"I'm gettin' SO big, mommy!"

If you ask this little guy how old he is, he'll promptly answer:

"sixty-teen!"

He tries so hard to keep up with his big brothers and (much to my dismay) usually succeeds!

He's tenacious, hard headed, fearless, and adventurous. He's too smart for his own good and remembers every single thing he hears and sees, yet maintains the uncanny ability to not hear a word you say.

He's got a lot of both of us in him.





He's obsessed with anything he can steer, thus his age of "sixty-teen," for he knows that is driving age.




He's so excited to get older, and I cry just thinking about.



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We're away right now. We needed it. The kids are getting back to nature (and playing with all of their Pop's motorized toys) and Heath and I are spending some quality time talking about future plans and goals for our family. We feel God's nudge and we're working together to make sure we are faithful in our answer. I think it's going to be exciting, scary and wonderful. Stay tuned!

Boys and their Dads

Our recent trip to the lake house over Spring Break secured a fact I've known for a while: my boys are just like their dad!

This isn't a bad thing at all, it's just a fact. They hang upside-down from high places, they skateboard, they build ramps for their trikes and they swim in the Spring. These aren't activities I regularly partake in, although I find swimming in the Summer (when the water is actually warm) quite enjoyable.

But I discovered something recently that proves my kids are at least a part mine:





They enjoy eating sour cream straight from the container!

And that folks, is all MY doing!

Being a boy

Being a boy...



Can be really tough work...



There are often a lot of ups....



And downs...



And sometimes you get so dirty and tired, the only remedy is a rest on a park bench.



But being a boy is so much fun that all of that hard work and play is long forgotten as soon as your head hits the pillow.



And then, before you know it, it's time to get back up and climb another mountain.

I love the life of a boy!

Monday Morning Madness

Just so you don't think your house is the craziest one on the block!

Here's what Cash thinks that almonds are for...

Now that's one scary monster!

Freebie Friday - in the Blueberry Patch

Many of you know that we get our veggies from a local CSA, so why not grab our blueberries straight from the bush?

And, at less than $1 a pound, you don't even have to hide in the bushes to eat them... although, if you are as cute as Analeigh, it's just fine!

All of the kids had a blast running through the bushes.  It made our job as parents super easy... lots of running and a snack ready for you at every corner?  What kid wouldn't be in heaven?

Some of these cuties did manage to get a few berries in the basket...

and some of the berries that made it in were dropped when the wild yahoos ran like the wind...

 But either way, it didn't matter.  We had fun and learned a ton!

And isn't that what it's all about?

The start of lake house season

In the summer, we spend ever moment we can at the lake house.  There isn't a phone, cable or internet - and that's just perfect!  Cash likes to make sure that he's well-prepared, so he dressed in full lake apparel!

When we're at the lake, we eat outside.  Such a fun simple pleasure!

You have to stay well hydrated in the hot sun at the lake.  But that's a tall order when your daddy won't stop tickling you!

This is Cash's new "what?" face.  I don't love it, but had to capture it on film.

Even at the lake, with the "big water" at our disposal, the "little water" still reigns supreme.

This little one has this guy wrapped around her finger...hopefully she won't be able to get away with everything when she's a teenager!  Yipes! (but super cute!)

We're already getting ourselves ready to head back to the lake for the 4th, so expect lots of good pictures!  What are your plans for the 4th?  Do they involve lots of sun?  If so, go here to score a free Coppertone Waterbabies gift pack.  We're always trying to save around here!

'Lana's and Lake Houses, Can't Have One Without the Other

It is well documented that E. Stone loves spending time at the lake house. Recently, we had our neighbors join us for a lake house weekend with their daughters Elana and Shoshi. E. Stone and Elana also have a well documented love affair. Remember this photo? So, it didn't come as a surprise to me that E and I had the following conversation today as he drove his little red car around the playroom:

Momma: Where are you going?
E. Stone: Lake house (long pause) 'Lana? 'Lana, where are you?
Momma: Do you need Elana to go to the lake house with you?
E. Stone: Where 'Lana? Go! Go!

And, just in case my "older child" match making doesn't play out, I have a back up!


Don't worry David and Barrett, we're happy to accept this beautiful tray you made us as a thank-you gift as a dowry instead:)

Where going?

Lately, the Chambers family has been on the move. We haven't been at home hardly any weekends this summer. So when this weekend rolled around and we didn't pack up to go anywhere, E. Stone was perplexed...

E. Stone: Where going, momma?
Momma: We're staying here buddy
E. Stone: Nanny house?
Momma: No, but that sure was fun last weekend, wasn't it?
E. Stone: (slight pause) NiNi's house?
Momma: No, buddy we're staying home this weekend, but we're going to Nanny's house next weekend.
E. Stone: (really loud and in an "ah ha" tone) Lake House!

Don't worry, we'll continue to indulge his traveling ways... Next weekend we're off to Decatur for the big Wise County Reunion, then the next weekend we're off to the lake house with neighbors. After that, the boys head back to Nanny's so that Heath and I can go to a wedding in Virginia. Whew!

Man of many hats...

This kid can work wonders with a tupperware drawer... and how cute is he?

We float through the air with the greatest of ease....

To kick off the 4th of July festivities, our families went to the big city of New York, Texas for a zip line adventure. What fun we had! I never thought I would handle soaring through the trees with such little anxiety, but it was a blast! The home and grounds were breathtaking - and the guides were so fun. I can't wait to head back again. This would be such a fun thing to do... after all, aren't staycations all the rage this year? I'm so in vogue! Here we are up on the platform ready to ride. The trees were beautiful!
Kim (Heath's mom) was a hoot! She had so much fun, but never knew whether she should laugh or scream. It made for a pretty funny combination sound! Here she is tooting the horn to come to a stop.
All of us in or gear. My parents were sweet enough to stay behind and help with the kids so Heath and I could go. The kids had a blast exploring while we were out.
Me in my construction worker's garb. Watch out, it might be next season's black!

4th of July Recap

Fourth of July this year, as always, was a blast! It's the only holiday that we ALL spend together... and by ALL, I mean my family, Heath's family, my sister's husband's family and another very special family - who might as well be a part of ours!

The big boys actually made it to the fireworks this year, but Holden passed out early. Everyone had a blast and we can't wait to do it again next year!

Happy Fourth of July

First the bad, (for you, that is!) And the good!

We're at the lake celebrating* but wanted to give you a little taste at how the Chambers' family is eating their way through the fourth! We promise to have lots of fun photos of our time at the lake when we return. Have a safe and happy fourth!

* This post was written on Wednesday and set to auto post... what can I say? I'm very sneaky!

At the lake silly!

Where we had loads of fun trying new things! Like casting spells on sandcastles ala Harry Potter... hey, you saw my scar, didn't you?
Riding in a wheel barrow - mom is not the best driver of these things!
Loading little brothers into tractors.
Finally, I can drive this thing better than mom!
Riding with Pop! What a fun father's day weekend we had!

Where in the world is Holden Brazell Chambers?

Take a guess in the comments...