This was back in June. We met Jay's best friends, Katie and Caleb, at Monkey Joes for one last hoorah.
They had a ball and when we left Jay yelled to them, "see you Sunday at church!" We had to stop and explain again that we are saying bye for longer this time. We already miss our sweet friends so much!
Eli drove the Bat mobile while the big ones bounced.
Look at how affectionate Jay is with Katie. Someone asked him if he has a girlfriend in Tifton yet and he exclaimed, "I have a girlfriend already! Her name is Katie and she lives in South Carolina!"
Eli was pointing at the potty so we asked if he wanted to go teetee. He nodded his head and sat with Wes for a while.
After about 5 min he was ready to get down. Nothing happened and he just kept looking down like, "why isn't it coming out?" It was really funny. Maybe I will be able to train him sooner than I thought!
This was the week after we moved down here. We spent a day out at Gary's farm on the dune buggies.
Mom and Eli preferred the golf carts...they are daredevils
I remember riding on this exact dune buggy as a child. I think there is a picture just like this with me and Gary when I was around 8. Jay loves it as much as I did!
Eli is debating whether he wants to ride with the big boys...he is not much of a risk taker!
This was so funny to me. Jay and Gary are loving it. Mom and Eli are very concerned.
Check out Eli's face. He never cried but could not figure out why Jay thought this was so fun.
What a face
Showing off his super powers while we stopped at the river
"Oh dear, I can't believe they put me back on this thing!"
Jay got to drive it this time. Gary is brave.
This was the following week in Jekyll with the Ross'
Eli is pointing to the beach!
Those miniscule waves were just too scary for this old man.
What a nap!
Eli stole Papa's drink and loved it. All sugared up and trapped on a boat in the middle of the ocean.
Helping Daddy fish
We found some friends of Tim's seining on the beach so we stopped to watch. Before long Jay was waiting at the edge of the water to grab every fish he saw as they pulled the net in.
This was on Cumberland Island. Jay was in awe of all the climbing trees
It is so pretty over there.
I thought this tree was beautiful
Climbing as far as he could...then yelling for help when he got too far up. haha
We let Eli run around all natur-al to cool off.
Eli is still trying to figure out that whole tee tee thing....haha!
I was trying to get him to walk around but he kept bending over to see it anything was coming out!
What a picture!
A huge storm came over us so we sat on this front porch of an old mansion on the island.
Checking the weather to see if we could to get back on the boat yet.
Loving on baby bro
Helping Papa with the umbrella
Another perfect nap
Everyone slept but Jay...he was too busy digging
That boy loved every minute of the beach
Jay and Wes going out to ride a wave
Eli was fine with the waves as long as I held him!
Jay decided he didn't like being splashed in the face so he made Wes bring him back. I think we need to teach these boys how to really have fun at the beach
Showing us a crab he caught
Jay is such a little model!
Eli loved running all over the beach. It wasn't crowded at all and he ran everywhere
Burying Jay
Eli is a little confused
His expression sums up the week!
We have obviously been busy these last two months! Wes graduated residency on June 21st and it has been non-stop since then. We had two trips, closed on the house in Tifton, and have a million project going on in the midst of unpacking and Wes starting work. The last time we closed on a house was in 2009 and it was nothing compared to what we went through this time. I didn't realize how nice it was to have a father who took care of all this crazy banking stuff! As well as all of the things that have changed in banking over the last few years. But we got everything done and made the closing date (after it was postponed once already). We really like our house. It is in a good neighborhood and convenient to all of the things we will be doing. The best part is the huge back yard though! My wild boys needed a place to run around and explore. I will get some pictures up of the house next time. We have little and big projects to work on over the next few years to make it just right for us but it will be fun and gives us something to look forward to.
We closed on the house on July 10th. We were able to get a few things unpacked and then went on a trip with Fran and Gavin to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Boston. We left the boys with our parents, as usual. (we do love our kids, I promise...we just don't trust them to act like humans on an airplane yet). We had a great time and it was a much needed rest time for Wes before he starts working in the real world. I had intended for us to buy a house down here around the end of June but we had a harder time getting one that I thought so the timing for the trip was not ideal but I am still glad we did it. It just meant we came home to a big mess of boxes to sort through! Kurt repainted several rooms during that week and I love the colors! We had a fence put up that week also so it was kind of cool to come home to what felt like a new house.
We have all been in work mode over these last few weeks and have loved spending time with family so it is just starting to hit us how much we miss Columbia. Jay has mentioned his friends and babysitter a lot this weekend. I think now that things are starting to slow down we realize how much we loved it there. We are so happy to be in Georgia again, and wouldn't trade being this close to family for anything, but it is still an adjustment. Jay will start pre-k on Thursday so I am hoping he finds some good friends there. A couple that we were friends with in Macon have moved to Tifton so we had a playdate with them last week. Jay (and I) really enjoyed that. I am hoping we can find some good friends soon as the fall kicks off and we can get involved in some activities.
Anyway, that is what we've been doing. I will do a post about the house before too long. Yesterday I asked Jay if he wanted to stay in Tifton or move back to Columbia and he said stay in Tifton. I asked why and he said, "because I like all the pretty woods." haha. I thought that was funny. He does keep asking where the city is though. I was confused until I realized he means the tall buildings. I explained that Tifton doesn't have any tall buildings like Columbia. It was a funny conversation. He insisted that "there has got to be some tall buildings somewhere!" It was a hard pill to swallow. I don't mind the absence of tall buildings...although a Target would be nice. At least Valdosta is a short drive away. I told Mom to get ready for our weekly Target outings when I come down!
This was at mom's house. Her neighbor brought these over for Jay and he wore them all week!
Posing for mom after a dip in the kiddie pool
Clowning with Uncle Jerry last week
Eli is skeptical...must be the beard!
Jay is such a cuddler
More pool fun. I love how serious Eli is in every picture!
Small grin to get Mimi to stop taking pictures!
Picking peaches with Mom and Gary...we think this should be in an advertisement!
We have been enjoying these south Ga peaches all week...you can't beat 'em!
Corn on the cob is no match for this little ones' mouthful of teeth!
This was at home a few weeks ago...watching for birds
How many poses does this child have??
One of the last days at the zoo...we will miss this place!
Serious about his big muscles
I was more excited about the koala baby than the boys...isn't it precious!
They got sunglasses at church last week...So funny!
Serious boys
We went to Medieval Times with the seniors this past weekend. It was so fun and we will truly miss this youth group.
This month has flown by as we are preparing to move this weekend. The movers are coming on Friday and will pack up then load our stuff and take it to storage in Tifton. Since we have had a hard time finding a house in Tifton we will be living with our parents until we get everything lined up. I think we have found a house so I will update on that once I know for sure! I have been so thankful for each of our wonderful parents lately. We have gone to south Ga every week this month and they are always waiting and ready to handle the boys while Wes and I (or sometimes just me) go on another house hunt. Mom had them all last week and they had a ball! She and Gary drove them back up for us so we wouldn't have to come get them after our youth trip. I know they have to be as tired as I am of that drive!! The Ross' have had them several times since April and will have them again next week. We basically drive to Tifton, drop them off, and go look for houses. It has been a life saver! And a reminder of why we were ready to get back home. And their jobs are not done...since we will be going back and forth for the next month we will disrupt their lives even more...and have Jake and Kitty with us! Of course they all love it, I know, but it is exhausting taking care of those two...no matter how much you love them! I know a little bit about that. ;)
Mom, thank you for, well I cannot even put it into words. Every time I call in a panic you are there, whether its another long drive up here or just to give me some perspective, you always make it better. I have realized that no matter how old I am, there will never be anyone like my mama. Thank you for dropping everything as quickly as I call, thank you for being there for me always. And please tell Gary I have adored him since forever, he is such a Godsend, and we all cherish him.
Mama Ross, I love knowing that as soon as I walk in the door you will take over with those boys instantly. Thank you for every delicious supper, for all of the special things you do for us when we visit, for understanding my stresses as a mother and doing so much to help me. I always tell Wes how you had to be the best mother in the world and I truly pray that I will be that kind of mother to my boys. I love you.
Papa Tim, I bet you didn't think retirement would mean "on-call babysitter" to your wild grandsons! I have to admit, there aren't many men I'd trust to keep those two alone for several days in a row but you definitely make the cut! You are the greatest role model and I am so grateful that they will get to be with you so much as they grow up. Thank you for making us each feel so loved. Thank you for showing Jay and Eli true faithfulness and love of family.
Here are a few videos of our trip to the zoo. The first on is Eli playing on the slide. And the next one shows off how smart that little boy is...he knew the stroller was locked and was trying to unlock it. I am in trouble!
