Mike Turns the Big 4-0!

For the first time in many years, we were able to celebrate Mike's birthday with him. He turned 40 on New Year's Eve and even though we weren't together on that exact day, a few days after we got back from Colorado we celebrated with cake and ice cream. Paige was still home too, so we were all together! It's hard to believe my baby brother is 40 years old! He is such a blessing to our family and we are so thankful for him.

Celebrating Terry!

We celebrated Terry's birthday on the first of August. Every birthday, I make his favorite cake - Butternut. I think he could eat this entire cake himself, he loves it so much! It really is pretty good. We did the usual - went out to eat, then came back home for cake and presents. This year's photo session was a little crazy as you will see in some of the pics! 

Terry is such a blessing to our family. We are so thankful for him and love to celebrate the day God brought him into this world! 

43 years old

Scary photo! 

Making a wish

Blowing out his 4 big candles and 3 little ones - get it? 43? 

Don't know where Anna and Tanner found the very old, too little jackets they have on!

Gangsta pose

Avery looking to see if Terry is doing the Gangsta pose

Don't know WHY they are doing the Gangsta pose???

I'm finally in a picture!! Woohoo!!

Opening presents

Happy Birthday!!

Birthday Time

We love celebrating birthdays and being able to celebrate with Gran every year is such a blessing. We usually get her a caramel cake (her favorite!) and go out to eat for her and Terry's birthdays, since they are only 2 days apart. We laugh every year because Gran's age is stuck at 39! She looks great at 39!!

Avery, Anna and Tanner with Gran

The kids got her a Sonic gift card because she goes to Sonic almost every day at Happy Hour
to get a lemon-lime slush!

Tracey, Mike and Gran

Vacation - FINALLY!!

Day One

We have been on a ball field ALL summer! When we agreed to play travel softball, we didn't quite realize this is what would happen, but with both girls playing for the Tupelo Express, and Tanner playing Park and Rec baseball, then on the All Star team, when we did have a weekend off in one sport, the other sport still had a tournament. So.... when all seasons were finally over, our family was VERY ready for a vacation!

We had planned a rafting trip to Bryson City, NC and were trying to figure out which way we would drive - through Atlanta or another way. Mike called to see if we were coming his way and mentioned the Braves were playing on that Sunday. That decided it for us! We weren't heading out until Monday, but decided to hit the road early to visit Mike and see the Braves! (I love a spur of the moment change in plans! Seriously, I do!)

We got to Atlanta, went to get Mike and Paige (who was there too!), then went to the ballpark! I can't believe we were excited to go to yet another ball field, but we were! The game was great! Braves vs. Brewers. Brian McCann hit a home run and the atmosphere at the stadium was awesome! We ate peanuts and hot dogs and did the Tomahawk Chop! We were even in the shade, out of the hot sun! All in all a great day at the park!

Turner Field - were excited to see Jason Heyward play!

Heyward batting

Brian McCann

I love to watch them drag the field

Prince Fielder

The bullpen

Anna and Luna back at Mike's house

Shooting some pool!

Goofy!

Summer Garden

This summer Terry decided he wanted to start a garden in the backyard. After building the raised beds, he planted radishes, carrots, okra, peas and, by my request, sunflowers. We were so excited to see the plants start growing! We knew next to nothing about a garden, and unfortunately because of that, we didn't get a lot we could actually eat out of it, but it was alot of fun and we learned a little bit. Maybe next summer we'll have so much we will have to learn all about canning!

Look! It's time for picking!

Our very first produce! A radish!!

A close up view!

This is where it ended up! In my salad!! Woohoo!

More of the garden

Some of our sunflowers! Love it!