Happy Birthday Papaw!

Today is Papaw Staats' 74th Birthday! We hope your day was Happy! We love you!

Rylan and Gracie

Here is a picture of our Rylan and little Gracie and Ms. Sue from Mother's Day Out. Gracie was born exactly 1 week before Rylan but she was 3 weeks early. However she only weighs about 10 1bs right now and Rylan weighs about 16! We like to call him "Jaba" (The Hut).

Daddy took this picture of all of us!

Brantley happy...

Brantley not so happy...

Ice Cream Party!

Yes, there was an ice cream party last night. The boy's preschool has a graduation for the 4 year olds each year with a party so we went last night to enjoy the party. Here is a picture of Bryant - you can tell he is a "ham". He loves posing for the camera!

Rylan's 2 month Checkup

We had Rylan's 2 month checkup today. He weighed in at a whopping 15 lbs. and 4 oz. He was in the 100th percentile on his weight and 97th on his length...so luckily our Dr. said his weight is on track with his length...he's just going to be a big kid. He checked out fine and is still getting sweeter every day...he is such a great baby. We are very blessed!

Happy Mother's Day!

I found this Mother's Day Poem and thought it would be good to share. It is so true and I hope that all of you mothers out there have a great Mother's Day and feel as love and appreciated as you are...

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby…
Somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, "Normal," is history.
Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct ...
Somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.
Somebody said being a mother is boring ...
Somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.
Somebody said if you're a "good" mother, your child will "turn out good."
Somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.
Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices…
Somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window.
Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother…
Somebody never helped a fourth grader with her math.
Somebody said you can't love the fifth child as much as you love the first…
Somebody doesn't have five children.
Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books ...
Somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose or in his ears.
Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery ...
Somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten…or on a plane headed for military "boot camp."
Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back ...
Somebody never organized four giggling Brownies to sell cookies.
Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married…
Somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.
Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home…
Somebody never had grandchildren.
Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her…
Somebody isn't a mother.

Have a Blessed Day!

Monet's School Pictures

I know Monet would want to kill me for putting these up because she doesn't like them. However, I have no other recent pictures of her so this will have to do...

This is her 6th Grade School Picture from this Spring. We think they turned out great!

Rylan and Daddy

Sweet little Rylan fell asleep with Brad the other night and I took a quick pic. He is such a great baby and as you can tell he loves to be held.

My Mother's Day from Bryant

Bryant and his friends at Mother's Day Out made a little booklet for all of their mothers this week. I was given the book on Wednesday when I picked him up. His teacher asked them each a few questions and then printed their answers in the books for us. It is very interesting at how accurate Bryant was in his answers. I have the questions and his answers listed below:

1. I love it when my mommy.... "plays with me".
2. What is your mommy's favorite thing to do? "put stuff in the trash can".
3. Do you know your mommy's age? "I can't wanna say! Maybe 5".
4. What does mommy cook really good? "toast"
5. What does mommy do best? "cleans up" (he's on target on that one)
6. If I could buy my mom anything for Mother's Day...I would get her..."maybe a little bag of cookies so she could have a prize for lunch".

Thank you to Miss Jackie for this great idea...it was fun reading them.

Naked Boy!

Here are few pics that Brad took of Brantley playing in the yard this week. We are currently trying to potty train him so when we are outside we have decided to "de-diaper" him so that he can respond to nature's call appropriately rather than using his diaper. So here are some pictures of him basking in the sun while playing in my flowers...it really is too cute.

Not so happy travelers...

Here are the "big" boys ready to leave Birmingham on our way back to Nashville last weekend. We had already had a very "hairy" morning and missed church with my family so the boys were no all that happy to be getting in the car - not to mention me wanting some pictures beforehand...I guess I'm taking after my mother after all.

Rylan Says....

"Whew! You guys have really worn me out"!

Congratulations Nathan!

Well, I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised and proud of my little brother for his accomplishment...he graduated from college last weekend. On May 3, 2008 he received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering! I know he is glad and relieved to have those last 11 years of school behind him...sorry Nathan I had to poke a little fun that it took you so long. However, it is better late than never!

The Staats Family drove down to Birmingham for the big day and I have to say that was the biggest graduation I have ever had the privilege to attend...UAB is a big place! We then had a small family get-together for Nathan at my mom and Emory's house.

All in all it was a nice weekend but a very short trip to the Magic City.

Again, a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to my little bro for his accomplishments and I pray that you will fair well in the business world of engineering...WE LOVE YOU!