School 4th of July Parade and Parties!

Today the boys had their 4th of July parade and parties at school. I love how they've gotten more "into" it as they've gotten older and love the festivities. 

Cole's class made firecracker hats and shakers. 

Eli's star hat and sticks.

Cole did great marching.

That smile - gets him his way almost every time!!

Some of Eli's class

Love all the red, white and blue!

Cole's class - he did SO great marching and shaking his noise maker.

Cole and his buddy Cullen

Eli's class

Eli with his teacher, Ms. Laura

Juice box - the only reason to have a party!

Party time in 4K!

4th of July boys - and yes, those are red/white/blue Monster truck shirts!

Family time, Beach time

Sunday we enjoyed some family time and a trip to the beach. We started the day just hanging out and talking. Then Grandma N made us a nice breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage and bacon. We took advantage of the comfortable morning to eat outside. With full bellies, we packed up the boys and headed to the beach. We went to Fort Macon and, uh-oh, got busted for being in the beach in an area where we weren't supposed to be! Keeping track of the boys in the parking lot, we totally missed the sign that we were in an area that we weren't supposed to swim or wade. And how did we figure that out you ask? Well, the State Ranger paid us a visit on the beach! I felt terrible and we totally just missed the sign. We had fun with our feet in the water and playing in the sand. The beach time definitely wore the boys out! Back to Grandma & Grandpa's for lunch and a little more family time, then we headed home. Thankfully the boys were so wiped that they slept almost the entire way back! It was our most quiet drive ever!! 

We had such a fun weekend and loved seeing everyone! 

Grandma & all her boys having Sunday morning coffee - Tim's brother Rod (on the left), Tim and Grandpa

Being silly watching Sunday morning cartoons

Dining al fresco - Yummy breakfast!

Two little monkeys sitting in a tree (I LOVE this picture!)

Cole hitched a ride to the water on Daddy's shoulders

Heading out (apparently illegally!)

A little deeper - Eli did much better in the water this time

Brothers on the beach

It quickly turned into a water bucket fight

All my cuties!

Picking out seashells

I wrote both boys names in the sand. Eli liked seeing his name but wouldn't let me take a picture with him. 

Cole was super proud of his name - isn't he just adorable?! 

Daddy & Mommy at the beach

Daddy & Eli making a harbor in the sand.

Daddy & his beach bum boys

Ready to ride in Grandpa's tractor

The boys loved riding around the yard.

They love doing stuff with Grandpa!

Grandma & Grandpa N

Grandma N and almost all her boys (cousin John wasn't able to come)

Tim and his brother Rod with Grandma & Grandpa

Eli & Cole with their cousin Rodney. We missed you cousin John!!

Celebrating 50 years!

On Saturday, we had a fabulous party to celebrate Tim's parents' 50th anniversary. It was great to see how many of their friends and family came out to celebrate and hear the excitement as each person was greeted and stories were shared. We had a reception from 2-4pm and then a family dinner. We basically had one big party from 2 until about 8pm. It was so much fun and I enjoyed planning and celebrating such a wonderful couple. I am truly blessed to have the best in-laws you could wish for. Happy Anniversary Millie Mom and Papa Rod! 

Afternoon food table

With planning help from Tim's mom, the food turned out great. 

And the flowers, created by a family friend, were gorgeous!

Eli and his cookie - he had been not-so-patiently waiting to eat one since I started making them.

The piano player for their wedding! Was so neat that she could be there. 

Mid-party, Cole had to steal some shut eye.

The guys hanging out

My surprise for the party - I made 50th cookies that looked like wedding cakes as take home favors for everyone.

Cole and Landon watching Phineas and Ferb.

The big kids table at dinner.

It was fun having all the kids there. They definitely kept each other entertained!

The "little" kids table - Cole and Landon again. 

Eli and Cole with Thomas and Ray - the kids of Tim's life long friend Preston. (We're excited to go camping with them in August!)

1st cousins - Brady, Kim, Rod, Tim and Kelly

How does one get so cute?! Naturally sweet, no sugar added. =)

2nd cousins - oh my!! We were only missing one 2nd cousin. Of the 12 of them, there are only 2 girls! 

Silly faces!

The honored couple - I think they had a lot of fun at the party!

Hanging outside. Quality "man" time.

Headed to Grandma & Grandpa N's!

This weekend we headed down to Grandma & Grandpa N's house. We were throwing a party for them to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. The boys were SO excited to go down there and I was excited for their party. 

 All packed up and ready to go!

 We picked the boys up from school early and Cole didn't make it far before he fell asleep. Notice his hand is still in the goldfish box!

 Pharoah Eli

 Saturday morning breakfast al fresco

 It was quite warm and the boys were immediately drawn to the fan on the porch. 

 To the point of being very silly!

Loving some cartoon time.