Back at Last

We finally made it back to Tennessee. Woohoo! We weren't gone THAT long, but it sure did feel like it. We ended up staying an extra day to give the kiddos a day to rest. I think we needed the extra day to rest ourselves.

Let me tell you, out of 10 days there, we did some sort of traveling 8 of those days. The point of this story is not how much time we spent on the road, but how many pictures we managed to take despite the time we spent on the road. 196 pictures. Yes! You read that right...196. "How?" you might ask. I haven't the foggiest idea. Between Greg and me, we spent at the least 56 hours driving to, from, and while there. And we still managed to take that many pictures. Crazy! We only got about 4 pictures while in Texas too. Even more crazy! I think our camera needs as much rest as we do.

The camera broke loose of the black bag as soon as we arrived in Louisiana. Uncle Brad, Aunt Marla, Breyden, and Kenden came to see us at Pawpaw and Fifi's. They broke out the Slip 'N Slide, and the boys had a blast.

In our defense on the number of pictures, Evie had her 1st birthday while we were home. So you know right there was half of the pictures because in true Hasley form, she had 2 parties. Wednesday night we went to Pawcaw and Nana's to celebrate Evie's birthday. Evie even got a special birthday dress from Pawcaw and Nana to wear for the big event. She loved sitting in the rocking chair. She looks like a little lady.
Pawcaw was glad to have some helping hands in the garden. John Reagan had a blast exploring the garden, but the real fun for him was riding on the lawn mower which he calls a tractor. Like cousin Breyden, the boy loves tractors.

I am sure John Reagan is getting the full run down on corn right about now.

While in Louisiana, we all finally got to meet our first little niece, Annie Ray. John Reagan calls her Auntie Ray. It is so cute how he says it. I don't know if you have deduced yet that John Reagan loves babies, so I will go ahead and tell you, John Reagan loves babies. He held Annie more than Greg and me. He was kissing all over her face and hands. When anybody was holding her, John Reagan would run up, grab her hand, and start kissing on it.

After playing dress up with Evie and all the fun of gardening and new baby, we finally got to the festivities. Evie had a blast checking out all her presents.

It took a while to go through all the gifts, and she had had just about enough by this point. I can hear her saying, "Get this out of my face."

She was ready for her cake. A girl can only take so many presents before she needs some sugar. Since Aunt Tiffany made the cake and she LOVES icing, she loaded Evie up with the icing.

We did get a couple of days at Pawpaw and Fifi's where we were able to lay around and enjoy a little freedom. John Reagan followed Pawpaw's every move, even down to watering the plants. Seeing as how John Reagan loves the water, he started telling Pawpaw to spray him down. Needless to say, he went from fully clothed to this before the plants were watered.

Party #2 was on Sunday. Pawpaw's birthday is the day before Evie's, so we had one big birthday bash for Pawpaw and Evie with lots of family. We had a mini family reunion and birthday party all in one.

This would be Cake #2. She had the system down pat by this one.

The party wore John Reagan out. He played hard with all his first, second, and third cousins. About 7:00 that afternoon, he asked for some cookies. That would be John Reagan terminology for Nilla Wafers. After about 2 cookies, this is what happened.

To round out our trip, we rode down to Lake Conroe in Texas on Monday to have a mini reunion with Greg's family. This would be the time we didn't get the pictures we should have. We did get this picture though.

We discovered that Evie loves babies as much as John Reagan. She tried to get Annie Ray and hold her herself. It was too cute. Annie found out about personal space while we were there. After we got home, John Reagan informed us that he wanted a baby. Greg asked him if he wanted a brother or another sister like Evie, and he said, "I do." At least we know both of our children will be fascinated with a baby if nothing else.

I am going to give you a little teaser now...

Stay tuned for some big news coming in a few days to a week.

And NO, it is NOT baby news.

Celebrating the 4th

We were able to celebrate the 4th of July two nights in row this year. Friday night we went to some friends house and had a bonfire. John Reagan had so much fun playing woofle ball, basketball, running around, and just having a blast.

Last night we went to my aunt's and uncle's house in Bellevue and spent most of the night visiting with family. John Reagan got to run around and play with 2 of his cousins. We usually only get to see them once a year, if then, and it is usually the 4th.

We ate very well...grilled chicken and ribs, potato salad, baked beans, fried rice, bread, and I don't even know what else. The best part was the homemade ice cream. Evie would definitely agree with that statement. John Reagan would say the best part was the sparklers. I don't know how many Michael and Cynthia bought on their way in from Ohio, but let me tell you, the sparklers seemed to be never ending.

John Reagan was as fascinated with them not lit as he was with them lit.

Morgan, Meagan, and John Reagan.
Michael giving John Reagan a light. I sure am glad the only time I will be saying this is over fireworks.

I tried so hard to get John Reagan and the girls lined up where you could see them all well, but John Reagan was taking his space. Probably a good thing. I wouldn't have wanted him poking them with sparklers.

The funniest part about the night was what John Reagan learned. There was a concrete post close to where John Reagan was doing his sparklers, so every time a sparkler would finish up, Greg would take the tip and put it out on the pole. After about 2 or 3 times John Reagan decided he could do it. He would put the ember out then pass the stick to Greg. Too funny!

We had a little flip-flop in the kiddos too. We were shocked when we got there and our shy little boy took off ready to play with the girls. Greg did have to go downstairs with him a minute or two, but not long. We were even more shocked when our little miss social Evie was being shy and whiny. She did finally warm up and start talking. Must have been that little unexpected, unneeded nap she caught on the way.

We had a great time visiting and always enjoy our time with Uncle Gordon and Aunt Mary.

We were sad to hear the news about Steve McNair's passing but even more sad that his tragedy overshadowed the celebration of our nation here in the Nashville area. It is a shame that many families across the nation were mourning the loss of loved ones on what should be a great day of rest and celebration. Hope you all had a very wonderful, very blessed day with family and/or friends.

We will be headed to Louisiana Tuesday, so I will be out of commission for a week or so. Will be seeing some of you while on our blog hiatus. For those of you we won't see, talk to you when we get back.

Summer Fun!

Hi all! This is Brandi here. You know, Brandi Hasley, the keeper of this blog. The one who has been playing the disappearing act for the past 2 1/2 weeks now. Summer time is in full swing in case you haven't noticed with all the heat. In all the busyness, you the readers have been the ones being neglected. Sorry for that! As a result, you are about to experience what is known as "Information Overload." Prepare yourselves because in one quick slip you are about to span the scope of 2 weeks along with some forgotten photos.

To start...I am going against my grain and starting with the most recent photos, which would be today. John Reagan and I went to the zoo with some friends today. We left Evie and Daddy home. We had lots of fun and are very thankful for the invite.

The boys had lots of fun together.

The diving duck! His booty is sticking up under the log...kind of hard to see.

I think climbing/propping up on everything was the most fun for them.

I just love this picture. They were being silly, but it turned out to be so cute!

Here is where the story gets funny! We (as in the fam-Mom, Dad, John Reagan, and Evie) went to the zoo about 2 weeks ago before Daddy had to really dive into some work. We enjoyed the time we had there...until the storm clouds moved in. Everyone filed into the house for the snakes, spiders, frogs, and anything else kept inside. It was so overcrowded. The rain slacked off enough that Greg decided we should make a break for the vehicle. Seeing as how we had only been through half of the zoo, I was almost to the point of begging him to wait out the rain. I kept telling him it wouldn't last long. For some reason he was bent on getting home. The worse of the storm was toward home, so I didn't understand that logic. The rain did stop, and Greg still hasn't heard the end of that one. Anyway, I was thankful I had 2 white shirts on instead of one. That could have been interesting.

Here are the few tidbits we did enjoy.
The Elephants!

John Reagan telling Daddy all about the giraffes.

Evie checking everything but the animals out along with snacking.

One of the storks (I think).

We were headed toward the zebras when we saw the clouds coming. The good news is John Reagan got to see the rest of the zoo animals today. I was happy about that as is Greg I am sure because he no longer has to hear about leaving too early last time. Our first trip to the zoo was on a Tuesday. The Monday after that we decided to head to the greenway here in town to get a good walk in and give John Reagan and Evie some stroller ride time. I think we need to purchase a weather radio for our vehicle because halfway into our walk it started raining on us. Yes, that means twice in one week we got wet very unintentionally. John Reagan and Evie loved the rain. Evie kept sticking her head out of the stroller so she could get wet. It was too funny and too cute!

To finish off our two weeks I wanted to show you a few tidbits of the fun. I don't usually put bath tub pictures on here but couldn't pass this one up. They both had bubble beards; although, you can't really see Evie's.

Evie has discovered that she likes water. The best part about the water to her is sticking her hand in the glass, which would be our glasses. Only Daddy lets her do that. She was having so much fun! You can actually see the top teeth too. She finally got her third bottom tooth in a week ago. We are up to 7 teeth now.

She couldn't hang on any longer.

John Reagan doesn't know how to leave Midnight alone. He follows the cat outside just about every time he goes. He doesn't have a problem getting on Midnight's level no matter where that might be.

I don't remember what was going on here, but I couldn't pass it up. I am pretty sure he is telling me something "very important" though.

John Reagan has discovered the joy of taking pictures. He is always wanting the camera to take pictures all by himself. He is like his Daddy...he isn't going to miss a thing with the camera even if that means 20 pictures in 10 seconds. This picture is from Daddy helping him. I thought it turned out very sweet!

I added these last two in just because I love them. Before the beetles decided to devour my roses, I got a few pictures.

I hope you still have a few brain cells left. I will go ahead and prepare you now...the next blog will come Sunday. We are headed to Louisiana on Tuesday, so you know that means you will get a break for at the least a week. Talk to you Sunday.

Love,

Brandi