Bella's first front roll

Summer fun...

... we're having a great summer.

Isabella & Brady celebrated their birthdays together with family & friends in mid-June, they both enjoyed their [parties and got way way too many toys..

During the 4th of July we took the kids & headed to NC to visit Tim, Connie & Brianna. Our kids always have such a great time with them, and it was great to have the entire Simpson clan together. As our kids get older those times are few and far between

here is a picture that Connie took of all of us:



we're anxiously awaiting news on the 22nd to find out whether we will have a new niece or nephew in December.

Then we headed out on vacation.. The boys had such a great time vacationing with my parents, and of course Isabella is "Pop-paw's girl" so she was loving life. The boys went fishing built many many campfires, we visited Bluestone Dam and just spent lots of time relaxing & playing with the kids.


The boys in the hot tub


Brady playing on the walkie talkies


Carson carrying wood for our campfire:


i promise we took Isabella on vacation with us, I'm not sure why but most of the pictures of her you can't see her face (probably b/c she never sits still.)

We're home now and are relaxing for a few weeks then Mom-maw & Pop-paw are coming to take Carson & Brady school shopping and spend a few days spoiling the grand kids.
Hopefully I'll get a break and some time out by myself when they are here. It doesn't seem possible that the summer is half over.

I'll post an update on my garden ASAP.

Small Update

This morning I got Brady all tested & squared away with Pre-K for next year. It's mind boggling to me that one month from tomorrow school will be out for the summer. Then this fall Carson will be a first grader & Brady will be in Pre-K 4 half days a week.

Carson has been keeping me on my toes lately with volunteering at his school & baseball, I never seem to have much time for anything else. He does OK with the pitching machine, but honestly does much better when a person pitches to him... I haven't quite figured that one out yet. Best of all he still has the LOVE OF THE GAME!! I think he is going to play "fall Ball" so that should help improve his comfort level with the pitching machine. Brady is excited about playing soccer in the fall, that coach has no idea what he is in for.. LOL

I have all of my plants & seeds for my garden, but can't seem to catch a break in the rain to get anything planted. JUST MY LUCK!! So I am HOPING this weekend will be sunny, at least for a few hours on Saturday or Sunday.

After I get my garden planted I get to prep for Brady & Isabella's birthday parties.... BUSY BUSY BUSY

My own little slice of heaven...

... my garden that is!!

Yes FINALLY!!!! after 8 summers of being pregnant or having an infant I get to have my veggie garden. This is going to bring back so many memories of farming my grandparents garden in the summer... My neighbor Stephanie is my garden guru and she has been such a blessing with helping us get started.

My kids just LOVED helping us dig up the yard & get the ground tilled. now on to spreading our horse manure & planting my onions & strawberries. I generally have a green thumb, but with this being my first year, I won't make any promises of a bountiful harvest!!

Here is what it started from:





It's 48 feet by 16 feet which Stan thinks is too big, but I say it's just right!!

My shameless brag....

..... Carson was named Student of the Month at school today, and I have to say, He is so proud of himself, that it makes me all that much more proud of him!!!

Will dance for M&M's

Snow day? or Holiday? You be the judge..

Why can't it snow on a regular day we already had MLK Day off as a holiday so snow... on a REGULAR school day

Brady had a blast, and I had to MAKE him come in...