Golf anyone?

After church, she wanted to play golf w/o changing clothes. Maybe she will start a new golfing attire.

Saturday

We had a busy day. We began with a 2nd birthday party for my cousin's little girl, Emma, who lives in Florida. We went to the pool party at my grandparents home in Oliver Springs. The kids love to swim and they had a blast playing with everyone. Brock and I left at 3 and Keira stayed with Papaw Woody and Mamaw Peggy. They took her to another pool party later. I had to leave early to get ready for a wedding at the World's Fair Park. Brock feel asleep on the ride home, and then Brandon took him to his parents house. We went to the wedding and reception (in the sunsphere), which was neat to do. Brandon and I enjoyed socializing with friends and catching up on our lives. We then headed to Papaw and Mamaw Leffew's house, where we all spent the night. Keira had just arrived before we did and went to sleep in the car, they put her to bed and she never woke up. Brock was already asleep too when we got there.

The birthday girl and Keira sharing chips.

I thought this was so cute (and rare) while gifts were opened. Brock came up to Keira and they ended up sitting like this for a few minutes.

Friday evening

The kids played quite awhile and had so much fun. Keira would knock Brock over and he would laugh, roll, and get back int he action. No one got hurt.......this time.

He had grass from head to toe. I had to strip them down and hose off before we went inside.

Missing Bentley

It will be 2yrs saturday since I gave Bentley away. I realized this was in the best interest of our family. Keira was turning one at the time and we were planning on trying for baby #2. I have missed him alot lately. I guess b/c it was getting close to the last day we had with him. Plus it was on our anniversary- so guess what memory I will always have. LOL My biggest regret with Bentley was that I brought him inside and treated him like a baby. I loved that dog! His size was another factor in giving him up - not that he ever did anything to harm Keira, but he would knock her down, simply by walking beside her. He was actually very loving and protective of her. Brock would have been crazy over him. But at 180 pounds, it was just too much. The first week at home with Keira, Bentley slept right beside the couch and got up with me anytime I went to feed or check on her, he would follow me to any room if I left him. Contrary to what people think about St.Bernards - they do not slobber all the time. Only when hot or salivating over food. He was a great dog, even if my husband doesn't want to admit it. I know he loved Bentley deep down..... Bentley also became a sense of security to me, especially during tax season when Brandon was not home alot. During the day it was nice also, because if anyone came to the house I didn't know, I let him out on the front porch to greet them. We had a baby gate on the steps. Many a pizza guy didn't cross the gate- if only they knew he was a gentle giant and only was interested in the pizza. I can only imagine how difficult it would have been trying to manage him with 2 little ones, but I still miss him at times. He went to a wonderful family and was going to stay inside all the time, so he probably wouldn't want to come back now. :)

Bentley loved his papaws. We shaved him every spring and summer, thats why he looks like this.

He always had a sad looking face, unless you brought food in.

Wed. night

Brandon called me on the way to church and had to tell me what Keira said. They had passed Bet's Pets van, which everyone in Kingston is aware of, she is our local groomer. For those of you that don't know her, she is the sweetest lady and absolutely loved Bentley and treated him like royalty. Anyways, she has a big brown van with her shops name on it and it has a huge paw print. Keira said "Look daddy, a clue" It was so funny! Those of you that have seen Blue's Clue understand!

Saturday

Saturday we went to Uncle Tony and Aunt Phyllis house. Keira has a blast because there is so many kids running around. My cousin Jeramie showed Brock his first fish and of course he thought it was great, trying to grab them. He just grinned real big.

Aunt Phyllis

No riding this one yet!

They loved sitting on the jet-ski and driving it.

July 4th

We spent the 4th at Uncle Wade's and Aunt Pam's house. We had a great day and evening. Brock loves the water and didn't want to sit in his float, he wanted to just go w/o anything holding him back.

Keira and J-Ray squirting everyone while they lounged in the water.

I don't have any pics yet, since I was in the tube at the time, but Tyson took some from the boat, while Keira took her first tube ride. Allison and I rode along with her, and she kept telling us "Go faster" The kids were so tired after the fireworks later that night.

Church Picnic

We had our first church picnic as Grace Community at the Pedigo's lake house. They have a beautiful place and ideal spot for gatherings like these.

Keira and Alyssa, they have a love-hate relationship, since they both are so strong-willed, but majority of the time they play well together. It is funny to watch them interact. Keira really does love her and talks about her alot, so I know she enjoys being around her.

Brock loved watching horeshoes. Papaw would try to walk away and Brock would point at the game and he would have to turn back.

Brock's buddy, Kiersten, is a little doll. She is so sweet! They are only 2 weeks apart so it is interesting watching them grow together. We kept telling Brock, while we ate to, watch Kiersten, who holds her own bottle/cup, and eats tablefood really well. He didn't take the hint!

Some Pics

Brock still sleeps with the hair piece and a teddy bear. The hair usually ends up under him, he likes being on top of it, for whatever reason.
We get the strangest looks when "it" goes out in public with us. He loves this thing. Papaw Leffew calls it "roadkill" since it doesn't resemble hair anymore. I know this is strange, but I learned a valuable lesson the first time around, and will never sleep with another baby again.

My adorable girl in her cherry outfit, which has matching flops and cherry hair clips. We love the gymboree clothes!

My little man trying to find a snack

Ear Infections

Brock is back to his normal self and will complete his medicine on Friday. Yesterday afternoon, Keira started screaming and crying about her ear, so off to the doctor. Of course, she has an ear infection. But, on the bright side, it was caught early, so she won't be in to much pain. It seems we are dealing with ear infections quite often. I wish Dr. Blevins would have sent us on to the ear specialist and get it over with. Once fall/winter rolls around and they get another cold, then the cycle will repeat itself. Funny thing as Keira and I left the doctors office, we were the last ones to leave the building, besides 2 nurses and the doctor, plus they were running 2 hours behind. Fun Stuff! Nurse Candy says "see you in 2 weeks" and I replied " Actually, you will see us next Tuesday" and we all laughed. Remember, I was there last week with Brock. So I will be visiting with them 4 weeks straight. Not complaining, b/c it could always be worse or some other condition. Dr. Blevins came in the room (which tells me he has seen way too much of us) and first thing he says is" Your hair is different, isn't it?" Why, yes Dr. Blevins. "Is it shorter?" Yes, Dr. plus some color, and it is straight. You had to be there, I guess. But it was kinda funny! I feel like I am really getting to know Dr. and Nurse Candy. I should invite them to Keira's birthday party in a few weeks. HA!!!

Feeling Better

I know I stated in a previous post that Brock has an ear infection, but I didn't tell how sick he has been all week. It all started 2am Monday morning and the baby did absolutely nothing but lay in my lap all day and night. He didn't sleep for 3 nights and would not eat anything, only taking fluids. It was so sad to see him feeling so terrible. After the doctor visit wed. morning and finally getting antibiotics going, he was feeling much better today. I was able to put him down and he slept on his own. However, he still wouldn't eat, until Keira brings out chocolate. That's my boy. Keira and I were playing the Wii and I turn around and he had gotten into the Russell Stover box and obviously loved what he found. I was just glad to see him eating something.

Last party for Brock

Due to some of our family being gone on vacation - we waited to celebrate with them until everyone was back. We love our family time and would have waited another week if necessary. My babies don't realize how much they blessed to have so many people love them and go above and beyond the call of duty. I hope they will realize all this as they grow and it is something I know I have always taken for granted until you meet people w/o close families. We would rather spend time with family than anywhere else in the world - unless I was vacationing on a tropical island - just kidding, it wouldn't be as fun w/o family there also. A BIG THANK YOU to Papaw and Mamaw Leffew for hosting, preparing, and decorating. Keira gets a big shout out also, she was a helper to them. Poor little man was sick, but tried to be happy. After 3 nights of no sleep for me and him and having a fever, which I thought had broken yesterday, but didn't, I took him to the doctor this morning and he has an ear infection. Dr. Blevins said he is close to going to the ear specialist, my vote is to go now, since this is his 4th or 5th infection. Plus, once fall/winter roll around, the cycle will begin again. A Huge Thank You to Papaw Leffew who rode his motorcycle to Knoxville to get medicine that was not available in Kingston pharmacy's. Brock is finally resting right now, hopefully he will take a loooooong nap.

Caroline

Welcome to the world, Caroline Elizabeth Rhea Foster, our newest cousin. The kids and I got to meet her last week when she was a week old. Brock and Caroline's birthdays are 2 days apart. I was sure they would share the same birthday. She is absolutely beautiful and has such black hair. And of course, already spoiled by grandparents and great-grandparents.

What a face! She couldn't wait to hold the baby and has told me several times she would like to have a baby sister. And as I told her, not anytime soon. HA!!

Brock was intrigued with her, I think he thought he could handle her like one of Keira's dolls. Which means he is rough with them and they get thrown.