Friday, July 30, 2010

Woo hoo!!! Go me! :)

So the Rayovac Summer photo contest I blogged about, I was one of the first 50 bloggers to blog about it and I won a $50 gift card to Wal-Mart!!  How cool is that? I was pretty excited as I never win anything.

We're keeping super busy around here. Normal summer activities have our schedule busy, busy but we wouldn't know what to do if we weren't busy now would we?  Nana will be joining me and the boys this coming Monday for a trip to visit my sister and brother in law in North Carolina. We are so excited to see them and have a short, mini vacation before heading into our first school year! Tucker and I have been under the weather the past few days but we're on the mend now and we'll be back to our same ole routine before we can blink.

I have pictures to post, but they're on the back burner for now... I just need to find my way back to the couch!  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Rayovac Summer Photo Contest Blogger Promotion!

Rayovac is hosting a contest!  You can enter to win as well. Just grab the Rayovac widget from the side of my page and blog about this contest! You can also become a fan or like Rayovac on Facebook by going to http://www.facebook.com/Rayovac . The first 50 bloggers to promote the Rayovac Sumer Photo Contest won a prize from Rayovac!!!  I love taking pictures so this contest seems easy enough.  Come on, join with me! :)

Here are more details about the photo contest:

PRIZES For each of the three themes there will be:
Grand Prize- a Digital Camera Package, complete with a Photo Printer and Rayovac Rechargeables and a Digital Photo Frame for three of the Grand Prize Winner’s friends.
Second Place Prize- Photo Printer
Runner Up Prize- Digital Photo Frame Keychain.

Phase One:  Submit photo entry August 2, 2010- August 22, 2010
(Week 1: Fun with Water Photo. Week 2: Fun Pet Photo. Week 3: Summer Fun Photo)Phase Two: Public Vote August 2, 2010- August 29, 2010.
Phase Three: Winners Announced September 8, 2010.
Rayovac Summer Photo Contest Blogger Promotion Rules: http://www.rayovac.com/snapsharewin/rules.html 

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Photography

Good morning! I added a new session to my photography blog. If you'd like to take a peek, head on over to http://www.jhigginbothamphoto.blogspot.com and check it out!  I will be adding a lot more today.  Enjoy!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Getting to know You

My friend Courtney at One Fine Wire is doing the getting to know you and I thought I'd join in. If you'd like to join in, feel free!
Getting to know YOU


1.  What is your definition of sexy?
Confidence, compassionate, and supportive.... my husband!

2. Would you rather clean up puke or change a poopy diaper?
Are you kidding me?! Give me a poopy diaper any day of the week!!!

3. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
I'm going to have to say extrovert.

4.  If you had to give up one of your five senses for a year which one would it be?
I'd have to go with smell. I could go without smelling my stinky boys, I think, but I couldn't go with out seeing them, touching them, hearing them, and I can't do without tasting some good food! :)

5. Cake or Pie?
Give this round ma'am some cake!!!

6.  If you could play any character on TV (old or current) who would you play?
I really have no clue... let's see... umm... no one. I'm not a big TV gal.

7.  My favorite website is...?
GOOGLE! It's where I find anything, and everything!!!

8.  The highlight of my day is...?
Waking up to my babies each and everyday and having the blessed opportunity to stay home with them!!

Come on my friends, play along and let me know that you linked back so I can read your answers!!


Friday, July 2, 2010

Learning the ropes

I posted a few weeks back about our little friend, Chance, that we are bottle feeding. Chance is doing very well and the other night Carter had his first chance at feeding Chance.
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 I absolutely adore this last picture. I think I might just print it big!! :)
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Little Beach Bums

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We set out for a four day vacation to the beach, and we were packed to capacity! I could barely see out the back window of my Expedition. I told Travis if I didn't know better I'd think we were packing up and leaving him. It was just the me and the boys, with my mom, brother, and sister.
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Let me give you a little background. I'm not a beach lover. In no way, shape or form do I care to spend my down time at the beach. Because I am a team player and I know how much my little Carter-bug loves to put his toes in the sand, and ride the waves of the ocean I suck it up and do things that I know will make his little heart go pitter patter. Carter was so excited to get on the road. We had a few pit stops to make before reaching the beach, and he was started to get a little annoyed with me and my stops. We finally make it to the condo (thanks to my in-laws for allowing us to crash at their place)!
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We had to unpack the truck, and get the ins and outs of the facility from Papa Buddy. People were looking at me as if I were a part of the Clampets that were moving to Beverly Hills!  I had everything from beach stuff, to grocery stuff, to toys, to camera gear, you name it!  I always over pack, always. But I'd rather over pack and not need half of what I brought than to need it and not have it.  Granted there was a Target, Publix, Wal-Mart and any other store you could think of within minutes of the condo. I, however, was prepared I didn't need those places!
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After unloading, and everyone else arrived, we made our way to the sandy beach. Once over the boardwalk where he could see the ocean, Carter was ecstatic!  Nothing, and I mean nothing was going to keep him from the crashing waves. Little Tucker-bear, he was just as excited as Carter. I was assuming that he would be hesitant like Carter was for his first beach experience. Wrong. Tucker was all about it!  Once his little pudgy feet hit the white sand, he was off!
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I knew at that moment that I was in for it. I had not only one, but two beach bums on my hands!
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Carter splashing in the water, Tucker digging in the sand and throwing seashells, does it get any better then this? Granted it's not my cup of tea, I still enjoyed watching their little faces light up. To sit in the sand with my baby and watch as his face watched with amazement of the sand, shells, birds, and the waves.
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Sitting there hearing Carter's little chuckles and giggles along with the crashes of the waves... priceless! His giggle is a part of his childhood that I hope I never, ever forget. I can hear it and it immediately makes me smile.
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We spent our days going from the beach, to the pool, to nap, then back to the beach. The boys had an absolute blast. My beach loving family, mom, Jason, Megan, Jessica, and Kyle, well they loved it too! I was so glad to spend the time we had together. To know that we are all grown now and have our 'own' lives to lead, it's nice to still find time to bond and sit around the table and reminisce about childhood memories. Reminiscing about our memories, and watching my boys make their own memories, felt good.
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Tucker was designated as the new welcoming committee of Jacksonville Beach! He waved at anyone, and everyone. Whether they waved back or not, he kept waving saying, "hi!" We had a really good time. I enjoyed it more than I expected too! :)  I still wouldn't call myself a beach lover, but for my kids I'll go! Their smiles, giggles, and beach bum tans make it all worth while!
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Beatin' the heat!

A few weekends back we got out the trusty water slide so that the boys could enjoy being outside without feeling like they were going to pass out!  You can only imagine the excitement that Carter had when we started blowing it up. Tucker was just as excited but only because he had no clue what it was.
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Both boys immediately climbed into the pool part of the slide and the fun was on!! Tucker was bound and determined to climb to the top!  He conquered it too!!  The giggles and laughter just made me smile. It wasn't long into the afternoon that I could tell Tucker was getting tuckered out! He went off for his afternoon nap and about an hour later I sent Carter in to do the same. Carter slept for three hours!
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I told Travis I think we'll leave that thing up since it wears them out! :)  This was just day one of many, many more slide days.  Carter can't wait for his birthday party when all his friends come over for the "slip and slide" fun!!
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Most Mischievous Child... EVER!

Oh sweet Tucker bear, will there ever be a day that you don't get into some sort of trouble?  The other day I was working on some pottery pieces that I had to get done before leaving for our beach vacation. The boys had played so well all morning, and I was making great progress. I received a phone call, and while I was on the phone Tucker decided he'd get on his phone as well. Unlike me he needed more privacy then stepping into the kitchen.
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He opted that the fireplace was his quiet place. Yes, you read that correctly. He opened up the fireplace, crawled inside, turned around and closed the door. Carter begins to yell, "TUCKER'S IN THE FIREPLACE, TUCKER'S IN THE FIREPLACE!" I hang up from the call I was on to find our sweet little bear smiling and waving at me from inside our fireplace.
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He was covered in soot and ashes. We had cleaned out the fireplace when winter was over but there were still some ashes in there. They were all over his diaper. I just had to laugh, because I think this child could weasel his way into any and every nook and cranny he can find.
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The large black spot in the back of his pretty red hair just topped it all for me, or so I thought. AFTER taking pictures, I gave him a bath and off he went. I should have known better!  Mr. Mischief went right back to the fireplace for round two! Crawled back in, turned around and all covered again in black soot.
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That time, I learned for sure. Our fireplace is locked up tighter than the local bank! Try and get in there now Mr. Mischief!

Farewell VPK

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The school year started full of excitement and ended on the same note. Since starting preschool at SCA two years ago, I've watched my little guy grow and learn so much. I've been weeding through pictures and as I look back I see such a dramatic change in such a short time. His face doesn't have that 'baby' look to it, he looks like a little boy.
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The pictures of his first day seem so vivid in my memory. I can't believe that he's already waiting for the first day of kindergarten.
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I'm so grateful for the time we spent out SCA. Each of the staff members enjoy their jobs, and they truly care about the well being of our children. I'm also grateful for the Christian values, and lessons they have instilled in Carter. It truly blesses my soul to hear him singing to Jesus, or to hear him recite a verse from the bible. You can tell from these pictures where he's singing that he is a child full of spirit, joy, and pure happiness!
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I look forward to seeing him start kindergarten in the Fall. It's just the beginning of a whole new chapter and adventure!  Thank you again SCA for your caring, compassion, and dedication to the children of our community. May God truly bless each and everyone of you!

Popsicles

Florida heat is miserable. Florida heat is sticky. Florida heat is somedays just unbearable! The boys love popsicles and what a better way to beat the heat than to have a popsicle!
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Dare I even say I'm ready to see Summer exit the stage already?  We're only eleven days into our summer, fun... fun! I better stock up on popsicles!!!!