Big Days For My Big Girls

Our baby girl had her first birthday!!! Tyler's parents were able to come down to celebrate Torence's special day with us.

She opened presents.

Here is her cake. I am NO cake decorator, but I like to make my family's birthday cakes. I know there are a few cake decorators that view our blog and who might be laughing at this right now. Go easy on the novice.

Gosh, she is beautiful!

And there you have it.

Addy got her first haircut! She had so much fun getting pampered and got a popsicle when she was all done. What isn't to love about that? Nobody could believe that she was only 3-years-old and has as much hair as she does. I am not going to lie to you; she does have very beautiful hair. Lucky girl!!! Life will be tough for this tall, blonde.

Company?

While I was cooking breakfast this morning, Addy popped her head around the corner and asked, "Mom, are people coming over today?" I responded, "No, not today." To that she walked out in her underwear rubbing her naked belly with a look of pure zen on her precious face!

She is a lady!

Addy, I understand that with your busy schedule of preschool, toys and all the responsibilities that come with being a big sister that sometimes you just need a day to relax in your underwear.

That Addy!

Last night Tyler and I were are settled in. The girls were both in bed and we were on the couch watching our show. Ms. Addy came out into the room and said all of this:

Addy: Mom, I have a little story to tell you. Tomorrow I want to take Carson (who seems to be her preschool crush) to the cabin to meet Big Grandpa. I want him to go in our car and his mommy to stay home and not come. Just Carson in our car. Does that sound good?

Tyler: That's not going to happen. Go get back in bed.

Me after Addy had left: Did our 3-year-old just come ask us to go on an overnight trip with her boyfriend?

Tyler: Yep.

Summer at a Glance

Obviously I haven't posted for awhile. We have been busy with church stuff, finishing our basement and chasing our girls around, but did manage to have a fun summer as well.

Tyler had a birthday, shout "Hooray"! Doesn't he look like a teenager in this picture?

I went to the dentist one morning and came home to find this. Tyler and Addy had Torence all dressed up!!Forgive me Mother, for I have sinned! I told the city that Addy was a bit older than she really was so she could take swim lessons. I rationalized this in my mind in several ways: #1-She is potty trained. #2-She is not afraid of the water. #3- All the kids her same school-age could take swim lessons this summer. #4-She is big for her age. Nobody even questioned me and she loved it. I will never lie about that again (she will be old enough next summer).

Addy had a birthday, shout "Hooray"!

Torence loved the 4th of July fireworks.

Addy won the 4th of July race again.

Torence has a mullet! Addy had this same mullet. I am shocked that anything that came out of me would have such a country attribute, but you know what they say: "You can take the girl out of the country, but her children will be born with mullets." Or something like that.

Torence crawls EVERYWHERE. What should I do with her now!

We put Addy in preschool this year because it is right across the street and I know and trust the teacher. Addy loves going to school and it is so fun to hear about her adventures when she comes home each day. The first thing she tells me is what kind of snack she had, followed by a play-by-play of what boys got in trouble that day.

Hurry and Help!

I am putting a plug in for my neighbor and friend. She entered a contest to win a photo session for her family and needs votes! If you would be so kind and awesome, go to http://mommymodels.blogspot.com/ and vote for #2-Chanda. The deadline is Friday at midnight.

She bakes bread from scratch, sews beautiful dresses, has a daughter Addy's age, wins triathlons and probably does any other talented thing you can imagine.

Happy voting!!! (as long as you vote for #2)

Welcome Little One

This is my newest little niece, Vivian. She was 7 weeks premature, so she is just a tiny little thing. She is literally half the size of Addy's birth weight! She might be small, but I am amazed at how strong she is. I couldn't be more excited for my brother and sister-in-law. They have endured a lot of heartache in the baby department and are so grateful to have Vivian in their arms and hope that they will be able to bring her home soon.

We love you, Vivian and can't wait to meet you in person. We are so excited for you be able to go home to your loving Mommy and Daddy. We can't wait to watch you grow and play with our girls.

Happy Birthday to.......

THIS GUY!!!

This is Tyler in the bubble of the prairie dog habitat at the zoo.

Happy 31st Tyler!!! I love you so much. Here are 31 corks about Tyler for everyone's reading pleasure:

1. He eats PB & J nearly everyday.
2. He watches episode after episode of "Lost".
3. He loves "The Office" also.
4. He goes to "Tamale Tuesday" at Bajio nearly every Tuesday.
5. He eats at PF Chang's every chance he gets.
6. He likes to golf
7. play basketball
8. and softball.
9. When Torence cries he says "What seems to be the problem, officer?"
10. He likes to watch "Phineas and Ferb" with Addy
11. and without Addy!
12. He likes his steak cooked medium well.
13. He takes great care of our lawn.
14. He despises our garden so,
15. he does not work in the garden.
16. He likes to work on finishing our basement.
17. He does beautiful finish work....you should see our girls' rooms!!
18. His middle name is his father's name.
19. He loves the Tennessee Volunteers
20. even when they don't do so well.
21. He will only use cinnamon toothpaste and cinnamon mouth wash.
22. He likes to ride with his window down.
23. He goes through about 10 pairs of sunglasses per year.
24. He does not like tomatoes, but loves BLT sandwiches.
25. He does hand shadows with Addy every night before bed.
26. He sent me flower the other day...just because.
27. He made Torence laugh for the first time.
28. He likes to watch "Hell's Kitchen" because he likes when Chef yells at everyone.
29. He holds the highest score on the planet for "Brick Breaker".
30. He is a wonderful daddy
31. and husband