So I know I am WAY overdue for an update! I'm sorry...I just don't know where this month has gone! Josh leaves bright and early in the morning for NTC (California). He'll be leaving us for a month to train for his upcoming deployment. We are trying to enjoy our last weekend together, and I am trying not to think about how this deployment is sneaking up on us faster and faster!

The month of July has been full of busy work nights for Josh, but we've also had our share of fun! We went to Cincinnati for a short visit on the July 4th holiday. We had fun spending time with our families.
Fourth of July:

Cousin Maddie and Ty getting ready for a swim


Ty knocked out on the 4th of July


July 4th Family pic


An attempt at getting a picture of all 4 grandkids (Gabrielle holding Caellum, baby Ellie in the swing, and Ty)

Josh's troop (B-troop) had a family BBQ, and our FRG (Family Readiness Group) organized a "pie-in-the-face" fundraiser. The soldiers and family members bid on throwing pies in the faces of those soldiers that hold leadership positions, and Josh was one of them! Someone bid $65 to throw a pie in Josh's face (and no, it wasn't me...although I would have loved too)! We had a great time! Here are some pics:


Ty at the BBQ


Josh getting a pie in the face!


SSG Partlow, Josh, and Ty after the pie smashing!

Josh and I had a date night this month, and actually left the boys overnight for the first time since they've been born (Josh has been away from them overnight many times, of course, but I have only left Ty overnight when I was in the hospital having Caellum, and have never left Caellum!). We were nervous to leave them, but they were fine...had a blast with Meemaw and Pawpaw, and Josh and I had so much fun! We went to the Belterra Casino where Josh's friend was hosting the MMA Big Show (Mixed Martial Arts fights). Josh actually did the commentating for the fights on live TV. We got to hang out with many of our friends that we hadn't seen in a while, and had a great night! Here is a pic of us on date night:


At Belterra

We took the boys to Kart Kountry so Josh could take Ty on a go-cart for the first time, and Ty loved it! He is all boy, and such a little maniac! He is a little dare devil and isn't scared of very many things (which scares mommy!). He loved riding in the go-cart with Josh, and laughed every time they went around a curve! Josh thinks we have a future race car driver on our hands! :-)


Daddy taking Ty on his first go-cart ride!


Race car driver #1


Race car driver #2

So those are some things that have been happening for us lately! I will be a very busy mommy these next four weeks with Josh gone, and I will be going back home to Cincinnati for some time with family (and help with the boys) while he is away. I will try to update again soon, and not let another month go by, but no promises!
:-)

Here are a couple more pics of the boys:

Our new fave pic of the boys!


Ty and a sleeping Caellum (he fell asleep like that on the floor, bless his little heart!)