Four-Wheelin'

We are ready to ride!!!

Garrison had to pretend to take his big brother for a ride!

Keyton wanted us to have a picture made of the four of us!

All of my life I have wanted a four-wheeler of my very own. I am not very confident at driving them because I don't get much practice at it. This evening, however, I got to go four-wheeling with Tammy & Whitney. Dana hauled David's four-wheeler over to Tammy's for me before he had to get ready for work. My mom kept the boys for me and we were ready to ride! I let Whitney drive on the way to the trail because I wasn't sure where we were going. I rode on the back with Whitney and Tammy led the way! We took the back-road way to get to Gunnel's Campground and there was a great trail to ride on. It was very rocky and steep so I was really glad I had let Whitney do the driving since she drives one more often than me! After we got back out of the rough parts, I took over the driving. It always comes right back to me after I get going. We stopped at a creek and washed the four-wheelers off. We used Tammy's socks as wash rags! That was pretty funny. When we arrived back at Tammy's, Michael had a wonderful supper prepared for us and Dana had managed to get the boys over there for me so they could eat with us. They were so glad to see me and I was sure glad to see them. After we ate supper, Tammy fixed us some s'mores. They were yummy too! We talked awhile and then headed home. I had a wonderful day with my family! I love spending time with the Asberry crew! They are so much fun! I love them very much!

P.S. Dana said he would try to get me a four-wheeler soon! Yay!!!

* Editor's note: These are the first pictures posted with my new camera: I finally purchased a Canon PowerShot S5 IS over the weekend and I already adore it!!!*

New driver!

Hold On, Aggie!

Keyton learned to drive this weekend! Well, he learned to drive Pa-Pa's "Mule" anyway. He really thinks he is "big stuff" when he is driving by himself. I think he had the opportunity to show off his new ability to the whole family over the course or the weekend. Today, he took my my mom for a drive. I think she was a little nervous about setting out on this adventure but Garrison told her it would be ok. He said "Bubba's a good driver, Aggie!" So, they went and had a fun little drive through our field. I am sure Garrison will be learning soon as well! Look out world...here come the Dowdy boys!!!

My! What BIG teeth you have!!!

I think Garrison's teeth are a tad too big for a two-year old!

I think Keyton has been using Miracle Grow on his teeth!

Sometimes being a mommy is a very hard job! I love my boys more than anything on earth but sometimes they can really test my patience. I think every mommy goes through the same trials. (I hope I am not the only one!) However, no matter how much trouble they get in or how mad I think I am at them, we always find a way to laugh and make up as the day starts to come to a close. My boys can make me smile in the middle of me fussing at them. I love that about them! Check out one of their new ways of trying to make me laugh! I can't stay angry long at my house!!! Yes, sometimes being a mommy IS a very hard job...but it is the BEST JOB IN THE WORLD!!! It is my greatest accomplishment ever!

Daddy's Little Farmers

Daddy's Little Farmers

The boys worked really hard making Dana a homemade Father's Day card last night. We made it out of paper bags. He read it when he came home this morning. He is on duty this week so they didn't get to hang out with him much today because he had to sleep. However, we made treats for him for breakfast: monkey bread, chocolate chip muffins, and lemon poppy seed muffins. We took it to him with a glass of milk. He woke up long enough to stuff his face and hear "Happy Father's Day-We Love You!" While he slept, we spent time outside playing. The boys wanted to make a picture for him. So, Keyton went and grabbed the Co-Op Caps and placed the wagon under a tree so they could be in the shade. He said he knew his Daddy would like to have a picture of his farming buddies holding their new kittens. We are just amazed that Garrison didn't choke his kitten to death. He carries it around by the neck everywhere he goes! The pictures turned out really cute. Keyton is a budding photographer and Garrison smiles every time he sees a camera or cell phone pointed in his direction. ( People would get the impression that their Mommy has taken photos of them almost every day since their birth!) They love their Daddy very much and he absolutely adores them. I am very lucky to have married Dana and had 2 precious boys. He is a awesome father and husband and we love him very much! Happy Father's Day Honey!

~Happy Father's Day to "My Daddy" who I know is watching over us.~

Garrison told me today that he was really sad at Poppy Bud for leaving us. I am amazed that he remembers since he had just turned one when he passed away. Keyton talks of him EVERY day.

~He was SO SPECIAL! I love you Daddy!~

Tattoos & Crocs

Check out those tattoos!

Brand New & Bright Blue!!!

The boys got Crocs today. Keyton has a hang-up about wearing socks constantly. He just burns us up in the summer! Silly boy! He finally said he would wear Crocs without socks, so we went and got some. Of course they had to match! We had a little trouble deciding on a color and finding a color that was available in both of their sizes. We ended up with bright blue. Garrison liked his so much that he wore them out of the store. He skipped all they way to the car shouting "Yay!" I kinda feel that way when I get new Crocs too. I am a big fan! The boys also picked out some Capri Suns at Wal-Mart and they had to have the kind that came with free TATTOOS. Like they need a tattoo!!! Anyway, as soon as we got home they wanted them put on. They both said something about The Naked Brothers Band. They had no clue about that band, but they pulled their shirts right off and said they were The Naked Brothers Band!!! My boys are so much fun!

Basketball Goal

Could these be future NBA stars?

Well, we bought a basketball goal right after Keyton's basketball camp ended. He had to have one...his coaches told him he must practice! However, I am married to a man with ZERO patience for assembly. Therefore, we had been looking at the picture on the box for quite sometime hoping it would simply put itself together. Now, I must say that had I been home all day everyday, I would have probably attempted it myself. I often have to do that because of Dana's bad relationship with direction sheets. But, since I have been a little busy with in-service workshops , I have slacked somewhat. Instead, I have spent time playing with my boys when I have been home. Today, I finished with my in-service and realized I must begin to work on this project. However, when I got home, Dana wanted us to go with him to check cattle at all of the farms. To my surprise and delight, Tammy called and said her & Michael were coming this way and that Michael was going to stop and put the basketball goal up for us. We hurried so we could come back home and help, but when we pulled in the driveway, Michael was standing there next to a fully assembled basketball goal! (I am sure the sight of this made Dana very happy!) The boys were so excited because I hadn't told them about the wonderful phone call surprise. We owe Michael BIG-TIME! This was such a sweet gesture. Thank you Michael!!! We will enjoy this for years!

Sweet Dreams Precious Boys

Sweet Dreams Precious Boys!

I have always loved watching my boys sleep. I have spent countless hours over the past 6 years just holding them while they were sleeping or simply watching them. They are so cute and precious to me when they are all cuddled up. As I stare at them sleeping, I often reflect on the days events and the sweet moments we have shared. I also steal lots and lots of kisses from them as well. :-) Tonight, Keyton fell asleep first and Garrison made sure to snuggle as close to him as possible. He looked at me and told me he loved me, good night, and sweet dreams. Then, he ever so gently rubbed Keyton's face and said, "My love you whole bunch, Bubba." So sweet. I always wish sweet dreams for my boys but I know the scary ones sneak in from time to time. I just hope I am always there to hold them and make it all better.

My Sleepy Sons

first one...

...then another

We have been in and out all day playing. It was so hot outside that I would take them out to play and then I would make them come in to cool down. Well, the heat must have exhausted them. We came in at about 5:00 this evening for a break and I sat down at my computer. The boys were playing on my bed behind me. The next thing I know, Garrison has made him a little bed of pillows in the floor beside me. He went to sleep within one minute. Keyton laughed when he looked down there and saw that he was asleep. Keyton went back to playing. Then...I noticed that I no longer heard Keyton making tractor noises and police car sirens, so I turned around to find him asleep as well. Oh, well, there goes the bedtime stories. Sweet Dreams my babies!

VBS was GREAT!

Keyton is having a blast getting to paint a treasure chest!

Garrison is waiting patiently to begin the craft of the night!

My boys loved our Vacation Bible School this year! The songs and videos were great. We are still singing them! They had such a great time making all of the cool crafts and they loved learning their Bible verses each night. They also loved all of the great food of course. We had a large number of kids attend each night. I found myself with tears in my eyes a few nights watching all of the children singing seeing how much they were learning from it. It was a great time. I stayed in Garrison's classroom and helped out, so Keyton talked my mom into coming as his classroom's helper. We went every night except last night and we went to Whitney's SWEET 16 party instead. We hated to miss VBS so bad, but we knew she would only turn 16 one time and she means so much to us. Keyton said, "I hate to miss Bible school, but Whitney hasn't had a birthday in YEARS, and she always comes to mine and Garrison's parties, so we need to go to hers." I thought that was so cute and funny. We can't wait until tomorrow morning at church. They are supposed to wear their VBS shirts and leis again. I hope they get to get up and sing those great songs for everyone!

Church Luau

Keyton loved the luau! He didn't want to leave!

Garrison spent most of the luau going up and down this slide!

This evening our church held a luau to kick off our upcoming Vacation Bible School. Our theme this year is Outrigger's Island. We had lots of races, games, treats, and great food. Everyone had a great time and there was a huge turnout! It looks like we will have a bunch of kids coming to VBS this year! My boys had so much fun and Garrison decided he could do anything the big boys did! He climbed the ladders and went down the slides. He even walked up the slides backwards! I was so proud of both of my boys for going off on their own and playing with all of the other kids. They didn't act shy at all. Keyton is making little steps each day to overcome his shyness. I love my boys so much and although they tend to want to hang on to me all the time, I really do not mind because one day they will not want to do that and I will miss it! They are only little once! However, today was sweet watching them show a little independence. Keyton said it was so much fun! I am sure VBS will be just as fun too!