Orange Beach 2008

In mid-August, we were able to make our annual trip to Orange Beach albeit shorter than usual. Regardless, we had a wonderful time! On the way, we stopped at our usual picnic spot at Clarkco State Park near Meridian. They have added a sprinkler park which was nice! On the first day, Lily was not happy about the beach, at all. She screamed and cried when she touched the sand. After it got in her mouth, she was really livid. On day two, she could not get enough of it! Ava really enjoyed it, except for the enormous jellyfish that were washed up on the beach. The pools were a big hit for her! Bella was content and laid back, as always. She took a few naps on the beach! Mimi was able to join us for most of the trip. It was a very relaxing trip. Brent and I even made it out to Louisiana Lagniappe by ourselves. I am already daydreaming about next year's trip!

Updating; trip to Nashville and Williamson County Fair

I have been scolded by several for not updating my blog, so here is my attempt at catching up on the last couple of months. I am experimenting with these collages. It may take me a month to post everything!

This is from our trip to Nashville to visit family and go to the Williamson County Fair. We went last year, and once again, the kids had a great time. Lily was much more interested in all of the attractions. Ava and Lily both were able to participate in the kid's farm, complete with gathering eggs, planting seeds, and milking cows. Ava rode her first roller coaster and enjoyed numerous other rides, along with her cousin, John Patrick. They are quite sweet together! Bella was laid back and wonderful, as always.

Casey and Coque were our gracious hosts. It was a great weekend! Thanks guys!

Summer Visitors

My nieces, Haley and Sophie, came for their annual visit this summer. It has been so much fun to have them all to ourselves for a few days. There is never a dull moment when Ava and Sophie are together. Ava loves her dearly and has so much fun when they get together. They are 11 months apart, and it drives Ava crazy that Sophie is older! They had a great time at the water park, the library, and the park. I have never heard such laughter, though, as when they turned the bath water dark purple!!
Haley has always been my little kindred spirit. We got to watch some old but great movies, and even had a chance to go see a dinner theater production of "Guys and Dolls." Haley just got her permit last week. Go, Haley! We love you girls!!
Two of my oldest and dearest friends, Alicia and Lea Lea, were able to visit. We were born within 10 days of each other in the same hospital and have been together pretty much ever since complete with secret words, dates, and happenings that we would never tell anyone!! Whenever we are together, it is almost as if I get to revisit my childhood. Thanks for the visit, girls!

Lily's spa day

One of the girls' favorite things to play this summer is "beauty shop". It is amazing how early a girl can appreciate being pampered.

Although, I am not so sure it is always relaxing. They do take turns being the beautician and the customer. This is a game that I really enjoy playing too, particularly since real fingernail polish is not involved.
Ava is definitely the expert on hair and nail design.
However, Lily has been taking notes.....
and she no longer wants to be the one being pampered.
She may have found her calling!

Smith Lake 08

One of our getaways this summer was our annual Smith Lake trip with my side of the family. These are all of the kids. It is hard to believe there are 7 now. We had a great time! We were out away from everything with nothing to do but have family time, play in the water, go on the boat, eat, laugh, and take it easy! It was a really special time......the trip that always makes me homesick for my family.

Ava had such a great time at the lake this year!! She was timid around the water, but by the time we left, she was out by herself paddling away. She always enjoys keeping up with her cousins! It is always a reminder of how nice it would be for our kids to grow up closer to family!Lily had a ball! She is our social butterfly. She enjoyed having so many people around her to talk to. She was not as much of a daredevil as we feared, but she did love the water. Everytime we put her in her float in the water, she would fall asleep. She had a great time.
Bella slept a lot. She is our little sleeper! She was very attentive when awake, but for the most part, she was just fun for everyone to hold and look at. This is my little "bully" picture of Bella.
Sophie and Ava enjoyed their time together. Ava wants to do EVERYTHING like Sophie!
This was the cutest picture moment ever! Lily just put herself right in the middle of all the cousins for a little tv time. Priceless!

Bella B.

What can I say?? She's a cutie-pie!!!

Ava's first dance recital

Ava performed in her first dance recital on Saturday. When we walked into Robinson Center in Little Rock with all of the broadway show posters displayed, she said "Mama, this is my favorite place!" She danced her little heart out with a huge smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye.
However, she was turned toward the wings so she could watch Ms. Karen and not miss a step. She was so cute. I have a feeling this is only the beginning.
She is going to really miss her friends this summer!

Water Park

Lily had her first trip to the water park last Friday. She enjoyed the water spraying out of the ground and poking other kids' belly buttons that were exposed. She was quite cute. Ava had fun, as always. Unsurprisingly, Bella slept through it all.

Super Daddy!!

I walked to the neighbor's house and when I returned, this was what I found.....priceless. We spent Sunday celebrating Father's Day with Brent. The picture says it all. Our girls could not ask for a more hands-on, fantastic, and loving father than Brent. Happy Father's Day, Brent!! You are adored.

Uncle Casey and Aunt Coque visit

We had a great weekend with Casey and Coque. The girls could not get enough of them. The gifts they brought were major hits!

Uncle Casey and Aunt Coque gave Ava her first bicycle. She really took to it and was riding it really well by the end of the day. She is very proud and feels like such a big girl.
They brought Lily her first car, and she LOVES it. She woke up the next morning signing car and making car sounds. It was a new sound to hear the pitter-patter of her feet across the living room floor early Sunday. She was headed straight for her car! Thanks Casey and Coque for a great weekend!

Lily's summer fun!

Since Lily's school is year-round, they have been making special field trips and having fun activities on Fridays. Her class went to the zoo, and since Brent worked that night, we made it a family outing. Bella slept through it all, but Ava and Lily had a great time!
This is Lily on Western Day. She is such a fun little girl!

So, where's Bella????

Here she is!!!!! So, I really have taken a lot of pictures of her, but most of the time, she is in her car seat or the baby bjorn, asleep! She is just so pleasant. She started sleeping through the night, she hardly ever cries, and when you pick her up, she just looks at you like she is saying "thank you so much for picking me up. I know you are busy and everything is chaos, but I just so appreciate any time I can get." She is a gem. She must have innately known what she was coming into with this family!

Whew!!!! June is here. Time is flying. So, I added this live traffic feed onto my blog and was amazed to see that people actually look at this page! So, for those wondering if we have survived the transition from family of four to family of five, we are still here! We have been busy with preschool graduation, birthday parties, family trips, a wedding, dance performances, and the transition to summer. Some days have been a bit overwhelming, but nonetheless, we are adjusting and enjoying the ride. My cup runneth over!!
Ava's dance performance at Riverfest in Little Rock...she is the one without the gloves to the left of the boy swaying those hips!!! Aren't they adorable?!
We went to Riverfest on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, and it was a scorcher! Ava and Lily found ways to cool off. Bella and I just stood under a tree for shelter....we were drenched with the rain, anyway!

Pics from Casey and Coque's wedding

Congratulations, Casey and Coque!! I wish I had more pics to share from their day.....we snuck them when could. Thanks so much Caity and Chris, Dora, Jan, Val and Tony and anyone else who helped us juggle our 3 girls! What a fabulous celebration!

Trip to Tennessee

Pics from day at Grandaddy's......

Ava and Lily enjoyed Grandaddy's horse, Caterpillar. But, we soon discovered that Lily does not like hay!

A day in the country seemed to definitely agree with the girls!
I have so much catching up to do!!! In early May, we took a trip to see Brent's side of the family and to attend Brent's brother's wedding. We all enjoyed a wonderful time. The girls were able to go visit Grandaddy and spend some time on the "farm". The little community is so quaint and timeless in appearance. They enjoyed the day, immensely. They were also able to spend a lot of the week at Gran's house. We kept them busy and many relatives came to shower them with lots of hugs and smiles. Ava and Lily were flower girls for Casey and Coque, and the wedding was beautiful. There were so many great times and adorable pics. Wish I had space to share them all.

Ava's 4th birthday!!!

Ava turned 4 in mid-April. She had quite a wonderful time! The highly anticipated day arrived, and she enjoyed mommy-customized cupcakes at school with all of her friends and was then able to enjoy lunch at her favorite restaurant, Chili's, with Mom, Dad, and Bella (Lily enjoyed mucho cake at home that night). The manager of Chili's gave her the dessert of her choice along with 4 free meal coupons so that Mama and Daddy will be sure to take her back to Chili's FOUR more times....

On the following Saturday, Ava had a quite memorable birthday party at the fairytale tea party place. She was hailed as a princess with her own tiara and everyone was able to pick a dress and hat of their choice. They were given lipstick and blush to look presentable at the table and were taught all of the rules of etiquette used by a true southern lady, including instructions on how to hold your pinky up while drinking your tea and how to give applause in the correct manner. After sipping on raspberry tea, eating "chocolate soup", and petit fours, they had a fashion show with their new princess and prince names, and then had a parade out on Main Street where they could wave to all passers-by. Ava took the tea party very seriously and had so much fun! I cannot believe my baby is 4!!!!