here fishy, fishy, fishy

memorial day weekend we went to namaw & poppy's for a good 'ole fishing trip.  everyone looking cool as cats in our hats!

here was one of ben's many catches of the day..reeling it in

 & got it!

gracie's favorite thing of the day was finding a tiny froggy.  one of her newest obsessions.

mr. benj wasn't the only one to catch the fish.  here's gracie with her big one!

 & here's momma!

 mine was so big it needed 2 pictures!

these are my favorite pics from the day...

daddy & big b fishing away

 3 generations

man, was it hot!  i was glad gracie was hot, so we could go back to namaw & poppy's & chill in the ac.  but, we did make several trips out to the lake.

the crew taking a break.

one time, ben thought he was ready to go home.  but then, he got that fifteenth wind & went on to catching some more.

after daddio & uncle rocky saved this snapping turtle from some line, both kiddos were ready to skedaddle.  & we did!

i won't mention what happened to that beast after they saved him...

let's go ride our bikes!!

gracie decided she was ready to take her birthday present out for a spin the other day.  & yes, we were living on the edge without our safety gear.  shame on us, i know.  but daddio was right there & it was nice & slow...

off they go!

i think she likes it!  slow & steady..

those training wheels will be off before we know it!



it's alway's a holiday..

at holiday world!!!  what a treasure that place is!  i grew up looking forward to going every summer (hoping to get to go more than once), my mom even grew up going to it (around a long time!) & now my kiddos get to enjoy the fun.  it is such an awesome park that has definitely grown up over the years, but still keeps family the #1 priority (it was so cool for me to see pat koch, one of the owners, walking around greeting people & picking up trash- wouldn't see that at six flags). 

didn't our kiddos look thrilled to be there!?!?! 

 
we planned this special visit because some of our favorite people were going from back where daddio is from.  & is was miss kate's 2nd birthday!!  happy birthday kate the great!!

 first stop (tradition for me)  was a family picture with the santa claus statue.   you can see mr. ben's legs behind santa.

we then hit the kiddy rides.  the water bumpers (my least favorite ride as a kid- but they didn't have little kid ones back in the olden days).  

ben ready for attack

 all the kiddos lined up!  love a.j.'s sunglasses - he is one cool dude!!

having fun & happy on the bumper boats..

she soon lost interest.

next, was one of gracie's favorite.  the seahorsies!!  

not so much ben's.  he was already tired of me with the camera.  sorry, bud.

after that, we rode a few more in that area & then headed onto bigger things.  mr. a.j. braved the scrambler with his dad & loved it (not our kids after last year!)  & then carrie, a.j., gracie & i rode the frightfull falls (log ride).  gracie HATED it!  cried & cried!!

she did sure love raging rapids, the family water ride.  even loved waiting & walking in line.

 in her daddy's arms, one of the best places to be!

some more kiddy rides for grace.  loves those fishies..

ben was too cool for that.

& to stick his head in some bunny.

next was time for splashin safari!!!  last year, one trip, the kiddos wouldn't leave.   this year, our kids didn't last too long.  momma got the free sunscreen in gracie's eye & she was then miserable - i should have just used our own lotion that was put up in the locker, but didn't want to mess with it- live & learn.  she ended up taking a nice nap in my arms while the boys played.  when she woke up, she was ready for more for a bit & then i was done with some of the kiddos there.  a big girl pushed my gracie trying to beat her onto a slide & then another sassy cat told me to "move it!" of course, i asked both girls to use their manners (because my kiddos are always perfect- yeah, right).

ben & gracie couldn't hang at holiday world too long yesterday.  they were pooped!  ben was begging to play a game, have some ice cream & go home.  some ice cream (see her red eye),

$7 & 2 stuffed animals later we were headed home.

we stopped at subway drive through & got a bite to eat.  i kept sneaking bites of the kiddo's food & benj didn't like it one bit.  he fell asleep with a death grip on that box.  the pain i am, i kept trying to take it out of his hands.  he'd jerk, give me an evil look & grasp tighter to the box as he fell back to sleep. 

franklin family, thanks for thinking of us to join you at holdiay world - we had a blast!! too bad we couldn't hang for too long!!

in the good ole summertime

now that all is well in our home, we are able to swim again!  what torture for the kiddos to deprive them for a week. we were all having some cabin fever in the summertime.

waiting on daddio to swim, the kiddos enjoyed some popsicles. 

 what a face mr. ben!

  & we now have some new window decor all throughout the house & in the van.  thank you cook family for the window crayons!  the kiddos are lovin them!!



summertime a flyin by

this summer is just a flyin by & i have really neglected writing down some of them memories in the making.  ben finished his t-ball career, much to everyone's relief.  half the time on the last game his hat was cocked to the side, but thank goodness daddio was there to help straighten him out.

when he was on first base, he'd often chat with the other team, depending on if they were "interesting" or not.  i don't quite know how he determined that.

getting his trophy with his proud daddy!

gracie celebrated her 4th birthday with lots of family & friends. she has on her "i;m crabby like my daddy shirt" from her auntie, her new favorite shirt!

her birthday wish was "for everyone to be happy!"

all the kiddos had a blast playing on the water slide! cowabunga, dude!!

by the end of the party, i think she was a bit tired out.

the next day, while daddio was "sleeping," we gave him a beautiful pedicure. 

he had socks on until it was removed.  what a good daddy!

 & i celebrated 33rd birthday with my very favorite kiddos & hubby.  we went & ate at charlie's mongolian barbeque for dinner.  ben asked why we took him there, because it was so good & made him too full!! 

some of the other random fun memories of the past few weeks:  gracie eating her tomatoes (favorite food) with ketchup - "totally good", as she would say.  "totally" has become her totally favorite word in the world i think.

ben learning to swim & jumping in the pool.  big time!! of course there are lots of rules we have & they have both been very good abiding by them.

every time he jumps off, or does a trick, he yells "did you get that mom?'' he is always making some hand gesture too.. what a clown.

ben has also learned to snap, whistle & has a loose tooth.  that boy is growing up faster than i could ever imagine.  kindergarten is right around the corner.  yikers!

i wish i would write down all the things they say on a daily basis that make my cheeks hurt from laughing each day, but i'm not that good.  they keep growing & growing into their own individual selves & this momma couldn't be prouder!  i love you my sweet kiddos!!

pomp & circumstance & PARTY!!

oh, my goddaughter is now a high school graduate.  how proud i am of you, aub.  your maturity & spirit at this age are so to be admired.  i have no good advice for you, your family has done such an awesome job raising all you gals (i'm glad to be a part of it).  keep God as your first priority & He has your plan for you.  i love you.

the graduating class (ok, i was a bit annoyed you couldn't throw your hats in the air or even turn your tassels, but that's just me).

the proud sistas & momma & daddy

& then the party!!


all of the big kids were so cool there too & played so kind with ben & gracie.


this is gracie's new friend.  she was enamored by her.   i need to get her name.

i won't say why, but if you look, ben has had about 4 shorts changes.  i don't think he has laughed that hard in a long time.  & the big kids were so cool about it all.  what a great group of friends you have aub!

a future football star here!

a cute to boot!