sweetness

 
He may be getting older but he is still my baby. How sweet is this?

Smiles

 
Happy to spend the evening and afternoon with Aunt Sharon. Always a joy.

Surprise visit

 
Uncle Richard and Aunt Sharon stopped by for a night on their way to Florida. The kids loved seeing them again.

We finally gave in

 
We did it, gave in and gave her a PLAY make up set for her birthday. She was thrilled. She was ready to put it on and head to dinner. That's when we broke the news - at home ONLY!!!! It is a good thing too. It took two days before we could get her to understand the blue was for eyes, not cheeks. very, very funny.

My boy. . .

 
Just look at the eyes. They say it all. Sweet, tender, mischievous, happy, and loving. Don't forget the stubborn determined streak that runs right through it all. That is my Ruston. At four, his best friend is his sister. He is lost without her. As a mom, I couldn't ask for more. He looks to her to learn, to teach, to share. Together they are growing up.

What can I say

 
This is my girl. It is all Ani. She LOVES her make up kit that we gave her for her 8th birthday. Yes, she is 8. Where has the time gone? She has grown so fast. I am so proud to be her mom. She has a HUGE heart, such compassion and caring for being 8. It always surprises me. She is so full of life, so full of happiness. So full of spirit. I hope that no matter what she encounters in this life, no one takes a single ounce of it away.

Prayers to all. . . .

The events of the earthquake and tsunami and the impact on the lives of so many is unimaginable and been in my thoughts. I have thought about how horrible Katerina was to us, yet is was so small compared to what Japan is dealing with. The added affect of the the struggles to manage the nuclear plants is also on my mind. The men and woman making the decisions do so with heavy hearts knowing the world is watching. Pray for them, for the decisions they make.
Recognize the "experts" that are on the news do not know all, including the condition of the facility.
Most are waiting to see all the data, understand the facts, and learn all we can.

So funny

 
Emma wouldn't look. She was terrified of the crab coming after her. The tubes they have in the big tanks the kids can stand in are awesome. It was too funny getting all five kids in one. When that crab starting moving toward them, Emma just freaked - hilarious!!

Simple beauty

 
I love this. It was a quick picture and it turned out so beautiful. Of course, it is an orchid. I do love taking pictures, but when they come out like this I want to take so many more. . . . .

So pretty, little butterfly

 

Butterflies

 
I love this area, the kids usually don't let me stay long. There were not too many people today, so I was able to catch a few. . .

Beautiful turtle

 
The boys loved the sea turtle.

It is a beautiful place

 
Looking out over the Tennessee River.

Five against one!

 
It was just me against the five kids. Fortunately they are really good kids and we all had a great time!

The girls

 
Gabbie, Emma, and Ani. They are together almost every weekend. Can you tell they had fun?? Oh, they are the same age!

Best Friends

 
Ruston and Keith. These two are inseperable. We have determined it is because they are JUST alike. They have such similar personalities. It is a little weird.

The teacher

 
Dad making sure he know just how it is done. Perfect moments. . .

Sharp shooter in the Making

 
She likes her new bb gun. How cute is she?? She maybe a little princess, but she can shoot a bow and a bb gun. The girls got game! Her Papaw would be more than proud. I know that Roger is grinning ear to ear seeing this picture!

My turn

 
He's likes it! He gets really mad when he doesn't hit the target!

my pirate

 
So this is one McDonalds toy that has lasted. We have had this pirate hat since the first Pirates movie came out. Ani loved it, now it is Ruston's. I don't know, maybe I should keep it for the grandkids. . . LOL!