Uncle Larry and Aunt Cheryl's

For the past 3 years we have gone to visit Dax's aunt and uncle in South Carolina. They live on Lake Keowee and are so hospitable every time we come. We love our time with them and our time away. We finally figured out a good traveling schedule to be able to enjoy our time fully. We left Thursday after work a couple of weeks ago and drove straight there. That allowed us to have 2 full days with them relaxing and catching up and then traveled home early Sunday morning. Aunt Cheryl relaxing while we all froze our tails off at the waterfalls.Uncle Larry just happened to not have his swimsuit on at the time. He must have known how cold the water was. Clint had already jumped in to head to the rocks.

I can't even begin to tell you how cold this rushing water was and how slippery those rocks were.Clint and Brittany - they did so good - this was the first time to sleep sweet baby Shep.If you don't know or can't tell from the photo - baby number 3 is due on my birthday - Dec. 31st.We missed you Tyson! It just isn't the same without you.

The boys perfected their skiing skills and Clint worked on gliding into the dock.

It was a great weekend and as usual we can't thank them enough for allowing us to visit each year. I only wish we could do it more often! Thanks Larry and Cheryl.

Geogia Aquarium

We recently ventured to Atlanta, Georgia with the boys in tow to visit the Georgia Aquarium. It was a long day, leaving at 5:30 and coming home that afternoon but well worth it for the experience. Cole is the perfect age to go and he enjoyed it the most out of everyone. Owen, poor thing, was so tired from getting up early that he just wanted his Daddy to hold him. He liked seeing the fish too just not near as much as Cole Man. We met Brooke, John and Will around 10:30 and explored the exhibits for a couple of hours until we had made our way through everything. We then headed to the Varsity for lunch and then home. It was a great day with the family and our friends!It is impossible to get a picture of them both looking.

"Bruce" as Cole likes to say.

Will is telling Cole all about it.

I didn't take many photos of the fish, or I should say many didn't really turn out, but this is a turkey zebra fish - or something like that.

This wasn't long after being there but you can see how tired Owen is. They both fell asleep right when we got to Atlanta and had a short nap until we parked and got out.

Cole couldn't decide if he wanted to touch the stingrays or not. He, of course, did much better with Dax. I don't know what it is but he just gets so scared when I have him.

The scuba divers were in one of the tanks when we first got there and Cole thought it was the coolest thing ever.
Time to go!

One more AGD

After having 4 daughters pledge Alpha Gam and one that hopefully will in the fall it is only right to be one yourself. My mom has assisted with whatever we needed her to do with Alpha Gam. When I was at Alabama and Rush Chair she came to my rescue, when I was President and needed her again she came through. Not that I expect anything different, because she always comes through. I have gotten involved with the Troy Chapter and an alumnae initiation was mentioned for 3 women. Susan Peirce did a wonderful job getting it all together and a special thanks to the chapter for taking part in initiation. We were honored to initiate mom into Alpha Gam this past Sunday at Troy which is where she graduate from. All four of us were able to be there and it was a special time for mom.

Meggan (Psi '06), Me (Psi '01), Mom (Gamma Sigma '10), Hope (Psi '95), Joy (Gamma Sigma ' 99)

Candace Nelson and Mindy Carter's mom, Deborah Carter was initiated and Jessica Rowell was initiated. Each initiate had a tie to Alpha Gam in some way.

Easter Day

The Easter Bunny was good to the boys. Cole received a couple of Veggie Tale movies, some books; Jonah and Joseph 's Coat of Many Colors, a hoe, a rake and work gloves. Owen got crayons, a floor coloring mat, Flinstone vitamins and a Wheels on the Bus book. Dax and I had signed up for breakfast for Sunday School this past Sunday so I was in the kitchen trying to prepare when Cole walked around the corner carrying his work gloves. He was so proud of them! I asked him what he had and he said Diego Work Gloves! The bunny brought them but I didn't see him. For those that don't know; Cole cares nothing for Santa, The Easter Bunny and I am sure will cry at the thought of the Tooth Fairy.

Owen was saying CHEEEEEESE
He looks so grown with his hair cut.

Cole practicing for Mama

We have to hold Owen back to snap any picture these days. They are good only when he is in the mood.

Two of my sisters; Alex the baby and Meggan

Cole, Addison, Graham, Aliee and Owen

A Fishing We Will Go

Fishing photos below from this past Saturday. Both the boys had a great time watching everyone else fish. I know soon they will want to do it themselves. We enjoyed having our cousins in town to spend this time with us. We love some Chance. This is my baby sister's boyfriend who we adore...every single one of us.
Aliee is so good with Owen. She watches over him constantly! She reminds me of her Mama :)

The most important statement you will ever here...

HE IS NOT HERE FOR HE IS RISEN!

We had a great Easter Weekend spent hunting eggs, fishing with cousins, seeing what the bunny brought and reflecting why we celebrate Easter. We have been able to talk with Cole about the true reason for celebration and the greatest sacrifice that was ever made. We enjoyed a wonderful church service yesterday; from the incredible music we sang to the sermon that was preached. Brother Luke emphasized that in our world today there are 2 billion people who have never heard the good news. That is alarming and such a reality check. It is evident that I need to focus on the greatest commission ever given to me and strive daily to share the word with those I come in contact with. It is heartbreaking to think that 2 billion people on this earth could die today not knowing what the Lord did for them. I pray that we all reflect on this statement and think about what we will do to change this. Below are pictures from our weekend.

This is how we started our Saturday. Fighting Mama because they didn't want a picture taken. It is almost impossible to take a picture with both of them cooperating.

Owen eventually got out of Honey's arms to try his hand in picking up eggs.

My next task is to get this pappy taken away from him. I know that is has everything to do with me and that it really isn't as hard as I think but at the moment it keeps him quite. So selfish I know.

Addison helped Owen put eggs in his basket.

They are such a mess together and I can't figure out which one talks the most!

Cole got excited to find the eggs after we hid them for the third time. You see, neither one of the boys wanted to pick them up so we picked up a few and put in their baskets and after all the other children cleared out they decided they wanted to hunt the eggs. So, we took the few that we had, hid them and they found them. This sums it up! The boys don't ever want to take a picture and smile like Mommy would like. Caroline was so good! She didn't start crying until she looked at my two screaming. Caroline is our new neighbor and we adore her. The boys love having her around.

Enjoying Cheetos while we watched the puppets.

This little monkey had to have his Cheetos too! Rotten, I tell you!

Cole, Graham, Addison, Aliee and Owen enjoying the puppets. Mom had Hope's kids over the weekend while she and David were on their trip.Cousin Shep even came to the egg hunt and puppet show. This is the best we could do!

After our Prayers

Last night after we read "The Good Samaritan" and said our prayers Cole told me he wanted to meet God and go to Heaven, then he wanted me to sing "Deep and Wide." I sang it several times and began to sing something else when he stopped me and said...
Cole: Hey, Momma don't sing. Do they have snacks in Heaven?
Me: I am sure they do Cole.
Cole: Do they have Cheese-its, and Goldfish, and cookies, and pineapple...
Me: I don't know Cole.
Cole: looking up towards heaven, "God, do you have Cheese-its, and cookies and Goldfish and pineapple? No pineapple? Okay. Momma, God says he has Cheese its, cookies and Goldfish.
Me: Good Cole.
Cole: Are there beds in heaven? Why can't I come back if I go to heaven?

We are constantly having conversations like this. I thought it was adorable to hear him talking with God; even if it was about snacks in heaven.