Noah's 1st Trip to the Zoo

My best friend Cassie lives in Denver and came down for a visit. She had only seen Noah on the day he was born and when he was 4 months old, so I was excited to show my pride and joy off to her. We had decided before she got here to meet up with as many friends as we could at the Little Rock Zoo while she was here. It is so hard to coordinate everyones schedules so we were only able to meet up with one other friend at the zoo. April and her son Kyler, step-son Kamden, and her mom met us there. April lives in Sherwood and goes to the zoo often so she was a good guide too!

Checking out the Monkeys

He loved the Monkeys!

Noah wanted to get his hands on that duck!

We had a great time! We went as early as we could all get together to make sure it wasn't too hot. There was alot of shade so that helped alot. I love hanging out with Cassie and April and hate that I don't get the chance to as often as I would like. We should work on that ladies! :)

Noah and the flamingos

This huge turtle walked right up to us!



Me and my squirrel!


After the zoo we stopped in the gift shop to get Noah something for his first zoo trip. I found him a stuffed snake (because he likes to throw things over his shoulder and drag things around) and some excavation equipment that was in animal print! They were so cute!

Aunt Cassie and her boys Noah and Kyler!

Noah's favorite thing at the zoo - the backhoe!

Cassie, Kyler, and April

Noah telling Aunt Cassie all about the penguins!

We then met another friend Courtney that wasn't able to get off work for the zoo trip for lunch. We went to Cracker Barrel and I was so glad we did. Nathan doesn't like that restaurant so it is rare I get to go there.

We tried to get a picture of Cassie and the boys and they both were sleep deprived and just wanted Momma!

Noah loves Aunt Cassie! :)

I love this - such sweet boys!

Noah and I got home in time for him to play in the floor with his new toys and me to watch a movie while soaking up some air conditioning. It was a nice day with great friends! I needed it!

Aunt Jessie Again!

Both of my brothers are having babies soon - ok, well their wives are, but you know what I mean. So, we had them a joint baby shower at my mom's house Sunday. We did a nursery rhyme theme and it really turned out cute. We had a Humpty Dumpty Cheeseball, Three Little Piggy Roast Beef Sandwiches, Rub-a-Dub Dub Three Men in a Tub (floating in the punch), Mary Mary Quite Contrary Vegetable Squares, and The Cow Jumping Over the Moon (cantaloupe slices).

Humpty Dumpty Cheeseball

Cake and Cake Balls

Everything looked great and there was a good turn out of friends and family.

My brother Jeremy and his wife Emily opening gifts

My brother Eli's wife Kesha opening gifts

After the shower we had a birthday party at my house for my Dad's 63rd birthday. We cooked ribs for the first time. I don't like ribs, so I left that up to Nathan. Everyone liked them but Nathan and he is really picky about his BBQ so I think they turned out good.

Me and sweet baby Payton (my brother's niece) that came to Dad's party with them!

Happy 63rd Birthday Dad!

We had a good family Sunday!

Playing in the Dirt

My husband Nathan plays on a men's softball team. They try to play a few weekends a month, which is hard to do with all the busy schedules of the guys on the team. This last weekend they participated in the USSSA North Arkansas Class D State Tournament and ended up with 3rd place. It was pretty hot outside and they played all day - so I was very proud of them for getting 3rd place! There are still a few more tournaments to go this year - maybe they will do even better then! I love watching them play! Nathan has been playing for 2 years and we have no pictures of him playing (shocking for me, I know). So, here are some pictures from this weekend:

Josh getting ready to hit another homerun I'm sure :)

Nathan running the bases.

Nathan running the bases.

Caleb batting - I took all of these pictures through the fence - it was WAY too hot for me
to get out of the shade to take them!

Nathan batting.

Cory batting.

Taking a break in the shade in between games.

Nathan fielding

Giving the paparazzi the peace sign :)

Shaking hands after a win!

They were so hot and tired!



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Back to the fields for another game!

I'm always seeing the beach pictures like this - this was my view for the day!

Nathan batting again - I kind of like him if you can't tell :)

One of my favorite parts - the story telling in between games!

Hot and tired!

 

By the end of the day - they were exhausted!

  It was a long hot Saturday - but a fun one!

Homes for Our Troops

Nathan recently participated in the building of a home through the Homes for Our Troops organization for a local solider, Sgt Marco Robledo, Jr. from the US Army. Nathan dug the footing for the house, built the pad, and did some other work on it. I was so proud of him for donating his time and equipment for such a worthwhile cause.

The parade coming in to the house site.



Sgt Marco Robledo, Jr.


On Friday June 8, 2011 the Build Brigade started to get the home as close as "in the dry" as they could over the weekend. The day started with a parade, some speeches, and then the real work started.

Flag Presentation

Chief of Police presenting Sgt  Robledo with a check

Sgt Robledo giving thanks to everyone there

Due to the extremely hot conditions they were not able to get the home completely in the dry over the weekend but the still got alot done.

What the house looked like Friday morning

Raising of the 1st wall - Sgt Robledo and his parents in the doorway.

What it looked like Sunday afternoon- that is amazing!

Nathan will build the driveway and a few other things once things get done on the house. I can't wait to see the finished product!

Nathan talking to one of the organizers.

This is really a worthwhile cause and I encourage everyone to get involved in any way they can! http://www.homesforourtroops.org/

This is our local heroes story from the Home For Our Troops Website:

Army SGT Marco Robledo was on his first deployment when he was left a double amputee after an IED explosion in Taji, Iraq in May 2007. The third HUMMVEE in a five vehicle route clearing patrol, SGT Robledo was the gunner in the turret when the vehicle rolled over a pressure plated IED; the explosion tearing through the vehicle. After losing consciousness and waking to the smell of something burning, SGT Robledo realized he could not move...what he did not realize was that he had lost his left leg above the knee and his left arm above the elbow as a result of the blast. Caught in an ambush, and with gunfire coming from all directions, he was quickly transported to a local hospital in Baghdad. Marco was soon flown to Ballad before being airlifted to Landstuhl, Germany, then to Andrew’s Air Force Base, and finally to Walter Reed Army Medical Center where he is still being treated, three years after the attack.
SGT Robledo grew up left-handed and has learned to use his right hand to write. He enjoys drawing, working on cars, SCUBA diving, running, swimming and listening to music. He devotes much of his time to helping others. Marco is pursuing a degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland University College.
SGT Robledo is honored to be a part of our nation’s military. He says, "I always wanted to travel and see different places. After deploying and being hurt however, I realized that there is no place like home. Thanks to Homes for Our Troops I will finally have that."