CeCe and PePaw's Visit!

Two weeks ago my mom so graciously came to stay with our boys so Sam and I could attend a wonderful pastors and wives conference with our church staff.  We had a blast, and it was a much needed getaway from everyday life.  The boys and CeCe also had a great time!  At the end of the week, my dad flew out to spend the weekend with us too.  It was there first visit since our move to our new house, so we were extra excited to have them come stay.  Even though the entire weekend was rainy, we still had a blast!  And Drew added to his very small vocabulary the word "Pepaw" :)  That puts it up to three words now! haha   

What do you do in Branson when it's raining??? Go to the Butterfly Palace, of course!

I love this face of Drew's and have equal feelings for the "OOH" that accompanies it!  I mean, who wouldn't point at that ugly thing?!?


PePaw and Drew were kinda inseperable (and Dad paid for it with a hurt back once it was all said and done!)

If you know my mom, this picture is one that provides much comfort and comic relief.  It's just so "her"...the her that we have all loved and cherished for years :) 

Reckon Mac was having fun?

Dad was keeping Drew safe from slamming into mirrors in the maze

Now how about that face! I suppose I was trying to escape from a butterfly about to fly in my face!

We had lots of delicious food...this was our garbage can lid feast at "Famous Dave's"

Mac was treated to picking out whatever he wanted at the candy store.  The candy store that we used to just go in to see the train running across the top of the store..."used to" because now that he knows what the candy is like, I'm thinking we'll never again enter without him wanting some :)  PePaw spoils us all rotten!

Sign of the times...both boys passing time while waiting to eat at "Lambert's" by playing on cell phones

Family pic after the very best meal Branson has to offer at the Keeter Center at the College of the Ozarks.  Hands down the best!  (and everyone should go at least once, despite the price)

We also passed time in the rain at Bass Pro

1 Year Photo Shoot

 We had some pictures taken for Drew's first birthday on one of our trips to Mississippi in July.  There were sooo many good ones, which I was a bit surprised by but shouldn't have been because I had my mom along for the ride!  CeCe can get all of her grandkids to take good pictures, and she practically sacrifices her dignity to do so, flapping, hooting, jumping, whatever it takes...we are so grateful!  Thanks, CeCe!!!  For the sake of my family (and because I love to see them myself), I am putting several on the blog.  Sorry if it's overload for you! haha

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By the end of the shoot...

Mac was ready to go

and Drew was totally worn out and ready for a nap!

Labor Day Church Picnic

 Because of Hurricane Isaac, the boys and I made an early return trip from Mississippi (which we took to visit Lia), and we had to miss Sam's family reunion.  We were bummed about the change of plans but excited that it gave us the chance to attend our church's Labor Day weekend picnic and fireworks show on Sunday.  Who doesn't love a good potluck with juicy hotdogs, sweaty kids, and fun friends???  We had a great time visiting with folks and chasing our kids around on the playground.  And we did get to enjoy a great fireworks display!  It was supposed to have been on the Fourth of July, but thanks to a burn ban, the church postponed for Labor Day weekend.  Glad we were there!  And Mac, who is usually a bit scared of fireworks due to the noise, told us all night that he was not going to be scared because he loved fireworks.  And, indeed, he wasn't...he enjoyed it from start to finish :)

The Taylor Crew anxiously awaiting the fireworks by the lake

Well, at least Sam was looking :)

That Drew loves his big brother and can't get his eyes off of him long enough to actually look at the camera!  I just love watching their friendship grow!

Ya reckon the boy had a sweaty good time playing???  Look at those curls!

Drew being Drew 

If You Like To Talk To Tomatoes...

 It's time for VeggieTaaaales!  I'm still so giddy just making this post...The VeggieTales Live Tour came to Branson, and we were able to go!!!!  Anyone that knows Mac, knows that VeggieTales are about his number one favorite thing (and has been his favorite for quite some time.)  Because of Mac's love for the Veggies, Drew, too, has developed a very strong affection for them.  I was so excited when I heard the tour was coming to town and was just about beside myself the day of the show because I knew how much they would love it.  

My friends, let me just take a moment to brag on Sam.  That daddy loves his boys.  One day while driving in his car, he heard an announcement on a local radio station that the first caller to email in their information would win tickets to the VeggieTales show.  Sam practically swerved off the road to pull over so he could send his information.  And he was the first!!!!  We won our tickets!!!!!  Yay Sam...you still have major points for that in my book :)

 We were able to visit with Bob and Larry before the show.  Mac was in awe, seriously like he was seeing his best friends for the first time. 
(It happened to be the Fourth of July, hence our patriotic attire)

Giving high fives

Look at that proud, over-joyed face

He was like this the entire show.  It was so fun to watch him!

Drew also was glued to the show.  He watched it in its entirety, never once getting restless.

Everyone was locked in.  It was truly one of my favorite shows ever.  So well done!

There goes Drew with that finger :)

There was so much to watch around the entire theater, Drew didn't know whether to look up, down, straight ahead, sideways...

What a very fun, super great day!!!!

Old McDonald Had a Farm, E-I-E-I-O!

About two weeks after Drew's actual birthday, we made a trip to Mississippi for Sam's best friend's wedding and Super Summer.  It was pretty perfect timing because we were able to hold off on Drew's "real party" until we were there to celebrate with family.  Since Drew is very into farm animals and attempting to mimic their sounds, I chose a farm theme...I think he was very pleased :)  I was so glad that my grandparents, Aunt Cheryl, Eldon and Uncle Chuck were able to come from the Coast and Houston!  Of course my parents and my sister, Jessica, and her crew were there along with our Monticello family.  We were sad that Lia and Sam's family couldn't make it but know they wished they had been able to join in the barnyard fun.  Unfortunately, my mom took most of the pictures on her camera, which I don't presently have.  So, here's a quick glimpse that made it onto my camera. 

 Table with yummy dipped animal crackers that Parker and Mac helped my mom make

Party table, complete with favor bags in the background.  Just with cousins, we have an instant group of five friends :)

My grandfather's birthday is also in July so we decided to surprise him with a dual celebration.
 82 wonderful, blessed years!!!

Digging into his smash cake...thanks to our little party on his actual birthday, I think he knew just what to do with that cake!

 Loving every single minute.  Anyone that came close to his chair got globbed with icing.  Parker had it between his toes. Haha

 My boy LOVED his cake!  And who thought it was a good idea to make it with red icing?!?

Papa getting in on the cake action

The Boys

Eldon got Drew shoes just like his...and he wears them almost everyday now.  Thanks, Eldon!!!

I love me some Ramsey, thumb-sucking and all

The family princess with her Daddy.  I love that lil mama!

Trying to figure his paddle ball out.  Serious stuff...

We couldn't have a party without our Monticello Family.  I love, love, love the Bayles' and the Hewitt's!  It's just so special to me that they were at Mac's and now Drew's first birthdays.  Thanks friends!!!