Happy Birthday Nick!

Well, I am one day late, but that's OK! My second nephew turned 11 yesterday - hard to believe!! We are planning to spend one day with him in Dardanelle next week so I didn't get to see him on his actual birthday. He had some friends over and went out to dinner last night, but the thing that he really wants for his birthday is a puppy!! He told me had already saved almost $300 - so I found some puppies that I would want if I were him!
maybe a little Elle??

Aren't they cute - it almost makes me want a puppy - HA!! Happy Birthday Nick!

Bathtime Buddies

I hope everyone is having a great week!!

Here Comes Trouble

I took this picture one year ago today and it may be my favorite picture of all time. Ava used to make this face when she didn't get her way - already showing a little attitude!

Busy Week

Last week is still such a blur to me! I am so amazed at how busy we all are this summer. First of all, two of our favorite people came to visit last week, James' Uncle Alan and Susan. I have to say, Uncle Alan is the first person I met from James' family because he comes to Arkansas for business and I just loved him so much and thought if everyone else was as nice as he was, I would be just fine! They were also with us on our engagement trip to Belize - we just think the world of them! This was the first time that they really had a chance to spend time with Ava and Sam and my kids loved them too! Ava woke up in the morning looking for Susan and is still asking about her.

Susan and I ventured to Little Rock with the kids one day last week and just looked around downtown. We happened to walk into the Peabody when they were bringing in the ducks and Ava was just amazed.

Sam was just happy to sit in his stroller and take it all in - very unusual for him these days!

On Saturday, our neighborhood hosted a family movie night outside on the golf course with a big movie screen and games for the kids. SO much fun!! I am still so mad at myself for not bringing my camera thought because Ava was so stinking cute. When we pulled up, I noticed several little kids around her age playing so I was excited for her. Well, she spotted two little girls (about 10 or 11 years old) sitting on a blanket and said, "I am going to go play with my friends." She had NEVER seen these girls, but she went to their blanket and sat down with them. Grace and Sophie were so sweet to her. They held her little hand and walked her around to get candy and a drink. Ava was in heaven and was kicking and screaming when we had to leave before the movie was over!!

Yesterday we had Jerry, Dana and little Landon over for swimming and dinner. We had a really good time and Landon did such a good job for his first time in the pool!

Ava had a good time after dinner hosting a tea party for the two boys!!

Mommy-Daughter Day

Ava and I had a special day today! We went to Dora Live and then out for lunch in Little Rock. First, we dropped Sam off with Mimi, Papa and Conner (thank you guys!) Ava was soooo excited to go see Dora and we had such a fun time there. She was just so happy and stood pretty much the entire time watching the play. Her favorite part - a tossup between Swiper and Diego!! After the play we headed over to West Little Rock for lunch at The Purple Cow - very cute and kid friendly little restaurant.

Ava was so sweet all day asking about Sam. On the ride to Dora she probably asked about him 10 times (along with singing Dora songs). "Where is Sam?", "Is Sam OK?", "Is Sam hungry?" She was more worried than I was!! During intermission she said, "Mommy I a princess and Sam a prince." Yes!! And when we were buying her a little shirt - she said, "Sam too?" So sweet - I could not make another one like her if I tried!

A trip to the Purple Cow would not be complete without a purple vanilla milkshake- YUM!!! Ava obviously enjoyed that part of the day!

She has worn her Dora shirt all afternoon and will tell anyone that will listen to her all about it - she was not too happy to have her picture taken though.

I know that Ava had fun today, but I think I had more fun. I loved watching every little reaction and seeing things through her eyes. Hopefully a lot more Mommy-Daughter days to come!

Our 4th of July Weekend

We had such a fun (and stressful) weekend at the lake with Joey, Jennifer and Ashtyn (and her friend Cole). The kids and I went down on Thursday to get everything ready and it still amazes me how much STUFF I have to pack for these two little people. I miss the days of get in the car and go! We had a pretty relaxing day and I had a special treat for Ava - Lady and the Tramp (which we both loved!)

Sam loved to stand at this window and yell at random things outside. I tried to get a video - it was so funny!

Elle was also very entertained watching all the boats and people (and maybe barking at a few of them!)

James surprised everyone with a boat on Friday- yes I said a boat, which is a story for another time. We didn't actually get out on the lake until about 5:30. Both of my kids had skipped their naps and usually eat at 6, so we had a couple meltdowns and had to call it an early night. We spent the day outside on Saturday - so much fun. Ava kept saying, "Where is MY boat?" She just loved it and Sam was so funny - I still think about him on the boat and laugh out loud. I am so glad that both of my kids really like the water. We didn't get to see a professional firework show, but there were so many people shooting them at the lake that it was almost as good. I let Ava stay up and watch - she was not as scared as I thought she would be and some of them were pretty close. She just held on to me a little tighter. James and I spent a lazy Sunday just playing with the kids at the park and the pool.

Both kids took a turn driving with Daddy - Ava was just beside herself!
Sam was so funny! First of all, this is the smallest life jacket I could find and it was probably a little too big so I made it as tight as I could. He would not move his head, but he would smile. He was just the cutest thing!

Does it look like Sam is choking in this picture - he is not!! That is how he kept his head the entire time. I seriously laugh out loud EVERY time I think about it!

Ava had so much fun swimming with James -
maybe a little too much fun!
Joey and Jennifer

Ashtyn and Cole - they were so sweet playing with Ava all weekend!

I tried to get a cute picture in their 4th of July pajamas - this is the best I could do. Seriously, how do people get their kids to look at the camera and smile at the same time??

Watching fireworks outside the condo - we were all just running from the front to the back to get the best view. Ava thought she was so cool getting to stay up with the big kids!


Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

Birthday Boys!!!

Two of our little friends, Lucas and Luke turned one this past month and we had fun at both parties!! Lucas had a party at his house a couple weeks ago and we got to go play there for a little while. He is such a cutie and it was so funny to watch him eat his cake - he was really laid back. My kids attack when you put something sweet in front of them!

I stole this picture from Carla' facebook page ( I hope she doesn't care!!). I had not quite figured out my new camera yet, and took about 40 pictures without turning on the flash!

This past weekend we went to Luke's party at the lake. We swam by their boat dock and Ava loved playing in the dirt, of course! I wish I would have taken a picture of the cute gift bags that Margaret made - they were beach bags with all kinds of fun stuff inside!

Ava loved this sprinkler beach ball - she thought it was funny!

Happy Birthday Lucas and Luke (and Beth's Luke too!)