Boys of Summer

Asher and Caleb had a little hitting practice with Daddy today! Asher got this tee, bat, and balls last year for his third birthday. It's hard to believe it has almost been a year and he will turn four next week. He LOVES to hit the ball... now if we could just get him excited about learning to throw and catch the ball we'll be ready for T- ball! Of course Caleb had to get in on the action too, although he wasn't too into hitting the ball. He was more concerned whether or not he got to play with the red ball (versus the blue one!) I think this is going to be life for me for a long time with having boys....

Morning Playtime

We had Elijah and Hudson over for some morning playtime while their mom and dad were off at some big thing called graduation! The boys had a great time playing together and didn't even run me too ragged (since there were 5 in all!) I promise Nate and Hudson were alive and kicking, just at these moments they were napping. (Why else do you think I had a hand free to get some pictures!) Then my camera battery died so that was the end of my picture taking. We had such a fun time. Let's do it again soon!

E and A with their blankies
Busy sawing the grass...
Now we'll try mowing
Stopping to pick up pinecones

Tough Stuff!

Welcome to boyhood! I think Caleb has officially become a member....
Blake always enjoys marking these milestones with pictures! (I on the other hand don't really like to be reminded of the "incidents") I think Asher had his first around his second birthday and of course Daddy was all picture crazed then too. Caleb took a small (at least I thought it was at first!) spill off the steps leading up to one of the slides at the playground last week. He was only on like step one or two when I turned around (of course just for a second) and then disaster! Funny thing was, I think he was more upset about falling and getting caked all over with sand then he was about his eye hurting! (He screamed for like 10 minutes just because he wanted me to get the sand/ mud off the bottom of his Crocs!) Such is life with little boys :)

No, We're NOT kidding!

Okay, so 7 weeks ago today, two days before Am and I were scheduled to leave the country to go to Belize, we found out some VERY unexpected news. Now before you ask, YES, we do know how this happens! (Save your obnoxious comments, please.) So obviously it wasn't too unexpected, but it was nonetheless. So December 3 this year, Hickman Baby #4 is tentatively set to arrive. Pray for Amber's health as well as the baby's. There's really not much else to say at this point. We are over the shock and we honestly can't wait for the newest little blessing to get here.

Asher's Award Night

Ash and Caden
always enthralled with the girls!
Asher's special buddy, Sarah

Tonight was the last night of AWANAS for Asher this year and his first one as a Cubby! They had a special awards night to give out the rest of the patches, etc. that the kids had earned. Asher had a great time at Cubbies this year and was always so excited for Wednesdays because that was Cubby Night! He felt like such a big boy getting to go out after dark (when little brothers had to stay home and go to bed) and loved learning and reciting his memory verses each week. They said tonight that each Cubby (three and four year olds) had memorized 31 verses this year! Way to go Asher! We are SO proud of you!

Birthday GIRL!

Okay, so we're a tad delayed with this post, but even being a week late we wanted to wish our favorite person EVER a Happy 18th Birthday! We love you SO much Bailey and are so proud of you!

Fun with the Roark boys!

We had an impromptu playdate with Elijah and Hudson this afternoon. (and of course Allison too!) The boys all had a great time playing with Elijah's sand table, mowing (the sidewalk of course!), riding bikes, and scooters, etc. Definitely all things BOY! Between Allison and I we have five boys, so we are becoming fast friends :) We always have such a fun time together!

This one turned out too dark, but HUGS all around... too cute!
Nate and Hudson chillin in their Bumbos
Caleb trying out Elijah's bike

Superman, Batman, and Major Mischief!

Batman and Superman say "Cheese"
Sweet Brothers
I don't know what this thing is, but it's sure fun...

With Nate crawling, things have been a bit crazier around here than usual. He is just getting into EVERYTHING! Things that Asher and Caleb pretty much ignored and never went near, Nate has already found and messed with two weeks into this crawling thing! A couple days ago I came out of our bedroom and into the hallway to see Nate pulling the entire stereo (it's not a very big one) out of the bookcase and proceed to start chewing on the cord! Definitely a no no Natey Nate! His other newest fascination is our dog, Isaiah. For those of you that don't know, Isaiah is a black cocker spaniel who is fourteen years old. Nate lights up whenever he is anywhere close and reachable and pretty much charges him! Isaiah just braces himself and takes it all in stride. I don't think Asher and Caleb started torturing Isaiah until they were at least one and walking around! In other news, Superman and Batman are now making nightly appearances and having flying practice in our living room every evening before bed! The Superman PJ's used to be Asher's (his favorite pair!) He hated when it started turning cooler in the fall and we wouldn't let him wear them anymore. They lasted him for two summers, but I knew this year they would be way to small for him and would be given to Caleb. Before giving the beloved PJ's to younger brother, I knew I had to have another option for Asher to ease the blow. Thus he got some new Batmans! He loves them and was only minimally sad that Caleb had now inherited the Supermans! They are so funny and beg to wear their "Super PJ's" every night! We have had to lay some new ground rules dealing with the capes though when the first night they wore them to bed Caleb woke up and called for Daddy several times in the night "to come fix his cape". The capes just velcro to the backs of the shirts and get twisted up pretty easily when they are laying down. Thus no more cape wearing in bed!!!!

Blake's Book

We are all so proud of Daddy! His book, Life Adventure Outfitters, is a parent devotional guide for those who desire to mentor their children, but think they lack the "how to do it". He along with Mr. Mike (Mike Hall) wrote 12 short devotionals for parents as they seek to mentor their teenager. There was a book signing out in the lobby of our church last Sunday night after our service, for all of the pastors at our church who have recently written books. Blake was rather embarrassed at first to be out there signing his books, but ended up having a fun time doing it! I OF COURSE was there with the camera to capture the moment! (Thanks to Mrs. Dixie for the super close up look of concentration while signing!)