Our Sweet Boys

Thanksgiving With The Black Family

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving with Doug's family on the Wednesday afternoon/evening before the big day. We didn't do the traditional meal because everyone always seems to be tired of turkey or ham so we had taco soup. It was so yummy and we finished it off with pumpkin roll and sopapilla cheesecake:) This year we had our celebration at Uncle Philip and Aunt Kristie's house. They were running last minute errands so when we got there we couldn't get in...until Uncle Doug broke into the house! The first pic is Doug letting all the kids crawl through the window to go unlock the door for me.

Cousins...Anna and Preston

Preston and Doug were getting some cuddle time with "Sweet Garin."

When it came time to leave it was amazing how we couldn't find any kids....hehe. They were hiding under Anna's bunk bed giggling away.

I told Preston to put his shoes on and he came out in Anna's dress-up high heels!

We all headed to the car...even the dog that Doug loves...I had no where to sit until we convinced the dog she was staying at Uncle Phil's house.

Two Sweet Brothers

One sleepy Preston + One loving Connor = Two of the sweetest brothers:)

Our Fairly Nerdy Son

Connor was awarded the second six weeks of school with the "Fairness" Award for his class. Apparently he was picked by his teacher for this recognition and was honored with cookies by the assistant principal. One person was picked from each class...GO CONNOR!

A different day the entire school dressed up like nerds for a day devoted to science experiments. This is the only pic Connor would let me take of him before he left for school. By the end of the day the hat and goggles were off and he wouldn't even let his Honey see him.

Luke Zebreski's Birthday Party

Our friends middle child celebrated his birthday recently with a military theme. Upon arrival the boys were decked out in camo bandannas and face make-up if they wanted it. We had 2 out of 3 takers on the make-up. We were served hot dogs and cake and the boys played capture the flag for probably a good hour.

Getting ready to take off for capture the flag.

Doug and Mr. Martin were the leaders of each team. Martin's team was chasing Doug:)

Grant wasn't so excited about playing because he couldn't be on Preston's team.

He had us cracking up because he was being so dramatic.

Connor showing off his war paint.

Grant took a pic of Doug and I.

Before we left for the night this is where we found Preston. He loves playing dolls with his friend, Olivia. We visit them often and this is where he always ends up. I think it makes Olivia's day too:)

Mt. Lebanon Baptist Encampment

Mt. Lebanon is home away from home for Doug and I. That is the place that we met in the summer of 1993. We both have spent many years out there working on summer staff as a lifeguard, food server, craft person, and nurse. My Sunday School class has a yearly camp out for anyone that is willing to go pitch a tent and rough it for one night. We were able to get an area of camp that was right next to a "flushable commode" which surprisingly isn't so important to me, but for the boys:) We had the time of our life! We arrived right before sunset on a Friday and got our tent up before it got to dark. The boys checked in periodically, but for the most part were totally on their own. We cooked out on propane hot plates and had a campfire to cook s'mores! We took a hike to Inspiration Point which is an area of camp that looks out over Dallas and Tarrant county and at night it is breathtaking. On the 1+ mile hike to the point the "Old Doug" came out...hehe. He took a shortcut along with two other men, Grant, and myself in order to scare the rest of the group when they got around a bend in the road. It didn't work as we had planned because someone spot lighted Grant hiding behind a tree and he totally acted like the light had taken him in and walked away from us and never looked back. We were trying to control the laughter. On the way back down Grant road my back and fell asleep...he slowly slid down my back which made it even harder to walk. Preston was carried down by Ms. Keri and at the end of the walk complained that his legs that he wasn't even using hurt so that is when Keri got tickled and put him down to walk the last 50 feet by himself. That is just one of many storied that I could go on and on about. We can't wait to go back next year!

Grant helping dad drive from the cafeteria to get ice back to camp.

These are the steps around the hotel at camp where Doug first kissed me in 1993:)

Connor cooking a marshmallow for Grant.

I don't think he liked his marshmallow at all!

Part of the group around the eating area.

The 30? something kids around the campfire at Inspiration Point.

My 3 sons at Inspiration Point

This is where Preston collapsed after the hike (on the dirt path in Doug's coat) and decided that he was fine sleeping there all night. Needless to say, He went to bed right after this pic!

Night Night Boys (11pm)

Several of the tents...

Preston running from the camera.

The kids jumped from hay bale to hay bale for hours!

Preston acting like a deer with tree antlers...that's my boy!

Me and My Boys

I hardly ever get to be in any pictures with my boys because I am always taking them. In the last few weeks all the boys have been taking pics of each other with mom. They are my favorites:)

My Big Boy

My Precious Preston

My Stinker

NOTICE: Hunting Season Has Opened!

Hunting season initiated on November 1st and that is when I lost two members of my family...Doug and Connor! This is the first year that Connor was allowed to go with Doug on opening weekend. He has taken after Doug and loves to hunt and shoot. If Doug even thinks about going to West Texas to work Connor gets very concerned that his dad might be sneaking off to go hunting without him. Needless to say Connor keeps close tabs on his dad these days:)

Sitting in the deer blind trying to keep warm in dad's clothes.