I hope everyone had a fabulous Fourth! We had a great time! We spent most of the day with Landis' family at his granny's house. Every year, she hosts her entire family (aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends) for a big cookout in her backyard. Yes, she's 87 years old and still does as much as she can to prepare for the cookout and what she can't do, her sons and grandsons do for her. So, on Monday morning, Luke, Landis, and I went to her house early to help out. While Landis and his dad mowed and worked on the yard, I helped granny prepare some things in the house. Luke went back and forth from inside to outside and "helped" whoever needed it. He had a great time just being around all of us that loved him so much! :)
At lunch time, Luke and I came home for me to feed him his lunch and put him down for his nap. Then, after his 3 hour nap (wow!), we played outside a little and then headed back over to Granny's for the cookout. He had a blast this time too! He stuck close by his papaw Bumgarner for a little bit and then as all the grown-ups offered him food, he "warmed up" quite nicely to many of the relatives. I still have no idea what all he ate - I saw him eat tomatoes, baked beans, fruit, and a ton of ice cream. When we left, his belly was FULL and he was happy! :) In between eating and visiting, he played with his toy lawn mower, the ball, and granny's red wagon.
It sure was nice to spend time with such sweet, God-loving people that we don't get to see very much. Here are a few pictures from our 4th!
That is Papaw Bumgarner
Luke always steals Granny's walking cane....and uses it quite well. :)
Before I move on to this week's play dates and road trips, I would like to suggest that you follow this link....www.anniepatfamily.blogspot.com....and read my friend, Anna's most recent blog. Anna has 3 kids (the oldest is only 5) so she stays very busy and doesn't post a lot; however, when she does post, she has the most precious way of wording the most intriguing ideas. I can always relate to her posts but would never be able to say what she says so eloquently. Her most recent post (listed above) is one that all moms can relate to...AND, most importantly, I so appreciate her reminder to us all that our only independence is in Jesus....check out the post....
Now, this week's play dates and road trips....
Our play dates this past week included family and strangers....
On two different days this week, Luke played with Lexi and her friends at my mom's pool and mom's house....here are the pictures...
Lexi is a little gymnast (for REAL....she's really good at it)....there she is hanging on the bars (that she has in her house along with a balance beam, mini-trampoline, and large trampoline.) Luke doesn't go to gymnastics this week so he loved "hanging out" with Lexi as they practiced their gymnastics skills. 
Luke and Lexi....intrigued by the birds...
Luke on the BIG trampoline....memaw guarding one side, Lexi guarding one side, and me guarding the other....that dude is fast! 
This is Luke getting ready to pull down the towel/chair tent that Lexi and her friends built. He wanted to play peek-a-boo but every time, he ended up destroying the tunnel. The girls were so sweet - they never once got mad. 
Here are their faces AFTER Luke pulled down the towel...
And, before the towel was pulled down...
Luke playing peek-a-boo...
These next pictures are priceless...my mom gave Luke his first popsicle....Luke loved it....see!!! :) 
Our second play date last week was at the mall (with strangers)....Landis had to work late (like midnight) so Luke and I met him at the mall for dinner and some quick shopping before he headed back to work. After daddy left, I took Luke to the indoor playground for Luke to play and socialize with other kids who were playing. As you can see, he had a great time! There were about 3 other kids playing with him - they were all so sweet! 
Finally, our road trip last week was to Charlotte to visit the Nature Science Museum. Luke and I headed south on I-85 around 9:00. Luke is such a great rider that our road trips are super fun! He took him a 45 minute cat nap on the way so he was rested and ready to play when we arrived. I had some minor trouble finding the museum but thanks to the GPS on my cell phone, I made it there safely. The museum was smaller than I thought but it ended up being a lot of fun. Let me show you some of Luke's favorite "exhibits"....Luke loved pulling this wooden frog from room to room...
Luke's favorite "exhibit" was called "My Big Backyard" - it was a room that was made to look like the woods....it had fake trees and tunnels and slides and was safe enough for Luke to climb and slide without me climbing with him....here he is sitting on the steps smiling at the camera...
The museum had a long nature trail that Luke loved....it was completely shaded so that was nice!
Luke's favorite "exhibit" was called "My Big Backyard" - it was a room that was made to look like the woods....it had fake trees and tunnels and slides and was safe enough for Luke to climb and slide without me climbing with him....here he is sitting on the steps smiling at the camera...
The museum had a long nature trail that Luke loved....it was completely shaded so that was nice! Luke is trying to "balance" on the beam...
Here is Luke coming down the "Big Backyard" slide....he kept coming back to this place...
Playing in the water...
More sliding fun...
This picture was taken in the butterfly pavilion....Luke is pointing and looking at the beautiful butterflies....
Luke is checking out the snakes and birds...
We stayed at the museum until around 1:00 and then stopped at a close by Wendy's for lunch. Luke had fries and a tomato (from my sandwich) - he LOVES tomatoes lately! :) I love eating with him - he is so much company for me and everyone around us. He sits in his high chair, eats well, and "jabbers" to the people around him. Matter of fact, he was so busy telling everyone the things he saw in the museum that I had to remind him to speak quietly. So, he began "whispering" back to me (for one second before getting louder again). I truly have no idea what many of his "jabbers" are....but, I'm thinking, yes, he was telling me about his fun day! :)
Here is Luke coming down the "Big Backyard" slide....he kept coming back to this place...
Playing in the water...
More sliding fun...
This picture was taken in the butterfly pavilion....Luke is pointing and looking at the beautiful butterflies....
Luke is checking out the snakes and birds...
We stayed at the museum until around 1:00 and then stopped at a close by Wendy's for lunch. Luke had fries and a tomato (from my sandwich) - he LOVES tomatoes lately! :) I love eating with him - he is so much company for me and everyone around us. He sits in his high chair, eats well, and "jabbers" to the people around him. Matter of fact, he was so busy telling everyone the things he saw in the museum that I had to remind him to speak quietly. So, he began "whispering" back to me (for one second before getting louder again). I truly have no idea what many of his "jabbers" are....but, I'm thinking, yes, he was telling me about his fun day! :) And, yes, sweet Luke, fun it was! It always is when I'm with YOU!!
Stay tuned for the next post coming, hopefully, Friday. Luke and I already have pictures from our play date this week and we will be heading NORTH on I-85 on Thursday for our Road Trip. See you soon!
Toddy
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