Boone Family Reunion

It's that time again...

The last Sunday in September at 1 o'clock means it's the annual Boone Family Reunion.

We headed out to White Oak Church for the annual get together.  I attended many of these reunions as a child, and it's even more fun to bring my family and my kids back each year.  The weather was beautiful with a few clouds in the sky and a nice breeze.  This year marked the 74th Reunion.  Wow!  That's pretty amazing when you think about it.  Since this was started with my Great Grandfather's siblings and parents, we are much further down/up the family tree.  I only know my Great Grandfather's branch with some accuracy but it's nice to see the dedication of all the family members to get together for this annual event.  

This was the best picture we could get of Granddaddy Bob, Mimi, and our boys.  Multiple complaints were heard about the sun being in eyes, and other adults were not looking at the camera (yes, we mean you, Mimi!) But that's how it goes...

Now just the boys...

We didn't know how Jamison would do since this event began at his normal afternoon nap time, and this boy likes his schedule!  He hung out in the ergo mostly and finally conked out about 2 p.m. when we were getting ready to head home.  I don't think he napped much in the car, but wasn't overly cranky, so it worked out.

Now here's a picture for comparison.  This is Maverick and his great, great uncle Warren, two peas in a pod.  Warren is my grandmother's baby brother.  His hair looked much liked Maverick's is now when he was little, so we wanted a comparison shot.  Uncle Warren talked about how he didn't wear shoes as a child, and doesn't like wearing them much now.  They called him "cotton top" and we have a little cotton top, Jr. on our hands.  He refused wearing shoes the next day.  Maybe Warren is rubbing off on him.  

Front Row Seats

We have not been up to much lately.

I feel like most days I cook, clean up the mess, and do laundry.

A highlight of our day is when we time Chandler's carpool trip to include front row seat for this:

Yes, I could have gunned it and made it under the flashing gates....but why risk it?  Sometimes I don't understand why people will actually idle their car on the tracks waiting for the light to turn green.  Ummm...hello!?!?  You will not win in a battle with a train.  GET OFF THE TRACKS!!!

Plus the boys are super excited to see and hear the train this close.  Man, was this a long one!  Probably the longest that we've seen ever.  It probably had 50 or more cars!

In other news, Jamison is now a paid infant researcher at Duke.  Yes, he has joined the ranks of all his big bros and is now pulling in the big bucks and contributing to world-wide research that is concurrently happening in Japan.  Plus, he looks super cute in his hat!

Hopefully concurrently is not a word that falls into the category of words that my husband claims I use. He says that I use words (that although they are actual words in a dictionary, slang or otherwise) that nobody else uses these words.  Readers, please chime in.  Do you use:

1. Ralph

2. Nonsensical

3. Disheveled

I'm thinking about getting him a word-of-the-day calendar.  

So Proud of my Scouts!

I'm so proud of my husband, Derek, for getting a Cub Scout Pack off and running at our church!  It has taken a lot of work, but they finally had their first meeting.  Derek was worried that they wouldn't get enough interest to form a pack (5 boys are needed) but they had 10 sign up before the meeting and a total of 14 boys came!  It looks like even more will be joining soon.  

Luckily, Derek has four other fathers and one special granddaddy that are helping him out!

Brighton (not in uniform) will be very prepared for scouts when he can officially join (in TWO years!)  He fits right in with the crowd though.

There is a good mix of ages, but mostly 1st-3rd graders.

There is one 5th grader so far, so hopefully he will have another one join him in "webelos"

I've done plenty of behind the scenes work too like sewing TWELVE patches on uniforms, and helping Derek with props, ideas, etc...  I was glad to see it all come to fruition.  It's going to be so fun to see all my boys learn great values and have fun doing it.  They've already got their first camping trip planned for this month.  Let's go Scouts!

When does it count as "crawling"?

This little guy can move!

I'm not exactly sure how he does it because he does it the most when I'm not watching.  I'll put him down in one spot and go about my day, whatever that my entail, and come back and where has he gone?  He especially likes to roll/scrunch/wiggle to get things he shouldn't have.  Here in this series of shots you see that he has moved across the great room to get Brighton's shoe.

Just look at him.  He knows he shouldn't have this shoe.  Whatcha going to do about it, mom?

And they're off...

To preschool, that is.

Maverick is attending a Mother's Morning Out program on Wednesdays and Fridays.  He went there last year on Fridays, so this year he acts like he owns the place.  I wish I had both of my little guys at the same school, but it doesn't always work out that way.  Oh well.

Maverick looks so grown up, here by the front door.  I had just given him a haircut to get those curls under control a little.  His "Big Dog the Builder" shirt is one that he would wear every day if it were clean, so it was only fitting that he picked it for his first day.  He was super excited to go back to school.

I can't believe Brighton is starting his last year of preschool.  I know he'll be ready for Kindergarten in a year, but I'm sure going to miss my cuddle-bug!  He is gaining confidence in his abilities to do things each day, and it makes it much easier without big brother hovering over him.

Love these two middle guys!

5 Months already?

Jamison is 5 month old!

Derek and I catch ourselves all the time saying he is growing up too fast.  It is true!

He is really becoming less baby, and more "boy" everyday.  He starts to grab for things that you are holding if you are holding him like drinks, papers, phones, etc...  He also really has started grabbing my hair.  Another good reason I wear it up most days!

Stats:

Weight: 16 lbs, 11 oz (up one pound from 4 months)

Height: 26"

He's not officially "crawling" but this boy can move!  I will put him in one spot and go somewhere and when I come back he has scrunched, rolled, and wiggled his way to a new spot.  He will be on the go soon, I'm sure.  I won't be starting foods anytime this month, but I think I may do what they call "baby-led weaning".  Not really sure why it's called this, because it has nothing to do with breast-feeding and weaning, but basically you don't do as much of the spoon-fed purees, but allow the baby to try bite-sized pieces of finger foods.  More of a food exploration phase if you might say.  I'm intrigued, so we'll see how it goes.

Jamison is sleeping/napping about the same as four months, but hopefully is getting into a pattern of one awakening during the night between 4-5 a.m.  He really is a good baby and enjoys watching his brothers and swinging in the swing outside.  He likes going on walks, but is not a fan of the carseat.  He's not really a binky baby, but will take it when he's very tired.  No teeth yet, but he likes to bite/gnaw on teething rings.  Chandler is very good at helping me entertain Jamison and it's so cute to see their brotherly bond.  Oh, and I almost forgot...Jamison has discovered his feet in the past week.
It's so cute!  I need to get a picture :)