4th of July

We had a very uneventful 4th of July. We didn't go out of town, we really didn't do much of anything, but it was a very enjoyable day. We got up late and piddled around the house watching Wimbledon until we went swimming at Ms. Teddie's house around 2:00. The babies only last about 2 hours like that so by 4, they were "done" and ready to take a nap. I must say all three boys are doing so well in the water now that we've been to the beach already. Again, Blake was still out of town, we missed him terribly. We grilled out some dinner and ate really late for us. All in all, it was a relaxing, restful day. I didn't get any pictures, the 4th this year really was an unphotographable event (is that a word?). I didn't even bake anything fun which is very odd for me.

Friends Over

Recently we had some good friends over to eat dinner. I made mexican lasagna, Jen made this ridiculous chocolate cake and Jana brought chips and salsa from Las Margaritas. Jason and Dennis aka: Purvis are good friends of Will's from college that over the past 10 years, we've done our best at staying in touch. Somehow college friends are in this separate category...almost in the family category. What I mean is when you are together with those people, college buddies, the comfort level high and it's always fun, even with all of our children. Jason married Jen, who didn't go to Lee with us (she's younger than us) and Dennis married Jana, who we also didn't go to Lee with (again, she's younger than us). We love both of the wives and enjoy getting together when we can. Between the 3 families, we have 7 children (4 of which we supplied, ha!).








Okay, so Dennis and Jana's little girl Maren is an exact clone of her father, holy smokes she looks like him.

This is Jen, Jason's wife along with Brett and Tucker. Let me also point out the lovely sunflower wallpaper in this house we live in. We are renting this house and it's been a year of living with the wallpaper and I'm getting very close to being well over the gros decor.
Something else funny is now that Jason lives in Cleveland, so many people say that Will and Jason look so much alike. I really personally don't see it but I can see a resemblance every once in awhile.







These are Jason and Jen's girls. One looks like Jason and one looks like Jen, to me. Brett was so excited to have them over, they played so well together. Blake was missing, he was in Atlanta visiting his Mema and Grand-daddy.






Cute, cute family.





















Here's Jason and Will, do they really look that much alike? Sometimes I say yes and most of the time I say no. Anyhow, here's Jason and Jen together, aren't they sweet?

That was then, this is now.

THEN

Often I take for granted the fact that we had 2 babies born at 33 weeks and were both less than 6 pounds. When I think about those days Tucker was in the hospital (13 to be exact), most of them we spent in Villa Rica, it makes me count our blessings. If you don't remember, let me refresh your memory. The twins were born at 33 weeks and Tucker was 5 pounds 11 ounces and Graham, 5 pounds 1 ounce. Graham came out strong and ready to go but Tucker on the other hand had a very slow start and spent 13 very LONG days in the NICU in Chattanooga. It might have been the 13 longest days of our lives. Every morning and every evening, sometimes more, we'd call and check on Tucker to see how he was progressing. He also had some very special visitors those days, code name: Tucker's Cuddlers. These people were angels sent from heaven, I do believe. Graham came home with us and it was a bitter sweet homecoming. We were happy to be home with Graham but so sad to leave Tucker behind. Okay, so enough sappy stuff. Tucker is at the top and this is Graham to the right.

These two photos remind me of where we started. Then I can smile real big and say this is where we are now. They are complete and total boys: bruised up, tripping eachother, breaking legs, throwing food, spitting milk, pouring entire cups of water out of the tub onto the floor. So, if you ever imagine what its like to have 4 boys...all of the above.

NOW

Tucker



You can see the bruises etc. all over Tuck's face.
He's an accident looking for a place to happen.














Graham




Graham has less bruises to show but has a fractured shin bone at this time so he's walking with a cute limp.







Seriously, they are a mess but so much fun. Who in the world thought we'd have twin boys and who really thought we'd have 4 total boys. Let's just say I'm going to be very used to smelly socks and buying 4 gallons of milk a week!!!

Ahhh...Amelia Island, FL

We took our annual trip to Amelia Island, FL this past week. Oh, what fun it was. We didn't do much at all except play on the beach, eat, read, sleep and play some more on the beach. It was totally my kind of vacation. All of my children loved it and played their little heads off every day. Graham was a challenge since he has a fractured leg (with no cast) but by the end of Thursday, he was walking with a cute limp. He's a trooper and is now on it all the time. I think it's healing but we go back to the dr. this week.

Will's sisters kids.

My brother Todd and his lovely children.
Will's other sisters kiddos.
Phyllis and all 9 of her grandchildren. She was thrilled to have them all there.

We got down there on Saturday and immediately all of the children headed out to the beach. Will and I nominated ourselves to go grocery shopping so that was an adventure. We mostly ate in every night with the exception of Will and I going out twice without children. Oh, how nice that is to go to a restaurant and not have to worry about anyone but yourself. The other nights we cooked in and bought lots of fresh seafood from the seafood market: copia fillet, shrimp, snapper, more shrimp and yes, some live crab. Don't worry, I had nothing to do with those poor little creatures. I think I gained 48 pounds while we were there. The week consisted of no exercise, unless chasing children counts and lots of eating whatever we could find that's bad for you. I loved it.

Amelia only comes once a year and we start looking forward to it 6-8 months in advance. This was my 10th year going down there as a part of this very large extended Foreman/Campbell family vacation.

Better late than never!

So, I have been thinking about blogging for a very long time and have just now decided, better late than never. I guess I'm addicted because I love reading other blogs and knowing what's going on in their families. It's so fun!! My biggest fear though is not being able to keep up with it so we'll just have to wait and see how it goes. If you are reading this first post, you're probably thinking, man, this is boring. Stay tuned, our life is somewhat crazy and the name is very fitting because every night at our house is truly a 3-ringed circus.