the stringers

Monday, July 19, 2010

"high water!"

There is this pretty fountain near our neighborhood and every time we drive by Smith says, "high water!" He gets so excited and VERY disappointed that we are not getting "OUT!"

So Sunday night after dinner, we took a little trip to visit the "high water" and he loved it.

Friday, July 16, 2010

"There's Bop!"

"No, Smith, that's Brett Favre!"

Every time we see someone who even somewhat resembles my father-in-law....

Smith starts pointing and yelling, "Bop! Bop!"

I always get a kick out of who HE thinks looks like Bop and today just took the cake!!! We were in Wal-Mart, saw the above advertisement, and Smith got really excited and said, "Bop!"

I called Reed immediately so he could tell his dad...
(I had to compose myself before I could call him!)

Take it as a compliment, Bop.....
you must be one HOT grandpa!!!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Miss Mississippi

I was looking back at my blog and realized I

never actually posted this and wanted to share....

My friend Heidie is the Director of the Miss Mississippi State Pagent, which is a preliminary for Miss Mississippi. For the past 5 years, I have had the opportunity to help her with the pagent and also with preparing our Miss MSU to compete at Miss MS! We help with their wardrobe, critique their talent, and conduct mock interview sessions.

Each summer, we head to Vicksburg in July and spend the week at Miss MS! I don't like the time away from Smith and Reed, but Reed and I have a mutual agreement that Miss America is MY Superbowl, therefore, the events leading up to Miss MS and the week of, is like Spring Training and football season. Even though this was my last Miss MS as a Mississippian, I have promised Heidie that it won't be my last. It is something I already have penciled in my calendar for next summer!

This year, we had a WONDERFUL represntative! Miss MSU Fenly Akers won a swimsuit prelimiary AND was named 4th alternate to Miss Mississippi!

Fenly at an autograph party.

For the first time, Laura and Anne Parks were able to come to one night of the preliminary competition.

Fenly's tv interview after winning swimsuit prelim.

After the final night of competition.

4th alternate to Miss Mississippi and the entourage...

Sarah Beth James, who was "our girl" last year and who we have come to know and love, was crowned Miss Mississippi!!! We were all so proud!

Heidie already has our hotel room booked in Vegas for our trip to cheer on SB

at Miss America in January....

I guess I will be on standby depending on when baby boy Stringer makes his arrival!

Happy Birthday, America!

We had a really great 4th of July. The weather was perfect and the kids loved playing outside at the cabin!

Smith got a slip'n'slide for his birthday and Grandpa had a big tarp set

up with all the water toys so they could play!

This is my FAVORITE picture from this summer. Smith loves Grandpa and his two favorite words to say to Grandpa are "outside" and "ride!" They are always playing outside and taking a ride either on the 4-wheeler or the golf cart!!!

Another favorite moment was when I looked out the window and saw that Grandpa was trying to teach Smith how to drink water from the hose! It was priceless!

Smith even caught his FIRST fish!

After a day at the cabin, Tizzie, Grandpa, Smith and I headed to Philadelphia to watch the fireworks show at the casino. He wasn't too sure about them and I ended up taking him inside for most of the show.

Hope you all had a FUN FOURTH, too!

a VERY special FATHER'S day!

Reed had been in South Carolina for a MONTH before he showed up in Carthage for Father's Day. It was the longest he and I had ever been apart, and most definitely hard for him not to see Smith all that time!

I think he was worried that Smith had forgotten about him, but as soon as he opened the door, that fear went away! Smith was SO excited and he didn't leave Reed's side all week!

Grandpa and Tizzie also got the kids a swing set for THEIR backyard! It was actually ours when we were kids and my daddy just cleaned it up and added some new parts! We are proud they have it and the kids love it!

I am so thankful for all the FATHERS in my life. It would take a lifetime to tell you how blessed I am to have a husband who is the BEST Daddy to Smith... and also to have a wonderful Daddy and Father-in-law, too!

I love you all! Thanks for EVERYTHING you do!

this kid's got style...

Birthday Party!

Smith doesn't actually turn TWO until next week, but to make it easier on the family and more fun for the kids, my sister and I decided to throw all three kids a party together! Anne Parks turned FOUR, Smith TWO, and Nora is ONE!

The party was very fun and I think some of the adults (uh hum....Bop)

had as much fun as the kids!