Help! I NEED A NAME!!!!!!

This child is due in less than 4 weeks and so far we are going to call him "The Baby" because we can't make a decision on a name. Any suggestions out there? Names I am currently toying with:

Nathan Roger
Zachary Nathan
Rowan Nathan
Rohan Nathan
Evan Roger

The names in my family are not very useful...

Father: Rodney Gale
Brother: Roger Mac
Grandfather: Vildie Vernon & Eual Rueben

I have thought about changing Roger to Rodger so as not to leave my father out however it looks silly. Nathan is the male version of my name so I'm kind of partial to it but not set on it.

Any ideas????

Nationals or BUST

As most of you know Austin has been here for the summer & has been heavily involved with baseball. We just got back from Nationals. It was extremely exciting!!!!!!!

The beginning of the week the boys trade pins & compete in games. Austin won "Homerun Derby". He hit 3 balls over the fence. Each averaging around 270ft. He could have possibly hit more but his dad was pitching to him and I think was way more nervous then Austin!

We won our first three games that seeded us 3rd however our first bracket play we lost. The tournament was double elimination so we had to win 6 more games just to make it to the championship. Unbelievably we did it!!!!!!!!!! In order to win the championship we had to beat the undefeated team twice.

We lost. 7 to 6 in the bottom of the 6th inning but it was exciting all the way to the end. Austin did a great job pitching & playing 2nd base. The team received medals & watches. Austin also received, along with 4 other players, a plaque for "All Tournament Team"

As you look through the pictures... Austin is #10 and has been affectionately named "Big Papi". This was nickname took place long before they even knew Big Papi was his favorite player. Also the picture "He's Safe!" is Austin sliding into home & knocking the ball out of the catcher's hand.

Out of the Mouthes of Babes

So I get a call from the daycare today. First thing that goes through my mind... YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! He can't be sick AGAIN. But my worries were relieved when the Assistant Director was laughing on the other end.

A.D.: "Now Natalie... You have to promise me you won't get mad at Logan..."

Me: "What did he do?"

A.D.: "Logan's teacher brought him to me and told him to tell me what he said"

Logan: "I say DAMMIT at my house!"

A.D.: "What did you say?"

Logan: "I Say DAMMIT at my house!"

A.D.: "Who taught you that word?"

Logan: "My momma taught me DAMMIT"

Okay... in my defense he mentioned the word last night while we were playing Wii and we had a similar conversation

Momma: "Logan what did you say?"

Logan: "DAMMIT"

Momma: "Where did you learn that word?"

Logan: "Berke" (his cousin)

So it seems Logan is willing to throw anyone under the bus... it's just a matter of whose asking.

Been Busy!!!

Let's see.... Jeff and I went to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It was our present to each other for Christmas. Prior to going we signed on the dotted line on having a new house built. This is our land

This spot of land is located on a corner lot. It will have 3 bedrooms & an office. 3 car garage and a large backyard and front yard. As exciting as it all is it is very overwhelming also. Anyway, we signed on the dotted line and then headed for Eureaka Springs, Arkansas.

This was our room:

This was the wildlife we woke up to every morning:

This is what the town looked like:










Seriously... I thought Florida was tacky?? This town was one big yard sale that ran all year long. It looked as though people just shopped other yard sales for something to put in their own.

I wish I had taken a picture of the two ladies who came to give us massages in our rooms. I prayed the whole time that one of them wouldn't have a stroke right there.


Then we got back and found out we were PREGNANT! Logan says he wants a sister and personally I do think we need to even balance out the home. I am a little out numbered but other than that... a girl scares the hell out of me and more than that out of Jeff.

That about covers it all. We are currently at 10 weeks and due mid September, which probably means it will be a girl. No morning sickness thank goodness just tired all the time. Hard to find time to write but I will try and be better with the updates.

Tell Me Again... Why did we leave Florida?

Well the first of the Ice Storms have hit. I have missed 2 1/2 days of work for this ice storm. This pathetic excuse of an Ice Storm. I call it pathetic because last year looked more drastic and devastating however we never lost power.

What I don't understand (Heather & Michelle you can probably back me up on this) is the minute a drop of snow falls or the potential of ice to hit the ground the schools are closing. When I was growing up it was next to impossible to get a snow day. You couldn't see outside your windows for all the snow and the roads were an ice skating rink. That only meant first period was off. Am I right? Of course Michelle was the smart one (I think)... she is reaping the benefits we never had growing up.

I probably wouldn't be so bitter if I was getting compensated for the days missed or if I didn't continue to pick jobs that expect you to come to work no matter what!

Anyway, enough of my ranting, here are a few pics for those in Florida. Those in Mass... this is nothing to what you go through. I bet schools don't close there the minute Mr. Freeze Mizer so much as sneezes.

But the good news is Logan is learning how to cook during this extra time off from school

Yep! He did those all by himself. We just put them into the oven for him.

Back Home

We are back home but thinking of Florida regularly. Glad to be near family but miss Austin and the Ocean. Logan tells us daily that he wants to go on a plane and see Austin.

Our last day on the beach was windy, cold but still beautiful. Would love to show you the pics of the dolphins playing and jumping in the water... but I deleted them. Sorry. I was trying to make room for more pics and the I got delete happy.

Here are a few pics from our last two days...

We created our dream home, as well as, a home near by for those who come to visit. It has a gorgeous beach view. There is a bridge close by that will bring you to our castle.

Captain Memo's Pirate Ship

We started out the day with a little "Booty" Burying:

Went back and relaxed. After Logan got up from his nap we headed out to the Pirate Ship. If you are ever in Clearwater, Florida I definitely suggest this trip. It was such great fun for the kids and adults. Definitely geared around the children there were water gun fights, story telling, treasure hunts and dancing. However very thoughtful of the parents... the fare included complimentary beer and wine.