Fun at the Fair & A Three Month Old!

     Last Saturday, Grandma B was in town at Windy Gap, our local Young Life camp.  She and a friend from church were attending a women's retreat.  During the day, they get free time, so the boys and I went over to visit while Mark got started on the flooring at the new salon.  The weather was BEAUTIFUL and couldn't have been better.  It was quite the relaxing time before our work-fest began. 
     From last weekend through Tuesday, we have worked (what seemed like) non-stop on the new salon while continuing to work the bread route, care for two small boys, and keep the other salon up and going.  It has been a FEAT!  But Wednesday is Mark's normal day off, so we made it a point to enjoy his "time off" from work and have a family day together.  We went to the gym in the morning and worked out, then in the afternoon we took the boys to the WNC Mountain State Fair.  Last year we just missed seeing the pig races so this year, we made it a point to get there in time.  As long as Mark's lived in the South, he's never seen a pig race, so it was a treat for him, too.  They had little pigs, goats, ducks, and pot-bellied pigs all racing for cheese doodles!  Marcus thought they were so funny and Titus wasn't impressed in the least.  He was just hot and cranky.
     While at the fair Marcus enjoyed seeing all the animals again this year including horses, cows, bulls, sheep, chickens, ducks, and a guineas (my Grandmother's favorite). :)  We didn't ride rides this year, but plan on starting that tradition NEXT year.  Nonetheless, we had a great time and it was good to step away from work for a few hours and enjoy each other's company.  We say this to each other all the time, but it's fun doing life with him.
     In other news, WE HAVE A 3 MONTH OLD and AN ALMOST 3 YEAR OLD!  Titus turned 3 months old yesterday and is such a joy to be around.  He's quite the smiley little fella and he follows Marcus like a hawk.  When Marcus gets up in the morning, the first thing he says is, "where's Titus?" and once he finds him, he goes to hug him (ie: lay on him) but when he gets off, Titus is all smiles at his big brother.  They are SO SWEET together.  We recently had to put their car seats side by side and as I now drive, Marcus will hold his hand.  They even have a "shake" that he'll do with Titus' hand.  It's adorable.
     Titus is probably 16-17 pounds and very blocky.  He looks like a linebacker without a neck sometimes and had an enormous head.  But his blue eyes and rosy cheeks make all the girls melt, especially when he flashes that million dollar sideways grin.  He sleeps through the night, most nights, and that usually consists of 10-12 hours.  He's not the best napper during the day but I'll take sleeping at nights over daily naps ANYTIME.  If we're in the car, he naps beautifully.  It's just at home that he'll wake up after 30-45 minutes.  He still spits up quite a bit, but it could be in the middle of a meal, after 5-6oz, or 2 hours later.  It doesn't matter.  He's a happy spitter-upper, though, so I don't think it's acid reflux related.  All and all, we are SO BLESSED with these two boys.  They're healthy, happy, and (as I like to say often...) joyfully exhausting. 

Grandma rocking Titus.

Titus, Grandma, and Marcus

Watching people on the "Blob."

Titus was talking to Grandma

Chillin' under the willow tree

More sweet sounds from Big T

Windy Gap is a BEAUTIFUL camp, full of amazing scenery.

Marcus enjoyed playing beach volleyball with Grandma.

A few salon renovation pics...

Titus was such a good baby!  Slept through all kinds of noise.

Marcus was helping Paul clean up.

Titus was helping Daddy by overseeing his measurements.

We're getting there!

Watching the Pig Races!

All it took was cheetos to make them run.

Run little piggy!

Watching intently while Daddy was cracking up.

Marcus always loves seeing chickens.

Daddy held him up to see the sheep.

Daddy and Marcus with a pretty black horse.

Our 3 month old baby boy!

Couldn't you just eat him up!?

Titus' First Gun Show!

     If you have known me for ANY amount of time, you know that for every year of my entire life (including when I was in the womb myself AND when I was 38 1/2 weeks pregnant with Marcus), I'm always in Hillsville, Virginia for the annual Labor Day Gun Show and Flea Market.  This year was no different and it was especially important because it was Titus' first show!  When I was younger I'd spend Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and sometimes part of Monday there. Now, being married to a man who works full time and having two small children, we're limited to one full day, but it's a fun day nonetheless. 
     As usual there are a TON of vendors who sell ANYTHING from antiques and furniture to toys or clothing.  We always stock up on razors but this year we found a bargain on gum, too.  (I know, we're big spenders...)  I usually buy a few Christmas presents and this year was no different, but if I told you what they were, then my secret would be out and someone might find out before Christmas!  The boys enjoyed time with Granddad and Granny while at the Gun Show, but Marcus ESPECIALLY enjoyed our time at their house where he got to ride on the 4-wheeler with Mark and drive the tractor with Granddad.  He even got to have a "picnic" with Granny on a special blanket inside.  Even though it was a short visit, a good time was had by all. :)

Granny and Titus - his head is almost as big as hers

Marcus and Granddad on the tractor

Can you tell how happy he was?

Marcus and Titus' new buddy, Emily.  He just said, "That Emma-wee is my best friend," as I was typing this.

Daddy catching some rays like he loves to do

Marcus and his new pal Nathan, Emily's brother

Granddad, Daddy, and Titus

The man, the legend... Uncle David

Sweet little brother with big blue eyes.

Playing with Granddad again

Sleepy little brother

Playing with Granddad

"I told you... GIVE ME THE COOKIES!!!"

They BOTH were asleep before we were back on a main road. (ps - that's a cap that Mark wore when he was a child)

Picnic supper with Granny

Cuddle time in Granddad and Granny's bed

Snuggles with Granny

As Mark and I were getting ready for church and cleaning up a bit, Marcus said he needed to have Bible Time with Titus. 

Uncle Henry & Aunt Ran's Visit

     Sorry for the late pictures of our visit with Uncle Henry and Aunt Ran, but after they left, we fell apart. :)  Just kidding, but we have been busy.  But isn't that ALWAYS my excuse?  Ahh, such is life.

     Anyhow, they came into town on Saturday, August 24th mid-afternoon, right when the boys had finished their naps.  Marcus took right to them since they brought goodies and gifts.  Who wouldn't be happy with new books and candy?  Mark had to go paint the waiting room at the salon so the boys and I took them out to eat at Moe's and it was YUMMY!  The most exciting part for Marcus was seeing the train drive by less than 25 yards away.  It was close and LOUD.  Poor Titus' eyes bugged out of his head at the first honk, but I covered them for the subsequent ones and he was better.
    
     Sunday morning they met us at church and joined us for both our Sunday School and preaching.  I taught in the nursery and Marcus normally stays with me, but he insisted on going to "big church" since Aunt Ran was in there.  He didn't last long, but he enjoyed what little time he did get to sit with her.  After church we ran the van route then met them for lunch at Jason's Deli.  It was another great choice, but Marcus particularly enjoyed it because Aunt Ran shared her lemonade and he got some chocolate ice cream. 

    After getting back home, we rested a bit, then headed to Hendersonville to put the waiting room back together since the paint was dry at our newest salon.  What we initially thought would only take an hour or two took FOREVER but thankfully the Canadians showed up and took over with child care so we could get more done.  We still ended up leaving at 10pm, but we either would've gotten a lot less done or it would've been a lot later had they not shown up to save the day.

     Finally, on Monday the big event was swimming in "Aunt Ran's pool."  It was the pool at their hotel and thankfully it was only a few miles from us.  The weather was BEAUTIFUL and Marcus enjoyed splashing around with the two of them and his daddy.  I stayed out on baby patrol but stuck my feet in once.  We ended the evening with a trip to Outback, our "special occasion" restaurant.  We only go there on birthdays, anniversaries, or when family is in town.  They are obviously family, but we consider them to be especially important and special.  They care and pray for us immensely and we think the world of them.  Besides, who's a better blog stalker than you, Aunt Ran? ;)

Smiling all the time nowadays

10 Weeks Old

Spelling lesson with M-A-R-C-U-S

Aunt Ran's first meeting with Titus.

Reading his new book with Aunt Ran (sorry for the glare).

He snuggled right in there between them as if he sees them daily.

At least these big ol' feet are good for something.

Jumping in with all his might.

He caught mad air when jumping to his daddy.

Two good looking fellas

Marcus was making Uncle Henry laugh.

After she had just dried off, Marcus got Aunt Ran all wet again.

Chilling out

Aunt Ran the baby tamer - at the salon

Uncle Henry had a way with Titus, too.

So thankful that they came to do kid patrol Sunday night.