Hannah's New Bike

Well...it "only" took 8 years but Hannah is riding a bike. After a bad experience (at age 5!) she had no interest in getting back on a two-wheeler, but finally this summer she was ready to tackle it. So after we got back from our trips, we bought her a bike and within 30 minutes she was riding like a pro. Since then we've spent lots of time going around the neighborhood (me walking with the little kids and Hannah riding). She has completely mastered her bike and we couldn't be prouder.

July 4th

While back in Georgia we had the pleasure of spending 4th of July with The Keiffers. This is the wonderful family of Wally's girlfriend, Kylene (or Kymene as Jake calls her!). They invited us over to their house and I was so thrilled to finally get to spend time with Kylene's parents, brother and sister. They were so incredibly gracious to us, providing tons of fun things for my little monkeys to do. We had a fantastic time. The only downer being that Paul wasn't able to be there with us. Maybe next year!

We managed to get everyone still for a moment to get a family picture.

This picture is of all the Keiffer's and their significant others. Kylene's parents (second from left). Kylene's sister Ashley and boyfriend (front left), Wally and Kylene (third from left), and Kylene's brother BJ and his girlfriend (on the right). What a great looking group!!

Debbie (Kylene's mom) with Jake and Hannah

Debbie again with Hannah and Emma -- What a great grandmother she's going to make!

Emma and Ashley -- it was so funny how Emma was immediately drawn to her b/c Ashley is also the "middle" child and we're always comparing how much they seem alike. This was the first time they'd ever met.

"Kymene" and Jake -- As far as Jake is concerned this is HIS "Kymene" and Wally was simply in the way! Very funny! And what an incredible picture, I think. Jake was spellbound by the sparklers and mini fireworks in the yard, but didn't want to stray too far from Kylene. And for those of you who haven't had a chance to meet her yet........YES, she is just as sweet and kind as she is beautiful!

Hannah's first time with a sparkler. She's pretending not to be a little scared!

Debbie and Emma hold one together.

Slippin' and a Sliddin'

Well as people say....life is always full of surprises. After our week at the beach earlier in the summer, the children and I arrived at my mother's house in Georgia to discover that my brother's scheduled leave from Iraq (for late in the summer) had been suddenly cancelled. You can imagine how terribly disappointed we all were, but that's the military and so we dealt with the news, enjoyed our week with Mimi, trip to Nana's house, then Callaway Gardens, and then finally headed back to Memphis. Well.....as we are literally driving into Memphis - not even all the way home yet - I get a call on my cell from my mother's house, and to my great confusion, answer the phone and hear my brother's voice!!! As we all know, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away", but in this case, the Lord taketh away AND THEN giveth!! Wally had been granted his leave, but left Iraq the same day it was granted. He had no idea it was going to happen and in fact it all "went down" so fast, he really didn't have time to let any of us know. He showed up at our mother's house completely unannounced! What an amazing surprise. Luckily he was given two entire weeks, so we were able to spend a week at home getting our ducks in a row and then turn around and head back to Georgia. Can you picture it?? Me - the only adult - three children and dog, NOLA, in tow making the 9+ hour trip!! We had to break it up and spend the night in Montgomery, but we made it and made great memories in the process. And let's face it....there's not much I wouldn't do to get to spend some time with my "baby" brother. Anyway, the pictures below are from our return trip to Mimi's. I bought a slip-n-slide to bring along for the hot days. It sure was fun watching the children re-live a favorite childhood memory of mine.

After two passes, Hannah was a complete pro.

Emma, on the other hand, not so much. She couldn't quite get her form down.

"Aunt" Wally made a fabulous pass (fully clothed!) to show them how it's "really" done. Look at Jake's expression.

Jake didn't even bother. He just hung out at the "pool" end playing with his cups.

And then he decided he'd give Wally a hand cooling off.

Summer time sure is fun!

Callaway Gardens

The morning after Nana's birthday party, we drove over to Callaway Gardens to meet back up with Paul's Uncle James, Aunt Sara, Cousin Andrea and her boys Patrick and Benjamin. Although it was a quick visit - because we had to get back on the road to Memphis - it was wonderful and I'm so glad we were able to do it. We started with a delicious breakfast at a restaurant there and then drove over to see the butterfly garden/house.

The entrance to the butterflies

James gets a head start on the exhibit.

Hannah stops for a quick picture

Jake's got that "deer in the headlight" look, like he's doing something wrong, but he was just tossing fish food to the fish below him.

I managed to get a shot with Jake and Emma. Her expression is lovely, isn't it?

Family photo op

One last parting shot of the exhibit. It was really beautiful and peaceful to me. I wish I could have spent more time sitting and enjoying it.

Emma and Benjamin walk hand-in-hand to the car.

We squeeze in one last picture of the cousins together. Unfortunately it might be a while before we're all together again.

Just couldn't resist putting this one in of my "little man".

Nana Turns 87

After leaving the beach, we spent the week in Thomasville and fortunately were still in Georgia to attend Nana's (Paul's Grandmother) 87th birthday celebration. We had an incredible time and it also doubled as a Wilson family reunion.

The girls give Nana a big "hello" hug. It's been WAY too long since we've seen her.

Jake enjoys the goats and horse behind Nana's house.

Jake and his cousins Patrick and Benjamin are all entertained by the goats.

Aunt Carolyn helps teach Jake the art of bubble blowing.

Emma involved in a relay race arranged by Grandmomma (i.e. Brenda). She did a fabulous job planning terrific games for all the children.

All the cousins look on while Benjamin makes his mad dash.

The adults look on (under the shade!) as the games continue.

Grandmomma explains the rules of one of the relay games.

Claudia and Emma take off

Jakes tries his hand and carrying the water during a relay

I think he got more water on his shirt than in the bucket.

The adults engage in a bubble gum blowing content

James displays quite a beauty.

Nana's beautiful birthday cake that Brenda had made in Americus. (Nana's first name is Jewel -- and she really is!!)

Emma and Nana having a discussion

Ben helps Nana get the candles blown out. How cute is this!

Benjamin, James, Sara, Patrick, and Andrea

Jeff, Wayne, Margaret, Bailey, Bentley, and Carmen

James and Jake get acquainted

Some very worn out children pile onto Nana's bed to watch TV.

Emma, Ken, Hannah, Jake, and Brenda

Nana & Jake share a snuggle.

At the end of the day, I finally got this great picture of Jake with Nana. They hit it off like peas in a pod.