Catching up on Summer

We headed to Mobile for a week in July to see Soos and Pops and meet my best friends new baby, Rowan.  We had a great week and made lots and lots of memories.  

This sign was ready for us as we arrived to kick off "Camp Soos and Pops" for the boys

We celebrated Daddy's birthday early before he left town!

We headed to Gilbertown, aka the country, on Sunday to spend the day. We were anxious to spend time with Mimi and Grandaddy as we haven't seen them since Christmas.  We wanted to soak up as much time as we could.  

Little B was smitten with the country right away with getting to work the tractor 

Big B said that Little B's mouth was open the entire time

This was a sweet sweet memory as Mimi played "Jesus Loves Me" while Little B sang away.  And of course Hampton banged away on the keys

Grandaddy rigged up a pulling Tractor

What a character

Here is Grandaddy holding a cricket showing Little B how to put it on a fishing line

Grandaddy caught the first fish!

Little B got a bite on line!(or Pops handed him the pole when he felt a tug)

Look a fish!

We had the perfect day with Mimi and Grandaddy.  So thankful for those sweet sweet memories.  

Couldn't leave the country without a bottle coke

I also got to see this little guy a few times that week.  He gave me some sweet sweet snuggles.

So so so proud of this mama and her little man

This is where Little B slept all week.  He loved sleeping in a tent.

We headed to Bass Pro one afternoon for entertainment and some dinner

We spent alot of time trying to keep our toys away from the mobile little brother. "No Hampton, it's mine" was the famous line from the week

The boys loved playing with their Daddy's toys

Little B would play in his Daddy's closet for hours.  All of his toys were a hit and I know he can't wait to play with them again at Thanksgiving.

Thanks Soos and Pops for letting us move in for a week.  We look forward to next summers camp!

A Father's Day to Remember

What a neat and special Father's Day we had this year.  I wasn't able to do a big weekend like last year (http://anna-bradford.blogspot.com/2011/06/chopped.html) because we had both of our own Father's in town!  Such a neat day to get to see the people you are celebrating face to face!  So thankful for the friendship that our two families share.  It is a gift I know.  Our family will cherish getting to have both sets of grandparents in town and all getting along!

We did alot of kid-like cards and gifts and I never even got the chance to write my own card to the dads- so here is my attempt.

To the mac daddy of all- we love you and thank you for your hands on approach to life.  There is no sideline time for you in this season and we applaud and urge you to continue playing offense and defense.  I am feeling very confident in our boys futures with a Dad like you leading the way.  Your example to them in these two years is a model that I feel could be an example to all dads.  I don't think the boys would ever have a bath or go to sleep at night if it wasn't for your help every step of the way each night.  You work 12-14 hour days but I never feel like it is affecting our kids.  You have really found a sweet niche for working hard and playing hard.  Thank you for your selfless service to our family.  

To Ranger- Thanks for being the dad that tells me you are proud of me each time we talk.  Thanks for the big hugs and the smooch telling me you love me. I am forever grateful for the bond you and Little B share.  Your intentional love for Little B is an example that I am inspired by each time I watch you two.  Your tender heart is one of a kind and I pray each grandchild takes that trait with them out into the world.  Thanks for being my number one fan.  We all need fans like you. 

To Pops- I have alot to thank you for because you helped shape the man I love.  Thanks for your integrity in this big bad world and sticking to your guns when you know what is right.  Thanks for your listening ear and advice on big decisions and petty life struggles.   Thank you for your willingness to always help and serve your family.  Thanks for letting your wife fly down the next day when we needed reinforcement.  And thank you for always pointing us back to the cross.  

 This picture below will be framed for a long long time.  

Now I feel like I should do a whole post to the two grandmother's who held the fort down for 5 days the week before Father's Day!

Hampton 9 months

Hambone is 9 months and is on the move!  He started officially crawling right before he turned 9 months when we got back from the Caymans.  He is really fast now and nothing is stopping him!  His favorite thing to do is find his brother's sippy cups and snack cups and crawl to them and try and eat them.  He has a radar for those things.  Bradford and Hampton are really enjoying each other as they make each other laugh in the car by squealing at each other or playing hide and seek.  Hampton's first words were dada but last week he started saying MAMA.  I think he is saying Bradford too but just not as clear...thats a hard word.   

Pictures in the chair are basically impossible:) 

 He is weighing a little over 21 pounds. 

 He can stand by himself for a few seconds and will be taking steps soon I believe

We actually went to the doctor today as his asthma continues to worsen.  They've put him on another steroid on top of the one in the breathing treatment.  Poor guy...his line up for medicine is pitiful.  I counted them today I gave him 6 different syringes of medicine on top of 4 breathing treatments.  Whew.   We got the results back from his allergy tests and they all came back NEGATIVE.  Not exactly sure what all they tested for pretty sure it was dog, oak, dust, green beans, peanut, dairy......We were all a little shocked and go back next week to go over the other tests and get a new game plan.  Big Bradford continues to remind me every time I say, "I can't figure Hampton out." He says, "Why are you still trying?"  haha.

Hambone we love you.  Can't wait to see the great things you do.  I'll try and not remind you the challenging first year you had :)

Beach bums

We are loving our little beach place. It's a one bedroom-one bath and fits our family almost perfect.  We sleep on the pullout while Little B sleeps in the King bed and it can be tricky trying to get both kids an afternoon nap at the same time. Some days are a success and some days are a complete disaster. 

 But the boys are LOVING the beach! Hampton eats the sand he loves it so much.

We came straight down here from Atlanta. Thought we were a little crazy and maybe impulsive to continue on with our beach plans but I have no regrets! The boys have done great and I am so thankful to be able to reflect on life and regroup after losing Nanny.

We had some friends down for the 4th and had a great time! We even had all 4 kids sleeping at the same time! We didn't know what to do with ourselves!

The pictures are all out of order...

Playing at the beach after dinner one night

Our nightly routine once the kids were down

They are so fun together- lots of laughs

Little B was playing baseball outside and went to get the baseball in the rocks and a wasp stung him!  He was a tough little guy and barely cried.  Of course he screamed when he got stung but after that was such a trooper. 

Can you find Hampton?

He's all over the place!  Happy 4th!

First day on the beach and wasn't so sure..

Day 2, 3, 4 he was all about it!

Cutie Claire

I love this pic.