Sundays

Time to do a little catching up on the ol' Jacob and Ryan blog.

I (Hank) have been crazy busy with band camp and leadership pre-camp the past two weeks.
Meanwhile, Ryan and Jacob are keeping Mommy busy. Fortunately, they play well together.

Last week, Tammy went outside to check on the pool. It's been so stinkin' hot around here (heat index above 120 degrees most afternoons) that you really can't go outside. (Makes marching band a challenge.) So we haven't even looked at the pool in a while. Big mistake. We have wild onions that grew through the tarp and through the bottom of the pool.

And last but not least, last Sunday right before church I was showing Ryan off when someone looked at him sucking on his paci and said, "Oh, he's teething." I said, "No, not yet." Then I stuck my finger in his mouth and changed my tune! He had his first tooth! We tried and tried to get a good picture, but he didn't cooperate. Finally, today we got him to cooperate, and look what we found!
Two teeth, clear as day! (No need to zoom in like we had to with Jacob.)

Tomorrow is the first day back at school for teachers (although band directors have been working for two weeks). Jacob's first day of Pre-K is FRIDAY!

Summer

Well summer has sure flown by. School starts on Aug. 13th. Jacob will begin Pre-K. I'm finding it hard to believe he's 4 years old and will be in school every day now. My baby is growing up :(. My other baby is on warp speed as well. Ryan is almost 6 months old; cutting his first tooth, has started eating cereal last week, and can just about roll himself over. He smiles all the time and we are anxiously awaiting his giggles to start any day :) Hank started band camp this week and pre-planning is next week. We will go to Jacob's open house the night before he starts school. June was spent traveling and doing VBS and July we've been home trying to endure this heat. I think this has to be the hottest summer I've ever had and we haven't even gotten through August! Hank and I have also started a workout DVD together. We try to do it a few nights a week after the boys are in bed. We still keep busy at our church (Sherwood Baptist). This summer we shot our fourth movie "Courageous" which will be in theaters in 2011. I worked as a babysitter for cast and crew again. Hank and Jacob went to be extras in one scene - hopefully that footage will make it into the final. We also volunteered at Freedom Fest. on the 4th of July - food, fireworks, friends - great time!

As I sit here typing, I am dreaming of cooler weather and look forward to a fall visit from my parents - and am ready for some football on our TV! You know it's summer when all that is on is golf, tennis and baseball - oh and that dreadful "America's Got NO Talent!". I guess we will be rooting for the Broncos this year HA! But - I am still very proud of my home state NO Saints too!

Trying to store up the memories of these last few weeks with Jacob home and before he starts school. I know he will start to loose some of his childhood innocence and will probably face things he's never dealt with before - but that's all part of growing up so we'll face it all together. He's such a sweet little boy with the best smile any mom could want - and you get hugs and kisses with the smiles too! As for Ryan - it's going to be a fun year with all those "Firsts" My boys bring me so much joy and so does my awesome husband. We all make a pretty great family and I am so blessed to have them.

Summer

Ryan 5 months old

small, medium and large


summer feet!

Fun at Freedom Festival!

Each year on or near Independence Day, our church hosts a huge event for the entire community. It is called Freedom Festival and it includes live music, games for the kids, and -- of course -- FIREWORKS!

Ryan was all smiles for his first 4th of July:

This is Jacob's "I'm not gonna smile" smile.

Did Jacob actually enjoy the fireworks this year? You be the judge:

Ryan dancing Freedom Festival 2010 (www).wmv

Random pics from a few days ago

Jacob loves to hold Ryan. Ryan loves to play with your face when you hold him across your body like this.

Look who is holding is head up (for a few seconds, anyway)!

Ryan video :)

back home

We're very glad to be home safe and sound after two weeks on the road.

Ryan enjoyed spending time with PawPaw in Arkansas,

and with Pa-Paw in Louisiana.

We always get great pictures of Jim and Sheri (I mean, Pa-Paw and Grandma) when Jacob and Ryan are around! Hm.

Jacob got to go to VBS at Grandma & Pa-Paw's church. He had a BLAST.

Last but not least, we bought a new camera! (Couldn't go for too long using the old film camera.) We like it. :)

Happy Father's Day!

To all our faithful blog readers - Happy Father's Day! (So basically I'm talking to my dad and my brother.)

For everyone who happens to be reading, I just have to say that being a dad is the most amazing thing ever, and I wouldn't trade it for anything -- not even when Jacob puked in the car, or when Ryan screamed non-stop for two weeks when he was first born. I just love being their Dad. (And I really love being married to their Mommy!) :)

new blog on Georgia Carter blog

new post on Georgia Carters blog

red, white and blue!

TURTLES!

Today was my first chance in a while to cut the grass. I was headed to the shed to get the lawn mower when I somehow saw this little guy hanging out in the back yard:

Jacob was curious:

So, I marked the spot where the little guy was so I could make sure I didn't step on him or run over him with the mower. Then I brought the mower out to the front yard and started mowing when I saw ANOTHER turtle in the front yard! This one was bigger, and she was busy! I watched as she laid an egg in this little hole she dug in our front yard:

Ryan - 3 1/2 months

Saturday

Here's Ryan in his Bumbo. He doesn't quite hold his head up yet - so Jacob is holding it for him :)

So hot already, time to break out the Slip-N-Slide!

Jacob and his Leapster - YAY for headphones!

Ryan enjoying the outside

Cubbies Awards Night

Jacob finished his Cubbies year and memorized all 24 Bible versses! We are so proud of him. Here he is getting his certificate.

Here's Jacob and his friend Carly. These two just made googly eyes at each other and giggle all the time. So funny to watch :)