June and July iMemories.

Pepper Place Market with Mimi (big guys at farm).

Dirty, dirty child helping Daddy with lots of yardwork.

Snake up close and personal at Zoo.

New black bear at Zoo.

Happy farmers.

Small Fry's first trip to iJump. He needed lots of help from sweet Fawn.

Ed's Pet World Birthday for John Getty.

He was fearless.

And so happy.

Probably his favorite birthday party ever. 

I was dying.

Mommy-Fawn date to Planes Fire and Rescue.

Suspension bridge at Red Mountain Park.

Snacks at Skyhy Treehouse at Red Mountain Park.

Transformer-loving brothers.

Fawn's Half Birthday.

Fawn turned five and a half on July 26. I cannot believe it will soon take two hands to show his age. Wow! Time does fly. Somebody asked me how long I was going to celebrate half birthdays with my boys. My response: "until I'm dead." Truth be told, if I could celebrate them every single day I would. I want them to never doubt how loved and cherished and special they are.

Fawn wanted donuts for breakfast. Though we planned to take a family trip to Heavenly Donuts, Small Fry was still sleeping so I ran over there to pick up the goodies. Delicious way to start the day for sure!

Then it was present time. Small Fry helped me shop while Fawn was at the farm one Saturday. He spilled the beans immediately that he got Fawn a new Optimus Prime Transformer. Fawn thought it was hilarious, and when he finally got to open the toy he was thrilled. Buck and I surprised him with Transformers walkie talkies and Depsicable Me 2 Monopoly. He LOVES the walkie talkies, and the game is really fun to play. He's already legitimately beaten Buck, Caroline and me.

We spent the rest of the day playing at home and swimming. And, he helped me make his birthday brownies and placed the candles just where he wanted them. Special day for a special and so-loved child.

He opened Small Fry's present first -- and in true, awesome big brother fashion, asked Small Fry if he wanted to help.

So excited -- and Small Fry was proud that he liked it.

Walkie talkie glee.

Fake pout when he realized there weren't presents for him.

Then came the real tears. Don't worry buddy, your turn is soon. 

Come in. Over and out.

Another appearance by my collection of Transformers candles and cake toppers.

Now that's a happy kid.

Getting ready to blow them out.

And once again, he asked his brother to help.

Bubby, we love you more than we ever thought we could love a child. You are a joy and it has been an honor to watch you grow. We are so proud of the big guy you are becoming.

Boy Fun: Kitchen Construction and Exploding Car Wash.

In my imagination, I would be entertaining children with tea parties, playing dolls, putting on "shows", and lots of dress up. I never could really imagine life with little boys. While there is dress up, it's certainly not the princess variety. If we role play, we are Transformers, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, or super heroes. We pretend to shoot, stab, and destroy. It is loud, but not from singing and dancing. While it is not at all what I imagined, it is fun. It is awesome.

But, sometimes we need some activities that are quiet, calm, and still entertaining for boys. These are two of our favorites.

Kitchen construction involves our little construction vehicles and farm tractors.

Then each child is given edibles that can be moved, pushed, constructed.

Marshmallows, Nerds, Lifesaver Gummies, cinnamon chips, M&Ms, yogurt covered raisins, and chocolate goldfish were on tap this day.

Then the boys construct and eat away.

Exploding car wash involves Pyrex dishes filled with small cars and lots of baking soda.

First we play in the baking soda (or "snow") for awhile building roads and mountains and making tracks.

Then we pour in vinegar and make it explode. Our hands end up messy and gritty but it is fun.

We've also tried the duck tape bracelet nature walk, where you make a duck tape bracelet with the sticky side out and walk around the neighborhood looking for nature objects to collect on your bracelet. I was envisioning flower petals and pretty leaves. Reality? Seeing who could collect the most dead worms and snails. Life with little boys may be gross but it's certainly not dull.

Blueberry Picking.

Blueberry picking has been on my summer bucket list for four years now. This is the first year we've made it happen. I was pregnant with Small Fry year one and the only things that got crossed off the bucket list were the things my mom accomplished with Fawn. The second year Small Fry was a baby and it just wasn't going to happen. And, last year Small Fry was a MESS. So we kept punting....

I'm so glad we made it work this year because it was so much fun. Mimi went with us because although Small Fry is not the mess he was last year, he's still only two and can be quite the handful! I thought we needed man-on-man defense. We stopped at Krispy Kreme on the way down because my little people are always hungry. They are going to eat us out of house and home. While the plan was to drive to Morgan Creek Vineyards in Harpersville, I saw a sign for Smith U-Pick in Sterett. Mom commented that she knew the owner from teaching in Shelby County (he's the AP History teacher) so we went ahead and stopped. Great decision! There was only one other family there and the owner's family was so kind and welcoming to the boys.

We all got our buckets and started picking. Fawn was on a mission to pick the biggest blueberries he could find. He does not like small blueberries, says they are sour. Small Fry was eating more than he was putting in his bucket. And, he had a hard time with the concept of "ripe". And, he kept dumping his bucket onto the ground. So I was very thankful for Mimi's help. I was trying to pick a lot of berries for the freezer because they were cheap and delicious!

We ended up with 5.25 pounds of berries! I also bought some beautiful veggies that had been picked that morning. And, I insisted on paying a little more because of all Small Fry had eaten in the field. The boys loved on a big, sweet hound dog and then we headed home. It was a perfect Alabama morning.

Be still my heart. This summer has been a gift in so many ways -- the biggest being the relationship developing between these sweet brothers.

Boys at work.

Stop it. His cuteness kills me.

Can't quite smile with a mouth full of blueberries.

So serious about getting the perfect berries.

His gorgeous loot.

He was so happy -- I think it was one of his favorite days this summer.

4th of July.

While dating, and during the early years of marriage, we always spent the 4th of July at Buck's parents' lake house on beautiful Lake Martin. In fact, we got engaged on the Basstracker somewhere in the middle of Lake Martin on July 4, 2012 after watching the fireworks. Buck's parents' gave up their lake cabin lease in fall 2011, so for the past couple years we've spent the 4th elsewhere.

This year, though, they rented a lake house for the long weekend. Lulu, the boys and I drove down on Wednesday. We had no clue where we were going, the boys were singing/screaming/fighting the entire way. Though we tried to time it for nap time, there was no napping. When we finally located the house (our directions were wrong), it was a wonderful surprise. The house was precious! We unloaded in the heat and the boys were insistent we go swimming. Lulu and I joked that it was very swampy -- we were in the back of a narrow slew and I had myself convinced there were all sorts of swamp creatures. In fact, I had nightmares the first night about it!

Aunt C came down Wednesday night and Doc and Buck followed Thursday night. We had so much fun. It was a long enough vacation that I felt like I truly relaxed (especially after the not-so-relaxing mountain trip). But it wasn't too long! The boys were at such a fun age to enjoy the lake -- Fawn especially, who has become the best swimmer this summer and loved jumping off the dock again and again and again. In addition to swimming, they also loved canoeing, fishing, and boat rides. Somehow during one morning of fishing Fawn and Buck convinced Small Fry to eat a live cricket. Ugh, ugh, ugh. He reported that it tasted "disgusting", but he was so proud. In between outside activities, we watched movies, played dominoes, colored, and Buck introduced the boys to cherry bombs. Lord help us!

We got to see Uncle Pak and Lauren some, much to the boys delight. And, we took a couple boat rides to Lulu and Doc's new lake house. It is on a gorgeous lot and is going to be a great house. This trip made us so excited about summers to come for the boys on the lake. We even let Fawn stay up to watch some fireworks on the 4th -- he was convinced it was Uncle Pak shooting them for him. He later confessed that after we put him to bed he got back up to keep watching fireworks. We've got a sneaky one on our hand.

Though I had my big camera, I didn't take ANY pictures. These are from Buck's and Doc's cell phones. I was too busy enjoying and doing with the boys to occupy myself with picture taking!

Canoeing. So lucky big brother didn't knock him out with that paddle.

Sweet thing napped on the boat two different days. Like a dog. Love him so.

Third Annual Mountain Trip.

We returned to Highlands, NC for our third annual mountain trip with the Hendersons. We had to make this trip earlier than usual because of Fawn starting Kindergarten in early August. July was so hectic work-wise for both dads, that we bumped the trip to June. While the trip was fun, it honestly wasn't the best timing -- all of the grown ups seemed exhausted as we'd all been running a million miles an hour all summer, traveling a ton. We made the most of our four days in God's glorious creation, though. And, the kids had a ball -- which, of course, is one of the best parts of the trip.

Again, we rented a cabin on VRBO. While you never know what you're going to get, it was a great set up. A five-bedroom outdoorsy looking place on 9 acres. Plenty of room for sleep and play. It was especially nice to have a large yard for the boys to play outside during our "down time".

We arrived before the Hendersons and headed into Highlands -- a few miles north of our cabin. We wanted to save Sunset Rock for a group activity, so we drove to Dry Falls and took in the scene.

Boys looking at Dry Falls. Fawn was super-enthusiastic, while Small Fry was hesitant. Dry Falls is super loud from the rushing water, plus you get a bit wet.

You get to walk behind that massive waterfall, though you do not stay dry!

Safe on Daddy's shoulders -- who is glad to have some cell service and check in at work.

When the Hendersons arrived and got settled, we headed back into Highlands to Sunset Rock. It's probably Fawn's favorite thing we do each year. It is gorgeous and a good, easy walk to start with. I was a bit disappointed in myself as I caught myself at the top of that vista ho-hum, going through the motions. I had to remind myself how amazing and beautiful it is -- I don't ever want to go through life not engaged with the wonder around me. No matter how tired or what the circumstances, I want to fully live.

Happy to be at the top of Sunset Rock -- Small Fry is getting heavy to carry (I know, of course, because I carry him around every day).

Couple shot!

The babies ditched their backpack carriers on their way down.

Thursday night brought fun grown-up fellowship. I remarked that how could it have been a year since our last night of cards in the mountains? Time certainly does fly by.

Friday morning we headed toward Whiteside Mountain. The weather was supposed to be a bit dicey all weekend so we figured it best to get in Whiteside when we could. It's a great hike and the views were pretty, though blocked somewhat by low clouds. Our gang did well, though we got lots of "looks" and comments that we were brave to attempt Whiteside with five under six! Little did they know, we'd done it with five under five last year (now that seems CRAZY).

A little more enthusiasm Buck? He only weighs 28 pounds.

Fawn was not having any picture taking with mommy.

Sullen boy. But, I get in moods too -- all humans do. I'm trying to show him more and more grace when he's in a funk. If I'm allowed to pout, so is he.

Family on top of Whiteside.

Taking in the views. I pray I can look at life with his sense of exploration and wonder.

My son and daughter-in-law...though which Nichols boy will she marry?

Crazy cats. Fight like crazy, love like crazy.

Father son.

Mommy son.

No wonder people thought we were nuts!

After lunch we headed back into Highlands to play at the park. It was raining when we got there, but we just waited it out in our cars for a few minutes and then enjoyed a couple hours of fun at the playground. The kids were great and loved it. We even played old school games like Duck, Duck, Goose. Then we called it a day and repeated the fabulous routine of kids fed, kids to bed, grown ups fed, grown ups cards.

Saturday we headed into Cashiers. We started at Silver Creek Falls. Fabulous! Probably the highlight of the trip. The dads were brave enough to swim in the freezing water. The kids joined them. Kelly and I were more than happy to keep our socks and shoes on and supervise. 

These three.

I heart this picture.

This one too -- before Daddy started acting crazy!

And while this isn't the crazy I was talking about, I'm sure glad he didn't drop him.

Buck bet Fawn that he wouldn't get in. Ten dollars -- that I had to pay up!

This is the crazy I was talking about.

Their hero-view of him just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Another family found some crawdaddies and handed this one to Fawn to hold. He says it's one of the highlights of the trip.

Men and peer pressure -- once Buck was in there was no stopping Heath.

Getting braver and closer to the waterfall with Daddy.

He's fearless.

Photo of the dry and smart parent.

After we got everyone dry and warm we headed to a waterfall in a magazine we had -- Whitewater Falls. A national park a few miles away -- though we drove through South Carolina to get there! It was a short walk to the falls and there wasn't a ton to do, but it was the biggest waterfall I can remember seeing.

We walked down a ton of steps to get a closer view, but you can see the waterfall in the background.

Small Fry was such a happy passenger -- though Buck constantly said it was his last year to be carried.

Family shot.

For this guy it's always about the critters -- fascinated by a caterpillar.

Little love birds.

We went to eat at the Carolina Smokehouse, and it did not disappoint; there's nothing like a BBQ joint hamburger! Then we went to the amazing Cashiers playground. I know we can play at a playground anywhere, but it really was one of the highlights of the trip for me. The kids had a ball -- and watching Small Fry and Buck interact on the playground was priceless. Then the rain came in and after trying to sit it out, we bailed to the Highlands Nature Center. Thankfully, we were the only ones in there -- and our kids did pretty good looking at all the critters. Then we walked on some of the trails through the Botanical Gardens and trails behind the Nature Center. I loved it -- it was an easy walk (though very wet and muddy -- my children were a disaster!) and so beautiful. We headed back to the house where we roasted marshmallows for a snack (always a better activity in theory than reality) and the kids played in the mud. Heath took on the unenviable task of hosing them off before baths.

I love that Kelly captured this moment.

We ended the trip with an awesome steak dinner and an EPIC game of Spades. Kelly and I really held our own this year and had the weekend total all but won. AND THEN....Buck went blind nil twice in a row to win it all. Unbelievable. Only him. I mean he is seriously the only person I know that is that lucky.

The victors. (Did I mention Heath almost chopped his finger off with an ax the first night?!?)

I have to say that in terms of child-management this was the hardest year yet. Perhaps because we didn't have any rest time, perhaps because parenting styles are become more different as we parent the children we were given, perhaps because we came into the trip much more tired. However, Kelly put it best when she reminded me that when they are grown up and not on this trip with us, we will long for these days of littles. She is so right -- there is no one I would rather explore the world with than my sweet boys and their best friends. Good memories, gorgeous place, great friends. See you next year!