Clean-Up Crew

Beside the desk:  BEFORE

Beside the desk:  AFTER

In front of the closet:   BEFORE

In front of the closet:  AFTER

The cutest cleaning crew I have ever seen!!!

I am the luckiest girl in the whole wide world!

I love these little guys so much...

messes and all!!!

The other night, I told the boys they needed to stop playing for a few minutes and do a clean-up on their room!   They had toys everywhere!   Surprisingly, they did not fuss and seemed quite excited to please me.  Keyton told me to get my camera and take BEFORE pictures and then take AFTER pictures so I could put it on my blog!   Garrison thought that was a great idea!  So, they shut the door and went to work!   They did open it long enough to ask me if they could leave the toys they were playing with on the bed.  I assured them this was fine.   They were very excited for  me to see their hard work and for me to take pictures! I love these sweet guys and I am so lucky to have such a cute clean-up crew!

The simple things...

Hard at work...

Lots of work to be done...

Look how much room it has...

The job is never done...

We have been going to our local auction every Saturday night for quite some time now.   Keyton absolutely loves it and wants me to buy every tool or work gadget they have!   Garrison...he likes the food.   He has gotten in the habit lately of eating and then laying over in my lap and sleeping through it.  Last Saturday, we got some great treasures:  A Gazelle exercise machine, a set of photography lights, a load of board games, wrought iron shelf, a toy bin organizer, and an old metal tool box for the boys to get their hands on Dana.  They have had the best time ever playing working with their Dana's tool box!  It keeps them busy for hours.   They have discovered that they can each fit in the bottom compartment.   They have both taken turns pushing the other one in it.  They were overjoyed by all of the JUNK treasures they found inside the compartments. It is amazing to me that something this old, rusty, worn-out, and simple can entertain my children so much better than some of their fancier toys.  Yes, indeed...some of the best things in life are SIMPLE THINGS!

First Day of 2nd Grade....

Brothers with backpacks...

Keyton (2nd grade...age 7)

Garrison (age 3)

Keyton with his buddy Chase 

(they were hoping to be in same room, but they are not) 

Keyton and his buddy Hallie...

they have been in same room since kindergarten!

I cannot believe I have a child in the SECOND GRADE!!!!   WOW!   It seems as only it was yesterday that we brought Keyton home from the hospital, held him in our arms,  and couldn't take our eyes off of him. That last part hasn't changed much but we definitely can't hold him in our arms as easily now....he is getting so big! He really wasn't excited to go back and I don't really blame him.   The first day is hard. Especially when you have gotten to sleep in, play all day, and stay up late ALL SUMMER LONG!   It was also hard for my boys to realize they have to be apart for the biggest part of the day again.  They love being together and get so used to it in the summers, that it is hard for them for a few days.   Garrison has been crying off and on for a few weeks now just thinking about me and Keyton both going off to school together and leaving him behind.  That is probably hard for him to understand.  Last night, I got him one of Keyton' s older backpacks out that was bigger than the one he carried to "Aggie School" last year.  I filled it with workbooks, notebook, pencils, and glue sticks.   He was very proud of it this morning and couldn't wait to show my mom when we go to her house.  He was excited to get to use glue sticks.   He seemed fine and hugged and kissed me & Keyton several times.  Just as I was backing out of her driveway, he came flying down her front steps.  He was smiling though and he said he just had to tell me one more thing.   I rolled down my window and looked down at him and his smile turned into little precious lips quivering.   He then began crying and said, "I am so sad about you and Keyton leaving me." It.broke.my.heart. Oh...bless his little heart.  I got out and picked him up.   With a couple more hugs and kisses, he was ready to have my mom all to himself.  He was fine the rest of the day.   Who wouldn't be?   Staying with your grandma that does whatever you want...What a life!   Keyton didn't have a great deal to get used to when he got to school.  He was lucky and he is in the same room with the same teacher as last year!  She moved to second grade and he got in her room. So, nothing new to him...yet!  I am sure the work will be very new!   He is in the room with several of his close friends, however there are some he wishes were in there with him.   At the end of the day, Keyton was very tired but he had a great day.   His teacher had a LUAU theme going on to "Surf into Second Grade."   They made smoothies got curly straws to drink with!   He had a good time.   Garrison was sure happy to see us though when we picked him up.  They played together all evening and never stopped talking.   They both shared things they had done today.   They truly are best buddies and I hope they will always be!   I want to remember one sweet thing Garrison told me as I was getting him ready for bath time.   He looked up at me with those precious eyes, and said... "Mommy, even on the 8th day of the week, I will still be loving you!"   Be still my heart!   I have been so blessed with two of the sweetest boys in the world!   They are shy guys, and the rest of the world does not get to hear all of their sweet thoughts very often, but I am a very lucky mommy because they tell me so many things and I am soaking it all up! I love my boys!!!

First Day of 2nd Grade....

Cave Adventures!

Adam starting down...

Keyton using one of the fancy hiking sticks...

Garrison looking like a miner...

My little explorers...

Adam falling down.... Whew!

When my nephew, Adam is around you just never know what kind of adventure you may go on! He is an avid fan of rappelling.  This scares me to death!  I hate the thought of him hanging from cliffs by a rope!  Ugh!  A couple of weekends ago, he decided he would let us see this hobby of his firsthand.   I of course sent with my camera in hand.  We watched him rappel down the cliffs in my mom's back field next to her cave.  Now, I know these are not nearly as high as the ones he usually dangles from, but they were plenty big enough to make me worry and to make Dana have weak knees!   The boys got a big kick out of watching him, however neither one showed an interest in taking up this hobby! (Thank Goodness!) They were too busy playing in the creek and the cave.   The cave....is a whole other story! I went in my sandals. (Nike with one large strap across the toe) I was only planning on standing in the field.  Oh no....everyone decided we would hike through the cave as well! I will say that my family is a persistent family because no matter how much I tried to convince them I could not make it up and down those rocks and through all of that slick and muddy territory...they said I could...and I ended up doing so!  I had very muddy feet but it was still fun! However, it was a funny sight because along with those one strap sandals, I also carried my Vera Bradley bag I use for a camera bag!   I couldn't leave my camera behind! It was quite challenging keeping myself upright and protecting my bag at the same time!  They boys thought they were real explorers! They were very dirty...especially Garrison!   I think he just rolled in the mud! It was a fun day but I wish Adam would find hobbies that don't cause his aunt that loves him so much to worry about him! I have learned that Adam is taking us on many adventures lately all in the backyard where I grew up!   My boys are loving them!

Photos at the new bridge...

Sitting on a fallen tree...

Keyton...

Keyton in the creek...

Garrison...

Garrison in the creek...

Heading back to the truck...

Yesterday I finally took the boys to my mom's back field to take some pictures of them on the bridge that my nephew, Adam built with the help of his dad and brother.   He just had the idea to build one across the little creek back there and it turned out great! Dana drove us up there while Whitney was still with us.   She enjoyed watching them!  The boys were too excited thinking about getting in the creek to look at my camera!   I told them if they would let me get a few good shots, they would  be allowed to get in the creek!  That seemed to work!   After I got a few...I let them get in.   now, they would not take off their work boots and go barefoot as I would have liked, but they had a good time and looked very cute!   We are glad Adam built this cute bridge and look forward to many more photo shoots on it!

New Driver...

Cranking it up!

Heading out...

Coming back...

Last night, Tammy, Whitney, & I went to the movies to see The Proposal.   It was AWESOME!   I laughed all the way through it! Dana stayed home with the boys to continue day 2 of my "me-time." (this is what Dana has been referring to it as!)  As soon as the movie ended, I got a text from Dana that read:  The boys r fighting & Keyton drove the old Ford.   I replied:  OMG!   Then, I immediately dialed him up!   Keyton had been sitting in this truck (which was my daddy's) for along time telling us that he thought he was tall enough to drive it! So, Dana let him drive it to the top of the driveway and then again over on a field we have cattle in.   I knew I would not be able to do a thing with this kid from now on!   I was unsure how Dana had ever gotten him back in the house for I am sure his head was swelled  as huge as the truck! When Whitney & I arrived home, the boys cut loose telling us all about the driving adventures!   Garrison said he drove too! Dana let him sit in his lap and hold the wheel.  They were so funny! Whitney spent the night and not long after we woke up, Keyton had to show us how he could drive.   So, Dana, Garrison, & Whitney set out on an adventure with him.   I had to stay so I could take pictures and videos of the accomplishment! He drove up the driveway and over to the edge of our property and turned around in the field.   He is so excited!   He cannot wait to take ME for a ride and he is DRIVING us crazy wanting to take us on rides!   Dana has created a 7 year old driving monster! I can just see my daddy smiling down at him because he is driving his old truck!

Four-Wheelin' Fun

A beautiful scene on our way through...

Another gorgeous view...

Me & Whitney 

The reasons I was glad to be home....

Well, Tammy gathered up a little crew today and we all went four-wheelin'!  I wish it would have been sunny and warm, but instead we headed out in the RAIN!!!   I haven't gotten to go on many rides since I got my four-wheeler.   I mostly just ride around close to home on short trips.   These are not the kind of trips you take when Tammy is along! We went way past Robbinstown to a place called Cricket.   We went on many hills and bumpy trails today.   I wasn't sure how I would manage since I don't usually go to the really rough places. After making our way through trees (standing and on the ground in our paths) we came out to civilization again.   Then we decided to try our hand through a creek!   It was rough!   It was just like stair steps in that water.   We hit a few big rocky spots where we had to move big rocks and trees in order to make it.   I only got my four-wheeler stuck one time! Everyone said I did a very good job for not being a pro!  They cheered me on every time I made it up a rough obstacle!   I had a blast and felt pretty good about myself because even though I didn't really get "scared" I will admit that a few times I was not sure about my abilities when I saw what was ahead. I made it though and am so glad I decided to buy a four-wheeler!  The boys got to stay home with their daddy while I was out on my great adventure.   Garrison was hesitant to "let me go" at first but they had a great time hanging out with their daddy.   As soon as I got back, Keyton wanted to know if I did any speeding!   Oh if they only knew what their mommy did today!  They would give me a ticket I am sure!   They were super happy to see me and I was very glad to wrap my arms around them!   I have a great life!

Cornhole Showdown...

Here is a shot of my little cuties after church!

This is the cake they worked so hard on for Tammy!

Yes!   We just won the game!

Our victory dance!

So, last year I cooked a birthday dinner for Tammy and we had the best time hanging out and playing cornhole. So, I decided that this may need to be a tradition.  Sunday, we had her and her family over after church to eat.   We had steak, hamburgers, my special potatoes, corn, baked beans, macaroni w/ tomatoes, carrot cake, and vanilla ice cream.   They boys worked really hard the night before on her cake.   As we were shaking the batter around to even it out in the pan, we all had to shake our hips while yelling "shake your booty!" They loved that as had a blast decorating it for her!   She loved it!   After our food settled, we decided to start up the cornhole game! Last year, Tammy & I had to play MANY MANY games before we FINALLY got a win at the end of the evening.   We were hoping things would be different this year! So, it was me & her against Michael & Christopher. We started out in the lead, but they beat us!   Ohhhh, we were mad!  So, we went right in to the second round.   It wasn't looking good for us.  They had a huge lead!  Then...I threw one right in the hole and Tammy got one in and landed one on the board! Game over!   Victory was ours...and it was oh, so sweet!   We did a victory dance and the boys cheered and cheered for us! We decided to quit while both teams had a win in their corner.   We spent the rest of the evening talking, walking, playing hide and seek, and laughing at the boys!   It was a great time!

Cabinet Cuties...

Garrison peeking out...

Keyton peeking out...

Garrison wanted to get in one more time...

Keyton thinks it is all so funny!

You just never know what is going to go on around here.   Yesterday, Keyton came running to me laughing and telling me to bring my camera.   I knew this could either be a good thing or a bad thing.   So, I followed him to the kitchen to find Garrison inside a cabinet.   Keyton thought this was  such a cool site!   Garrison was all ready to pose for a picture.   He was grinning from ear to ear.   Keyton, then wanted to take a turn and see if he could fit.  So, he tried...and he fit!   They thought this was a very funny trick and kept asking me if I was glad they told me to get my camera!   They know me very well...I want a picture of everything they do!!! These are definitely the two cutest things I have ever found lurking in my cabinets before!!!