Wednesday, August 31, 2011

August 2011

August was a busy month! I decided sort of last minute to take the boys for a visit to Texas before school started. My mom flew over to AL, stayed a couple of days, and then rode back to Texas with us. We had a great time visiting family and just hanging out in the 100+° heat (we did have 1 day less than 100). I took Daniel to Six Flags one day, we rode the train at Grapevine Mills mall, went swimming, went down to check out the farm house and visited family. Then I took the long drive back to AL with the boys alone. I was a little nervous that it would be terrible, but the boys were amazingly good. We had a great time checking out various McDonald’s play areas across the south! Best play area is Meridian, MS! Sorry there are so many pictures in this post!

Daniel with Locust Shells
There were lots of locust shells on my parents’ trees, so I was showing them to Daniel and explaining how the bug sheds his skin when he gets too big for it. Then we stuck them all over Daniel’s shirt. He loved them. After we took the picture and took them off, he wanted to save them for later, so he put them safely in the outside window sill. :)
Daniel with Locust Shells 8-6-11

Beautiful Little Man
Colin 8-6-11

Colin on the John Deere Tractor
This tractor was Allan’s toy when he was a little boy. The seat had been broken and Dan fixed it up for the boys.
Colin with John Deere Tractor 8-7-11

Colin Pushing Daniel on the Tractor
Daniel & Colin with John Deere Tractor 8-7-11

Colin Kept Sitting Backward on the Tractor
Colin with John Deere Tractor 8-7-11

Daniel, Colin & Aidan Playing in the Pool
Daniel, Colin & Aidan Playing in the Water 8-8-11

Daniel & Colin Throwing Water for Skylar
Daniel, Colin & Aidan Playing in the Water 8-8-11

Action Shot
Daniel, Colin & Aidan Playing in the Water 8-8-11

Colin Coming Down the Slide
Texas Star Playground 8-9-11

Daniel on the Playground
Texas Star Playground 8-9-11

Train at Grapevine Mills Mall
Train at Grapevine Mills Mall 8-10-11

Colin & Aunt Jennifer on the Train
Train at Grapevine Mills Mall 8-10-11

Aunt Jennifer with Boys at the Pool
Daniel, Colin & Aunt Jennifer at the Pool 8-10-11

Daniel with his Prizes at Six Flags
Six Flags 8-12-11

Daniel on his Favorite Ride – “The Slow Train” as he calls it!
Six Flags 8-12-11

Colin on the Swingset at my Grandparents’ House in Weatherford
Weatherford Visit 8-14-11

Boys Playing
Weatherford Visit 8-14-11

Daniel, Me, Granny Carter, Cousin Aidan, PawPaw Carter, Colin, Grandpa Joe
Weatherford Visit 8-14-11

Colin at McDonald’s Play Area
We hit several of these on the drive back to TX.
Colin at McDonald's Play Area 8-15-11

Best McDonald’s Play Area – Meridian, MS
There are at least two McDonald’s in Meridian, MS. We ate breakfast at one on the way from AL to TX where there was no play area. On the way back, I needed one more stop before the last section home (off the Interstate with less places to stop). I found another McDonald’s in Meridian and gave it a shot. They had the best play area! It was different from any I have seen before and the room was painted like a jungle. There was also a small kids section in the big play area. There were small steps up to a small slide, then bigger steps up from there to the rest of the structure. This was great because the little kids still feel like they are playing on the same playground as the big kids. Awesome and definitely recommend if you are passing through (or live near – MS girls!) Meridian.
McDonald's Play Area 8-15-11

Boys in the Shopping Cart
Daniel & Colin 8-19-11

Daniel Bowling
Daniel Bowling 8-25-11

Colin’s Big Boy Bed
Colin is our climber and has really been working on his climbing skills lately. I found him on the kitchen table one day and his toy shelf the next day. Then Allan found him trying to climb out of his crib. Enter the big boy bed! He does super good and usually goes to sleep in it. Sometimes we have to move him from the floor, but it is working out great!
Colin's Big Boy Bed 8-27-11

Sunday, August 14, 2011

The Cousins

I attempted to get all the boys to sit still for a cousin's photo. This was NOT an easy task with a 3 1/2 year old, an almost 3 year old, and an 18 month old. We had a few uncooperatives and a couple meltdowns! Here are some of the shots - pick your favorite!

Pretty good shot
Cousins 8-14-11

Daniel's Tongue Out
Cousins 8-14-11

Aidan Saying Cheese
He kept doing this, so I wanted to get a video. I pretended to keep taking pictures so they would keep doing what they were doing.

Brothers
My Boys 8-14-11

Daniel either hugging Colin or trying to rip off his head
My Boys 8-14-11

Brotherly Love
My Boys 8-14-11

Colin's Turn to Melt Down
Cousins 8-14-11

CHEESE!!!
Cousins 8-14-11

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Barn-deminium Update

The barn/house down at the farm is finished. We went down with Mimi, Granddad and Grandpa Joe to check it out and move in some furniture and boxes. It looks amazing!

View from the road
Farm House 8-6-11

Living Room
Farm House 8-6-11

Close-up of Fireplace
Farm House 8-6-11

Dining Area
Farm House 8-6-11

Kitchen
Farm House 8-6-11

Master Bedroom
Farm House 8-6-11

Melissa & Allan Bedroom
Farm House 8-6-11

Boys Bedroom
Farm House 8-6-11

Laundry Room
Farm House 8-6-11