What hard workers...

Look at those hard working guys!

Keyton scooping up a bunch...

Garrison scooping up a bunch...

Teamwork...

Very proud of their work...

We have been going to our local auction almost every Saturday night for quite some time now.   The boys really enjoy it.   Well, Keyton likes it more than Garrison.   I think Garrison's favorite part is that they have great food there!   Keyton gets excited over every type of tool or gadget they have to sell.   He thinks I should "vote" for every one of them.   Sometimes, I get him things that I think we could all use and he is very pleased.   A couple of weeks ago, I was able to snag him an old globe.   He loves it!   He has wanted one for a long time. That same night, I bought a tool box full of sockets, wrenches, bits, etc for $1.00 and they were occupied for the rest of the night. (Those have come in very handy around here lately as well) It doesn't take much to please my boys.  They like the "real" things.   When they hold up toys or other kiddie things, my guys rarely want them.   I will ask if they would like me to get them something like that and they will just shrug their shoulders.   They are so funny!   This past Saturday, he saw a little shopping cart gadget. (I'm not sure what the correct name of it is.) He was poking my arm like crazy wanting me to "vote" for it.   Well, I figured we could get some use out of this so I "voted" 8 dollars and I got it!  He was very happy.  Well, when I mowed the yard, there was quite a bit of grass piles because it had been too long in between the last mowing.   The boys got the idea (all on their own) that they could rake up those piles and haul it off for me in this cart.   They worked and worked on this project.  They were soaking with sweat when they stopped.   When they finished, they said it looked like a square bale of hay!   They have plans to do this to the rest of the yard!   They were so proud of themselves.   They just kept asking me if I was proud that they did that for me.   The funny thing is...If I had asked them to work this hard...I bet they wouldn't have wanted to!   They would have said it was too hard!   I like it when they have these great ideas that helps me out!   This was a good investment of $8.   As I was taking pictures, they noticed me doing so.   Keyton got excited and said, "Are you going to put us on your blog and tell everybody how hard we are working?"   I cracked up!   Then Garrison had to pipe in with, "Yeah, put us on your blog and call us the real big hard worker men!"  I love everything about these two "hard workers!"  =)

My baby boy...

He is trying out my sandals!

The beginning of the strawberries & cream treat...

Catch it!

Look at that excitement!

Ready to throw it to me!

I have written more about Keyton most recently because of school activities.   However, Garrison has been doing such funny things lately and he just cracks us up!   I am just savoring every sweet moment I have with him because I know he is my baby and  I am so going to miss these sweet toddler moments one day!   It breaks my heart in some ways for my boys to grow up.   I cherish all of the sweet and special times with them.  Garrison has gotten super attached to me since I have been home on summer break.   He doesn't want to stay anywhere at all.   he wants to be with me all of the time!   He has always been just like Keyton about being so loving with me  and coming up to me to kiss me constantly.   However, lately when he does this, he looks at me like he simply adores me!   It is so cute!   He just keeps rubbing my face and telling me, "Mommy, I could never ever stop loving you!"   Awww...he melts my heart.   He has been talking about my daddy a lot lately too.   He remembers things about him and I do not know how.   It amazes us all.  He also tells us that he sometimes sees his Poppy Bud looking down at him and smiling and making silly faces at him.   The other day, he wanted me to pass the ball with him on the porch.   I think he would have done this all day and night!   It was funny to me because I used to make my daddy do this same thing with me.  Garrison got so excited every time I threw him the ball.   He made such funny faces as he was preparing to catch it.  So, I got the camera and snapped after I would make a pass to him!   It was tons of fun!  He also cracks me up with his eating.   As soon as he finishes a meal, he is ready for a snack!   Funny boy!   They other day, he slipped up from playing in the basement because he wanted to eat some strawberries and cool whip with me. He made such a mess all over his face and I think he was trying to eat fast before Keyton came on the hunt of him and he had to share! One of the funniest things he has said this week was about chickens. Most mornings as soon as he wakes up he goes out the back door to try to catch one of our semi-wild kittens.   The other day, he came flying back in and told me this, "Mommy, I was trying to catch a kitten and one of those chickens got on the back porch and it tried to "FLAG" me!   I just cracked up!   I didn't think Keyton would ever stop laughing!   Then that same evening, they went with their daddy for their daily egg gathering at the chicken house.   This is the story I got from that trip, "Mommy, when we were at the chicken house, not a big one, not a baby one, but a MEDIUM chicken got loose.   I tried to grab it and it FLAGGED at me!   It didn't matter though, I caught it by its FLAGGERS!   I kinda like it when they FLAG, don't you?"   Oh, he cracked us all up! Dana was so amused!  Turns out that he had went down there in his socks and Keyton didn't want any part in catching that runaway chicken (I think he gets that from me!), but Garrison jumped right in without shoes! We call Garrison our CATCHER because he is always catching everything!   He even catches flies that are in our house!   This amazes Keyton! Garrison is such a funny little dude! Everywhere we go someone tells him how much he looks like his daddy.   Of course I know it is very true...but Garrison thinks he looks just like me!   Sweet little guy!  I adore this boy and am so thankful he is MY baby!   

From low to high...

"Roughing" It...

Sleeping like kings...

The redecoration of our home has left our living room in shambles for pretty much the whole month of June!   First, we had our entire kitchen sitting in the living room.   Then just as soon as the kitchen was moved out, the bedroom furnishings moved into our living room!   We began our "camp-out" on a mattress in the living room floor this past Sunday.  The boys have LOVED this!   They think it is totally cool!   They even suggested we do it FOREVER!   I think not!   We got the floors put down on Monday.  However, not until today (Friday) did we get a bed put back in place.  We have had VBS this week so that has stopped my work on the house a little. I also had to shop around, negotiate prices, and wait for it to be built...our new KING size bed that is!   We needed this very badly.   They boys still sleep with me and booted Dana out quite some time ago.   So, now we are all excited that he will get to come back in to the room and we can ALL sleep together!  They were very excited to get to lay down in the new bed tonight. Now, all I have left to do is get a few more small items out of my living room, do a little redecorating, have a major yard sale, and finally get to repainting the living room!  Whew!

Busy Week...Lots of Work...New Kitchen!

This was one of the nights they were "installing tile"

Pedicure for Daddy...

A glimpse of my new kitchen!

I am trying to be creative with the laundry room door...

The rest of it will soon be tan...

Work in progress...

I thought this was a funny way to find them...

Little brother holding Big brother...

Well...we got our tile put down in our kitchen.   It took one week.  Dana's cousin's husband did it for us in the evenings after he got off of work.   Bless his heart!   I am sure he is exhausted!   It was like camping at our house during this time.   Our fridge, our dining table, and our work island was in the living room.   The rest of the stuff was scattered about.   My washer, dryer, and stove were on back porch.   I couldn't do much as far as housework goes until it was finished.  The boys thought it was a little fun to have everything in the living room!   They watched every step of the tile work and are still pretending to install tile!  I love the new floor!   I decided to paint too because this room has always been white...everywhere!  I went with tan walls.   I have decided to paint my WHOLE house!   I have decided to paint all of my white trim a chocolate color.   I wasn't sure how it would tun out...but...I love it!   I haven't gotten everything back together yet, but it is coming together nicely.   I have the rest of the week to tear apart my bedrooms, paint them, and rip up my carpet before I get new floors installed in there on Monday!   I am a busy bee!   Keep in mind that my husband is still injured and I am having to do all of this myself.   He has been impressed with my efforts.   Today I unloaded 400 square feet of floating wood floor by myself.   My back will go out next if I am not careful!   Poor Dana found out he has FOUR ruptured discs and will have to see a back specialist next week.   He is a little better than he was but still has a lot of numbness and pain in his right leg.   The boys have been taking good care of him and waiting on him hand and foot....speaking of foot...they treated him to a semi-pedicure the other evening.   It was funny!   He loved it of course.   I bought me a Ped-Egg and I loved it!   It really worked good.   The boys wanted to use it on my feet because they think it is neat how much skin comes off of you!   They decided to try it on their daddy too!   They did a better job on me though because they got tired working on his big feet!   The boys are excited about all of the the remodeling going on around here.   They think we are getting a new house!   I am trying to get it all done as soon as possible so I can enjoy the rest of my summer being lazy and playing with the boys! Oh wait...next week is VBS!   Maybe after that...the laziness can begin!

Climbing and Cheering Up Day!

Ok...that is high enough!  Com on down!

"Wonder how I can get to the top?"

"Is this pole sturdy enough?"

Serious Climber Faces

Check out the climbing belt and gloves!

Well, this has been a trying week in our family.   It started Tuesday evening when Dana came home to help the boys with their baby chickens.   He was on duty and just ran home for a minute to help them.   I had just walked back up to the house when I heard Keyton yell.   I went outside and he said "Daddy needs you to help him up!"   I couldn't figure out how he could have fallen.  But, when I walked down to the chicken house, I indeed found him on the ground on one knee.   He was just frozen still...and in obvious pain.   I do not know how I did it, but I lifted him up off of the ground and was able to prop him against the wall of the chicken house.   Then is when I went into "medic-mode."   I managed to get the boys back to the house. (I had to push Garrison on his tractor because the battery died while down there.)   I sat them on the porch in chairs and instructed them not to move!   I went to the shed and got the 4 wheeler and drove it as close to Dana as I could.   I then managed to get him on it enough that I thought he would not fall.   This left little room for me to drive, however I managed to maneuver on there somehow and get him to the front yard.   Bless his heart, he yelled out in pain every time he moved or got bumped around.   It really scared me because I could tell how very bad he was hurt.   He has had a bad back for years and it just gave out on him somehow.   I guess he just twisted it somehow.   Well, he sat on that 4 wheeler for about an hour before Michael A came from camping at the lake to help me.   It was starting to thunder and lightning so I had to get him in!   He was afraid to put all of his weight on me...but I think at this point I had proved my strength! =)  Michael and I both leaned over and he used us as we were a walker.   Michael had to lift his legs up to get him up the steps.   His main trouble this time is that when he tries to stand, it puts so much pressure on him that his legs give out and won't work.   He has been in this shape ever since.   I finally convinced him to let me take him to the doctor Friday.   They gave him some medicine and if not better by Monday want to do an  MRI.   And after we got home...I cut my hand open with pruning scissors.   Dana said I needed stitches but it was 20 minutes until the doctor's office closed and I just let him help me bandage it up good.  Poor Keyton and Garrison...they really need to watch their parents more carefully! Dana  has been down in the dumps from having to sit at home, miss work (he never takes a day off) , and be waited on hand and foot (he really is tired of this...believe it or not!) Today, we had a bunch of company and it made him feel a little better to get to talk to other people because he is so used to being around people all the time. Michael, Tammy, Christopher, & Whitney brought sandwich meat and chips over and we had lunch together.   Then, My mom and Adam came over because today was the day he had promised to bring his pole climbing equipment over to show the boys how he climbs every day in his job with the electric company.   They were in amazement and I just wanted him to be careful and hurry back down.   Dana's mom drove up just as we were all gathered around the pole looking up and I of course was making pictures.   She didn't know what to think!  Of course, as soon as he was down...the boys went to round up some "climbing equipment" of their own!   They climbed and pulled around on the basketball goal and the trees.   They said they worked for the electric company too.   Every time Adam visits, they learn something new from him that they practice over and over! Dana began to hurt worse at one point this evening and lost some feeling in one of his legs.   I have been so worried about him.   When the one you love gets hurt, injured, or sick...you really realize how very much you love that person!  When I said, in sickness and in health...I meant it!   He said he didn't know what he would have done without me this week.   I don't know what I would do without him every day! I pray he gets well soon and doesn't require surgery because I know that is a fear of his.   I hope it is something that can be treated with therapy or medication.   Oh...and at the end of the evening...Keyton got stung by a wasp!   He is terrified of them anyway so he took it pretty hard!   Poor Garrison...he had absolutely had enough!   He just sat down on the love seat...and went to sleep sitting straight up!   So, yes...my boys are in bed right now and they look like dirty little pigs!   But, hey...sometimes it is just too much effort to get clean before bedtime!   They will get cleaned tomorrow!  But dirty or clean...they are precious angels that I can't wait to snuggle with...dirt necklaces and all!

A Good Catch!

Our pet...Twilight

Showing me how fast he can go!

Excited that he is doing a good job!

Keyton thought this would make Garrison feel big!

The boys have had a fun day playing outside ALL DAY LONG!   I have just let the house completely go and stayed out here with them.   Maybe I will get caught up while they sleep tonight.  They have driven their John Deeres until the batteries were dead.  While they were charging, they dug out their bicycle and tricycle.  They have chased chickens, pulled weeds, pretended like they were hauling hay,  and picked and skinned polk stalks.   Garrison was also able to capture a butterfly for me.   I saw one yesterday that was black, white, and red.   I told the boys it looked like a "Twilight" butterfly.   So today, I went in the house for a minute and all of a sudden they came busting in behind me and Garrison had it in his hand.   It looked just like the one I had seen!   Keyton said he didn't know how Garrison was so good at catching things! Garrison was so proud of himself!   He said, "Mommy, I am so proud I caught it for you!"  He couldn't stop smiling!  We put it in a jar so we could get a look at it and then we turned it loose.   It flew up into a tree in front of the house and posed for some snapshots!   All throughout the day, they saw it fluttering around different places in the yard.   Every time they would spot it, they would shout, "Look Mommy...Twilight is back!"   I guess we have a new pet!  

New Battery...Weekend of Fun!!

Let the fun begin!

Stopping by to pose for Mommy...

This cracks me up!

Keyton:  "Mommy, make him stop!"

Garrison:  No words... But just look at that face!

Such a sweet moment!

So glad I keep my camera close!

Taking a snack break...

Wonder what they are talking about?

Hold on to your snacks Garrison!

So, Keyton has been wanting a battery for his old Gator for some time now.   It has been out of commission for a couple of years thanks to a silly dog we once had that thought the charger was a snack.   His battery got thrown away at some point during this time period.   He really didn't miss it that much until Christmas when...Garrison got a tractor.   Ever since it has been warm enough outside for Garrison to ride, Keyton has decided that a bicycle is not the only thing he needs to have for transportation.   So on Friday after the boys had haircuts, the 3 of us headed out to Cookeville.   My mom usually goes with us but she was gardening & I hated to mention the trip because I knew she would stop and go with us.   Even though we love having her with us, we had a great time by ourselves.   We went to Old Navy, Big Lots, and finally to Wal-Mart to get the battery.   The boys were great and they were happy to finally have the battery in our possession!   Keyton was excited because he was going to get to ride around the yard with Garrison now and Garrison just gets excited about Keyton seeing happy.   It was too late when we got back home to ride, but the next morning as soon as we woke up...we were outside.   The reverse seems to have gotten messed up since he last rode it but he was still happy.   I felt a little sorry for him having to get off and push it when he couldn't back up, but it was also kinda cute.   I am going to try to look for another used one that someone might have for sale.  His is faded out and old-looking, but Keyton says it reminds him of my Daddy's old Ford truck that we have.   My Daddy always used whatever he found to fix things.   I still remember when the tailgate on this Gator started falling down all the time, and Keyton found an old piece of wire and looped it though to hold it together.   Dana and I laughed and laughed because it was just like my Daddy!  The boys had such fun chasing each other around the yard.   They took turns being the leader.   One funny thing happened when Garrison wanted to try out the Gator.   Keyton had a selfish moment kick in and didn't want Garrison to drive it very far.   Garrison got on and Keyton told him how far he could go.   Garrison didn't listen to that and took it for a complete loop around the yard and brought it back where he started.   After he passed the point that Keyton had told him to go, Keyton started chasing him and yelling for him to stop.   Garrison kept the pedal to the metal.   It was funny to watch and I captured a great moment of the episode in a photo.   Later in the evening when Keyton's battery was the first to need charging, Garrison was kind enough to let Keyton ride his while he was doing something else.   I pointed this out to Keyton and he realized that he had acted selfish and unfair to his brother.   I know it is hard to share and even harder when it is something new to you.   I hope this is a lesson he will remember.  They rode all weekend long and I'm sure this trend will continue all summer!   Keyton is almost too big for this Gator, but we don't feel comfortable getting him a real 4-wheeler yet.   We have told him we will be watching him all summer to see how careful and responsible he is to see if he will be ready to step up by next year.   I am so excited for all the fun these 2 precious boys are going to bring to my summer!   I am so lucky to get to spend it with them!!!!

End of school happenings...

Did you guys forget to get ready?

Keyton & Mrs. Evans

Check out the cool shirts she got for the whole class!

Garrison showing me his injuries!

The end of school was a busy time for us all.   2 days before school was out, First Grade had Pajama Day.   Keyton was glad to be able to wear his pajamas and be comfy all day.  They were allowed top bring sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, and toys to play with.   Keyton took his nintendo DS, his iPod shuffle, and his digital camera.   Of course, Garrison had to wear his pajamas to my mom's house too!   He also took his Gameboy!   When I walked Keyton to his room, his teacher was looking out the door at a kitten that was lost and scared.   She was placing food and milk outside for it.   I told her if they caught it, we would take it.   So, a few minutes later it was delivered to my room in a box!   I called "Uncle Jason" to take it to our house on his way to his farm.   I was worried how our other cats would treat it, but when we got home...the mama cat had taken it right in!  It is the same size as her two kittens.   Now...she has 3!   We named it Pajamas since we found it on Pajama Day.   We call it PJ for short.   The last day of school was also toy day and a fun day for all.   Keyton decided he wanted to give his teacher a BIG fern for a present.   He thought long and hard about what to give her before coming up with that idea.   He absolutely adores Mrs. Evans!!!   He made me promise to go during my lunch break and get her one...the biggest one they had!   He made her a card early that morning that read:   Thank you for helping me GROW this year!   I took it down to his room and he gave it to her.   He said he wished she could be his teacher every year until he got to 7th & 8th and then he could have me as a teacher!   We are so thankful he had such a great year.   Mrs. Evans is a super teacher and has taught him such a great deal!   Now...on to Garrison... When we got home on the last day of school, we were outside playing.   I was getting something out of the car when I heard him scream.   I looked around and he had been running and hit his head on the rim of our trampoline.   His head and eye were blue when he got to me.  It scared me so much.  I held him and Keyton got him an ice pack.   The blue color faded and he was such a big boy through it all.   He just sat in my lap and stayed calm.   He said he knew I would take good care of my little boy!   Poor thing ended up with a pump knot on his forehead, a bruise and scratch on both cheeks and also on one eyelid.  There is never a dull moment around here! Oh...and on my teacher only day of school, I found out that among the many changes and new placement for next year...Mrs. Evans is going to be teaching SECOND GRADE!!!   I called my mom's house and asked to talk to Keyton.   I told him the news.   My mom told me later that when he hung up, he jumped all over the house and screamed.   He is so excited because now he at least has a CHANCE of having her one more year.   He said his wish really did come true.