HOT Fun in the Summertime!

I have had to be realistic with myself and have come to the conclusion that the time travel is over. I just cannot catch up on everything we have done, period. Downright impossible and the thought is overwhelming me and stressing me out---something the blogging is not supposed to do! I am going to give you some highlights this post and the next, and then I'm going to start where we are! Here are some things that kept us busy this summer (besides the obvious!) and these are in no particular order.....

Lazy days at the Sandbar....this trip we met our friends Stephanie, Jason, and Anna.....

This was McClure's first trip to the HL pool...one of many future ones I hope! He slept through nearly the entire event which I cannot understand b/c it was Labor Day Weekend and they had a DJ, pool games, and tons of screaming children! We were lucky enough to be invited by our friends Kevin and Kristin to go with them and their 2 boys. Unfortunately, Kristen ended up having to stay home b/c one of her boys came down with pink eye :(

This is not Labor Day...just another day at HL...sweet Harper in the background

Another first for McClure...the beach! He is so laid back that he doesn't care what he does as long as he has a place to nap and he doesn't miss a meal (clearly...right!!!). This trip was with my friend Kristin (different one than from the pool!) and her kiddos Aiden and Nell. Her mom rents a house on the island every year and we were lucky enough to be invited out!

Shade-bathing!

Me and my boys!


Ladies...he's taken

We enjoyed the fountain at the new beach park! We were smart and waited until most of the vacationers were gone for the season...not that I have anything against vacationers. It is just it gets very crowded! We met Lauren and Jackson there for some fountain fun!

McClure slept in the stroller during the fountain experience..love the double stroller...if your trying to decide on one consider the Phil & Teds Explorer...you won't regret it!



There you have it, the Best of Summer! I am working on individual posts of the boys as well as a Best of Fall that includes Oatland Island, Pumpkin Patch, Halloween, Wofford Homecoming, etc..

Bear with me, I'm still working from the dinosaur and no, I have not yet figured out how to blog from the iPad. My friend Kim said "Isn't there an app for that". Yes, but then you have to figure out the app and I have never been technology savy!

Getting Closer to the Future!

August was quite the month, but quite honestly it seems like every month is! The biggies of the month were a birthday (on 8/15) and if you ask Anderson how old he is, his answer will be "2"! Also, Brad and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary! I feel as if I might be leaving something out...but that is pretty normal these days! Anderson had all his little buddies and lots of family to celebrate at his birthday party and we had all hands on deck to put the gig on. My parents, Paige, and Charlie were all there to help, thank goodness b/c it would have never happened. I have no idea how you can plan something for so long and then when it is go time, nothing seems to come together how you want. Brad told me that I shouldn't let perfect get in the way of good, but I can't help it! I could never, ever be a party/event planner! We had the party at our neighborhood pool house with all sorts of water activities...sprinkler, bounce house, water table, and the pool!

The birthday sign that Paige and I made...inspired by my friend Ansley who made one for her son's birthday and walked me through the process!

Anderson in the bounce house

Singing Happy Birthday. He had the sweetest smile on his face during the song and I only wish I had gotten it on the Flip..no such luck!

His favorite thing in the whole world (besides gummies!)

McClure enjoying many willing arms! Anderson had a t-shirt to match but I never got a shot of the 2 of them. Anderson was peeling off his clothes the minute we got to the pool!


Me and my Birthday Boy

Photo Essay.

Here is my attempt to share June/July! June was pretty much a complete blur to me and I don't think I really came out of the clouds until mid-July! We filled our time with tons of fun things, many of which I took no pictures! We had dinners out, margarita night, parties, swimming, and cookouts galore! Below is my June/July Photo essay with captions......

Anderson learned how to pick blackberries right off the bush! Many more went into his mouth than the bucket...doesn't get any more organic than that!

Check out that shiner....boy meets coffee table and loses.

This little fella joined the family!

Family pool party at my momma and daddy's house.

This The Big Green Egg also joined our family this summer...our friends Andrew and Ginger have one and ever since Andrew prepared a beef brisket on the egg, Brad was hooked.

Pool playdates at Hampton Lake--otherwise know as our private paradise! We are so fortunate to be able to take advantage of b/c of friends that are property owners out there!

The 4th of July with the Colvins--Anderson's first sparkler!

Sweet Mary Kate on the 4th.

Ready, Aim, FIRE!

My, how he has grown up before my eyes!

Lazy days at home playing with little brother!

Coloring with Big when he stops by!

McClure enjoying a little peace and quiet when big brother is napping. There are only certain times during the day when he doesn't have to worry about a 2 year old in his face or toys landing on his head!

The Dinosaur.

I can honestly say that time is the reason my blog is suffering. Oh, it's not that I can't find the time, because that I can do. It is the time it takes to actually blog on our dinosaur that we call a computer. I am not kidding when I tell you that it takes FOREVER to do anything on this thing. Brad recently bough an iPad which is a neat little toy, but we can't figure out how to blog on it. Frustrating. I tried to do a post about June/July on our laptop and it took me an hour and I finally gave up b/c I had to get ready for the 3-ring circus that happens when Anderson and McClure awaken--at the same time, of course!! The straw that broke the camel's back? Brad sat down to do bills and budget and it took him 45 minutes to pay 2 bills. Yes, 2 bills. What a waste when time is so coveted! Next on our list is getting rid of the antique computer. Out with the old and in with the new. Until then, I guess it will just have to take me 12 hours to do a post!

The Graduate!

With May came lots of crazy happenings for us---bedrest for me started first week of May and if any of you have ever experienced it then you know in theory it sounds fantastic until you go week after week after week...add a toddler in the mix--oh my. As a result, I was told that I could not attend Paige's graduation from nursing school. It wasn't one of those deals where I could just go and my MD wouldn't know. He walks past Brad's office everyday on his way to make rounds, deliver babies, and whatever else MDs do when they aren't in the office. I would have never gotten away with it. Don't think I didn't think about it. I was devastated that I could not go and cheer Paige on. For those of you who know me personally, you know that this has been a long road for my sister. She worked hard over many years to get to this point and it wasn't easy. She is super smart and was the type that never had to study and I think learned my osmosis. I mean it, she could sleep with a textbook under her pillow and wake up the next morning and ace the test--thus the cum laude designation she earned! Anyway, I sobbed and sobbed when I called her and told her that I was on bedrest and couldn't come to see her walk across the stage. Again, for those of you who know me---I'm not a crier so this really broke my heart into pieces. She, of course, being as gracious as she is completely understood and made it her mission to make me feel better! I called/texted my entire family during the entire weekend trying to get a play by play!

Paige A. S*******a, BSN, RN

Almost official!




Charlie, Meme Love, Daddy, Paige, Momma, and Meme T.

Look at all those cords!

My whole family couldn't be prouder of her! Just a few short weeks later she took her boards and passed and is now working at BMH in the PCU!

Back to the Future.

As promised, I am getting geared up for some major posting! I was not sure if I should just start from the here and now and not worry about the summer, but there were many fun things we were able to do and worth posting. So.....I am going to start in May and work our way back to the future!

Excuses, Excuses!

I am shocked to see how long it has been since I published a post, it is criminal. You will just have to trust me when I tell you it has been a roller coaster of a summer and I have legitimate reasons for neglecting the blog. Seriously, there is just too much for me to even try to explain how bizarre it has been. Plus, it sounds too much like a sob story that I would be afraid that what readers I do have left would think I either made it all up or I had the poor, pitiful me attitude. So, I hope to steal some time to catch everyone up on the happenings on our side of life....soon, I promise!

Little Brother!

We might have to start calling McClure "younger brother" b/c I have quite a feeling that he is going to give Anderson a run for his money when he gets older. The boy is much bigger than Anderson was at this age and already weights nearly what Anderson weighed at 4 months and this angel is only 6 weeks! Gracious! Our fave photographer (Janet from Silly Goose Photography, of course!) came out over a month ago and took these precious shots of my boy. I was so excited to use his gauzy white muslin blanket with the tin tub that I had gotten from Brad's grandparent's house about 2 years ago! In true form, he was so sleepy all day until Janet arrived and then to him it was time to party. Janet was so very patient and waited, and waited, and waited---I am not exaggerating about this---until McClure was ready to have his photo taken. Being as gracious as she is, she titled her posting of our session on her blog "well.worth.the.wait". Me, I certainly thought so!

These are just a few of my picks...you can look at them all by clicking here and I can't forget to mention that all the credits go to Silly Goose Photography. Anderson will have another turn in a month when I get his 2 year old shots taken...I absolutely cannot wait!

Table for 4, please!

It is very hard for me to believe that an entire month has already gone by. I have been gently asked by many when I am going to update my blog with more pictures...which is always preceded by "I know you are busy, but...". Typical Southern comment, the only thing that is missing is "bless your heart"!!! Life has been up and down lately, the boys are doing great but I have had some postpartum issues that have set me back--but I am on the mend and making progress in the right direction :)

Anderson was so much happier than he looks!

Could I really have 2 boys??

Anderson reading his new book from McClure


Enjoying a snack that the nurses gave him



Future medical professional...sort of runs in the family..

Anderson w/ Carla. She was my L&D nurse for both boys! She is one of the most caring and kind individuals I know--exactly the kind of nurses we need!


Carla w/ McClure