Flashback Friday

I picked this picture because of the cute look on Jacob's face. A closer look at the picture made me smile even wider. You see, Jacob, the often overlooked one, because of his go with the flow and go to the beat of his own drum way about him turned 3 in this picture. But the candle clearly says 5. That's  because we forgot them and he didn't even realize it was from Joshua's birthday. He was just so excited to have cake. You were here for this b-day Kristi :)

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

Flashback Friday

Joshua's school does a Veteran's wall display and welcomes pictures of members past and present. This year we sent in a picture of Uncle Johnny and Grampa. This looks like one of the early pictures of my dad's short run in the military. The structure and rules were not his thing at the time, but it surely shaped him into the person he was as an adult.

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

Flashback Friday

This picture was taken at Lost River when Joshua was 5 1/2 years old. The funniest part of the picture for me is that Jacob is wearing this exact T shirt for a jammie shirt now...and he is 9. I can't say I'm surprised since Joshua also weighs the same as Jeffrey now and he is 20 :)

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

Flashback Friday

 

Josha-boo's first day of school. So excited for the first day, and then it went downhill from there. But all is good now. He has come so far ♥

 



 

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

Stump the Hummer

We are not four wheeler snobs. We are equal opportunity 4x4 fans. The boys were excited about this truck show up north. It was an obstacle course with trucks.

 

 Hill climb.

 Uneven bridge. this was fun and exciting to watch.

 Intently watching, wishing he could take a turn I'm sure!

 You see they brought some of their own to play with while watching. This event originally was designed for trucks to compete against the national guard hummers. We came while this one was on its run so we didn't really get to see it go through.

 We of course had to stop off to fish for Mr. Fisherman. This was his littlest catch of the day. The picture is a little deceiving, but if you look at the hook you can see how small it is, considering the hook is smaller than my finger.

 And this was his big catch of the day. This was the result of the, "Should we just pull over here and let him throw a line in for 20 minutes?". Once again he got it right away and daddy didn't get a thing. I hope one day this boy has the opportunity to feed his tribe on Survivor. They surely won't vote him off!

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

Canobie

I have said many times that I could have saved a lot of money on our Disney trips with Jeffrey and the boys and just gone to Canobie. They wanted to go from ride to ride and they weren't even as exciting or thrilling as the rides at Canobie.

 

Last year we didn't get to Canobie so I really wanted to get there this summer. And we did.

 

This is the new rollercoaster. Both the boys were game for this rollercoaster. Me, not so much.

 

 Here they are checking it out from the line.

 This thing is crazy. Jacob went once. Joshua went twice. It knocked Jacob around so he was good with one trip. Since Joshua was alone he got to go right up front for a single rider.

 No goof for him only cool dude.

 He cracks me up. No holding on for him.

 Always looking for natures beauty when I have my camera in hand.

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

Time Flies!

2012-1992 A life time. An eventful dash. 20 years ago I graduated from highschool. The reunion was not on my agenda, but it was on my old friend Mindi's.

 

Mindi was my very first friend when I moved to the city in the 7th grade. We were best friends throughout junior high and a good part of high school. Unfortunately we let a boy get between us and lost touch for 20 years. Just as facebook connected me with my good friend Amy after 20+ years, facebook again reunited me with Mindi this year.

 

During her short trip out for the reunion we were able to get together twice and have lots of convcrsation and hopefully healing. Having been away from the coast for many many years, she wanted to see the ocean and I was much obliged to make it happen on a beautiful summer day.

 Jacob crabbing and sporting the summer mohawk doo.

 Trying to catch some waves.

 We brought the skim board because we didn't have a boogie board. We found out they were not allowed for some reason :( ?

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

Flashback Friday

This picture wasn't taken last year, but last year we had a Halloween blizzard and before you know it, it will be here. Maybe for Halloween again. I better go watch the weather.

 

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

JT's birthday wish

Since Auntie had to work on Joshua's birthday they spent another special day together. Joshua planned out his stops and one at the top of his list was a trip to the Humane Society. He and Auntie went to buy some items they requested and dropped them off. Joshua is so compassionate and loves animals. They have a special part of their website where they post pictures and stories of the kids. This was Joshua's picture.

Unfortunately it wasn't working on the website so I sent an email asking for a copy of it. He has been dying to see and and have others see it. The other day he said, "You should have seen that kitten. It was so cute. He clawed his way into my heart so quickly." I thought that was so cute I wrote a note in my phone to remember it.

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

Flashback Friday

The Halloween season is upon us. I have mixed feelings about the holiday now that the boys are older and they get to pick what they want to be they don't pick cute costumes like this anymore. Or should I say I don't get to pick or make cute costumes like these.

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

Precious Memories

If there is one thing I learned from going to Disney and spending $300 more than I needed to, it's that you don't have to go anywhere and pay money to have fun and make good memories. As I mentioned, the weather was not the greatest for the beginning of the girls' vacation. But as you can see, it doesn't keep these kids out of the water. Or keep them from having fun.

 

 A little snuggling, a warm blankie, a cute movie, bowl of candy all make a winning combination.

 We love this new game called Headbands, especially with lots of people, and without party-poopers like Auntie Chris!

 We took a trip to the park for a photo op, a walk on the trail and a Dunkin Donut of course.

The last time we took pictures here the munchkins looked like this. Man why can't we freeze time?

 Auntie Jeanne wanting to get in on the game.

 You can't tell me these kids aren't cool! 12, 10, 9, 8, 7 in this picture.

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle

Tennesse Girls in da House

One of Jenna's requests for her trip to NH/ME was a visit to the beach. The weather wasn't looking too promising for their stay so as soon as they got of the plane on Sunday we headed over to the beach. It was a gorgeous day.

 Jenna really wants to go into the water, but she has to convince herself of it.

 Here Uncle Jim is trying his hand at convincing her.

 Auntie Jeanne, who knows her daughter, gives her a little "help" getting in.

 She knows that she will have a great time and wants to speed up the process :) And she is always right.

 Of course, as helpful as she is to Jenna, it never fails that she lets poor Jamie get pummeled by a wave!

 We got so so lucky with the tide schedule. It was just going out when we got there so the rocks were uncovered for crabbing.

 And for reflecting.

 Uncle Jim is the best crabber out there!

 Happiness is written all over their faces.

 The tide was so low in the evening and the kids wanted to get every last minute they could out of the ocean. Afterall, the girls will have to wait a whole year to go in it again :(

 Auntie Jeanne wasn't going in again so poor Jamie had to stay at her knees. This will give her some motivation to work out those leg muscles to keep herself from getting knocked over by waves next year.

And speaking of next year....I can't wait to do it again!!!

 

Thanks for visiting ♥ Michelle