Splish Splash...Not Taking a Bath...

Splash parks. Without a doubt, splash parks are one of the greatest things the South has seen in a while. For crying out loud, do you know how ridiculously hot and humid it gets in Alabama?

On a hot day, this is the way to go...

You might even want to try to sit on a water spurt.

You might even convince your siblings and/or cousins to sit on a spurt.

If the whiteness of my skin (and cellulite and stretch marks) wouldn't scare small children and animals, I would throw on a swimsuit and join them! In the interest of public safety, I keep my jeans and t-shirt firmly in place.

Smiling Little Chunk...

Chesley loves me best. Oh, just let me keep thinking my little niece loves me best! Ha!

Look Away....

That's Whack...

Ella is absolutely whack. She is soooooo over the top. There are no words. I cannot begin to describe to you how "Ella" she is.

Many of her quotes go on my twitter feed. You just have to experience for yourself sometime.

How I Love This Little Cherub...

My niece Lacey is in fact a little cherub. No, don't bother trying to correct me. I am blissful in my delusion that she is a little cherub who loves me best. HA!

Is This Not the Cutest Face?...

Loving the Netbook...

Ella loves her netbook. She loves it so much. She is practically glued to it sometimes.

As Seen From the Passenger Seat...

Smoothe....

Swinging...

Our backyard is much like a desert. There is no plant life other than grass. It's a cookie cutter neighborhood, so all the trees were destroyed when the neighborhood was planned and started. I've never like it. I prefer to have some shade or a nice tree for a swing. I grew up with a tire swing in my backyard. I spent many an hour whirling and twirling. Yes, I prefer woodsy backyards.

We were lucky enough to attend a friend's birthday party recently. The family lives in the historical part of Athens and have done an outstanding job of renovating the home. My favorite part? Hands down....the giant tree in the back yard with the fun swing hanging from its branches.

I think Layton liked it too.

Maybe someday I will find a home with a tree in the yard. :)

Friendly Fun...

Hadley took a couple of friends with her to the farm last weekend. They had so much fun running around and chasing the donkey.

We took a short ride through the field and let them sit in the bed of the truck for part of it. So much fun!! They all fell in the creek though while rock hopping. I'm guessing their parents won't let them come back to the farm any time soon. :)

Rear Naked Choke...

When I was a little girl, my older brother would torture me. It was his civic duty. All brothers torture their sisters. It's no different with girls. Occasionally, Hadley will try to torture and tease Ella. The other day at the farm Hadley was in a particularly big "big sister" mood.

Her technique was lacking though. So....

Jay, of course, walked her through the different methods of choking another soul. Sometimes I wonder.....Do all families do this?....Or just my whacked out little crew? :)

DLR...What is the D?...

Dewey.....

Seriously....

New Hobby...

Layton has a new hobby.

Care to guess what it is?

Sizzling Wood...

Fire. You have to admit that there is something inspiring about a campfire. When we built our fire at the farm recently, the wood was still a little damp and green from all the rain. It never ceases to amaze me.

A Favorite from the Session...

A Favorite from the Session...

A Favorite from the Session...

Favorites from the Session...

Just a couple of my favorites of us as a family....

A Favorite from the Session...

She's Such A Faker...

Ella loves the mail.

There wasn't actually any mail in the box at the farm. She just wanted to act excited for the camera.

A Favorite from the Session...

Ella's Chair...

While at the farm last weekend, we built a campfire. It was cool outside and perfect fire weather...except for the dampness from all the rain. Ella kept calling Cody her chair and sitting on him. You know you have a great friend when he lets your children climb all over him and call him a chair.