Tree Swinging

Check out the new homemade tree swing in the woods. The girls really seem to love it! 

Super Soaked

Oakley wasn't so fond of the sprinkler, but she couldn't escape the wrath of the super soaker... 

Sprinkler Time

Hot days and some time at home lead to a little play in the sprinkler... 

World Cup, BW

And here's the artsy look at the hair. 

World Cup!

OK, the US is out of it already, but the world cup is as good an excuse as any for Lindy's haircut of the summer. Really, this is just a comb job, but it's my favorite look for her these days. 

Lindy Update

Not that this a great shot of Lindy or anything, but I needed an excuse to provide an update. Lindy is progressing nicely. She is very well behaved, rarely fusses, and seems to like it when her sisters are around. She is now eating solids once a day (yes, we wait a long time). Her favorite thusfar is, shockingly, avacado. She LOVES it.

Crawling... as is seemingly the case for at least a month with every child, she is about to crawl.

That's enough for now. 

Banana Bread!

Just to show you we haven't completely fallen off the world wide web, I'm sharing a new picture. Here we have the older two ladies making some banana bread. Fortunately, I am the one who benefited! 

A summer destination

Nothing funny here, just a life update. We're pretty excited right now because we just joined the neighborhood pool. In these parts (Brentwood) neighborhood pools are an anomaly. Basically, all of the subdivisions have their own pool, so there's no real need for it. As you know, we don't live in a subdivision per se, so we were needing a pool. The YMCA was a decent option, but we decided to go with The Dolphin Club. It is literally on Old Smyrna Road.

We made our first visit last night and it was great. Aspen was jumping into the water (the 3 feet) and Oakley was cruising around on the noodle. The best part? It's gotta be the peer pressure. Aspen's acquaintance/friend from church, Maddie Majors, was there. She certainly had more impact on Aspen going under water and whatnot than Jenn or I ever has.

So, we're off to a great start. Hopefully we'll have some pictures out there soon.

Leg III: Raleigh

Leg three of our trip took us to Raleigh, NC, home of my Aunt Mona and Uncle Stan (Uncle Stan is my dad's brother).

Uncle Stan and Aunt Mona were most gracious hosts as we made our way back toward Nashville. We're particularly excited because we get to see them again (along with all of their clan) in September in Atlanta. Their third daughter (yes, more women for Tim!) Amanda is getting married! 

Generational Snapshots

And just as a test of my family tree skills, I will try this as well. From left to right...

Brian Haile, Sara (Lilley) Phelps, Tara Lilley, Joey Griffin, Jessica (Lilley) Brown, Caroline (Carr) Brescia, Doug Haile, Dana (Pittman) Birdwell, Jenn (Haile) Martin.

These folks share the same Great Grandparents.

Third Cousins

Here you find a number of cousins of varying closeness. From left to right... Aspen Martin, Kristina Phelps, Rebecca Birdwell, Drew Phelps, Lindy Martin, Jacob Birdwell. Not pictured... Oakley Martin (who was running around crazily at the time), Sam Pittman (couldn't find him), Emma Pittman (who was sadly sick all weekend), and Carleigh Brescia (who somehow managed to avoid our camera all week!)

Each of these kids decends from the same Great Great Grandparents.

Duly noted

While there's no photographic evidence to support my claim, I do want it written down. I saved Brian's life at the wedding. Brian, and the request of the food service people, tried to adjust a large plant on top of a 7 foot pedestal. While he thought it was well leveled, and he started to look away, it was, in fact, toppling to cause his certain death.

Thankfully, I dove in from dozens of feet (or about three) away and snatched it from above Brian and Aspen's heads. It should be known that death would have been preferable to the certain family embarassment that would have been relived annually at the beach.

Dancing, and some other stuff

As is the custom, I have only the one picture featuring the groom. Aunt Lucille is seen in the upper right with Jess. Dancing is shown below. Our girls looked forward to it and loved it.

During the ceremony, Aspen was sitting with Jenn. As the wedding party recessed, Aspen asked Jenn, "Are they clearing the stage so we can all go dance now?!" 

Williamston, NC

My first visit to Williamston (the home base of Jenn's Mom's family) was brought about by Jess's wedding to Jason (both are seen here). Jess, if you care, is Jenn's second cousin (shared Great Grandparents). 

 

Bulletin

We interupt our regularly scheduled Beach Activities for the obligatory family photograph! 

Beach Activities IV

Crabbing with Uncle Dougie! Aspen caught one (shown here) that was four inches. Oakley caught two at one time! Chicken necks, the right kind of string, and an uncle who will remove the crabs from the bait are all it takes! 

Beach Activities III

Synchronized swimming! OK, chearleading! Or something. Regardless, Oakley really liked going out into the waves with me, and so we did. 

Beach Activities II

Frisbee was a big part of the visit this year as well. We got a great soft frisbee that took the fear out of catching and Aspen did a great job with throwing. Catching, however, can be a difficult task with your eyes closed. (I jest, she actually caught it quite a bit as well.) 

Beach Activities I

The girls took to the water immediately this year. No doubt, no fear, just run right to it. And it was cold. This coming from a man who fears no cold. But the girls LOVED it. 

We're Back!

Trips to Duck, Williamston, and Raleigh, NC are complete. The beach, the wedding, and the Aunt and Uncle are all great. And Oakley's telling the story in this picture.