backyard giggles and whimpers.

Since 95 degree weather seems to be the "spring" weather in Northwest Arkansas, Ryan and I decided it was definitely time to pull out the pools for the backyard!  We got J a new one this year w/ a slide and basketball net!  He wasn't sure at first, but he came around!

This is a REALLY big deal for Jackson - who does NOT like water in his eyes!

Thumbs up!

 Goggle time!

Ethan was completely content watching and playing with the dump truck.

 THEN!  The unthinkable happened!  Mommy put Ethan in the cold water!!  What was I thinking!!!?  Obviously, Ethan was not amused by this whatsoever.

 He didn't even want his little feet in the big pool... he was not having any of it!

 He felt much better when Daddy would just hold him and let him watch Jackson.  I know if the water would have been warm, he would have loved it.  That cold water was way too much of a shock to him.

 Love my sweet boys.

Happy FATHER/grand-FATHER's day!

Happy Father's Day to some really great dads!  

Ryan, of course, is an amazing A-mAzing dad to our boys.  They adore him.  I adore him.  The whole world adores Ryan - what's not to love?  I've said this for over 10 years - I think he's pretty close to perfect.

 My dad has been my father for 31 years.  He's been my hero for 31 years.  And now he gets to be a hero for Jackson and Ethan too.  Being a father is the #1 job for him, and Ray and I have always known that.  We have always known, without a doubt in the world, that he was right there for us - always.  That's priceless if you ask me.  I love you Daddy!!

Darryl - Ryan's dad - is celebrating his birthday today on Father's Day.  One thing you notice the second you are around Darryl for more than a minute is how much he loves his boys!  He adores Jackson and Ethan as well as his other 4 grandsons!  And boy do they love him right back!  I think Ryan got his "big kid in a man's body" from his dad - and the boys can really sense that!  They have so much fun when Papa is around!  Happy Birthday and Happy Father's Day too!!!

it's just one foot in front of the other...

Despite the fact that I have tried to hold him off as long as I possibly could, my little 10 1/2 month old is roaming around like he's been doing it forever.  He is a little wobbly.... but he's a mobile little man now!  Jackson founds this quite amusing... Everytime Ethan will start walking, J yells out "ethan is walking!  ethan is walking!  good job!"  This makes Ethan so excited that he usually falls down.  My mom really wanted Ethan to be walking before Ryan and I leave for Jamaica (which is Thursday) so looks like we can check that one off the list.  

Now, onto all the head bumps. :-(

Benjamin Button?

Splash Park Fun!

Last week, we all took the boys to the splash park!  Last year, Ben went there quite a bit but Jackson was NOT feeling any water in his eyes... I thought we'd try and see if this year was any better and it totally was!  He was having so much fun - despite falling VERY hard on his booty twice - he still didn't seem to mind the water.  Toward the end, he was starting to whine about the water burning his eyes, but still better than expected!

Ben, Jackson and Cole

Jackson and Holiday

 While the big kids played, Jackson and Lily were living the life just chilling in their matching strollers.  :-)

Thanks Jenny for letting me take pics on your camera and then sending them to me!

Milo the Mule

We went to visit my grandma today in Boxley.  She cooked up this AMAZING fried chicken lunch with mashed potatoes, green beans and greens!  It was so super yummy that I went back for seconds!!!  Anyway, while we were all there, my cousin Nathan came by to have some lunch too after having worked in the field all morning.... Anyway, he was kind enough to let my big boy see his mule named Milo.  Jackson was pretty intrigued.

Those eyes.... they get me everytime.

 I have SO MANY awesome memories at this house.  I am so thankful we can still come here and spend time as a family just like old times.  My grandfather built this house almost 60 years ago.  It's very very special to me and I hope one day Jackson and Ethan will think of it that way too. 

Noel Robert Burrow

... has arrived finally!  We have long awaited his arrival and he did just that yesterday evening at 614pm!  He was 7 pounds, 13oz.... and just perfect. 

 Welcome baby Noel!  this world just got a little better now that you're in it.  what a blessing you are.  congrats Emily, Jim and big brother Ben! :)

Emmett Wedding, June 11

Saturday was my friend Melissa's wedding to my OTHER friend Jeremy.  I love when two awesome people fall in love and get married!  It's coincidence that I know both the bride and the groom but for different reasons.   I have had their "Save the Date" on my fridge for over a year!!  This wedding was SO MUCH fun!!!  

Here are some pics from the night!

Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Emmett

Connie was the bridesmaid - she looked unbelievable.  We got one pic w/ the 4 of us!

This cute boy is my husband.  :)

Kelly, Megan and I

 

Goofing off...

We finally got Sarah in a pic!

 

With the bride!

They had a photo booth set up to take pics!  We had some fun w/ these pics... Oh - and Connie and I are "pretend" kissing, by the way.  Just being goofy.  This wedding was incredibly fun.  I wanted to do it all over again!

Jackson and Haley.

Haley's birthday is just 6 days after Jackson and since we were in Dallas for her party, we asked her mom and dad to meet us at Chuck E Cheese to let the kids play and so we could give Haley her gift.  Let's just say Jackson was in "jackson-heaven" running around all over the place, nonstop, with Haley.  He is truly madly and deeply in love with her - as much as a 3 year old can be anyway.  At school, the teachers leave us notes every day that they basically play together and no one else exists.  They both have the same energy and happy personality.  I have never seen them fight, argue, not share or anything.  I also have never seen them in the same room where they weren't attached at the hip.  It's pretty darn cute.  And a little scary.... I think they really see each other as best buddies.

Pretty precious.

Happy Boy!

Ethan has found his laugh.  It took him awhile to REALLY laugh regularly...  Lately, he cackles so hard at Jackson - especially if Jackson will play "chase" with him.... and follow him around "chasing" him.  J plays along which is PRECIOUS of Jackson to do.  Ethan's laugh is totally infectious and literally makes my heart swell with pride.  

I am SO in love.  

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!!