Our boy is 2!

Trace, where has the time gone?  We had a pool party up at the Stites where Katie further spoiled Trace (it was like Christmas at grandma Nelson's back in the 90's before she promised to try to cut back on the presents). He now has a few more guns to add to his collection, lots of shoes (thanks Syler), and peter pan (we thought it would help keep him young). There was a sugar overload, which he handled fairly well when it was time for bed. Some recent memories:

- Shayna laid down with the kids one day for a nap, and woke suddenly to Traces little shrieks coming from the bathroom. When she found him he was sitting in a puddle of water with a mouse trap on his finger. Apparently he had messed with the back of the toilet pipe so it was leaking, and then had reached behind the toilet and found the mouse trap we had hidden. He's quite the adventurer.

- Last night while Trace was falling asleep in our bed (laying over my face) he kept holding Honey's hand. He usually plays with a pillow case or kicks something (or someone), but this time he was gently playing with Honeys fingers and holding her hand. He can be such a sweet little guy when he's not shooting at you, playing swords, or picking a fist fight.

- A while ago while we were in Walmart, Trace suddenly started yelling at strangers while pointing at them (with a serious face), saying "Right Now!" over and over. Apparently he learns quickly (we had just starting using that phrase with him a week or so before)

- He swims so hard lately that he falls asleep with his goggles on. He is fearless at jumping in the pool (which he demonstrated last week... Shayna jumped in, in her clothes, to save him). We just hope he learns to keep his head above water before we go to Lake Powell in a few weeks

He is a tough cowboy, a quick learner, witty with his limited vocabulary, and he's becoming really sweet with his baby sister. He keeps us on our toes, and doesn't let us get sloppy in our parenting without letting us know it. We love you little Tracer!!

Trace's Party with the Stites who we love!

The 4th

We had a great time celebrating the 4th! One of our favorite holidays!
Becky and Brian Ross, ((Shayna's) Mom and dad's good friends they grew up with from Chino) invited us to a pool party at their home in South Haven MS. We were grateful for the invite to help keep our minds off the parades, rodeos and BBQ's going on back home. We swam and ate, and had the best time hearing fun stories of the things Mom, Dad, Becky and Brian used to do when they were young-er :)! I wish someone had a camera back then to capture all the good times they had. It was great to get to know them. We hope to see them one more time before we leave the Dirty Sipp.

wild sleeeeper..

Amy, Showen Some Southern Hospitality

If we had to sum up our week with Amy into a movie title, it would be: a Dirt Cheap Helen Keller, Swims In the Tennessee River, while reliving the Amish Paparazzi days... I admit, its not a movie I would go and see, unless I had some clarification.

Amy flew into town with less than half a weeks notice for her birthday... 1. we loved the last minute decision (we didn't have to wait for months counting down the days) and 2. We got to enjoy her birthday just as much as she did (she's pretty brave to want to come sleep on Trace's jack knife sofa bed for a week in a 5th wheel parked next to one of the dirtiest 'sipps in Mississippi). We took her to Rondevue BBQ in downtown Memphis to experience southern goodness... We then got quickly back on the road so we didn't get shot (a Memphis experience we don't want).

For the first half of the week I was at clinic (and driving) from 7am until 7pm. The girls didn't have any trouble staying busy. I believe the trips to Dirt Cheap totaled 3, and from what I hear Amy is a natural at navigating its countless, shady rows of discount treasures. Dirt Cheap is one of the souths strangest kept secrets. It feels like you've stepped... back in time?... into a mexican barter?... or perhaps into a trap for ADHD shopaholics?... theres no good way to describe it other than that both Amy and Shayna had new, cheap clothing every day when I got home. We ended each day with a dip in the Stites' pool; the icing on the cake of where we live.

We kicked off the weekend with a trip to our favorite all you can eat catfish restaurant, "Catfish Country". Amy was a bit timid at first, but ended the night with a plate full of pond raised goodness. She is an expert at deciphering tastes. She determined that the sloppy collard greens had an essence of cheap tobacco smoke and sweat. Couldn't have said it better.

When I was finally done with clinic for the week we drove over to Ivy Green (Tuscumbia, Alabama) to see Helen Kellers birthplace. We have a knack for timing on our outings, without even knowing it. Turns out that we visited Helen's home place during a press conference, during the week of the Helen Keller festival. We didn't stay for a lot of the festivities, but we made sure to tour the house and see the grounds. It was a really nice experience.

After Ivy Green we stopped at the Tennessee River. Trace had fun playing in the questionable water while we talked about life's mysteries and took pictures. Honey just sat there and blew bubbles. One of the fun things about Amy is that she loves to converse- the 3 of us (and sometimes Trace), spent most of our time talking. The highlight of the trip was less about where we went or what saw but about how much we enjoyed just passing the time together.

Saturday was a day of mixed experiences. The morning was heavenly, tracking down the amish and being received well. These amish were less timid and spent some time telling us about their lives, something we appreciated more than their unadulterated vegetables and homemade bread. Of course Shayna was crouched down in the back seat with her D90 in one hand while nursing Honey with the other. I'm sure we'll pay for that... but the pictures turned out great.

The warm reception suddenly turned upside down when we arrived in Holly Springs. Worst day to visit was that Saturday. Everything was closed (all the antebellum homes, the one boutique we needed to return baby clothes to, and all of the reputable diners) and it was an hour and a half out of our way. I was left to fend for myself at the pizza parlor from hell (good pizza... but we totally got swindled... how do you get ripped off at a pizza place... go to Holly Springs and find out), while the girls walked across town just to find a public bathroom.

Sunday came so fast. People at church thought Amy had come to stay, and were disappointed to find out that she wouldn't be around long enough to marry their son or grandson. We found out just how many "eligible" young men there were in the branch (we haven't me them yet thou). We arrived in Memphis a few hours later, said good bye, watched her walk into the airport, and missed her instantly. What a fun week we had! We wish she could have stayed longer. We know the cows and horses will be happy, the squirrels and other varmints will scurry and hide, and the parents will put her back to work. Thanks for sharing your birthday with us Amy! We loved it.