Fishing on the Freedom

On Memorial Day several men from the Morton clan went fishing on the Freedom. They were kind enough to let Samantha tag along. She had so much fun on Saturday she really wanted to go again. Of course she didn't realize how different deep water fishing is compared to shallow water. The guys were fishing for Lemon Fish and of course Sam couldn't reel that big of a fish in. So between catches she watched movies on Brandon's computer in the salon. Whenever someone caught a fish Sam would leave her movie to go run and check things out. The men only ended up catching Sharks. My cousin Conley showed Samantha how to touch the sharks eye and pet it. I think that was to highlight of the trip because she is still talking about how she got to touch the sharks eyes.

This is Samantha with my Paw-paw. Yes, my father looks just like Paw-paw. The guys anchored for a while so Samantha could go swimming with Brandon.

Samantha got to spend some time with Bubba. She misses him so much and was thrilled to see him on the boat. Another highlight of the trip was getting to steer the boat. She told me the boat has a "pirates wheel."

Sunday in New Orleans

After church on Sunday we went downtown to enjoy the beautiful day. We all went to the aquarium and I-Max. This is a picture of Samantha and Cole at the River Walk with the Mississippi River behind them. We saw lots of boats. Big Daddy, Uncle Frankie, and Uncle Tim pointed out of the different boats to the kids. I think they enjoyed watching the river even more than the kids.

Samantha's favorite part about beignets is the powdered sugar.

Cole loves EVERYTHING about a beignet. He got sugar EVERYWHERE.

It was a very hot day!! The kids and I stuck our feet in the fountain in Spanish Square while Brandon went to get snow balls for the kids and himself.

The Morton Family in front of the fountain. Thanks for such a great weekend!!

First Time Fishing

Saturday, Big Daddy and Uncle Jimmy took Samantha fishing for the first time. She loved it! Big Daddy bought her a spiderman fishing poll and a matching life jacket. Needless to say she was thrilled. Uncle Jimmy took them to Cat Island on the Mississippi Sound.

This is an Oyster fish that Samantha caught. She loved every minute of it. They got to keep twelve fish. They caught several more but the fish were either to small to keep or they weren't edible.

On the way back in from a very successful fishing trip Samantha got to see some dolphins playing.

Samantha showing off her catch. While Samantha fished... Brandon golfed and Honey, Cole and I went to the beach in Bay St. Louis.

Samantha's Graduation

She is growing up to fast for Mommy and Daddy!

It is official. Samantha is no longer a Preschooler. She is so excited about going to kindergarten in the fall. I was so proud of her... she sang all the songs, smiled, and looked like she was enjoying herself. I wasn't so sure that she would actually participate in the ceremony. During the Christmas program she cried the ENTIRE time. She really is growing up.

Look how sweet they all look praying.

After the ceremony was finished they did the traditional throwing of the hats.

Honey came to see our sweet girl graduate. Samantha loved her being there.

This is Ms. Debbie, Samantha's teacher. Samantha loves her so much. She told me the thing she is going to miss the most about pre-k is Ms. Debbie. She has been a wonderful teacher.

Mother's Day

I had a wonderful Mother's Day. I woke up to breakfast in bed. After church we met up with Brad, Bethany, Maggie, and Harrison for lunch. That afternoon Samantha and I met Nannie K for a production of 101 Dalmations & The Aristocats. It was wonderful! After the show Brandon and Cole met us in Kingwood for dinner.

It was an honor to spend part of the day with Ms. Kathie. She is such an amazing women with a huge heart. Thank you Nannie K for being so wonderful and sharing your day with us. We love you!

Samantha got to meet some of the cast and get their autograph. She was thrilled to meet Ms. Deville.

The Pool is OPEN

The neighborhood pool is now open! YEAH!!! Brandon and I took the kids to the pool Saturday. We all have a great time splashing and swimming. They have a neat "splash pad" that is perfect for the kids to play in. It is shallow with zero entry and several fountains. The kids had a blast. When we left after several hours Harrison said, "I want to do it again, NOW!"

Maggie and Harrison Sleepover!

Friday night Maggie and Harrison stayed with us while Bethany and Brad were out of town. We had a wonderful time with all the kiddos. This is a picture of the kids painting. Cole got more on himself than on the paper. There were alot of laughs in a 24 hour period. Brandon and I really enjoyed having them all together.

Brandon and Cole pretending to be asleep. Cole looks so much like his Daddy! And acts like him too, that must be why I love him so much.

Harrison played with this firetruck just about the entire time. He is one funny little boy!

On Saturday we had concrete poured to extend our patio. They loved watching the whole thing happen. They thought is was cool when the workers took down part of the fence so the cement truck could get into the yard. Samantha and Maggie thought the wet concrete looked like poop.

They were so funny. From where I was... it looked like they were watching a tennis match. Their heads moved together as they watched the guy take the wheelbarrow back and forth from the cement truck to the area where it was being poured. When it was all over they got to leave their hand prints in the concrete.

Sleeping Beauty

Friday Samantha and I went to see "Sleeping Beauty" with our friends Callie and Jamie. It was an opera version of "Sleeping Beauty." It was performed at an amphitheater near the zoo. Samantha's favorite was the king and Callie wanted to know where is Disney princess was. It was not the traditional story but it was still very good and FREE. After the play we road the train around the park, then the moms and daughters went to lunch. It was a fun day of moms and daughters.


The train ride was fun, but Callie had her fingers in her ears the entire trip. She thought the whistle was to loud.


Samantha and Mom with the engineer. Samantha was to be a train engineer when she grows up. Along with seven other things including astronaut, waiter, chef, and teacher.

Sunday at The Straughan's

Callie and Samantha during their water gun/sprinkler fun. We had a wonderful weekend. We spent it playing with friends. It ended with a cookout at our friends, The Straughan's, house. Chad smoked an awesome brisket and made mouth watering crab meat stuffed mushrooms. He is a great cook!!!! Yes, Callie and Sam are the same age. They are SO much a like both in looks and personality. It is hard to believe they are not related.


Cole joined in on the fun too! He closed his eyes and stuck out his tongue everytime he ran through the sprinkler.


...but Cole spent most of the day eating BBQ chips.


Mrs. Becky was a sport... she was brave enough to let the girls paint her fingernails and toenails. They had a wonderful time each taking their turns. And they were kind enough to wipe up most of the drips on Becky's toes and fingers.