Mossy Oak

 ‘I believe the good we do will live long after we are gone,’”

Saturday was Mossy Oak's first annual Conservation Day.  One of their goals is to leave the land and its resources better than found in order to ensure future generations have access to spend time outdoors and enjoy all the resources available. Pop encouraged all of the family to get involved and do something to help the neighborhood and community.  Our neighborhood still had an enormous tree trunk and root base at the edge of Caleb's neighbors yard that needed to be removed. This was left over from our spring storm damage. (John Sawyer and I actually saw a snake happily living there a few days ago.) Pictures really don't show how huge this was!  Todd brought his roll back wrecker and together it was soon all cleared up.  They are now in the bottom of one of our ponds, and will be the perfect habitat for lots and lots of fish! Pop also cut some bushes down that were blocking our view when we turned from our neighborhood.  Lindsey and her family joined in the fun all the way from Alex City and completed several jobs around their land.

These sweeties are blessed with beautiful land that they get to enjoy daily.

These two have turned out to be quite the gardeners and chicken farmers!

There's just something about a tractor man!

I'm telling you that was way, way, way bigger than this picture makes it look!

Hard at work!

Perfect little helper!

Away it goes!!

Second load! This is a better picture of just how big this section was!

All gone!

This and That

What a busy week this has been!  Soccer season is in full force, lots going on at work, and just life in general is keeping us on our toes!  We were able to travel east this week and watch Maddie and Reed play a game.  Both teams are undefeated, and so much fun to watch.  We also kept John Sawyer a couple of days, which is lots and lots of fun.  All four are at such great ages.


Aren't they precious? Maddie and Reed were getting ready to play.  Lillian was ready to cheer them on. She is taking gymnastics and piano right now.  She's only been taking piano lessons for about a month, but is already doing awesome.

Now a few action shots! This is the perfect sport for Reed! 

Maddie plays on a huge field now and is on the other side from us, which results in blurry pictures!  I'm going to have to try and get closer next time.  She is doing awesome.

And this sweet thing loves cheering them both on!

This cute little thing is growing and changing everyday!  It's been a wonderful eighteen months!

He and Pop enjoyed a little breakfast at Jack's.  He's showing his mean face!

I have a meeting in Auburn Tuesday, which means that I get to spend the night and watch soccer games Monday!  I can't wait! (And I am determined to get better pictures of Maddie.)

Grandparents Day and More

Grandparent-one who breaks most of the rules and loves every second of it.

I think the above quote might be just a little bit accurate, and Pop and I truly love every second of being a grandparent.  It's a love no one could ever prepare you for, and simply the most rewarding job I've ever had!  I love, love, love spending time with all four.  They are each so special and so different.  Watching their interests and personalities develop and change is so enjoyable.  I can't wait to see what God has planned for all of them! Grandparents Day was divided into two days at their school, and I couldn't go for Lillian and Reed's day.  Pop went for that, and I headed back the next day for Maddie.  I was able to check them all out of school. We celebrated with a little ice cream!

I also love that Lindsey will always be at school with them.  They are a K-12 school, and she will always be just a few feet away.

John Sawyer loves to go to Papa's and feed the fish.  We usually do this at least once a day.  Pop also has gotten back in the chicken business, so he also loves going up there to feed the chicks.  We got 4 babies, and then Lindsey gave him four of hers that are several months old.  I have no idea what we're going to do with 8 eggs a day when they all start laying.  Until then though, John Sawyer sure is enjoying them. 


These are almost ready for the big coop.

These are a little blurry, but I had to share.  He had a ball playing with his dad!

The Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday to you!  I think this is the 42nd birthday we've celebrated together.  I hope your day is as wonderful as you!  He is the perfect family leader, father, grandfather, husband, and friend I know.  I look forward to many more birthdays together!

Some of his favorite things-

His grandchildren! And a good day on the river!




These cuties woke him up bright and early with a facetime call this morning.



Tractor time!

Always working on something!

This bunch loves him bunches!!

He's always up for an adventure!

He tries his best to be a good gardener!  John Sawyer helped him this year!

He also occasionally likes to just chill.

Best bike riding teacher around!

He's also a great encourager!

 Four generations of Marine's! Very thankful for this picture!

He can rest easily at night knowing he was the best son possible to his parents and father to his children.



He loves sharing his love of hunting with the kids and grandkids.

What a memory!

Lindsey and Caleb will always be his babies!

He's a great traveling buddy!

I hope your day is as special as you are!  Know that you are loved not just on your birthday, but every day! Here's to another 58!