Celebrating the 4th with Fireworks, Food, & The Flynn's

We celebrated the 4th with our good friends "The Flynn's" they fixed some wonderful food & the kids had a great time playing together, then we watched tons of fireworks.

Chris, Will, & Thomas run through the yard shooting Nerf Darts at each other...A game of volleyball
Thomas was dripping wet with sweat from running & playing so hard
Don't you just love "Beer in the Rear Chicken???" Joey cooked some great food!

Jill helps out...

Check out the Corn on the Cob...

Titus & Joey

Thomas laying in the yard resting...worn out from all the fun!

Thanks to the Flynn's for inviting us over! We had a great time!

Uncle Michael visits...

As soon as my brother got into to town for the holiday weekend he came right over to visit Thomas. They are big pals! Thomas loves to play with his Uncle Michael.

We call them "Firecrackers"

It has become a tradition for Thomas & I to take Pretzel Rods & Dip them in White Chocolate and cover with festive sprinkles, Red, White, & Blue of course! We call them Firecrackers! And he takes them to his July 4th celebration at daycare every year! The kids all love them. And they are pretty cute. Plus its something that He & I enjoy doing together.

We decided to try something a little different this time too...check out these marshmallows on a stick! Pretty Cute...and delicious!

Our Morning at "The Track" in Pigeon Forge

We spent the morning at The Track today, Grandmom joined us. Thomas rode till his heart was content. This was his first time to drive the race car by himself. He was very excited.The Airplanes are still his all time favorite he says...

He got Grandmom on the train with him

and I ended up on the Carousel...

In the Garden...

Thomas & I just back in from the Garden. He was so excited to help dig potatoes, pick green beans, and we even got a few green tomatoes too.

He was so amazed to see where potatoes come from, he couldn't stop talking about it and say "Wow Mommy...look..look..I got some more"

We will be eating good tomorrow...

The Shack

So I just finished reading this book the other day. Over the past couple months I've had several people tell me that I had to read this...So with all the enthusiastic recommendations I figured I would. Anyone who really knows me, knows that I am for the most part not very emotional. But let me just tell you while reading this book one minute my head was spinning as the questions unfolding in this book were questions I have deep inside myself... and the next I was crying. Sometimes out of sadness & other times becase of the beauty & tenderness of what he is sharing. It really made me think about our own free will & "the ripple effects" of our choices. It was thought provoking to say the least. At little too far "out there" for my taste in parts. But I would definately recommend it!

So if you have read it, tell me what you think...

"Little Boys...Big Smiles"

We kicked off the weekend by going to breakfast with Emily & Grayson

Check out the waffles the boys ordered, they were in the shape of a little bear with chocolate chips for eyes! They were so cute!

Then if was off to the pool for a day of fun...

And some serious sliding!!!

Then Kim came over to get some sun with us!

Who lives in a Pineapple under the sea....

Oh My Gosh....Get that song out of my head..!

Thomas has been a little under the weather for the past couple of days, so this is how we have been spending our evenings this week. Cuddled up together watching...you know who...over & over & over!!! I have heard that SpongeBob theme song one too many times.

As you can see from the look on this face, he is feeling much better!

Our Father's Day Celebration

In Honor of the 3 very special "Fathers" in my life (My own Dad, Titus' Dad, & My own hubby). I prepared one of their favorite meals this evening.

Thomas was right beside me to help.

On the menu was Grilled Ribeye's along with some potato casserole, baked beans, cole slaw, & garlic bread.

For dessert I did home made vanilla ice cream and my special blackberry cobbler.
I am pretty sure no one left here hungry tonight!

What better way to honor dear old Dad than to have him grill his own dinner...

I know right??..But he is really good at it ...

and don't feel too sorry for him because after that he pretty much spent the rest of the evening on the couch, remote in hand, belly full, and feet propped up!

~Grandaddy was not disappointed~

And Check out the end result...Really Big Delicious Steaks for our very deserving Dads!

Grandmom & Grandaddy

Grandmother finally escapes from Thomas' room for a second, he tries to keep her in there in the floor playing the whole time she visits.

Papaw Jack gets some Thomas hugs!

Thomas & Daddy have a perfect end to Fathers Day Snuggling on the coach and watching cartoons! Really what more could you ask for ??? :)

(well except for me to stop flashing the camera in their faces...sorry boys!)