Teag is LOVING his exer-saucer! This is only the second time I put him in it. The first time was very short since then he seemed to be a bit unsteady still, but this time he just started playing with the toys like he'd done this before. You have to excuse my conversation in the video. Hopefully you will be too distracted watching my little man at play to really even notice.

Some pictures of Teag and Mattie out on the front lawn. I can't believe how big they both are getting!







Mattie was roller skating. That's why she's wearing the helmet--Safety First!




Sitting up--with a hand from Mom.




Lounging in the grass.

What an angel! He was just sitting there watching Mattie roller skate.

Mattie was helping Bubba pull weeds. She came back over to me wearing this crown. Bubba had made it for her and dubbed her the "Fairy of the Earth". So we played fairies for awhile. Oh- that sprinkler head was her "magic wand".

The Fairy and her daddy planting carrots.

Here is a picture of my nephew Alex in his football uniform. It is from a little while ago, hint, hint, Brian I need some recent photos of your kids.

Check out this interview the Lakeland newspaper did of Joel, Bubba's brother, after his restaurant's ribs took second place in a Florida BBQ competition.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1569844333/bclid1425858110/bctid1743197881

Good Buddies
Published: Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 12:01 a.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 5:57 p.m.
No. 2 on the best-ribs list is a relative newcomer to the local restaurant scene: Good Buddies BBQ on Kentucky Avenue in Lakeland.

What makes the ribs at this 2-year-old restaurant so good?
Two things, says owner Joel Vann: Good Buddies uses only baby back ribs and its cooks prepare them with a special 13-spice rub that the restaurant developed.
"We use baby back ribs to try to be a bit different from other restaurants," Vann said.
Vann's cooking technique varies from the Rib House. "We strictly smoke our ribs - with oak and white oak," he said. "We do not put them on the grill or in the oven at all. We pull them out when the ribs start to sweat the second time, when they look nice and moist."
The whole process takes about three hours, said Vann, who grew up on barbecue partly because his father was a meat manager for Publix for 30 years.
The rub, along with the smoky taste and sweet sauce, makes these ribs among the most flavorful around, well worth the $15.99 per rack and two sides.
To view the menu, go to http://www.goodbuddiesbbq.com/.

Sunday we went to Lakeland to celebrate Kim's and Cassie's birthdays. Here they are holding up the cards that Mattie made for them.



Luke and Erin were there to join in the celebration.



Aunt Margie spending some time with Braxton while mommy Kim opened some gifts.



The Bush Family made a surprise appearance, well, a surprise to us. Tom and Candy had invited them to join in the fun. Colleen and Lisa wanted to have some cuddle time with Braxton too.



As usual Tom and Candy threw a FABULOUS party. I think Mattie said it best when she told Candy, "Nonna, you are the best cooker I know." Later she also told Papa, "You're a hard worker Papa."



Kris Bush and Bubba relaxing after the meal.



The Vann Boys-- Matt, Joel and Bubba.



Nonna was surprised when Mattie came out with this pink box of shoes. (It was supposed to be for Mattie's birthday next month.) Nonna asked her where she found it and Mattie said I'll show you. Nonna told her it was for her birthday. To which Mattie replied with delight "MY birthday!" Guess Nonna is going to have to find a better hiding place.



Alex Bush and Mattie cruising the yard. Kris and Bubba--they both decided they want jeeps of their own.



Madelyn with her daddy Luke and Mattie.



Mattie wanted some cuddle time with Braxton as well. I think he was more interested in her mouth.



Kim, Matt and Braxton-- What a good looking family!



Teag and Colleen were doing some cuddling of their own.



Mattie, Colleen and Teag. God sure has blessed me with two beautiful children.



Born to be Wild! Mattie and Mason are ready to hit the road and feel the wind in their hair.



I couldn't resist posting this one of Mason and Mattie. They really enjoy playing with each other.



We got them to sit still for a few minutes. At least long enough to snap this picture.



Kim took several pictures of all the kids outside in the grass. Here are a few of them. They sure are a good looking group! Kudos to the photographer.


Teag, Madelyn, Braxton, Mason and Mattie.



Hey Aunt Bonnie, here are the "three peas in a pod"




Teag and Braxton. Teag is finally starting to catch up in size.

Teag loves to watch Mattie. Here is some video of Mattie dancing for him to the music from his swing. She just loves to shake her tushie.

Mattie and Bubba were making pouty faces at each other. She wanted me to take a picture of Daddy but little did she know I was recording her.

Mattie doing some roller skating.

Teag is getting very good at holding his head up. Here's a cute picture of him playing on his activity mat. He also likes to lay on it and pull at all the toys hanging down.




Mattie really loves having Teag take a bath with her at night.




Today we took Mattie to the dentist for a cleaning and check up. The dentist said her teeth looked GREAT! She wanted to wear her "Chinese outfit" to show Dr. King. Unfortunately I left the camera in the car so I was unable to get pictures of her during the cleaning (she was very good). I did take a picture of her in car on the way there. Doesn't she look pretty in her outfit?



After the dentist we went to Chuck E. Cheese. Mattie played on everything and Teag was amazed at all the lights and colors.

Okay, Bubba got some video of Teag rolling over. Oh, and I was wrong. He first rolled over on August 7th not the 8th. I had my work days mixed up.

Here are some more pictures from that beach trip. I meant to post them with the others but you can only post 5 pictures at a time and I was distracted and messed up the first post and forgot to add these.


Regina, Teag, Colleen, Maya, Nicole and Crystal.


Beach Babies!


Mattie, Nicole and Maya

Last Sunday we went to the beach with my mom, my sister-in-law Crystal, her mom Susan, her sister Nicole and Nicole's baby girl Maya. Maya was born in May, the month of Teag's due date. It was interesting to see how Teag compared to Maya. The two of them were staring at each other. It was too cute! It was the first time in the ocean for both of them. Teag has been to the beach before but not in the water, mostly because he was usually sleeping or eating. They both were fine in the water, no fussing, which was amazing because the water was actually pretty cold.

Bubba took Mattie out on the long board. This was the first time she actually rode on the surf board with him and paddled into a few waves. She and he must have been out in the ocean for about an hour or hour and a half straight. She loved it!

Here are some pictures that Susan took. Thanks so much Susan. I had my camera but my batteries were dead.




Surf's Up...Ho Daddy!

Here are some sweet pictures of Mattie, Teag and their cousin Mason.

Teag rolled over the other day, August 8th! Of course I happened to be at work that day. Bubba actually missed it too. He said Teag was lying on the floor on his back and when he came back in the room Teag was on his belly.

Mattie enjoying a banana split.




We play outside in the sand box a lot. Teag mostly watches for now, but soon he'll be ready to dig. Daddy bought Mattie a hat to match his and to get ready for football season too. Go dolphins!




Ask Mattie what makes her happy and she'll tell you CHOCOLATE! Daddy and Mattie made brownies the other day. He let her lick the beater. She was happy.



Thanks Uncle Matt for showing Mattie how to make this silly face.






Mattie, Colleen, Teag and Bachi (Colleen's mom, Regina) enjoying the pool.