Clayton's progress

Clayton wanted to jump off the diving board the other day without his life jacket. Unfortunately I did not have my video camera, but not today. I was armed and ready!! He has really come a long way. I am so proud of him. And don't worry Mom and Janice, Melody and I were sitting on the edge of the pool ready to dive in if the need were to arise!!

Lawn mowing clothes and popcicles

Fred and I were outside mowing/doing yard work while the boys were napping. I ran inside for something and heard, "Honey!" Needless to say Jack was awake!! When I walked in his room he was pointing to the window and saying, "Dat my daddy!!" I guess all the commotion in Jack's room woke up Clayton and before I knew it we were all outside. We got some new popcicles and Clayton had to have one, which made Jack want one, which made me and Fred want one. Before I knew it we were all sitting enjoying popcicles. I had to grab my camera to capture this precious moment. Also, Fred took a picture of me to prove that I now own "lawn mowing clothes"!! This one goes out to my dad and my brother...

I've been tagged...

1. WHAT DID YOU DO 10 YEARS AGO? Ten years ago? I was in college at Union, dating Fred and living with Meg and Melody. I think this was the summer that Fred started in youth ministry. We may have taken our first group to youth camp. Yes, that's right. Fred was 21 and I was 20. We took three teenagers in a borrowed van to Florida for youth camp...how funny!!
2. FIVE ITEMS ON YOUR TO-DO LIST TODAY: Take the boys swimming, meet Jerry and Patsy for lunch (a Wednesday tradition), cook hamburgers for VBS tonight, vacuum my house, go to VBS
3. SNACKS I ENJOY: any carb...but I try not to snack!
4. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE A BILLIONAIRE? tithe (would I be the pastor's favorite or what?!?), put new windows in our house, pay off our house, adjust our daily budget (Fred and I would probably change our $10 a week allowance to $20!!), bump up our retirement and college savings, buy Fred a new Jeep Wrangler, take the enitre Shackelford family (including my boys) to see Dan and Tami in Central Asia, take a trip with just Fred, take a trip with the Merwin side of the family, buy myself a new car, invest 20 million to have to live off the interest and then with the remaining $979,846,392 I would definitely try to change the world!!

I tag…….. Katie, Melody and Tami!!

If you have been tagged recently and you don’t wish to join in on the fun, please don’t feel obligated! Here Are the Rules: Answer the following questions about yourself. At the end of the post you pass on the questions to some other bloggers and list their names. Then write them a comment telling them that they’ve been tagged and ask them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know that you’ve accepted the challenge and refer to your post.

Water Party!

Fred had the great idea to set up a water party in the backyard for the boys. It was loads of fun for them. You will notice in the picture that there is a dog present. For those of you who know me well, don't pass out...it does not belong to us!! We are dog-sitting Poco while Fred and Renee are visiting with Dan and Tami. I think Poco is really having a fun time!

Fred got the slip and slide (thank you Noah and Luke) and the sprinkler (thank you Fred and Renee) set up while Jack was still asleep. Clayton was all over it!! Once Jack woke up he had to get used to the idea, but he soon caught on. Hope you all enjoy the pictures!

Jack's Birthday Party

We had Jack's party Thursday night in Jackson. It was loads of fun! We all met at my parents house, ate BBQ and cake, and some swam in the pool. Fred's sisters drove all the way from Memphis (actually Holly Springs and Oakland) just to come to his party! What sweet aunts they are...not to mention what sweet husbands they have! Many presents were left to be opened, but Aunt Elizabeth gave Jack a sucker.
As you can see Jack is interested in the present I am opening, but he will not relinquish the sucker!

Happy Birthday Jack!!

Jack's birthday is today! Time sure does fly! I remember crying myself to sleep at night when I was pregnant with him just wondering how I could love two children. What wasted tears those were! Jack has truly been a blessing to this family! Where have these 2 years gone?
We had a small birthday party here at the house last night. All the children got to decorate their cupcakes with icing and sprinkles. You will notice that Jack is not in the picture...that is because he just started eating his cupcake without icing. When he noticed all the other children with icing he continued to eat his cupcake and lick the icing knife (it wasn't sharp). He was too busy eating when I took this picture.

Sweet Baby Jack!

Big Boy Jack!!

We saved the best for last

What a day we've had today! We went to the beach pretty early this morning. I am convinced that Noah and Clayton would have stayed all day had we let them. They had the best time. Jack enjoyed the water today, but still preferred playing in the sand. Noah got stung again today and so did Billy. Noah was so brave and just got back in the water. What a trooper!! We went tonight to The Original Oyster House. We got there at 5 and still had an hour and fifteen minute wait...it was worth it!! What a week! We couldn't have asked for more! Clayton and Noah playing in the ocean!
One final beach picture...could be my favorite!?!
Waiting at The Original Oyster House
Second year in a row that I've seen a sailboat while on the beach. This picture is for Christie! When I saw it I thought of her! Christie, hope you are having a great day and know that I love you! I thought I might see you on this boat!!

Shackelford Family Photo Shoot (and Mauldins)

Renee was taking our picture. She kept telling us to kiss or look longingly into each others eyes. This was all Fred...

Another fun day in Gulf Shores

Erica, Renee, Jack, Noah and I headed off to the outlets this morning around 9. We shopped for several hours and then met the older boys at The Track. They were on the bumper boats. They had so much fun! I can't decide which set of boys had more fun though!! Currently we are eating grilled burgers. We are heading out around 7 to take family pictures. Hopefully, we will get some good ones. The plan is to put the little boys to bed (Renee will stay here with them) and all the grown ups and the older boys will go swimming! What a day!!

Our date night!

We have arrived!!

We left Paris Sunday night after church and headed to Memphis. We spent the night at Fred and Renee's house and then headed out around 5 a.m. We drove all day and took our time. The boys were so good! Clayton never went back to sleep. Jack slept for maybe hour and a half. Fred and I were really impressed!

Before we went to dinner we headed to the beach. Clayton and Noah headed straight to the water. We had to bring them back to the condo and change their clothes. They were soaked! Luke and Jack were a little timid, but Luke eventually warmed up. Jack is still not too sure.

Noah got stung by a jellyfish. Clayton is now saying he doesn't think it is a good idea for us to go back to the beach. He thinks the pool will be great! Speaking of the pool...it is great! Clayton can stand up in the shallow end. He thinks it is so cool that he can stand up in the pool!

We went to a new restaurant call The Hangout. The food was wonderful, but even better was the childrens play area. They had a playground with sand and water and all kinds of fun! The boys played and played! I felt certain the boys would fall asleep before we got home, but no!! They were still going strong when we got home. Great day!

Swimming at the City Pool

We joined the city pool today. Now that I can handle both boys by myself at the pool we are going to spend a lot more time there this summer! I can't wait! They both LOVE it! I took this little video of Clayton because this is what he does the majority of the time. The music in the background was playing at the pool. I didn't add it for special effect. Also, the water on my lense is courtesy of the kiddo that jumped in before Clayton.

The boys had to wear t-shirts since we got a little pink Monday. Clayton was very concerned about wearing a t-shirt in the pool, but once we got there he was fine!