Happy Independence Day~2012!

We had such a wonderful Independence Day! We didn't have anything big planned, just spent the day together as a little family.  It was great to be able to just relax and have a good time.

We spent the morning drawing and painting with sidewalk chalk/paint and playing in the water hose.  After lunch and a nap, we all went outside for some splashing in our little pool.  Then Corey fired up the grill and cooked hot dogs.  The girls wanted to eat outside and that sounded like a great idea!  I made a strawberry/blueberry shortcake for dessert.

After our meal, we did a few "fireworks".  The girls are not fans of loud, big fireworks so we opted for the sparklers and party poppers.

Audrey was finally old enough and brave enough to hold the sparkler on her own (with much supervision).  She had a blast.  So much so, that Corey had to go back and get more sparklers for her to use.  This was the first year she truly enjoyed the sparkler/fireworks.

Audrey also tried her hand at the party poppers.  The strings were a bit hard for her to pull so I had to help.

Addison was not a big fan of either.  But she did love the streamers that came from the party poppers.  The poppers were too loud and the sparklers too "scaredy fire" (as Addison said).  So after a few minutes of enduring that entertainment, she chose to go inside and watch her "sing-a-long" video.

It was such a fun, perfect day for us.  And while we were having fun, we were also remembering and thankful for the men and women who have fought to provide us with that freedom and independence.

Christmas Eve 2011

This year, for the first time in about 10 years, Corey was off on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We decided to take advantage of the fact that he would be around to celebrate with us and stay in town.

I wanted to make sure I got some pictures of the girls in front of the Christmas tree in their cute dresses before all the excitement began, so I took a few photos of them first thing on Christmas Eve. I thought the pictures turned out pretty good. I love the looks on their faces. Can you tell how anxious and excited they were about Christmas being just around the corner? They couldn't wait to get into those gifts (we had to keep a fence up around the tree except for the photo shoot because a certain little almost-2-yr-old wouldn't stay out of the gifts!).



We decided to stay in town for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning so the girls could actually have Santa visit them at their home, especially since Corey was off on Christmas.

The evening of Christmas Eve we loaded up in the car and rode around looking at Christmas lights. Then we followed that up with a delicious dinner out. Once we got home Corey and I exchanged our gifts to each other (because we knew there wouldn't be time the following morning) and we let the girls open one gift each from us.



I got a new porch swing (Yipee!!), some warm, comfy house shoes, PJs and an Amazon gift card to use with my new Kindle (YES!!). Corey got some golf goodies and house shoes. Audrey was thrilled with her "real" necklace with ballet shoes charm. Addison had fun with her new phonics refrigerator magnets.

After reading the Christmas story, the girls left some cookies and milk out for Santa before they snuggled in bed. I thought they would have a tough time going to sleep because they were so excited, but I guess the day had worn them out because they fell asleep quickly. Good thing, because Santa was on his way!

Happy Independence Day!

We don't typically do the "partying" thing on the 4th of July. Mostly we keep things low key and this year was no different. Typically, Corey is working so this was the first time since I can't remember when that Corey was off on a holiday. Our neighbors invited us over to eat a delicious meal with them and their family. We enjoyed visiting with them and the kids loved playing with their grandkids.

After our wonderful meal, the kids played outside and shot a few fireworks.

Audrey decorated these strawberries to take and share with everyone. I saw them in a magazine and thought they were so cute. She enjoyed making them.

The girls looked so cute, I couldn't resist taking their picture.

Much to my dismay, my girls do NOT like to have their picture taken. It is such a pain to try to photograph them. Their daddy isn't too happy to be photographed either. (sigh) That is not a good thing for a Mommy that LOVES taking photos. I've tried to "not want to" take photos of them lately...but it just doesn't work. It makes me so sad.

So with LOTS of bribes, begging and pleading...I got a few cute ones.

Addison- 16 months old

Audrey- 4 years old

As you can tell... 3 people despising this photo taking business...

And all I wanted was just 1 photo of me and the girls, since I am hardly ever in a photo. Is that too much to ask??? At least I got this much!

That evening, Corey lit a few sparklers and Roman candles for the girls see. Audrey enjoyed it...Addison HATED it. She cried even at the sparklers so I had to take her back inside. :(

Mother's Day 2010

I had a lovely Mother's Day. How could I not, when I have 2 wonderful, adorable little girls to love?!

Audrey, Addison and I spent several days back home with my family so we were there over Mother's Day weekend. It was great to get to spend time with my mom, grandmother and aunt (who is home for a short time from the mission field in Guatemala).

We all went to church together and then enjoyed a relaxing lunch with everyone at my aunt and uncle's house.

My girls and me on Mother's Day. I am so blessed!!!!


This is 4 generations: Nana (my grandmother), Grammy (my mom), Me, Audrey and Addison.



Audrey giving Nana her Mother's Day present.




Aunt Carol looks on while Audrey shows her the Mother's Day gift from us.

Audrey and Addison give Grammy her Mother's Day gift.

The Pumpkin Patch

Audrey has been constantly asking to go to the pumpkin patch. So we braved the cold and wind Saturday to take her to one near our home. Of course, since it has been raining daily for the past month it was rather muddy, but she didn't care.

This place has numerous animals that she could feed and pet as well as selecting a pumpkin from their patch.

She had a blast!! Corey and I chased her around with our teeth chattering.

Afterward, we enjoyed a lunch at Applebee's before sending Corey on his way to work the COLD Alabama game that night.

Spring Break

This post and a few to follow are delayed a bit due to AK and myself getting sick over Spring Break...yay.

I was off work on Thursday and Friday (April 19-20) for Spring Break. I loaded up our luggage and Audrey to spend a few days with my parents.

When we arrived into town on Thursday, I made it priority to visit Nan while she was working at Cute as a Button (in downtown Prattville...if you haven't been---you must go! Such adorable children's clothing). This was the first time Nan and Audrey met in person. Nan, as I have mentioned in this post, is such a special lady to me. She taught me so much about being a teacher, but most importantly she taught me how to love life, love my family and to savor every moment I have with them. I am so thankful God placed her in my life. As you can see in the photos, Audrey came to love and adore her instantly. Nan- we love you and can't wait to get together again.

Me, Audrey and Nan

Nan, Grammy (my mom) and Audrey

Friday, Audrey, my mom, and I joined many other ladies to celebrate my grandmother's 80th birthday. We had a wonderful time and were stuffed after a delicious meal at Olive Garden.

The Olive Garden staff singing to Nana

Nana celebrating her birthday

Cousin Keeley and Audrey snuggling

Saturday, I had a yard sale. The morning started off very chilly and my feet were soaked from the dew on the ground. Talk about miserable. Thank goodness it warmed up, my feet thawed out and many people stopped by to "shop". What a wonderful feeling it is to get rid of junk!! Audrey kept my mom entertained while my dad helped me at the yard sale. Thanks Dad! I'm sure he had 100 other things he would've rather done, but he was a trooper.

Audrey assisting with the yard sale clean-up.

Audrey- sitting down on the job

After the yard sale on Saturday, several members of our family gathered to celebrate my grandmother's birthday...again (this was her actual birthday)...she is a popular lady. Then we went to visit family that we rarely get to see. It was a great reunion.

When we got home from the festivities, I was exhausted. I should've realized that I was getting sick, but it wasn't until Sunday morning that I understood the full impact. My head was hurting so severly I couldn't even see straight. My mom and AK spent the day together playing on the farm while I slept the day away in the bed. Finally around 4 that afternoon I improved enough to drive us the 2 hours back home. Blah...pretty much sums up how I felt the next several days. On top of that, Audrey started not feeling well on Monday---something totally different from what I had. But, we survived and are much better now.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

From my little leprechaun:








...who wouldn't even think of smiling for the camera.