Look who's turning 9!

Tanner arrived back in town from a fun weekend celebrating a wedding & birthday's with his Dad and their family in Branson to an ambush of friends with Nerf guns!  Dave & I planned a surprise party for his 9th birthday!

Then it was onto the Nerf Gun battle that awaited the boys & a game of capture the flag!  OK, multiple games of capture the flag!  They had a blast & played for what seemed like forever!  Dave & Mike got in on the action & Zach even showed up & played for awhile!  

First to draw colors to determine your team, blue or orange

These are the flags Dave made the for Capture the Flag

 

The big boys got in on the fun too!  It was hard to tell who had more fun, the big ones                                                                or the little ones!

On to the gifts!

 A Kindle!  I got a Kindle!!

This is as good as it got for this Mama this year!  I ran out of time & didn't get to finish with all the little touches I wanted!  But you know what...the boys didn't have a clue & thought it was THE BEST birthday party ever!

 

 Wish big Tanner!  I hope you're 9th year is the best one yet!

 Everyone grabbing some goodies to go along with their dirt dessert (the birthday boy's favorite since he doesn't like cake)! 

  Tanner showed his friends that this is how he eats his dirt dessert!  
WHAT IN THE...

 Then a couple of his buddies wanted to give it a try!  

 
Grandma & Grandpa came down to join in the birthday celebration!

My baby boy isn't such a baby anymore!  Happy 9th birthday sweet boy!

Another school year starts....look out third grade!

EBC 62nd annual picnic!

Our first picnic with our church was such a fun one!  We are lucky to have found such a great church home!

A whole new me

You just know when you're changing...you feel it and then one day you really see it.

It's funny too b/c when I really think about it, I've changed so many times in my life!  

Right now I mean my style.  The clothes I wear, the make up, jewelry, shoes...I can remember times when I was so very a natural & then times when I was more glammed out & all jeweled up!  Right now it seems that I am much more simple and girly!  Floral...curls...pink & not so much bling!  

In 2012 I found a bracelet that said Live Loud & that became my motto for the year.  SO FAR BEHIND ME...I don't wanna live loud anymore!  I just want to be happy & enjoy life with my son, my love, his kids and our new family!  I absolutely love where I am today!  The only thing missing here is my best friend Holly!

Turns out I have a baseball lovin' boy!

The Money Maker's is what they decided to call their team!  This is Tanner's first time playing baseball & he's already told me he's addicted!  So fun watching as he practices & plays each week!  Dave says maybe by Senior year I'll have it figured out when he needs the glove & hat after last night!  He was heading out as catcher & I had taken his glove from him & put it in the dugout!  He was getting ready to head out to hit & I tried to give him his baseball hat rather than his helmet!