Lucas is a lumberjack

And he is more than OK!

Seriously.

(Monty Python, anyone?)

Just look at him go. . .

The day after the tree fell in Momma's yard (that may or may not have made a sound), Lucas aka our favorite Lumberjack came to the rescue. Mom was planning to call a "tree dude" (in case you did not know, that is the official name of the professional people who come to your house and cut up trees that have fallen or take care of other tree related issues that may arise). BUT we could not keep him away. Apparently, people who are of the male persuasion cannot resist the urge to use power tools. EVER.

Getting ready by filling up the chainsaws with the proper gas and oil mixture.

J and S helping him and asking a lot of questions - he is so patient.

They also reminded him about 7 times not to cut off their feet.

He was glad they brought that up, so he could pay special attention to their feet.
He was so awesome!

He had some excellent helpers.

Sunglasses to protect their eyes from debris

Some teamwork to carry a large limb

Please note the little supervisors well out of harms way -

They would point to the spot he should cut next, and then retreat to a safe distance to monitor his progress.

He had 2 chainsaws at his disposal, and yes, he used both of them.

See earlier comment about men and power tools.

How manly!

No kidding, I was way impressed.

Some funnies from the day:

We hauled the wood to the street at Momma's (in the hopes that someone would steal it, to be honest. So far, no takers.)

I had to use Daddy's old van to get it up there because

(1) the wheelbarrow tire was shredded and would not hold air (Mom and I tried)

(2) we do not have a truck (maybe we should)

(3) Mom did not want us to mess up our cars and Daddy does have another newer van

One of 4 trips to "haul" the cut up logs to the street.

I wish I knew how to make paper or I had a mill.

I just know I could build something really cool.
Oh ,and I love to honk the horn. A LOT. Each time I drove a load up or backed up to get more, it involved almost constant honking. I say, safety first, right? Everyone needed to hear me coming.

Luckily, Mom and Lucas find me amusing. . .

David always cringes and pretends not to know me.

The little helpers before we got started.

Nicely dressed.
Spencer petered out pretty early and was back in his Sponge Bob PJ's within about 4 minutes and 43 seconds.

Jessa stuck it out longer. And when it was time for a break, she requested some lemonade since it was "such a hot day." When I told her we did not have any, I offered her several other options. She sighed and rejected all of my suggestions. She finally said, "I guess I prefer water, you know, it is healthier." Point taken.

During one trip from the middle of the yard to the street with a load of wood, Jessa was riding in the van with me. She said, " Mommy, could you turn on the air? It is sweltering out here today."

Here are the helpers and the lumberjack for our last trip down the driveway to park the van. Yes, there was honking:

Rednecks hanging out the back of a van seems to be a theme for us this summer. . .

Note the Spongebob PJ's on Spencer

And here I am with Lucas - we are posing by the fruits of our day of labor.

We all worked hard, but it was a FUN day.

I cannot think of anyone I would rather cut up and haul away a dead pine tree that fell in Momma's front yard with than my sweet brother.

**AND Momma even paid us, but we would have done it for free. . .

My baby brother got married

On April 18, 2009 at Tybee Island, GA, my baby brother Lucas got married. I know he is definitely not a baby anymore, but he will ALWAYS be my baby brother. One time when I was at NGC, he was coming up to help me move (one of the many times). I was busy, so I kept poking my head out to look for him. I was afraid I missed him, so I asked someone, "Have you seen my baby brother?" I was going to elaborate and describe him, but the person I asked panicked because she thought he was a lost baby!!



When we were little, I had friends who had a sister. I thought I wanted one for a while, but then I decided I would rather have Lucas than a sister. We have always been close. And I love to watch Jessa and Spencer because it is like reliving a part of my childhood with Lucas. David and Lucas have also always been close. They are gross and annoying sometimes when they get together, but they are also pretty darn cute, too!

Anyway. The wedding was at the beach. Can you tell?

I was excited to buy cool Hawaiian beach clothes for the kiddos. They looked awesome, and I am not AT ALL biased. I actually got tons of compliments.

Look at my beach babies!!

The whole weekend was fun. Mom and Daddy (although, we all knew who did most of the work, right?) threw one heck of a party, I mean, rehearsal dinner!

Momma and Daddy - it is hard to get a picture of her. . .

She is usually so evasive that she could be in Delta Force!

We so enjoyed having Lucas (and all his buddies) with us while we all got ready.

Daddy pointed out that the GA fans were standing a bit away from the FL fan,

but they still love each other.

One cool groom. . .

Daddy, Lucas, and me before the ceremony.

AND I was so worried the kiddos would be crazy since they LOVE to play at the beach. But they were very nice and quiet. Of course, we did let Spencer play in the sand the whole time. . .

Jessa enjoys the fan that was in her chair while Spencer and insectasaurus played in the sand.

Daddy was a terrific best man and even made an excellent toast.

I will share a few funnies. . .
When Lucas and Candice headed to Tybee, they forgot the CD player for the wedding music. SO, they bought a cheapo one at Wal-Mart. They changed the batteries 2 times, but when it was almost "go time," it would not work. So my awesome D took off on a quick mission to retrieve 6 new "C" batteries. He was successful:

Our hero, running back to the beach with the new batteries.

Of course, the CD player still did not work. It turned out OK because all of the guests hummed the wedding march. . . We are not too proud to sing for our supper!

AND Jessa, as she is prone to do, found a new BFF in Caroline, the daughter of one of Lucas's fraternity brothers from VSU and the granddaughter of the preacher. They sat together at the rehearsal dinner and were joined at the hip at the wedding and reception. Shortly after we arrived to start the ceremony, she hollered to me, "Momma, can me and my new friend run to the sea?" I told her the sea could wait until after the ceremony.

Caroline and Jessa at the rehearsal dinner - BFF!

Candice's niece was quite taken with Spencer. She followed him around and played in the sand with him. They were together quite a lot. So I asked him if Zoe was his new girlfriend. He looked shocked and said, "No, mommy, Zoe is just a baby." I guess he is right.


I mean, she is only 2, while he is a worldly and wise 3. . .

Congratulations to Lucas and Candice!