Summer Fun at Joyland

We have been serving lunch to a group of middle school kids who are in Lubbock this week working with World Changers. Wednesday night, the city hosted an appreciation night at Joyland Amusement Park, so we and some of our friends, the Wolfs, decided to take our boys. I never could have imagined how much fun Mr. H would have. I tell you, he is a true dare devil! He especially loved riding with Daddy. Hunter loves horses ("sorse") so we guessed that he would enjoy the merry-go-round. Boy did he! He smiled his huge smile and laughed the entire ride! Hunter looked for Dad every time we went around and waved and laughed everytime he saw him (see video below). He rode several rides without mom or dad, just him and his friend Weston. He sat very still while the ride was going. Hunter especially loved the train around the park, which we all got to ride. He repeatedly said "choo-choo" the whole ride and laughed! He rode in a fire engine, a car, a spinny thing (of course, it is Joyland and everything spins!), and a helicopter. The kid even rode on a mini-roller coaster with Dad! I could barely see him, but Daddy held on tight. He signed "more" after the roller coaster. He did not want to get off of any of the rides. We will definitely have to go back again.

How cute is that little head sticking out of the window?

Despite the bored look, he loved the choo-choo

This smile is priceless.

No Dad, don't make me get off!


Thank you God for my boys, smiles, and laughter.

Mommy and Me Swim Class

Hunter and I have been taking Mommy and Me swim classes at Tech the last two weeks and we loved it! Hunter learned how to kick, kick, kick, scoop his arms, and blow bubbles in the water. Well, actually, he just opened his mouth and put it in the water most of the time, but he's a little guy so it's okay. Swim class was at Tech's new leisure pool which is very nice and fun with a lazy river, fountains, a diving board and slide, and much more! Very cool! The weather was beautiful every morning, except one, but we still got to swim. Hunter got to to off the diving board two days. His teacher was waiting in the water as I dropped him slowly into the water. Hunter liked to jump off the ledge. . . one, two, three, JUMP! He was pretty good at this one! They gave us little bath toys everyday. One of our favorite things was to throw the toy and then swim over to it, with mom holding on to him. The last day was free swim. The current was turned on in the river, the fountains were all on, and we got to do whatever we wanted. We got to go early and we had a great time! We are sad that class is over. We loved swimming everyday and met some really nice people. Of course, we knew Belle and her mom. Also, one of my very good friends since 2nd grade, Averi, and her son were in our class. It was nice catching up with her. Thank you God for my son, beautiful weather, and swimming!



**This blog was edited with bigger pictures. Somehow I figured it out. Duh! :)

Rangers Game and More "Bay-Bah"

We took Hunter to a Rangers game a few weeks ago. We had so much fun! The weather was crazy (humidity, tornado watches, lightning, etc.). H looooovved the food so much! He ate almost a whole hot dog by himself, shared a large popcorn with Joshua (H was double-fisting the popcorn! Ha!), then he shared my lemon chill. How is he not huge?! He loves "bay-bah" (baseball) so what little he watched of the game, he seemed to enjoy. H spent most of the game walking around with his Mimi, Papa, and Joshua.
Mom, Dad, and Hunter before the game

First, he ate a hot dogThen, he started in on the popcorn. Oh, he loved the popcorn!

The crazy weather all around with a beautiful rainbow.

We celebrated Father's Day early on Saturday. Joshua, Peyton, and Landen came over with Jared and Maci. Uncle Daniel came over after his softball game. The boys had a blast playing baseball in the front yard. Hunter tried really hard to do the things Joshua did, but he was still a little small. He laughed everytime he and daddy hit the ball. Thank you God for cousins and baseball!

H and Joshua playing basketball

H and Daddy hitting the baseball.

Cousins having fun!

Happy (Half) Birthday Mr. H!

Today is Mr. H's 18 month birthday. I cannot believe that he is that old already. This kid is full of joy and silliness! He keeps us laughing. He gives the best slobber kisses and great big hugs. We love every single second we get to spend with our kiddo. I am so thankful God gave him to us and continues to bless our family daily.

Today Granna and I took Hunter swimming at a big pool for the first time. He swims in his little pool and in the hot tub regularly, but never in a big pool. He is a little fish! He was a little hesitant at first, but after a little lunch, he was ready to go. He wanted to wear his floaties on his arms and walk around the 2 foot pool, which is perfect for Mr. H! He tried to make friends with some of the bigger boys in the pool who threw the ball with him for a little while. Hunter loved it and laughed so hard. He tried copying the big boys who were jumping and swimming. He felt very big! He spent a lot of time just walking around in the water. As the day went on, he got braver and braver. Hunter played to exhaustion and a little beyond! He fell asleep soon after we got in the car to head home. Of course, once he got in his bed, he talked to himself for about 30 minutes before finally closing his little eyes.

We love you more than words sweet boy and wish you many many more (half) birthdays.

The Mystery of "Oash"

Hunter has been using a new word lately and we couldn't for the life of us figure it out. It didn't sound like anything we knew and we were just stumped. "Oash". What could this strange new word mean?!

After days of trying to figure out "oash," we finally learned the meaning. I realized that Hunter used the word most when he had his cup or wanted a drink. It didn't matter if he was drinking milk, juice, or water, he said "oash". Finally, I just asked. "Hunter, what is 'oash'?" He pointed to his cup and repeated "oash." Aaah!! Now I get it! The mystery has been solved. "Oash" is whatever H is drinking. I'm thinking maybe it started as juice and he made his own word.

So, this summer, we will enjoy lots of "oash" and have lots of fun just hanging out together!

He has been known to babble and make up words. My favorite and the cutest is "dab-ah-dab-ah-dab"! He walks around repeating it. I'm pretty sure he has his own little language and I'm thankful when I get to be a part of it and learn the meaning of "Hunter words". I sure do love this kid and I'm thankful God chose me to be his Momma.

Big Boy at the Park

Momma and Hunter went to the park this afternoon. What a fun time we had! H is a big climber and loved climbing up and down and all around the jungle gym. This is a great little park with smaller slides for my little guy and lots of steps to climb up. Most of the parks around us are made for the big kids. It's slightly a bummer for little guys and their mommas. Hunter had so much fun that he didn't want to leave. As we were walking back to the car, Mr. H slipped his hand out of mine and ran back to the jungle gym and headed straight for the slide. Of course, being the good momma I am, I let him play a few more minutes. Momma had an appointment with Aunt Sassy for a haircut, so our time was limited. We will definitely be heading back to the park for another go-round soon.


Lubbock friends, if you know of any fun spots for little guys to play, please let me know. I would love to take Hunter out to play around town, but I'm not sure where the good spots are.

**Note: Pictures taken with my IPhone so the quality isn't great!

It's a pencil salesman, no, it's Superman!

I just had to post pictures of Hunt in his church outfit yesterday. He looked so cute that I just couldn't resist. Seriously, we have the CUTEST kid in the entire universe. Who could resist that smile?!
Today is our first official morning home together for the summer. My Superman found him a cozy spot this morning. I missed the picture where he was relaxed against the pillow wrapped up in the blanket. So precious! He has started carrying a blanket around the house around his shoulders like a king's robe. He has also fallen in love with his "orse" (horse). We took him to the horse races in Ruidoso last weekend and he loved watching the horses and tractors. Since then, he says "orse" often and plays with his plastic horse and rides his zebra. He even found a horse in a book from Nana and points at it everytime we read the horse page! So smart! His other new word (that I have discovered) is "ash" (pacifier). Silly goose loves the thing, especially when he is sleepy. You can probably tell by the pictures that Hunter finally had his first haircut. He looks so handsome. I will get pictures from Hunter's Aunt Sassy and Granna and post that another time. Happy Summer Hunter Fans! Be blessed!