The Few and The Proud

On Sunday one of Dave's brothers, Charlie, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. We are so proud of him! Here are some pictures from the big day. Keep in mind that Hayden took about half of these and his were better focused than mine! I really need some photography classes and a better camera. :)

Catching Up

First Day of Kindergarten...finally!

Since Livee's birthday, we have started school! Hayden missed the first several days of Kindergarten due to Strep Throat (that lasted forever because it started with vomiting), but he is finally adjusting. He has had some issues with defiance, but I'm hoping that those are finally settling down. He's working on his site words and learning to read. His favorite subjects are P.E. and Art, which is customary for a little boy I think. The second weekend of August we had his birthday party at Chuck E Cheese, also. He's 6 and growing like a weed! I asked him to stop, but he said no. :)

Ticket booth with cousin Carson

Ready for CAKE!

Gotta make sure Chuck E. is still there

Driving at the Cheese

In September, Livee started attending preschool at a local church two days a week for a few hours. She LOVES it! And I love that I am able to volunteer at Hayden's school one day a week and attend a Bible study on the other.

Livee's first day

Other than being sick on and off, we are enjoying the fall weather. Dave and I went white water rafting at the end of August with our LifeGroup class. Even though it wasn't a really rough river, we still had fun just being together all day without kiddos. The kids and I went to Muscle Shoals on Labor Day weekend (since Hayden was out on Monday) and will go back next weekend (Hayden's out on Columbus Day). We don't have anything else planned this month except for football (ugh) and my 10 year COLLEGE reunion. Yikes! I hope we can sneak in a trip to a pumpkin patch sometime since Livee is big enough to enjoy it this year.

I've joined Pinterest, which is why I need to use the treadmill that we bought on Craigslist last month. I just look at that site and I gain a pound. I've already made several recipes I've found on there and gotten lots of ideas for sewing and decorating. I'm planning on making the kids' Halloween costumes this year and I'm excited about that. I've also been working on painting my dining room chairs and recovering the cushions for about a month. It wouldn't have taken that long except it's rained in between and I've gotten distracted with other things. I will hopefully tackle painting our bedroom in the next couple of weeks. I've just about decided to paint the walls a nice stone gray and the ceiling a beautiful turquoise. Then we will get a king-sized bed next spring and a new ceiling fixture. I hope to remember to take pictures tomorrow at Uncle Charlie's commissioning ceremony so that I can post again later this week!

Livee's Par-tay!

Livee had a monkey-themed birthday party this year because she LOVES monkeys! She has a pink monkey that I picked up in Wal-Mart around Valentine's day this year that she sleeps with. We call it "pink monkey". Very original-I know.

I tried to keep her party low-key, mainly because she's ONLY two...for goodness sakes. Been there, done that---oh, you know... the big party for a two year old who won't remember. It's a bit ridiculous. I invited two of our neighbor's little girls who are around the same age as Livee and our niece Carley Grace. Then, of course, Hayden and our nephew Carson were there. It was nicely rounded out with 6 kids.

First, they painted a "jungle" mural. Then we went ahead and had a snack of cheeze-its and let Livee blow out her candles so we could enjoy her banana monkey cupcakes. After snacking, we had a dance party to one of our favorites, "Five Little Monkeys" by Go Fish, and I told the kids a little story. Then Livee opened her presents and the adults had time to chat. It really was a fun party and not too stressful at all!

Check that off...

Livee's new curtains - DONE!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Livee!

What a difference a year makes!

July 2010

July 2011

Holiday Weekend!

We had a fabulous week last week at Grammie and Deeda's. We got to play with my niece and nephew and spend time with family. On Thursday, the kids and I headed home. We spent one night, then headed to Stone Mountain on Friday.

We love going there and hope to have a pop-up camper one day so we can camp! We rode the train, climbed on SkyHike, watched a short Yogi-Bear 4D adventure, swam at the hotel pool, and watched the new laser show (which was awesome). We spent the night in the hotel there Friday and then on Saturday we headed to Peachtree City for our friend Matthew's 4th birthday party. We had a great time there for a couple of hours hanging out with our friends, then headed to Birmingham to meet our new nephew!

We spent the night at Grandpa's house, had homemade Italian spaghetti (the best there is!), and met baby Gaines! Hayden and Livee LOVED holding him. I'm sure it will be different when he's a little older and more wiggly!

He was born in May, so he was 6 weeks old and still so tiny! On Sunday, we headed over to Gramma and Pops' house to enjoy ribs and spend more time with the family. After 2 days around the baby, I realize now how much work they are and am so glad we are moving into a "big kid" direction! Hayden decided to spend the week in Birmingham at Gramma and Pops' house, so the 3 of us have been lonely around here. On Monday we had leftover spaghetti and went to bed early! Hope everyone had a fabulous 4th of July holiday!!!