessed while at the beach. Mick and I are still going strong with puzzles.
Mike and Caro, she is soooo cute!!!
Mimi and Elle. Elle is so grown up now, she is very pretty but the best part is that she's just a cool girl. She was VERY helpful at the beach.
Becca and Michael chilling at the playground.
This is such a cute picture. Erica and Mike stealing a smooch on the see-saw.

COUSINS AND THE BEACH

This is the "rules" night where we needed to go over the "buddy system". Now you KNOW you have a lot of 'chilrens' when you need a buddy system established just for your family vacation. Without going into too much detail, we'll just say there was an episode where we needed to lay down some rules for back-up.

Break time from the beach.
Digging the sand. They loved having a big hole to play in each day.
Play area at the Destin shopping center.