Pics of the Family

If You Are Going to Play, Play Fair

Landon loves to play putt putt. We all know that if we go anywhere there is a miniature golf course, we are going to have to play it at some time or another or be harrassed by the little man. The thing about Landon is is that he is very competitive when it comes to sports in general and that includes putt putt. When we went to the beach in November of last year, I dominated the course. This really upset Landon. Not only to lose, but to lose to HIS MOTHER. This time, Landon wanted to play and he didn't care if there was a line to China and if the temperature was 105 degrees, he was going to play and win. It started off like usual, James in first, me, Landon then Logan. Logan has a hard time playing putt putt and texting at the same time, so of course his game is not what it use to be. I don't worry too much about James. Eventually all of his gloating about being in first place comes back to bite him in the butt and he starts missing the easy shots. I really wasn't trying to hard this time either. It was 10:30 at night, I was sleepy, sweating and plain irritated by waiting on this very slow group that was ahead of us. They acted like they had never been to a putt putt course before in their life. They took their time watching each other putt (all 8 of them) and then cheering if any of them made it in the hole at 3 putts. This was a par 2 course. I don't think they understood what that meant. Anyway, we played. James kept score. When he announced that he was still winning, Landon was a little perturbed. I think you can tell that in the first pic. The second pic shows just how over it Logan was. He was like me, he could have cared less and it was so darn hot. In that pic, James isn't smiling because he never smiles until the picture is over. He just can't get it timed right. The third pic is Landon and James adding up the score. Landon is the self profressed (and yeah, he is) math genius and just really didn't trust his dad's adding abilities. So he was double checking. Ended up James won, then Landon, then me and then Verizon Wireless' favorite customer. James was gloating, which was to be expected. We had a cure for that though. As soon as we got in the truck, Landon, Logan and I all high fived each other and announced that the "Plan" worked. James was confused, of course. We told him we let him win. We had planned on playing poorly just to let him have this one win. The gloating stopped. Just so you know, we didn't plan anything, but if it makes our poor loser self feel better and make James wonder about his win, it is so worth it.

Well, It Sure Does Get Wet Out Here

We are steadily making our way out of the ocean. I keep asking James and the boys do they feel ok. They assure me all is well. We finally make it past the sea wall (which is just a few rocks to break the waves coming into the inlet) and they are getting a little wet. Not too bad. Laughing and carrying on with all kinds of excitement. The further out we go, the bigger the waves get. Up to 6 ft waves. No kidding. The boat was tossing and turning and we were soaked. I wish I could have got some better pics, but I had to eventually put the camera away for fear of messing it up and for the fact that my eyes were about to burn out of my head. My contacts were hard and threatening to pop out at any second. Couldn't have that. I can't see two feet in front of me without them. I needed to be able to see should I have to start some nursing duties with my boys. (that includes James) I figured I needed to be able to see should the boat capsize too. I want to be well aware of what was swimming toward me. The picture I did get of the waves was as we came back in the inlet wall. James has some on his phone of how high the waves were. You can tell by the boys expressions they were none too happy! The boat company usually will reschedule your ride if you can't see dolphins. They actually gave our money back because they admitted when they got us into dock that they should have never taken us out that far in the ocean with the approaching storm that was coming. I knew something was up and told James that when the captain kept talking on his radio and looking up in the sky. When he actually hightailed it back into the inlet and announced that because of the waves the dolphins wouldn't come up, we knew there was more to it. There was. Thankfully, we got our 85 dollars back.

All to See the Dolphins

We decided to go on the boat tour from Murrell's Inlet to the ocean (about two miles out past the inlet area) to see the dolphins. Now, the boys and James have never been on a boat in the ocean. I had told them that it gets a little rough past the inlet wall so be sure not to overeat or anything. I really didn't want them to be puking overboard on some sweet dolphins head, but I was prepared to hold back hair (Logan), wipe a forehead (James) or rub a back (Landon) should the need arise. Here are some pics as they are getting ready to board the boat and on the boat. They are thinking everything is great. Wait til the next post.

BIG HAIR and a LITTLE HUMIDITY

Ok, so we go on this boat to go and look at dolphins. (I will actually be posting that story soon with PICS!!) Logan decides that we need to sit near the back of the boat. I am good with whatever. I am just like let's get the show on the road. It's only 110 degrees outside and I am sweating like a bull. (I usually don't sweat!) Low and behold as we were sitting there waiting for the boat to get going, this guy, YEAH, THAT IS A GUY, comes on the boat and sits a couple seats ahead of us. I can't even begin to believe his hair. What made it worse is the guy looked just like Napolean Dynamite from the front. Wish I could have taken a picture of him from the front, but I didn't want to be TOO obvious. Plus, between James laughing so loud and both boys scrambling for their cell phones to take pictures of this guy's hair, I figured I better take what I could get.

Landon and His Birthday

Landon's birthday was the 24th of July. Right in the middle of the vacation week. We took time out to have a little party. I do have a video of him cutting his cake and me singing to him, but I haven't figured out how to turn it right side up yet and post it on here. It may have to be posted onto Youtube whenever I get it edited. He wanted to go to the Hard Rock Park and that is what we did (terribly overpriced!). He rode his first roller coaster (the Led Zepplin) and it was huge. We bought the video of that because his expressions were priceless. That will also go on You tube whenever I figure out how to save it to my computer (help Kailee!) and upload it to there. I think if I send it in to America's Funniest Home Videos it will probably help pay for college. Don't get too excited thinking James and I went all out to surprise our little man with balloons on his big day. Those were the neighbors and we figured what the hey. We took him outside and let him look at them. We did order the fab cake from Priceless Desserts (I know its small but that cost me 20 bucks) and it was wonderful. It was layered pound cake and icing. Kind of like a wedding cake taste to it, but it was yummy.

James in Shorts and Shirtless

James doesn't like to wear shorts too much because of his psorasis. I say be thankful you have two legs. I don't like to see my fat butt in a bathing suit either, but hey, I could be dead. We have a lot to be thankful for, so what if we aren't perfect. One day, we will be. Right now, I want to live my life to the fullest, fat and all. We have eternity to roam around in Heaven being perfect.

What is a little inconvience now?

The Start of the Hewell Vacation

I never really realized how much crap we pack just to go on vacation. From the clothes, shoes, bathroom items and medicine, well its a heck of a lot. James packs really way too many clothes for himself. I don't even think he wore the same thing twice. Logan is like me, wash it and wear it again. It's all good. Landon takes way too much. In fact, he has his own suitcase. He packs so much because the least bit of water or whatever that gets on his clothes is reason enough to change. Soon you will see a picture of just how Landon feels about his clothes being wet. I guess my biggest overindulgence that I took on vacation with me was my flip flops. All 6 pair and I bought another pair down there. The pic above is a picture of all the medicine we have to take with us....I jokingly tell James it's just proof of how much medicine I have to have to go vacation with HIM. Technically, most of the meds is his. Like for his ulcer and cream for his psorasis. Plus his vitamins; you know he is ALMOST 40. Mine was simple, headache medicine (God Bless whomever came up with Midrin), Bayer aspirin (for my heart), my vitamins because James says I am almost 40!, my diet pills (love ya Blaise!!) and my stool softener....don't ask.

Ok...Here are the Vacay Pics and Stories

The next few posts are going to be about the vacation and I will be posting some pics with them. Make sure to read them all. Some you might even find hilarious.

My Great Nephew and My Dad

Here are some pics of my great nephew, Christian and my dad. Christian is my brother's grandson and the son of Chris (Joey's oldest son). I look at these pictures and see Chris when he was that age. Always with his papa and me. He was such a blessing to both me and my dad after my mom died. He would stay with us and would call when he heard our cars pull into our driveway. He would say on the phone "you home, I coming, watch for me" and he would start off up the field to our house. Then his little sister came along and she stayed with us too. Not quite as much as he did, she loved being with her mom, but that was good times.

In these pics, Christian is waiting patiently for James to cut the cake and then he is eating his. He was a little perplexed because we didn't have the cake out til after everyone finished eating. I heard him ask my dad where the cake was. He also didn't understand why we didn't have candles on the cake. He is too young to explain that James' cake would have burned up should we have put the candles on there...LOL. Plus, we really don't like blowing out candles now since all of the MRSA stuff everyone is getting and just knowing droplets of spit will be on the cake you eat.

James' Revenge on Boston

James can't stand when Boston stares at him when he eats (should have never fed him off your plate, Einstein) so he bought this cute little CAGE to put him in whenever he feels the hate for my sweet Boston. That is about 98% of the time. They are now tied. What will Boston's next move be?

He Looks so Much Older Than Me

and a lot goofier....go on you can admit it.

Ok, Be Honest....

I know I look smoking hot next to this chick. In fact I am so smoking hot I make her look better than me.

Landon's Birthday Gift

My Godparents called on James' birthday wanting to come by and drop off Landon's birthday gift. They said they knew he would be celebrating his birthday at the beach and he would need this to go with him. We had them join us for our hamburgers and cake. Landon ended up with birthday money (from my Godparents and my dad) and a nice Christian t-shirt from Cindi, Dean, Kailee and family. James got a shirt from his sister and her family, the outfits from the boys and I and NO MONEY. Who came out better? Me thinks Landon did.

My Three Kids

Notice the scripture on Landon's shirt and the skulls on Logan's. LOL

I know Kailee doesn't belong to me (even though Cindi says we can have her if we pay for everything) but she seems like she does. James loves having her around. He wishes that Whitney, Ansley and Malorie could all be here like Kailee is.

James' Impromptu Birthday Bash

We had a little impromptu birthday bash for James. We had to celebrate the big 3 8. We had planned to take him out to a nice place like The Galley for dinner but he didn't want a big deal made. Instead we actually threw some burgers on the grill and had cake.

This is What 38 Looks Like

This is what 38 looks like. James on his birthday relaxing by the pool with his 80's swimtrunks on. I hate them and they are only allowed at OUR house by OUR pool. We make fun of him everytime he wears them, which is everytime he comes to lay out, and we will continue to make fun of them til he gets it...throw them away. It's ok to let go of the past.

James with his Carbon shorts from Rue 21. Logan is trying to get him to dress cool. I love the frayed edges.

Picture of James with his new clothes....don't you just love the plaid? I picked the rust colored shirt because of his tan and I thought it would look great with his salt and pepper hair...he didn't like that reason.

Landon News!

Landon had to go to the eye doctor last week. Not that he couldn't see or anything, but he was having a hard time making out some colors. I was really hoping that maybe he didn't know his colors too well, I know, that is unlikely seeing how he is almost 10 years old, but I can still hope. Turns out the fella has perfect vision and is colorblind. He is red/green colorblind moderate. Just like my brother. Ah, the things we inherit from family. The kid has been all down about it. He was convinced he was going to have to wear glasses to correct his problem. He just didnt think he would be cute with glasses. Such a simple solution, but we all know it can never be simple and this is just the way it is. His eye doctor (mean old fart) told him that it will probably gradually get worse the older he gets. Landon finally got a grasp on the whole situation after he fully understood what colorblindness is. He was excited that no glasses were involved (after we had told him that for a million times) he cheered up. He said that now he understands why he has a hard time matching his clothes up and why sometimes he can't see what is on the smart board at school (if written in a shade of red/green). He told us that he quit drawing (the kid can draw really well) because he was having a hard time picking out the colors to color his drawings. He then had a eureka moment and told us that he could still draw in pencil and in pen. (We caught him doing that early yesterday morning) He always seems at peace when he draws. We had thought that maybe he had quit drawing because of his Nina passing away. She always encouraged his drawing. He told us that he thinks of her when he draws. In fact, last year at his birthday party, his teacher had come and brought him an art set. A very nice one. He never has used it. We figured he would pick it up one day and draw. He still hasn't yet. Maybe he will get ok with not seeing the colors as they are and just color again on his drawings. Art can be whatever you want it to be. He had a sketch pad out the other day as well. It was one that his Nina had bought him before she got sick. He flipped thru the pages and just looked at the pictures he had drawn with her. He keeps it put away like it is made of gold.

James and I were complimenting him the other day for dressing and actually matching. He slyly grinned and told us that he didn't do it. His brother is helping him now with his clothes. We are coming up with a system to help him (when brother isn't here to do it for him). He told me that he hopes that his wife one day will understand (and not be colorblind herself!) so she can match his clothes up for him. We told him if he was in doubt, go for the denim shorts and any shirt will usually match. His birthday is coming up. He asked me to tell all of our family not to buy him any plaid shirts or anything that remotely has the color pink in it. He doesn't see pink well, but he told me he can just sense when something is that color and BOYS DONT WEAR PINK.

We were going to town the other day and Landon piped up from the back seat and told us that it wasn't so bad being colorblind. He says he knows that he will never get to be an astronaut or fly a plane, but as long as he could see the white baseball coming at him and could still read his Bible (even the words written in red--I think we will have to highlight) and preach and spread the word about God and Jesus, he was going to be ok. That's my boy.

James VS. Boston

Some of you know that James is NOT a big fan of having a dog in the house, but he relented and bought me Boston on our 15th wedding anniversary....you know that infamous day I was served with my restraining order. Man, I was so excited. To be getting a dog that I wanted so bad and a LEGAL reason why I don't ever have to talk to James' brother and his wife ever again, what more could I ask for. Well, James has a love/hate relationship with Boston. He loves to play with him, get him all crazy and aggravated, but then hates it should Boston have an accident in the house or stare at him when he eats. Boston is very loyal to me. He loves me (if dogs are really capable of that emotion) and here lately, he doesn't like the boys (except for Logan) to get too close to me when it's his time to be next to me. He thinks that is most of the time. James aggravates him every night when we go to bed. The poor dog absolutely goes nuts. He has him growling and biting and barking. Boston has decided he has had enough of James. So, the other night, I came home from work and called James (he was on 3rd). I usually try to ignore Boston for a little while when I first get home or he will pee all over me. (Cocker Sprinkles) Well, he had calmed down and jumped on the bed while I was talking to James and taking my uniform off. He sits there and listens very intently while I am on the phone. In the midst of the conversation, I switched James over to speaker so I could change easier. Boston heard James' voice and promptly got up from the end of the bed and went to James' pillow. This isn't too unusual because he will sometimes sleep there if James is working. The next thing I know, he SQUATS on James' pillow and pees all over it. Then deciding that isn't enough, walks on down to where James' body would be and pees there. Needless to say, I nutted up. Logan and I were changing bed clothes at midnight. Score 1 for Boston. James will get him back though and the saga will continue. James said today that as we were shopping in Target that should anything ever happen to Boston, there will be no other dogs in the house. Well, I told him that I understood that he and Boston don't see eye to eye on things, but I love him. Then I went on to tell him that some of the crap that Boston does that aggravates the piss out of James is really sweet KARMA for all the crap I have had to put up with for 16 years with some people (refer to above) in his family. As it stands....Boston 1 James 0