ALL Boy

A scar on his face, dirt on his knee, shirtless and swinging. This little guy is ALL boy and I love him to pieces!

Mega Slide Playdate

This fun backyard slide wins the grand prize on outdoor water fun! The Greshams hosted a playdate in their sprawling backyard today. All the kids got to play on their two story high water slide. Everyone had a grand time. There was lots of screaming, squealing and laughter...the happy sounds of summer. Where were these giant waterslides when we were kids?

This is about the only place we want to be when outside on these hot and humid days in the south. Give us shade and give us water please!
The shade is exactly where the little miss spent the afternoon. When her sweet, red cheeks could handle no more, she was given over to the coolness of the AC inside. Have I mentioned Eliza Kate's my little chill baby? It's so nice to have girlfriends to pass her from lap to lap. Her new favorite thing is to bounce up and down with her legs. It makes for a great arm workout!


I'm really loving our lazy summer days together. We're so thankful for friends to share in our summer days before life gets a little crazy and a lot more scheduled again.

Cousin Camp

Just back from a relaxing little getaway to The Ridges resort in the mountains of Hiawasee, GA. It was a mission of Omi and Papa to get everyone together this year. The Tully cousins got to meet Meredith and Eliza Kate for the first time. The last event that we were all together was at Miller's first birthday party three years ago. What an amazing blessing for Miller and Eliza Kate to have cousins to play with at the lake.

Our family keeps expanding, so we had to stay in two large lakeside condos to accommodate all the kiddos. The resort was designed to host families and reunions with lots of kid friendly activities...fishing, swimming, bean bag tossing, playground and sandbox fun, board game tables and smores by the fire pit to name a few. There was never a dull moment.

Sweet Lizzie Kat is an absolute joy to travel with. So far, she just goes with the flow on vacation. Mommy enjoyed laying out in the shade with her baby girl. She hasn't had her first official swim yet, but she had to at least look the part of a bathing beauty.

Between Frisbee throwing and games of tag on the lawn, Miller was in cousin camp heaven. This boy was meant to grow up in a large family with lots of running activity. He thrives on all the action packed fun and laughter. Landon and I always comment that Miller would never miss us if the Duggars decided to adopt him :)

Cousin Annalisa is the closest in age to Miller with only six months in between them. Miss Annalisa was quite the fashion plate of the weekend with coordinating hats and sunglasses to match her swimsuits and play outfits.

Another highlight of the weekend was celebrating Landon's 32nd birthday..Red Sox style of course. All the cousins were there to sing our rowdy birthday chorus and share in Uncle Landon's big day.
This is what summer was meant to be, spending time with family and togetherness. We left with wonderful memories and hopes of another reunion in 2011!

(Check out Miller's picture pose:)

Three Rivers Rambler

A few highlights from Miller, Papa, and Landon's Three Rivers Rambler train ride in Knoxville a few weekends back. Miller was over the top thrilled about this special excursion. An authentic train ride over the Tennessee River was the perfect way to spend a hot summer afternoon.

Fortunately, Papa remembered his camera to capture a few special moments as daddy was doing a great job to remember Miller's sunscreen, sippy and lunch.

Miller enjoyed touring all the cars and exploring the dining car and caboose. His all time favorite part was riding in the convertible car with the wind on his face. He commented that the train whistle sounded more like a car horn. Miller even conquered going potty on the moving train potty. Now that takes some skill .

Miller commented that Papa kept him safe while he stuck his head out of the train car window sitting on Papa's lap. 90 minutes was just the perfect amount of time to make the loop and come back to the station!

The "Secret" Garden Party

Happy Birthday Omi! Our surprise birthday trip to Knoxville went down without a hitch. Omi was completely surprised by the events and guests of the whole weekend. She handled all the weekend events with such grace and poise. It's not easy to have our family just show up at your door to stay for the weekend. We loved celebrating such a monumental birthday with a very special lady to all of us.

Aunt Laurel and Maria planned a beautiful garden gathering at the Knoxville Botanical Gardens for friends and family. The brunch was fantastic and the tables a beautiful fuchsia. I wish I had captured a picture of the tables.

Omi had no idea about the brunch. When we walked over to the gathering, it was fun to watch Omi's face when she put it all together. I was nervous the whole weekend that Miller's rambling tongue might give away the "secret garden" surprise, but he kept the information to himself! He sure does love a party.

Miller loved the freedom that the gardens offered to a running preschooler. He loved taking special trips to see the waterfall with his Uncle Chad and Great Aunt Tommie Jean. Of course, playing in the dirt was to be expected. I knew his shirt wouldn't stay clean for long. Miller's getting pretty good with his excuses. When he turned a tree branch into a play blower he said, "It's just yard work mom!"

I couldn't resist posting a picture of our sweet, sleeping party girl. This party is yet another July event that Eliza Kate has snoozed right through. When she's old enough, we'll share all about Omi's Garden surprise.

Silly Boy

The following pictures are what happens when you leave your clean and dressed three year old alone with his daddy and Uncle Clay. The t-shirt gets tucked into his underwear, the sleeves get rolled up,the shorts come off, and the bubble gun emerges. Miller sure does take on the likeness of Rambo in these shots! He seemed to know that everyone was laughing at him.

Look out ladies..I'm rough and tough!

Poppy got a kick out of all their backyard antics. We loved our fifth of July cookout. Nothing is better than a fun day of swimming and backyard play at Grandmama and Poppy's house.

Fireworks Fun

The fourth of July wouldn't be complete without the Fay's 6th annual cookout. Our families have enjoyed this tradition before there were any kiddos in the mix.
This group has grown exponentially with all the activity and laughter than children can bring.

The street fireworks were a little too loud for the kids to handle. Olivia, Allie and Miller consoled each other with their noses pressed against the front door to at least see the bright colors and the action. Miller loved watching the exploding cupcakes from the safety of inside.

The little girls enjoyed playing and rocking Eliza Kate. It's amazing to watch their interest in a tiny baby. Miller is interested, but would much rather play with toys than dote on his sister.




The kids loved playing in the backyard, while the men tried to play an uninterrupted game of Boccie ball. Miss Lisbeth swung the kiddos in the hammock. The weather was gorgeous!




We spread out our blankets and chairs in our usual spot to watch the Roswell Fireworks. Miller was outnumbered by all the girls. It won't be long before Michael and Logan will be running around with him. He surely doesn't mind sitting in princess chairs and wearing glow bracelet jewelry though:)
Miller loves his little girlfriends!

The kids enjoyed sharing snacks and waiting for the first pop in the sky. Amazingly, everyone held it together after such a late evening.

Operation:Independence Day

I can't think of a better way to start off the fourth of July than to thank our military men and women who so bravely serve our country. Miller had the opportunity on Sunday to tour a Black hawk helicopter and military vehicles after church. We rehearsed over and over before walking up to greet the pilot, "Thank you for serving our country." It was too cute to hear him say his gratitude speech.

Miller loved looking at all the gears and the cockpit. I was afraid to have him touch anything for fear of a malfunction upon lift off! The last thing we wanted to witness was a Black hawk down. This was no play helicopter in his toy room.

How thrilling to sit inside the helicopter. Landon even got to climb atop of the Blackhawk and get the royal tour of the jet engines. I don't know who was having more fun on this little tour.

Another highlight was sitting in the military hummer truck. Miller climbed in and out and even pretended to steer this massive truck. He picked up the telephone inside and pretended to make a phone call. It was hard to pull him away from all of his imaginative play.

Miller took the liberty to be safe and wear the spare helmet inside the hummer. He just had to look the part of a real soldier. His white polo didn't stay that way for long. Camouflage would have suited this play soldier best.

The most thrilling part of the morning was observing a real life Black hawk lift-off thirty yards away. We stood street side to watch this big event. I swear Miller's mouth was agape the whole time watching the blades of the helicopter spin faster and faster. The crowd didn't anticipate the great up sweep of wind that the lift off would bring from being so close to the take off.

Miller gave a patriotic send off to his new soldier friends wilding waving his hands and flag. Too bad we lost our festive flags with the huge gust of wind from take-off! Miller can't stop talking about our military touch a truck event. Happy Fourth to you!

July 4th Kick-Off

Our 4th weekend started off at the Zimmerman pool cookout on Saturday. I can't think of a better laid back way to kick off our all American holiday.

Little Maggie and Eliza Kate wore matching patriotic outfits to the party. I wish the picture captured their cutey, cute star bloomers. I can't think of a better way to say Happy Birthday America than to have two star bloomer clad babies. I have a feeling these two will be fast friends like their big brothers in the future. Of course, Eliza Kate slept through most of the pool time fun.

Miss Bradley Elisabeth and Eliza Kate are just one day apart in age. While Maggie looks much bigger proudly sitting in the center, all three girls will be in the same grade in school.

EK also got to meet Carson's little sister, Emma. All these little girl siblings are now in the mix. Here are the mommas holding their patriotic cuties.

While Eliza Kate snoozed away, big brother was in and out of the pool squirting and splashing with his friends. He's been talking about this pool party ever since his eyes saw daylight this morning.

Carson, Jack and Miller are all in the big brother club. I can only imagine their conversations in the pool revolved around what it's like to be three years old and share attention with a sister around the house. At least they have eachother to console.

Poolside Popsicles were the best way to wrap up the party. Nothing helps little kids pose and sit still better than a treat. Sophia has the camera pose down pat!