Car troubles!!!!!!!!!!

Well, where do I start!? Our van decided to start giving us problems about a month ago with the check engine light coming on so immediately we went to Advanced Auto to get a test ran on it and it said that the EGR Flow Valve was bad or dirty or who knows what, so that was the first of our troubles, then our vans inspection sticker runs out in July so Randy and I decided to take it to get inspected and the guy calls me from the place to tell me that the rear brake drums are leaking fluid and that won't pass inspection and also that the rack and pinion are starting to leak but that would pass. So, we got the van inspected and the fuel system cleaned and the rear brake drums fixed from leaking to the tune of $363 and some change. My dad was wonderful and took us over there to pick it up when it was finished and as soon as we pulled out on to Hull St. the check engine light came back on and it started sputtering again, so the $60 we paid to get the fuel system cleaned didn't work one stinkin' bit. We should of just drove down Hull St. which is a street we frequent quite a bit and let 60 one dollar bills blow out the window, that is soooooo the way we felt. So, since paying all this money we didn't have anymore to fix the other problems and were getting really sick of our 2004 van that we have had since Christopher was two weeks old. Then to top it off Randy's new car (not new but new to him) that he got for work has been giving him problems too. We think it is just the battery and he is in the process of getting a new one as I type. So needless to say, we have been really sick of vehicles. Well, come to find it wasn't his battery after all it was his starter so that had to be replaced. And, then yesterday, he blew a tire on 95 going to a customers house and ended up getting all four tires replaced. But good news, two Mondays ago, (July 21,2008) we ended trading in our 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan for a brand-new 2008 Grand Caravan. I have been so happy with it. It is so beautiful and it has a DVD Player for the boys, which they love and it also has the GIG entertainment system in it with Sirius satellite radio free for one year. I have found an awesome 80's station that I love, it brings back memories, lets just say that. I am going to take some pictures of the van and post them soon. Plus, we got a really good deal on the van and now we don't have any car troubles, YEAH!

Blogs are the best!!!

When blogs first came out, I didn't know what they were about or even what they were used for and then I found out by accident when my dear friend in Utah started one and she emailed me the address. I loved the idea that you could let your friends and family that are sooooo far away or maybe even close by keep an eye on the happenings of your family. Me, being a very into my friends and family kind of person, finally decided I should start a blog and I am so glad that I did. I have also found old friends and now can keep in touch with them by blogging, I LOVE IT!!!!!! Life can get so hectic at times and for me I am glad that blogging is my outlet to de-stress. It has been so good for me. My dear friend that I mentioned above has two adorable twins and I wish Utah and Virginia where closer or next to each other would be even better but they are not so seeing these two adorable babies through their mommies blog has been wonderful. (G, keep the pics and videos coming :) Lastly, I just wanted to say that I love my friends and family, old and new, very much and am so grateful for them.

Chesterfield's own-Smithfield the Pig

We went to see Smithfield the Painting Pig at our local library and he is actually from Chesterfield County where we live but he has been on Regis and Kelly and I think Oprah. His latest trip was to America's Got Talent, if you watched the opening of the show on July 15th you would of seen him for about 2 seconds but that was it. He has also had cancer 2x. He does tricks and he paints. He is about 11 years old, she said she bought him when he was 6 weeks old at the Chesterfield County Fair. We went the evening of Christopher's Birthday, sorry this is getting posted so late. It was really fun and the boys enjoyed it.

Cake and Ice cream!

A girl in our ward made the cake and she did a AWESOME job! Our ward had a girls camp fundraiser dinner and silent auction, we won the make a cake auction, YEAH! I researched on line and found a cake very similar to this and emailed it to her and this is what she produced. She is really good. I was pleased and so was Christopher. Those rocks on the cake and next to it were eatable, I found them at Baker's Kitchen (I love that place).

Christopher blowing out his candles, I love this picture with his cheeks all puffed out. I call that perfect timing.

This picture says "I can't believe my boy is four", all over it.

More birthday party pics!

In this game, they had to knock over the tower with the swinging ball. They really liked it.

My brother has worked every weekend for a very LONG time and he finally isn't anymore so then he could come to the party and this is what he does. I feel the LOVE, let me tell you.

This game was red light, green light, they really had fun running.

Nanny and Papa are so awesome, they found this at Harbor Freight and got it for him when we were all down in NC for the Reunion. Notice the red and black chalk box thingy, he decided to unroll the whole thing the other day and I spent two hours untangling a huge mess, let me just tell you, I was not a happy momma after that.

For Christmas, we got him the geotrax grand central station starter set, and so for his birthday we decided to get him some more accessories, he was so excited. Since Saturday my living room has looked like a toy store full geotrax exploded in my living room. And every time we build a cool track little brother has to break it apart. Aren't little brothers fun!?

My baby turned 4!!!!!!!

His actual birthday was yesterday, July 1st, but we had his party on Saturday June 28th, at the park. It was a construction themed party. It was a lot of fun. It wasn't as hot as it could of been, thank goodness.

The kids wore hard hats, tools pouches, and goggles, and at each of the four games they won a tool to put in their pouch.

Mollie (cousin), Bryson, Christopher, Wyley, Ty, and Genecee

This was the first game they played, the bean bag toss. Randy and I made it.

Wyley taking his turn.

Monday night softball adventure!

This is Randy's 3rd softball season and now that the boys are both old enough, they really enjoy going to his games. Alot of their friends come so that makes it fun. Here are some pics of my boys being just what they are BOYS.

That cheesy grin is great. I am suprised he had time to stop for a pic as hard as he was playing.

Christopher kept doing it so my 19 month old thought he was big enough to do it too. This was only once of many times that he zoomed down the hill and of course mommy had to bring the bike back up the hill everytime and if I didn't he would cry and scream. Way to funny!

Some of the time he would make it all the way to the fence.

The safety day at the Mall!

Bryson was crying to get of the stroller because he wanted more than anything to get in the fire truck, as soon as we put him in it, you can see what happened, the cheesy smile emerged. He would of sat there all day probably if we let him. Now, Christopher, on the other hand, wanted so badly to get in the fire truck and as soon as we got close he chickened out. He wouldn't even talk to the fire fighter and he was going to let him get in the very front and he still wouldn't get in.

My boys posing in front of the truck, Christopher is kind of hiding, I don't know what was wrong with him that day.

Once we got into the mall they had more tables set up with neat stuff on each one. At this table, the paint and play store allowed each child to pick a small ceramic figurine to paint, I thought it was awesome and Christopher loves to paint, so he picked a fire fighters hat. He painted it red. I am going to put a magnet on the back and put it on the fridge. It is really cute.

The new look!!!

I have seen other blogs and thought it would be cute to change mine and get a new background, well, I have seen other blogs that have used the site "thecutiestblogontheblock.com" and so I decided to check it out and I am glad that I did. I chose the fire trucks because of course I have boys and I thought it would be cute. I really like the way it turned out. I soooo am proud of myself.