High Falls

Our family went to High Falls recently over Labor Day. We were trying to think of somewhere fun to go as a family so we decided to go to High Falls since the boys had never been. It was beginning to get late in the afternoon when we arrived so all we really did was hike on one of the trails and played a little in the water. The boys had a good time. Their personalities on this little expedition shined through as well. They are so different. Dalton was all about following the trail, looking at the map, and making sure we were following the directions around the park correctly. Colby was all about having fun by playing in the water, getting wet, walking all over the rocks, and taking risks. We had a lot of fun and the boys keep talking about it asking when we are going back.

Colby playing on the rocks. It was hard to get him to stop long enough to smile for a picture.

Dove Hunting With Dad

Every year during Labor Day weekend, Shane goes dove hunting. This is usually the only time during the year that he goes dove hunting. It is a time of the year that he so looks forward to during the year. Two years ago, Dalton at age 4, went with Shane on his first dove shoot. This year, Colby who also just turned 4, was also able to go on his first dove shoot. I guess there's just something about being 4. Dalton and Colby had been looking forward to going for a long time and Shane reported that they both did a good job. They may have scared a few birds away, but they all had a great time being together.

Dalton, Colby, and their cousin, Walker, with birds that were shot.

Colby Turns 4

Colby turned 4 years old on August 28th. Colby is such a fun little boy who is so full of life. He's so much fun to be around. Even at 4, he's so witty and funny. This year for his birthday, we had his party at Monkey Joe's. When Dalton turned 4 we had his party at MJ's so we figured it would only be right to have Colby's party there as well. Colby had a fun time playing with friends and family as well as eating cake and opening presents. He also celebrated with his classmates in his preschool class with cupcakes on his birthday. We love you so much, Colby! You've brought us so much joy and excitement to our lives over these past 4 years!

Blowin' out candles on his Spider Man cake

Opening presents

Playin'

Cupcakes with Classmates

First Days of School

First day of school for Dalton

School for Dalton and Colby has gotten back into full swing. Dalton started back a couple of weeks ago and Colby just started back today. Dalton is in first grade this year and goes to school all day and Colby is in PreK at a nearby church's preschool and only goes for half days. Dalton rides to school with Shane and comes home on the bus. I think riding the bus is his favorite part of the day. Dalton loves school and his teacher and is having a great time in First grade. Colby has the same teacher that Dalton had 2 years ago so we feel like we already know and love her. Colby is excited to have Mrs. Lora this year too.

Dalton with his teacher putting his lunch bag in the proper place

Colby and Mrs. Lora at Open House

1st day of school

Showing off his new backpack

Orange Beach 2009

Our family went to Orange Beach, Alabama in the middle of July. As always, we had a fun and relaxing time. We had a ball with each other playing in the ocean, playing in the pool, playing miniature golf, riding go-carts, riding on the giant ferris wheel, building sandcastles, playing tennis, and even trying a little shuffleboard. My parents were also able to come along with us, making all our time together even better. Here's just a few pictures from our time at the beach.

Building sandcastles

"Cheeeeese!!!"

"Look at all the sea shells I found"

Playing in the pool with Daddy

My parents and the boys

Playing shuffleboard

Getting ready to play a little miniature golf

Me and Dalton getting ready to school Shane and Colby in some go-cart madness

Summertime-Part II

For our 9th anniversary this year, Shane surprised me with a trip to Washington D.C. He told me about it a couple of days before we were to leave. I had never been before and Shane hadn't been since he was about 6 so everything seemed new to us. We had a wonderful trip. The weather was beautiful and we really had a lot of fun just being together taking in all the sights. It seemed like we packed so much sightseeing into the few days that we were there, yet still didn't quite see everything we would have wanted to see. We went to most all of the museums of the Smithsonian, the Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, up into the Washington Monument, Arlington National Cemetery, Vietnam Memorial, Korean Memorial, the WWII Memorial, and many more that I'm sure I'm forgetting.

Vietnam Memorial

Arlington National Cemetery

Jefferson Memorial

Washington Monument with the Capitol in the background and WWII Memorial in foreground

Lincoln Memorial

For the night of our anniversary, Shane had made reservations for us at a restaurant called Acadiana. It was kind of an upscale cajun restaurant. When they gave us the menu across the top it read, "Happy 9th Anniversary". Very cool. They let us keep the menu for a little reminder of our special night. Also, they brought us this dessert pictured here of warm vanilla bread pudding. Happy Anniversary was written in chocolate. Everything was so wonderful. We had a really special night and trip.

Summertime-Part I

So I admit it's been a while since I've blogged, but it seemed like we had a lot going on this summer. It seemed like we were always just on the go or travelling or getting ready to travel somewhere. After Disney, the boys took swimming lessons for a couple of weeks. Dalton really improved a lot over last year and Colby was just learning. This was Colby's first time learning how to swim. He has such a "no fear" attitude about the water. He would just jump in the water whether you're watching him or not and then sink like a rock. I was happy that he was able to learn some foundational skills to build on. He still sinks, just not quite as fast and at times can even swim a few strokes.


Also, this summer, our church had its annual Family Fun Night at the bowling alley. Our boys absolutely love going bowling and so look forward to this event every year. They seriously talk about it all throughout the year. I guess we should actually take them more than this once a year event, but we just rarely go bowling other than with our church.

Nice technique

We always love spending time with family. Dalton and Colby love their hanging out with their cousins. Here is their newest cousin, Aaron, my brother's baby boy. Dalton and Colby loved trying to hold him. They love babies.

Here's Colby with his cousin, Walker, having a blast on the little 4 wheeler.