The Bright Eyed Brunette

Grammy with the great grandkids Uncle Carl and Ellie Kate My Family My sister and her family, a.k.a. The Simpson's My cousin Matt with his family, minus Kristen My cousin CleAnn and her family My cousin Jill and Hadlee Michelle Tonight we celebrated Grammy's 75th birthday.  We had a fish fry and of course had cake and ice cream.  It was good to be able to all get together again.  Like I said earlier, Grammy plays a very involved role in, not only my life, but also that of my kids...her great grandkids.  She always tries to make time for all of them and we are just very blessed to have her in our lives. 

Trey woke up yesterday and the first thing he went for was this Leap Frog radio. This thing has really been around the block:   it was Carlie's first, then it was Makena's and now it's T's. My sweet big-girl, Carlie.  She got her hair cut a few weeks ago and got a layer put in it, which I wasn't too sure about, but it turns out that it is perfect for her natural curls :) Today we went to Pine Bluff with my grandmother to take some blinds back to JCPenney and I had to run in Lowe's to get a new rug.  While we were in Lowe's, Makena found a disco ball lamp and fell head over heels in love.  She just likes that kind of stuff.  Anyway, she had the rest of her birthday money with her and decided that she want to buy this lamp. In car on the way back home I overheard her and Carlie talking about having a party at midnight tonight (with the disco ball lamp and lots of music and food!)!!  I didn't dare say anything because I know for a fact tha...

Having fun with the cousins at Nanny's house Toys in the pool :) Makena's swollen hand after she got stung by a red wasp.  Carlie was being Trey's buddy for the day It has been way too long since I last blogged, and to be perfectly honest, I'm having to try and dig pictures up of stuff we have done over the past week.  We were visited Friday by the Simpson's.  They came in from Jonesboro on their way to Morrilton to give me and Makena our birthday presents.  The kids always enjoy getting together and playing in the pool and as you could see above the boys even took the monster trucks swimming.  Saturday was.....MY BIRTHDAY!!  Carl had to work that morning and the kids went to Grammy's and made me a birthday cake.  I know every mother probably says this, but I seriously think I have the best kids EVER!!  They are always wanting to help and do sweet things, not only for me, but for others too.  Carlie brought me breakfast in bed and then they...

Birthday Princess She was upset because Trey helped her blow her candles out!  My pretty birthday girl I know EVERY mother says this on EVERY birthday for EVERY child, but I have to say it.... I can't believe that she's already 8 years old!  Where did the time go?  There are days that I just wish I could go back to when she was 1 and Carlie was 3.  Things were a lot more simple and in some ways easier.  There was no sassy mouth, no big fights.  I know back then I thought I couldn't wait until they could do things themselves, now it's like with every birthday I'm losing them a little bit.  I mean in eight more years we'll be looking at cars (and that is a whole other scary subject!)!   I'm just glad that God has got eight more years to prepare me for that :)  We didn't get to have a big party this year because we have all been sick.  Carlie got a stomach bug on Friday night, Makena and Trey both woke up with it on M...

Dickey Stephens Park Bonnie, Cameron, Jaxon, Carlie Makena eating her hot dog Trey was really thirsty!! I think Carlie may have been praying before she ate her hot dog Trey was completely pooped by the time we left! Last night our church youth group went to Little Rock for an Arkansas Travelers game.  Everyone had a good time despite the heat and humidity!!  My kids weren't too thrilled about being back in the car, but we made it just fine.  We all slept in this morning (thank the Lord!).  I think everyone was glad to be back in their own beds.  Now, that I'm finally caught up on my blogging I should probably get to my house work!!

The view from Eureka Springs, yes, I said Eureka Springs...Carl decided that on the way home we needed to road trip west.....3 kids with an added two hours=FUN...NOT!! Well, while we were in Eureka Springs, why not make a drive through Fayettville to make sure the stadium is still there!! By this time the GPS says we were 6hrs. from home.  The kids thought that the tunnel was cool, though. I had absolutely had enough of the car, so as soon as we hit Clarksville I called Jamie and told her we were coming to stay the night.  The kids really enjoyed this sleepover!! Makena, Cody, and Ellie Kate All three boys eating their donuts!! Ok, so by looking at these pictures I can definitely say that I need a new camera.  I knew that the whole time we were gone that it was taking forever to take pictures, but the quality of these pictures stink!!  I DO have a birthday coming up soon.....  Thank you Jamie and Cody for giving us a break from the car.  It was m...

The kids at the Dixie Stampede.  Can you tell that the sun was in their eyes. At Joe's Crab Shack Trey, Carl, and Carlie at Joe's Carlie with the shark she got from her "Shark Nibbler" When they brought it to the table they yelled "Everybody outta the water, there's a shark sighting at Joe's"  She loved it! Here's the Crabby Lil Lady, ready to eat her crab Being Goofy The steam coming from the Lake made the sight-seeing boat almost look scary. Carl took this picture of Trey.  I don't know what it is. The kids were ready for the show! The lights and water at the Landing Going a little higher.... The most exciting part..the FIRE.  When it came out you could feel the ground shake.  It was pretty cool.  Again, this was something that I've heard of for a few years, but we've never stayed down there late enough to see it.

The entrance at Bass Pro Trey and the black bear Can you tell which person doesn't want to be here? Makena Makena, Trey, and Carlie (happy now because she got what she wanted) on the dock. Carlie and Trey by the turtles On this particular day it was raining, so we thought it would be best to go somewhere that we could be indoors for a good while, so we headed up to Springfield to Bass Pro.  They have a smaller version of this in Branson, but it isn't nearly as fun to go through.  The kids had fun most of the time.  Carlie wasn't very happy in the beginning, but ended up finding her happiness for the day in the form of a camo stuffed puppy she named, Cody.   Sometimes it takes little trips like this to make you (me) as a parent realize the things you need to work with your kids on, ie...the world doesn't revolve around you and you can't get everything just because you want it!!  Over all it was a fun day and later on the sun came out so we could go swimming...

Headed for the water Carlie making a drippy castle Makena and Carlie were looking for shells Carl and Trey relaxing Me and Carlie Me and the kids Table Rock lake was on the agenda for the day.  I have past that lake a million times but have never been in the water there, until Tuesday.  The kids loved the freedom and being able to do what they wanted (to a degree) and of course being outdoors!