We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo!

On Tuesday, the 17th, we went with our good friends, the Dendys, to the Nashville Zoo. It was sure to be a good time -- four boys and two mamas and the whole zoo to conquer! 

Here they are checking out the first animals. 

It was H O T !

Haddon and Cash are about the same age and pretty good buddies. I think they were having a pretty good time that day.

We ate a picnic lunch next to the zebras, visited the amphibian and reptile house, rode the carousel and made our way around the zoo. We stopped for a bit at the playground, but it was just so very hot. After some Dippin' Dots, we headed for home!

Trip up the hill

Some days a trip up the hill cannot wait until the evening. There's watering to be done, weeds to pull or goodies to pick. The 11th was one of those days. After breakfast, we got dressed, piled in the truck and headed up the hill to the garden.

These flowers just make me smile. My granny has grown these in her garden as long as I can remember, and so I wanted them in my garden. Every trip, though, comes with reminders that we don't always have to pick them. :)

Our giant sunflowers are looking great! We think there have been visitors to them, though. There are sunflowers seeds all around the bases of the flowers. I'm thinking it's the birds...

As for these grape tomato plants, we just can't seem to stay caught up with picking them. The boys love to pick them. Here's B with his almond milk grabbing a handful of them.

Cash was just pretending here. He really doesn't like them. Go figure. He'll eat sliced tomatoes, but won't touch these snack-size ones. *darn

All done, and even though it was early, it was the beginning of a hot day. Baylen gulped my water on the ride back down to the house. :)

(They both love sitting in their "own seats" in the back of Heath's ranger.)

4th of July in Roseville

That afternoon after naps (and some relaxing time for us runners!), the family met in Roseville at Granny's house for some supper. After hamburgers and lots of yummy sides, we went to Kathy and Johnny's so the little kids could ride Weaver. Heath hadn't gotten to see him in person, so he was excited about the evening, too.

I think this was Kenle's first ride on Weaver. It was all smiles!

Pa took her around the barnyard a time or two. See that smile? I think her face was about to crack. She loved it!

As for B, he sat in the Gator with Grammy "driving" and waving to the crowds.

Happy girl!

Of course, Cash wanted a ride, too, so cousin Josh led Weaver around for awhile.

Ride em' cowboy! In all seriousness, Cash loves this pony and asks about him all the time. Every time it rains he's concerned about Weaver. It's too cute.

I'm not sure if Heath wanted to ride and Baylen joined him or if Baylen wanted a ride and Heath joined him. Looks like they were both enjoying it though.

Where was Kennick? He was busy in the tack room chasing that kitten! 

I think the three bigger grandkids all wanted to hold the orange kitten. Poor thing! Kennick was not about to let go. He was definitely loving on it!

Hanging on for 8 seconds... :)

Happy boy with his kitten friend

This is my favorite picture of the night - Dad and uncle Johnny - from dads to grandfathers!

Bubba's birthday!

While Karalee and I were running with Amy, everyone else was gathering at our house for a big 4th of July birthday breakfast. Heath worked on breakfast, while the little boys played. Mom and dad came down, too. Mom brought some fruit kabobs and juice to add to the table, too.

The troops were getting hungry by the time everything was ready.

Yes, those are chocolate covered strawberries for breakfast! Bacon, sausage balls, fruit kabobs, blueberry and raspberry pancakes, scrambled eggs -- what a spread!

After breakfast, Karalee opened her presents. All the little boys wanted to pose with her.

They also wanted to help her see what was in the boxes! 

She got lots of fun things including some new pajamas, a fun shirt and a new workout shirt from the Doggetts.

Happy birthday, Bubba!

After breakfast and presents, we enjoyed some pool time. Even Grandad got in to cool off and some fun with the boys!

Kennick played lifeguard from the stairs.

Heath was Baylen's motor and they cruised around the pool.

Little man paddled his way around dodging the water gun and Baylen's car. It was a perfect day to play in the pool - HOT!

We finished the morning with lunch and then some birthday cake. I surprised Karalee with one of her favorites. Blackberry wine cake - Yum!

Trax July 4k

We weren't exactly sure what we were getting ourselves in to, but Karalee, Amy and I signed up for the Trax July 4k fun run. (a 4k, in case you're wondering, is 2.4 miles). Amy and I had been running a few times a week since the Run for Rover back in mid-June, and since then we had coaxed Karalee into this new hobby, too.

We got there plenty early, paid the entry fee of 4 canned goods, grabbed our t-shirts and were ready to start. After someone sang the Star Spangled Banner, the first group took off, and we were ready to go, too. The "fun" part about this race was that there was no timing, no awards, just plain ol' running - and some added exercises at the end of each kilometer! At the end of the first kilometer, we had to do ten push-ups. After the second kilometer we did squats, and at the end of the third kilometer we did jumping jacks. Oh, my! It was a hillier (is that a word?) course than I expected and it was brutally hot, but we finished with smiles. (Didn't we?)

Smiling for a pic after the race

Our next race is at the end of July, the Purple Striders 5k. We've got a few more races after that, but the big event and our goal is the Medical Center 10k here in BG. Obviously, there will be lots more training between now and then!

Sparklers!

On the third, Karalee, Derek and Kennick came down to spend the night since Karalee and I were running a July 4k fun run early the next morning. Karalee brought along some sparklers for the kiddos to try. It was interesting to say the least ... (and yes, most pictures I take lately have shown Baylen in underwear and no shorts - potty training is easier that way). :)

They weren't too sure what to think at first. They both wanted to be brave...

but Baylen wasn't all that excited. 

Cash got the hang of it and had some fun. Three kiddos, ages 2, 3 and 4, with sparklers may seem like a hazard, but they did really well!

Baylen didn't give up, and Cash kept enjoying them, too. 

Bubba and Kennick were in on the festivities, too!

Here's O helping Baylen get another one lit.

See? It just took some time to get used to it - big smile!

Writing his name with the sparkler - such a scholar!

Everybody all at once! 

They took off running in the yard after awhile. This is a horrible picture, but I love it!

Father's Day do-over

I originally posted about Father's Day here, but since then we have taken back Heath's original present, a purple martin house. The boys and I sat out the other day to pick out a new present for him. It was quite the experience (we are currently potty-training our little B). Fun times!

Heath had been to the Case knife dealer in BG, and while he was there he picked up some books full of knives. He circled, highlighted and starred the ones that he liked, so the boys and I took some of those books with us to the store. I showed the lady behind the counter the book, and while she found some for us to look at and choose from, the boys and I looked around at all the knives (and visited the scary bathroom in the back twice!)

The saleslady came gathered three different knives for us to choose from. They were all ones that Heath had chosen from the books. The boys looked them over and we decided on one - finally. We took it home that morning, and the boys helped me wrap it with Cars wrapping paper (they picked it out.)

That night, both the boys retrieved the present and carried it to Heath. They had even hidden it after they wrapped it!

Heath was very excited (and Baylen was busy snacking on chips).

Yay! Happy Father's Day! (again)