The First Cut...

We tilled, we seeded, we put down some hay, we watered, we prayed, we added more seed, we watered, we prayed, we fertilized, we watered...and we prayed some more!!!! HARD! Do you remember this?

These two really prayed And now look...she had the first official grass cut! I mean it was thick!

I'm so proud...and neighbors are staring to say they are "green" with envy! We added a new little pine island as well...doesn't she look great!
And, yes, I realize that I am referring to our lawn as "she" but after Jason and I have worked so hard to have a great yard...I feel like a proud parent(and all I know is girls)!

Going to the Chapel...

And...

We're...

Gonna get maaaarried?!

No, seriously...those two were the cutest ring bearer and flower girl ever...and they actually walked all the way down the aisle hand in hand (or maybe Reese was pulling
James just a little bit...she likes to take control...not sure where she gets that?)

Here are the true show stoppers for the weekend! This was one of the most beautiful weddings...and of course Bethany was one of the most beautiful brides. I am so happy for them...not every day that your best friend gets married...and it was perfect!

To even make the weekend better having all of these girls in the wedding party together...we had so much fun!
Bethany and me before the wedding...she looks amazing and this picture does not really do her justice!Little Miss Hadley with her Memi!This weekend's hero is for sure this guy...he took care of the girls all week and weekend so I could do all of the wedding stuff! He is amazing! Reese with her Aunt B

(when Reese saw Bethany she said, "Mommy she looks like a princess!)

Taking a break from some dancing!

It was for sure a bittersweet weekend for me. I loved every minute of it...but once the night ended it was exciting to watch Bethany and Steve to leave together knowing they are going to have an incredible life together...but sad knowing she is moving away from us!

First Official Haircut...

Before...

After...



Ok...just kidding...poor Hadley may never need a haircut! Reese, however, had her first official haircut this past week. She has had her haircut before (by yours truly) but she needed a "real cut" and an even cut I might add! So, I took her with me to my hairstylist (who is the best) and he was a pro with her. She was a little scared at first, but Chase did an amazing job of getting her mind off of it and then she ended up loving it and him!

Showing Chase how happy she is!

Pulling Along...

Often, as I am pulling these cuties along (literally or figuratively)...I think about what kind of mother I am...

And while I am thinking about that...I think about what these two are going to be like when they grow up! So with those thoughts in mind...I came across this amazing quote today...and I LOVE IT! It is totally what I believe my mission in being a mom is and I only hope to work in this direction.

"The fundamental mission of motherhood now is the same as it always was: to nurture, protect and instruct children; to create a home environment that enables them to learn and grow; to help them develop a heart for God and His purposes; and to send them out into the world prepared to live both fully and meaningfully." - Sally Clarkson from The Mission of Motherhood

The Good, The Bad, and well The Ugly

We decided to go with Jason while he had to work in New Orleans for the weekend...

THE GOOD...

Jason getting a hotel with a great pool for the girls to swim

Loving the pool

Going to the fabulous New Orleans Zoo, it really was great

Hadley and Mommy with the Giraffes and Hadley with her

little Sophie giraffe (fabulous teething toy)

Dancing with Daddy at a very interesting restaurant

Enjoying an incredible park...Reese was very focused on the ducks.

THE BAD

This picture will have to represent the bad...since this Gorilla was being very bad and running around putting branches on his head...and here are a few bad moments...

1) Trying to entertain a 3 year old (quietly) while trying to get a 9 month old to take a nap all in the same hotel room

2) Deciding to just "find" a restaurant to eat at with two small children in a new city...an hour later and two crying girls...we find a very bad restaurant...lesson learned...plan ahead!

3) Being in an airport for 3 hours waiting for your flight with two VERY tired little girls...lots of crying!

4) Taking the recommendations of a "family mall" from the front desk only to find yourselves in a very dirty and scary mall...

THE UGLY...not sure this picture needs words...but what is that?

But, all in all it was a great trip...lots of fun family time and lots of things learned for our next family trip in a hotel room and new city!

9 months

This little sunshine is 9 months old! She is a tough cookie for sure: she is daily squeezed too tight, pulled and pushed, has toys taken from her and at the end of it...she still ADORES her big sissy (and Reese adores her). She loves inching and rolling around but she has no desire to crawl! It is so funny to me because when you put her on her stomach she just smiles and rolls over. She is for sure a very laid back little girl! Not in a hurry! She still LOVES saying "dada" but she is now refusing to say "mama", when I say it she actually smiles and then says "dada".

This is an expression she loves...mouth wide open!

And look I have two top teeth now!

She loves to be in the water...she squeals and splashes and smiles!

Patience is a virtue

Don't they say patience is a virtue? Well, it is for sure a virtue that I need to work on getting! (can you work on virtues?...anyway) See I wish I had a before picture of our yard (with tons of overgrown bushes and a small swamp in the middle!) That was before Jason fixed part of the drainage problem, had the yard tilled, seeded and spread out the straw...(see I was just sure that all of this was not going to work...seeding a yard?) Boy was I wrong...patience is a virtue!

Praying for growth

A little wateringA little more

We love water!
And look...we have some grass!!! Growing slowly...but it is growing!

Let them eat Cake!

WOW! Three hours, 2 cups of ice cream, one cookie, one cupcake, one piece of cake and two juice boxes later and I am beat! Seriously if there is one thing that will wear you down it is two birthday parties (full of about twenty-five 3 and 4 year olds) back to back...and if that does not do it...it would be your own 3 year old at home after the parties and after ALL THE SUGAR! AHHH!

Now, with that all said, Reese had a wonderful time (just if I had my way me she would not have had all of that junk...I mean sugar...but what are birthday parties for right?)

Party number one...catching candy butterflies...so much fun

Lucky for us we each had some of our favorite people at this party
Reese had a great time at the party with Addie Gail

The little sisters had a great time together too!

Now Maggie just needs to give Hadley some of her hair
Checking out the side views

Birthday party number two...prince and princesses on a hunt This princess has found her prize!
All sugared up...on a mission
Sassy smiles from little miss pigtails!