Family Visit

Over Memorial Day weekend my brother and his family came over to spend a few days. We had some funcky weather for the first few days. Didn't get to spend too much time out in the sun so we decided to find some alternative things to do. My neighbor told me about a place call Mac Daddy's which is about 45 mins away but it would have fun stuff for all ages. We head over there on Friday night to have some dinner and play. 

After dinner the kiddos and adults wanted to play some games. We loaded up a few play cards and off we went. Bree was doing her best to drive this car.

Katie and Daddy riding the virtual roller coaster. I did this with Bree and she picked the adventure ride which took you underwater, over mountains, through deserts, etc. It shook up to death. I ended up putting my hand behind her head because her little head was bouncing all over the place. She laughed the entire time. Guess it didn't bother her but my insides were still moving by the time it ended.

Photo op for Aunt Brandy and Bree.

So serious about their water games. Haha!! Bree loves playing this game a CEC...she whooped up on her Uncle Kevin.

Kevin and Matthew giving the virtual ride a go.

Brandy showing us what she's got.

After we were done with games it was getting late and we knew we had a 45 min ride back so we opted to race go carts instead of bowling. We all raced except for Brandy...she was the photo taker. It was fun..we were all talking trash to each other. Katie and I were the first ones out of the gate and held the lead until the very end when this kid rammed us and spun us around and we got stuck and end up coming last place. Boo! But I guess that is racing...even though I say we technically won. :)

Even thought we did have iffy weather on most of the days there were a few hours of sunshine and we tried to take advantage of them. We headed to the pool a few times.

Bree doing what she loves to do when we are near the water... EAT. :) I pack so many snacks just cause I know she will eat pretty much all of them. She is a cutie doing it though.

Matthew and Katie spend most of their time in playing in the water.

We went out for seafood one night...went to a place down the road that is on the beach. They have really good food. There was a long wait so we took some photos to past the time.

The next to last day that they were here was a beautiful sunny day. We decided to go to the beach. The waters were really rough for some reason and the waves even at the shore were pretty good sized, but we got to play for a little while before it got to be too rough.

The Italian Ice guy came by with his cart, the girls love it so we got a cup to share.

 As most of you know, I am not a fan of actually going in the water at the beach. I hate all things creepy, crawly and slimy that could potentially attack me. :)  So I spend my time on the sand. Brandy was happy to join me.

We spent a lot of time in the sun this day and we all ended up a little toasty by night time. So on the last day with the family we decided not to burn anymore. We headed over to Wilmington for the day. Matthew and Kevin went to tour the Wilmington Battleship (I wish I had some of the picture they took..they were being silly in all their photos). While they toured Chris, Brandy, the girls and myself all shopped. Then we headed home and grilled out for Memorial Day.

It was a really fun weekend with them. So glad that got to come over and hang out with us. Love spending time with my family!!!

Pretty Pretty Ballerina

A couple of weeks ago Bree had her big ballet\tap recital. She has loved her ballet and tap class this year. She always looks forward to going and has the best time. Her class is a closed class which means that parents can't watch....so we have been very anxious to see what she has been working on. 

Big sis hear to support Bree.

We did video tape the recital....well let me correct that...we taped part of it. Not to hang Chris out to dry here...but he thought he was recording her ballet part but at the end realized that he did not push the record button. :(  So I'll do my best to describe it for you....in one word she did AMAZING!!!! We were so proud of her. She did every move and was so sweet and graceful. I had tears in my eyes when it was over. She smiled so beautifully during all too. We did however get the second act, their tap routine. I love how she has the perma smile going on again during it all. I thought she did pretty Amazing during her tap as well.  Click here to watch. If you are wondering why the kiddos keep looking over to their left and right it is because they had their teachers off to the side of the stage doing the dance as well to help them move along with the music.

After this dance and before intermission they had a little award ceremony where they called out each childs name and gave them a little trophy for completing the dance year. Here is are beautiful ballerina with her trophy and flowers from Mommy, Daddy and Katie. She is super excited for next year as she will be in the "big girl" ballet and tap class....no more preschool classes. :)

Sleep Over

Katie had a sleep over with her BFF Kelsey last month. Katie has been asking me for a long time to have Kelsey over for a sleep over. Finally Kelsey's mom and I were able to talk and meet up with each other. After that, we were able to find a weekend that she could come over. They were both beyond thrilled...and Bree was pretty excited too.

Kelsey came over around 5pm on Friday...Katie was pacing the floors and kept checking out the front door from the moment she got home from school until she pulled up in the drive way. As soon as her car stopped Kelsey flew out of the car and her and Katie gave each other a big hug. It was so funny!

Let the fun begin!!!!

For dinner I asked the girls if they would rather have pizza or I could fix sloppy joe dogs. They both looked at each other and immediately started whispering back and forth. LOL  After some well thought out plan, they both agreed on pizza. 

 Scarfing down some pizza ....they were all zoned out on some show (even Chris). :)

 After dinner we headed over to the park in our neighborhood. They played for a really log time.

 After the park we headed back home got on pj's and settled in for a movie. They were worn out because by 9:30 they were asking to go to bed. They both slept in Katie's bed and I only had to go in there one time and ask them to quite down. After that they were sound asleep....but they were up bright and early ready to go!

I told the girls that if it was pretty we would head to the beach for the day. After breakfast, they all three were in their bathing suits...I think this was by 8:30 in the morning. I told them it would be a little longer before we leave...so they decided to have a dance party. Katie cranked up the music and they all danced around for almost an hour.

 We finally got to the beach...it was a beautiful day but the water was FREEZING!!!! They sure don't seem to mind, they played for several hours.

Trying out the body boards

 Stopping for a little snack....this girl loves to eat at the beach. She gets that from me, I don't know why but when we are at the beach all I want to do is snack.

 There were lots of little crabs at the shore and they (along with a bunch of other kids) were catching all sorts of crabs. Checking out several of them.

Daddy was spending lots of one on one time with Bree so she didn't feel too left out from not having her a friend with her. She did really good with Katie having a sleep over.

 Here is a one of the bigger crabs they caught that day. Katie wanted to take this one home to keep it. We had to explain that we don't keep the creatures....we can catch and look but return the back to the sea. :)

After a few hours at the beach we headed home, ate some lunch and then Kelsey had to go home. She is such a sweet, sweet girl and so polite. I told her she could come back anytime. They had a blast and I have a feeling she will be back over lots this summer.

Our First Author

I am waaaaayyyy behind on my blogging and trying to get caught up...so stayed tuned for many more post. :) A couple of weeks ago we were invited to Coffee and Doughnuts in Katie's class. The kids were working hard lately on writing non-fiction books. They got to pick their topic, research all about it and then decided what to write.  They had finally finished and were ready to have a reading and book signing for all of us. 

Our beautiful author ready for her first book reading and signing.

Quick picture with her BFF Kelsey

You can click here to watch the video of Katie and her group reading their book "Cool Crabs" Sorry you will probably have to turn your head. I had to film on my phone and turned it to get the entire group in the shot.

Their book published

After the reading the parents got a copy of the book and each group had their own table to sign the books. It was very cute...all the parents lined up at the tables and had all the authors sign.

 Working hard on those signatures. :)

Me and my girl! I am so very proud of her and the book she helped write. Good job Katie!!!

Mother's Day

This year Mother's Day was extra special to me for a couple of reason. One is that my Mom and Dad were here. This was the first Mother's Day that I have spent with my Mom since I became a Mom.

Me and my two blessings

Me and my Mom...with a sneaky Bree in the middle

 After church and some lunch we all went over to Wilmington for the afternoon. My Mom, the girls and I went to Sweet and Sassy for a Mommy and Me day. We all got manicures and pedicures.

The girls were working the run way while we waited. 

 Getting the feeties soaked and scrubbed....while catching up on all the latest Teen Bop gossip. Katie asked me why I wasn't reading a magazine. I picked up one of the many "teen" magazines. Read a fascinating article about how your boyfriend can be more like Justin Bieber.  Because that is what we all want. LOL:) 

A group photo to show off our sassiness. Haha!

We head out to dinner afterwards and then back home. Photo is dark...but little one was out and fell asleep holding my hand. (insert melted heart). Love my girls!

The second reason Mother's Day was so special this year is that Katie was baptized today. A few weeks ago she accepted Jesus into her heart. We met with Pastor Bobby shortly after and he talked with her about her decision and about being baptized. She was so excited!

Hanging out waiting for the baptism to start.

Quick photo of the two of us right before she walked up. I love how happy she is about her decision. :)

The water was really warm...so she had to take a few minutes to get down the steps. Pastor Bobby tell everyone how Katie came to her decision to accept Christ.

Getting ready to go down in the water.

Down with the old self and up with the new self!!!!

Right after....So thankful for this little girl and who God is shaping her to be!

Being a mom is the hardest job I know I will every have. I have to rely on the good Lord to give me the strength each day to love my girls in a way that will help mold them and show them what it is like to live a life for God. I am so thankful that he gave me these two lovable and very silly girls to be their momma.

Tell the World

Video of the girls singing at church the other Sunday. They and the other kids have been working on this song the past few weeks. Click here to watch the video.

Bonfire with the Family

The weekend we picked the girls up from my Mom and Dad we actually met up at my Aunt Shirley and Uncle David's house. They live very close to where we normally meet and I haven't seen then and some of my other extended family in some time. Shirley and David had a bonfire and invited the rest of the family over. My Aunt Kathy and Uncle Ronnie were able to make along with my cousins Amy and Brian. 

The bonfire...roasted hot dogs and marshmallows

 My cuties

 Me and my Momma

 Daddy and Bree hanging out

 Shirley and David live on lots of land so they took the girls out on their gator and tractor....the girls LOVED it. They thought it was the best thing.

We had a great time catching up and seeing our family. The girls haven't spent much time with my extended family but they warmed up quickly to them all. We stayed the night at Shirley and Davids and the girls feel right at home. Bree even said that Shirley was like an extra Nana...which is high praise. When it was time to leave they didn't want to go, so I guess we will have to come back soon to see everyone. Thanks to Shirley and David for putting together the bonfire for everyone and for housing us for the night. :)