Trip to The Dip

Every summer sees at least one trip to Velvet Cream aka The Dip, a short ride south of us in Mississippi.


Superdad contemplates the overwhelming menu.

Phoebe fell asleep on the way there, but Fast Frankie is ready to chow down.


Burgers, tater tots, and shakes in the shade. Tough to beat.

Blueberry Time!

A few weeks ago, The Lady of the House and the kids went with the Dunlaps to pick blueberries in Nesbit, MS. It was the end of the season, so we didn't get much, but we had fun!
This year, Frankie got into picking, although his favorite thing to do was run around and hide behind the bushes.
While picking, we discovered a bird nest nestled among the berries filled with baby birds.
Phoebe surveys her pickings - she did a good job!
Tired of picking, Wren and Phoebe play an inning of "blueberry ball."

Summer Vacation, Pt. 5 - The End.

One morning we decided to stop by and take a look at the old lighthouse on the island. We wanted to see it, but didn't really have any intention of going inside or walking up about 10,000 steps with two little kids. Little did we know, Phoebe was going to spend the rest of the day obsessed with the lighthouse. Here it is making a strong first impression on Phoebe:


Frankie was perfectly happy just checking out the light-hydrant.


After a day at the beach and constant chattering about the lighthouse, the Lady of the House took Phoebe back so that she could go inside and see what it was all about. Phoebe, who sometimes claims she can't make it to the top of the stairs of our house without help, ran all the way from the ground to the top.


The Lady of the House finally caught up - and caught her breath - so she could take a picture. Phoebe is not sure what to make of it, but she was not disappointed.


Superdad's folks came down for half of the week and we all went to this silly place for a low country boil dinner on our last night. Frankie didn't even flinch when this gator almost took his little arm off while we waited for our table.


Phoebe goes one better and goes for a souvenier tooth.


The gator had enough of these hijinks a shuffled off.


Pop-Pop and Mimi with the Here Comes Trouble kids.


A fun week at the beach that would have been better if we had stayed for two. Once you get into the swing of things and REALLY start relaxing, it's time to head home. Maybe next year.

Summer Vacation, Pt. 4

We're almost to the end of the summer vacation photos. Here are more beach pictures, because most of our time was of course spent on the beach.


Frankie took right to the sand and water.


This is her fifth summer spending a week at one beach or another and Phoebe is beginning to get the hang of it. A year ago, she would not have ventured out to play in the surf by herself.




One of many sand castles made during the week. We're not sure, but we think this is a mermaid pose.

4th of July, Final Edition

The Dunlap's hosted the 4th of July festivities. The amateur firework show would ideally begin after dark, but the little ones would be asleep if we waited until sundown.


Phoebe did not like all the noise.


And then there was Frankie who could not get enough of the loud stuff.


Phoebe was just not having it.


Frankie has the answer - sparklers!


Phoebe can get behind a firework that makes no noise.


Showing the Lady of the House how it is done.


All the excitement and exploding tuckered little Frankie right out.


Photos by our pal Sara K.

More 4th of July

We never miss the annual neighborhood 4th of July parade. Phoebe participated in it for the second time this year. Check out the movie:

Go Phoebe!


A proud (and sassy) father and little brother look on.


The Dunlaps and T-Bone also joined us for the parade. T-Bone isn,t in the picture because he was holding the camera.


Up and down the parade route, people set up grills, popcorn makers, sno-cone machines and just about everything else so that they can give away food to everyone.


Phoebe's favorite part of the parade is always the sno-cones.


Frankie samples his first sno-cone!


The Lady of the House is on her 3rd sno-cone at this point!


Frankie also had his first watermelon which he LOVED once he figured out that you eat the red, not the green.


Around the corner and back home.

4th of July Shoping

We're interrupting the vacation series for some 4th of July hijinks. At the rate we operate, if we waited until all the vacation stuff was posted, these pictures would be seen until the 4th of October.

To get ready for Saturday, Superdad and T-Bone took the Here Comes Trouble kids across the Mississippi River to Jerry "The King" Lawler's firework stand in West Memphis, Arkansas. The first shot was actually taken after the shopping spree. Frankie shows off some of the haul.


Learning the basics: Roman candles.


Blast off.


Frankie demonstrates his keen eye and goes for some tanks.


The firework industry is always timely. Every year the new stuff always reflects what's going on in the world. A few years ago, there were lots of anti-Bin Laden stuff, but that seems to have died down. The big thing for 2009 is the O-BOMB-A.


No need to worry about a recession when you can get the O-BOMB-A's at stimulus prices!


The more presidents the better to celebrate Independence Day. George and Thomas don't get the Bojangles caricature treatment for some reason.


All the choices are making Frankie a little tense so Phoebe works her magic. The 4th can't get here fast enough.


Nowhere do they celebrate America's b-day like they do in Dixie.


Back across the Old Bridge to Memphis.