On a roll

Levi decided today was the day... "I'm rolling over!" Prior to this morning, he'd only rolled from tummy to back twice. This morn he did it 8 times in a row... new trick mastered. I got the idea of posting a video from our friend Nicole's blog. Enjoy!

Family Pics

Susan, our next door neighbor, came over Monday afternoon & took some family pictures. We don't have very many of them & so it was a real treat!

Levi, Susan, & Renae

In the garden with the blooming day lilies

I really like this one

Bachelor weekend

Well, it appears we've been slackers... over a week since our last post!


The men kept down the home fort this past weekend while I headed north to do a hike on the AT. This was my first time being away from Levi overnight & Joe's first time taking care of him alone for so long (with a freezer stash of breastmilk). Levi was a rockstar & didn't give Joe the least bit of trouble.


I met up with Deanna & we did the hike from Neal's Gap up to Blood Mountain. Nice weather & a beautiful night spent on the mountain top...

Almost to the top - near our camp spot.

The rhododendrons were in bloom.


Deanna at the highest point on Blood Mountain.

The stone shelter on Blood Mountain where AT hikers can crash for the night

Mountain laurels too!

Blacksmiths in town

We had houseguests this weekend - Marshall & Joe Neely were attending the bi-annual blacksmithing gathering in Madison, GA (about 25 minutes south of Watkinsville) & drove on up to spend Friday night with us.

We all went over to Carrie's on Friday evening & grilled out - Carrie took this - we really don't have very many family shots.

With Aunt Carrie.

Joe Burnam & Joe Neely - enjoying the late day sun on Carrie's backporch & mmmmm smellin' the goods on the grill.

We drove over to Madison this morning to catch the last day of the blacksmithing show. It was really sunny & we forgot a hat for Levi - Daddy's camo hat had to do.

Levi gave it up - after a long morning of walking & visiting.

Okay, now this I have to explain.... this is actually an anvil that's blown (via blackpowder) about 100 feet up in the air... it's done as a sort of memorial to all the blacksmiths that have passed since the last gathering. And wow!! what a boom!!

Granddaddy visiting with old friends at the show... this is JL & Nell Thompson.

The menfolk on the back deck...

Just in the past week... somebody found their thumb! He's tried out both the right & left.

Storytime - we read one each night before bed.

"B" came over to Papa Bill's for a visit while we were in Cairo.

Justin, Aunt Katy, & Levi.

Great Uncle Vic & Levi.

Joe, Papa Bill, Levi, & I went for a nice Sunday drive. We visited the Gainey Cemetary, the old Gainey homeplace (Joe's great-great-great-Grandfather build the house which is STILL standing), & Papa took us to see these giant oak trees. This tree is 11 feet in diameter!

Greetings from Cairo, GA

Levi & his Aunt Debbie - after a sunset walk together outside.

We had such a beautiful visit!

"What'da they bitin' on??"
Levi, Joe, & Sadie.
Taking their first stroll around Papa Bill's pond this afternoon, tempting the bass.

Summer's Start

We're all feeling more rested these days, Levi is consistently sleeping a 7 hour night, then a feed & back down for another 3 hours... hope he keeps it up.

Joe is done with classes & has a break now before starting his research. I'm finishing putting in our summer garden, we've got several varieties of peppers & tomatoes, herbs, yellow squash, zuccs, cucumbers, pumpkins, eggplant, & an assortment of flowers. I can't wait for a fresh tomato & basil sandwich.

It's raining it's pouring!

Whew, we just had a beautiful rain here... about a 30 minute thundershower. We really needed it- I've been digging up in the garden & it's like sifting through dust. Joe & I sat on the front porch & watched it come down.

Volunteer foxglove... nearly under the back deck.

The chickadees fledged - this little guy perched in this same spot most of the day.

Our easter cactus opened up!

Levi's first baseball game

We had our first baseball outing to the Georgia vs Wofford game this afternoon. Levi urged the dawgs on to a 12 to 6 victory.

Ready to go to the game!

Great seats right behind home plate.

Daddy & Levi watching the first of many games together.