The Large Mouth Bass

For Lance, I think the best thing about Ryan and Misty coming to visit is that he got a whole week off of work and got to go fishing every morning with his Dad and brothers.

(ok, I'm exaggerating a little, it wasn't every morning, but pretty close.)

So, this particular morning Mr. Preston had all his boys with him, but one.

I think it was pretty special to him, so special that I got up at 5 o'clock in the AM to snap this picture.

(they all moaned when I got the camera out, but I had stayed up the night before making them blueberry muffins, so they had no choice but to smile!)

Someday, I know, they'll all thank me for taking this picture!

But this particular morning...

I had texted Lance to see how everything was going and if they were having fun.

He replyed with:

"OMG this is the best fishing trip ever!"

(or something to that nature.)

Then, when they got home, I got to see why.

Look at his fish!

I won't go into details on how he caught it, because he tells the story far better than I do.

All I know is that once he got it realed in, he jumped on top of it so it wouldn't get away.

The day was 7-9-2010.

Large Mouth weighing around 8lbs.

(that's more than our baby weighed when she was born!)

He was so so so proud.
We (as in Misty, Ryan, and I) heard about it all the way to dinner and a movie.
Of course, the first thing he said when we walked out of the movie was, "I miss my fish."
Such a man.

Anyway, right now it's in the freezer outside, waiting to be mounted.
Wonderful huh.
{sigh}

Here Brad is with Lance's bass
along with the 20+ bass they caught.

rewind to July 4th

I've been M.I.A when it comes to the blogging world

and it's all because of these cuties..

Ryan, Misty and the kids arrived in Mississippi July 2nd.

So ever since then we've been super busy with kids!

But it's been so much fun and I'll be so sad to see them leave tomorrow.

And so will Layla.

For the 4th, we just grilled ribs and chicken and hung out as a family.

It just doesn't get any better than that.

Misty and I stayed up late the night before making these...

They were so heavenly that we ended up making a total of 4 batches.

I got the recipe on one of my all time favorite food blogs, HERE.

For the recipe,

click HERE.

I strongly suggest you do it.

perhaps the next karate kid

I just love this age!

Layla will do pretty much anything you tell her to do

and her uncle Dane took advantage of it the other night.

It was quite entertaining.

Happy Birthday Kennedy

16 years ago I remember getting up early to go fishing with my family.

I then remember that really bumpy dirt road we were traveling on, on the way home.

Is that what did it mom? That bumpy road?

Because shortly after that, our little firecracker was born!

I also remember being devastated that I couldn't watch the fireworks with my mom and dad.

I had to watch them with my Aunt Misty instead. (sorry Misty, you know I love ya)

Side story:

During the delivery of Kennedy, I was able to be next to my mother.

The anesthesiologist (sp?) was at the lake (cause that's what you do on the 4th of July)

therefore, I heard my mom say, "I don't think we're going to make it!"

Meaning, getting the epidural.

But in my 7 year old mind, I thought she meant she didn't think "they" were going to make it,

as in my mom and Kennedy.

I, then, was so scared of loosing my mom, I asked if I could go sit with my Grandma Marcia.

I knew she could comfort me.

I remember hearing her sweet cry.

Yeah, I still remember.

I knew they would both be ok.

we love you

Happy sweet 16 little sister!

--

Happy 4th of July

she's come and gone

My adorable little sister came to the south and spent a week with us.

We had so much fun, I just hated to see her leave yesterday.

And so did Layla.

I could hear her in her crib this morning saying, "Kennnny, Kennnny!"

Kenny taught her how to say "Peace," and this is how Layla does it.

She wanted Devil's food cake with a "thin" layer of chocolate icing for her birthday cake.

Oh and we can't forget that mint chocolate chip ice cream.

(we get that from our father)

Before she flew out yesterday, we took her to downtown New Orleans.

I think she thought it was pretty neat seeing what a different culture it was.

This was on the River Walk, right outside the Aquarium of the Americas

Layla was much more interest in these...

She insisted on petting a string ray.

Right as she got up close to pet it, it splashed her in the face.

On our way to the famous Bourbon St.

Thanks for letting us have her for a week Mom and Dad.

We miss you already Kennedy!

Looking forward to Thanksgiving!!

her HALF birthday

Is our baby officially a toddler?!

Really?

I swear it seems like yesterday we did this...

and she looked like this...

Now, she looks like this...

I had so much fun doing these pictures.

Kennedy and Greg were a lot of help when it came to getting her to actually look at the camera and smile.

And although I know absolutely nothing about photography

it sure is one of my passions.

Of course, she makes it pretty easy.

Of course we celebrated with cupcakes!

She's so silly...

say's "Mine!" when she sees me and her daddy giving each other loves.

sings Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

mimics everything that comes out of our mouths (so we have to be super careful)

sings Usher's song OMG

stands by the door and says "pease pease pease pease..." until someone will take her outside

rolls her eyes

says "eh-ah," to everything!

she'll point her finger at you and say "no, no!"

likes to have her toenails painted, and blows on them to dry

eats off of everyones plate

greets anyone who comes into the door

and says "hi," to anyone we pass in public places

gives kisses to everyone, including little boys

starts nursery

says "cheese" infront of the camera

says, "hi yall," "i reck-ton," "ah man!"

would rather lay with her duck than be rocked to go night night

gives kisses to wake up her daddy or anyone else

says, "eww bugz"

spanks her own bum

will wipe her nose if it's runny

crys if she has to come inside

loves blueberries, grapes, nanas, apples

loves anything to do with water

says "bye-bye," when you say "see ya later."

she's obsessed with lotion and chapstick

calls gum, "piece."

definitely in the "I do it myself" stage

likes to buckles herself into her car seat, high chair, and the grocery buggy

wants to turn off all the lights when we walk by them

She brings so much joy in our lives.
We love you Layla!
Happy Half Birthday!

red.poppy.design

I have to brag on sweet sweet Jane.
I started following her blog about six months ago and just feel in love with her talent.
Well, it just so happens that she wanted to start her own little project and help redesign blogs.
I contacted her immediately!!

She was so great to work with.
Very prompt,
great rates,
willing to do what it took to make it all easier on me!
And look how adorable she made our family blog!

If you want a new look, contact her. She's great!

Check out her design blog here.

And her Etsy shop here.

Thanks Jane.