Our Southern Roots

Last weekend we took a roadtrip to visit our family in Mississippi. Despite the long drive, it's always a fun and relaxing destination. This time was a little different since we ended up leaving Gray there when Michael and I departed on Tuesday so he could spend the rest of the week with Pappa and Susu.

I know they've been having all kinds of adventures and have no doubt he'll be spoiled rotten and staying up til midnight by the time he returns! They've been to see a movie, experienced Chuck E. Cheese for the first time, went swimming and rode the 4 wheeler. And that's just the activities I know about...I'm sure there were lots of other spoils along the way!

Here are a few more highlights from our roadtrip:

Roxy hanging out with Gray in the backseat 

This is what happens when you've been in the car nearly nine hours and are crossing over the Mississippi river. Goggles are a must!

Learning some casting and fishing techniques in the lake behind my grandparent's house.

It didn't take long before he got his first catch!

After that he was "hooked!" He told me he was going to catch a "daddy bass" aka a really big fish.

Here's one of the shots Michael took. I just love this view. 

Day two of fishing at a different pond. This is where the bass live!

Reeling in something big!

He caught a "mommy bass" which apparently means it's medium-sized. He refused to touch the fish even though he doesn't hesitate to hold snakes of all kinds. Strange kid.

Riding in Pappa's "race car" working on a Ninja Turtle activity book that Aunt Mimi gave him. He's looking so big!

Gray also discovered Pappa and Susu have a jacuzzi tub. Bubble bath time!

Lately, Gray has been asking a lot about chess and checkers. We don't have a chess set, but Pappa does and they enjoyed learning how all the pieces move.

Chess is hard work. It helps if you have a sucker, take it from this pro!

Trading TV for Trails

Michael captured a few pics during a recent weeknight hike. Gray likes "mountain biking" while we walk the 1.5 mile trail. He's getting a lot faster and more difficult to keep up with, so he has to ride up ahead a bit and then circle back toward us so he stays in sight. His favorite part is hitting the brakes to make skid marks in the dirt. Somehow that never gets old. He's also been learning how to pedal standing up which he thinks is a super awesome trick.

Rite of Passage

We've reached another life milestone...Grayson's first slumber party! He was invited to spend the night with his cousins Luke and Jack, and jumped at the chance to spend time with two of his favorite people.

Aunt Suzanne set the bar high, making them an awesome sleeping pallet, letting them stay up late to watch the Lego movie and bringing them popcorn and snacks to their hearts' desire. The next morning, as they were riding to go get donuts, Grayson told Suzanne it was the best day ever.

Afterward, they road big wheels and jumped on the trampoline before heading back to Norman for lunch and some swim time. What more could three little boys ask for?

All tucked in and ready to watch the Lego movie!

Eating some lunch before hitting the pool

Summer's unexpected joys (and challenges)

With August nearly upon us, we've been trying to soak up every bit of July and what remains of summer break. Grayson is enjoying his last week of camp and I've been trying to keep him entertained indoors in the afternoons while we had a stretch of 102+ days.

He made a few paper airplanes one day at camp and has been obsessed with folding all kinds of different styles of planes. We broke out a couple of paper airplane books that Nana gave us a while back and went to town.

Cooling off with some banana/peanut butter/chocolate smoothies while we fold some new paper airplanes.

We've had a rough patch of things breaking lately in the heat. Our AC had a leaky pipe, then a few days later the pool pump sprung a leak. Michael's bike that they commute on also had a part break unexpectedly which needed some attention. Daddy and his mini-me have been busy with all the handyman work. Daddy is also installing some new lights in the living room so we can finally mark everything off our list with that part of the house. I'm very lucky to have such handy fellas!

We finally had a break in the heat for a few days and took an afternoon road trip to explore some county roads with the windows down. We found the Edge of the Earth, which apparently is in Cleveland County, OK in case you were wondering. 

We also stumbled across a local wildlife management area and explored a few dirt roads. Gray inherited his daddy's love for off-roading. I happened to look back in my side mirror and caught him riding with his head out the window soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the breeze on his face.

Family-style birthday fun

My mom and I recently celebrated our birthdays and decided to do something a little different. We had a family dinner at Shogun's, a Japanese hibachi steakhouse, where they slice up and cook everything right at your table.

Gray loved watching the chef flip rice into daddy's mouth from across the table and turn a sliced onion into a flaming volcano. He also enjoys any excuse for using chopsticks. I was so busy watching the show that the chef was putting on that I only snapped a few quick pictures.

How we roll

Gray is currently attending a four week "land and ocean" camp at a local Montessori school. He loves every minute of it, but most of all he loves riding there each morning with daddy. It's several miles away and the best part is, when he gets tired, he can stop pedaling and let daddy do all the work! It's fun to see both my guys enjoying this daily ritual and building memories together.

Splashing through summer

It seems as thought we've been living in our swimsuits lately. Between planned and impromptu parties, we've managed to swim daily for the past several weeks. It's a great way to ensure certain little kids sleep well!

Bouncing on a water blob at Cora's birthday party. Courtney saw how to make this on Pinterest and it was a hit to say the least! 

Jack jumping off the diving board for about the fiftieth time

Liam, Luke, Jack and Gray having a backyard picnic. I love these silly boys so much!

Braham ready for some dinner...swimming really works up an appetite!

Gray having a little rest between his morning and afternoon swims. Rough life!