Just a Good Ole Boy(s)

This post is for the mamas!

Time on the Tube

 No matter who we take to the lake, the tube always seems to be the most requested water activity.

Even the most unadventurous want to go out on the tube.  

Maybe because it requires no skill....just a firm grip and hold on for dear life.

Tubing Mastered.

Whatsup on the Wake Board

 In our humble opinion, we feel it's easier to get up on the wake board than skis.

These boys were determined to get up, seeing as the Fish Girls had no trouble popping up and crossing the wake.

 I think they were more entertained with their bust photos than their success photos.

Wake Board mastered....next up.....tube, of course

Knack for Kneeboarding

 We invited some friends to the lake with us - a few guys with a sense of adventure - not afraid to get on the water and try new things.  They proved to be very fun and entertaining.  

13 year old boys are a species all in their own category.  Never a dull moment and lots of laughs!

Kneeboarding mastered...next up....Wake Board

Football Season Has Begun

 After a summer of football practices, we had our first dress-out scrimmage.  It was only a practice scrimmage against ourselves, but how exciting to see our young team decked out in their good-looking uniforms to play ball!

I wasn't quick enough on the draw to grab any action shots with my camera.  Shame on me.  When I realized it at the end of the game, I frantically pulled off these 2 photos.  Fishy (as his friends call him) is 23.  We are ready for some football!

Artist Behind the Beards

The artist behind the amazing, brown construction paper beards wanted to illustrate to my camera what was her motivation behind each disguise.

I'm so glad her school offers drama as an elective!

Huge Garage Sale

Hey Friends,

We have paired up with our good friends, who are also adopting internationally, for a fund raising garage sale.  So if you happen to live in the Nashville area, come by and see what we have.

The Craigslist listing is found here.  Thanks!

http://nashville.craigslist.org/gms/3224616599.html

Facial Hair at Five

Little Man totally cracked me up last week when I overheard him begging his big sister to make him beards.

Not sure what prompted it, but he took his facial hair very seriously.

I tried to keep a straight face as I saw him doing his normal thing with his various beards on.

He had no trouble letting me take his photos with each disguise.

The Pirate Beard

The Santa Beard

The Everyday Mustache

These, he told me, could be flipped for eyebrows.

Or the old "Pencil Thin Mustache"

So remind me again, why do I buy toys?

The Perfect Photo

 Funny how we as parents always envision the perfect photo of our kids.  All smiling.  All looking at the camera.  Every hair in place.  All finger nails dirt free.  Attitudes sweet and compliant.  Who are we kidding??  A pyramid of 11 cousins sounded like a nice idea in theory.  I could even picture it pinned on my Pinterest page.  In reality they were hot, humid, hungry and a tad bit grouchy.

 This was the closest we got to success.  Change of plans.

Plan B:  Just stack on top of each other on the grass.

Smile everyone!!

Cousins As Friends

Thirteen and Gaining Independence

Seven and giggly

Eleven and satisfied

Nine & Ten and adventurous

Three, Three & Five and Energetic

Cousins & Friends

Check It Out & Pass It On

I have a big announcement to make.  I have opened my very first Etsy shop.  For those of you out there who don't know what Etsy is, it is a place to sell your handmade goods.  My shop is called Fish Sticks For Africa.  I opened a shop in order to help raise funds for our adoption of twin boys from Africa.

It would make me so happy if you would spread the word to your friends and family through Facebook (which I don't do), Twitter or email.

I made a few sling bags out of blue jeans and they are listed individually.  If they sell well, then I will make more.  My daughter LOVES hers to hold her Kindle Fire.

The main item is my t-shirts.  I applique them by cutting out the t-shirt and adding a backing knit fabric.  I started by making one for our school last year, reading GCA.  Then recently I tried one of the country of Africa with our country marked with a hand sewn heart.  I have been stocking up on adult, youth and children's t-shirts at discounted prices so that I can make these to order.  I am in the process of making some for our cousins with the cut-out of Turkey and trying a sample shirt of Tennessee with a heart on Nashville.

Please pass my etsy link on and help us bring our boys home.  Thanks a ton!!

 http://www.etsy.com/shop/FishSticksforAfrica?ele=shop_open

Big Orange

 Little kiddos wanted a ride too.

(13 year old boys can be so silly.)

 I'm thinking Ziggy - anyone remember him?

 Who needs roller coasters when you have a Kubota?