A Good Cause

Please take a second and check out our good friend's newest endeavor! We are so excited for them and the opportunity they have before them.

Moving to Africa

Girls just wanna have fun!

Kate had some friends over for her birthday this last weekend and it was non-stop girly fun! We let Will do the same thing last year, and it is amazing how different the parties were. Will's was filled with bikes, campfires, nerf guns and Batman movies. Kate's was nothing but giggles, silliness, girly crafts and modeling shows. She had a great time and continually told me thank you for her party.
Her friends...


The silliness...


Our princess...

The giggles...

On Saturday, we took Kate to get her ears pierced. She has been asking us to do it for a while now and we finally did it. She wasn't quite sure what to think when they were prepping her, she was shocked at the pain that was involved (even though I told her it would hurt!) and she cried right after, but now she loves them, checks on them and shows them off with pride. She's growing up way too fast!

On a boyish note, Ryan and Rachel had their baby boy, Brady Ryan, on Monday! She had a smooth delivery and a 7 lb. 10 oz. healthy baby. He is so sweet and loved by so many. I am glad I was able to be there for the celebration! Each of my kids talk about their new baby cousin and can't wait to see him again.
The kids and their new cousin...

Like I said, loved by many cousins and plenty of playmates (We have a houseful when we all get together!)

Proud aunt and cousin...

Congrats little brother & sis!

Kate Turns Four! (And other things!)

Our sweet Kate officially turned four this week (I say officially because she has always seemed so much older, and I have considered her four since who knows when!). Although her birthday was actually Sunday, we celebrated with family on Thursday night after Will's last t-ball game. We met at Chick-fil-a (still her favorite place) and she was giddy with excitement to have everyone there just for her! The presents seemed to be endless and she was in princess heaven! Here's some pictures from her night.




We celebrated the end of Will's t-ball season too. He loved every second of it and improved a lot over the last few weeks! Here's his special cookie cake.

We managed to sneak in a trip to the lake with our good friends the Walkers. As always we had a great time catching up. The kids loved swimming in the lake and Will was able to improve his skiing skills. Thanks Jonathan & Janean!



I helped host a shower on Sunday for one of my best friends Natalie and her soon to be husband Evans. It was a little toasty but beautiful. I am so glad we were able to spend some time with them while they were in town. We love you guys!

Swing set, Sparklers & Summer Smiles

For the kids' birthdays, my parents (Pop & Nanny) got the kids a new swing set. This weekend we took on the task of putting it together. With the help of Uncle Ryan's brute strength and Aunt ChiChi's sheer genius, we were able to get it done (and we only had to retrace our steps about ten times!)It doesn't look that difficult, but with poor instructions filled with holes, it was a little bit of a challenge. The kids loved it and played with it all day! I like it because it has enough swings for everyone...at least until baby #4 is old enough to participate! Thanks Pop & Nanny!




We didn't do much for the 4th, which I really enjoyed. We played around at our house, ate lots of things that were red, white, and blue and watched some fireworks from our front yard (redneck style)! The kids love sparklers and couldn't wait until dark to do them...I could barely hold them off until 6 o'clock.
This is the kid's spaceship (a.k.a. swingset box) that entertained them forever!





This is a cute picture of them before church on sunday...finally, they will all smile!

And this little girl is about to be four years old (one more week)! She always gives us pretty smiles!

Red, White & Blue

The kids looked extra cute today in their red, white and blue church attire. Kate got her haircut on Friday and has been anxious to show it off-its the girl version of a summer buzz.



Last night we went to the Baptisms/Fireworks at the Crosses and it was great. I always enjoy watching fireworks with the kids, however, Eli does not! He spent the whole show with his head buried into Nate and didn't peek once. Poor guy; I guess there's always next year!

T-Ball Time

Will started his first season of t-ball last Saturday and loves it. He plays for the Lookouts and has already made lots of new friends. Its so funny to watch the kids figure out the game. William is quite the crowd pleaser and always wants to know that we're watching him. I constantly have to remind him to pay attention and watch the ball. They are all so proud when they hit the ball and get to run across home plate. Will is already looking forward to getting a trophy at the end of the season-he is sure that they are the winners after every game!

In the dugout...

Ready for the ball...

Nice Hit!

Runner on second...

Coach Peters and the Lookouts

Dedicated fans (PePa, Pop & Nanny were there too!)

Kate's new friends

The next big player (wishing he could play now!)

Sweet Picture

We had a great Father's Day yesterday and spent all day with family. The kids got up early and made Nate a pancake breakfast and loaded the dishwasher so "daddy wouldn't have to do them." They made him really sweet cards too. We had lunch with Pop (my dad) at Ryan and Rachel's house where we grilled out some great burgers and relaxed. Rachel took this sweet picture of the kids eating under their tree...its so nice having a talented photographer as my sister-in-law!

After lunch we headed out to see PePa (Nate's dad) where we swam for 5+ hours. I am amazed at how long kids can play without getting tired. I was worn out after about an hour! In the last week, Eli has become a little water bug. He swam just as long as his brother and sister did. He would swim all around the pool and wanted to jump over and over again. He looks so cute in his little goggles, swim vest and arm floaties. I need to get a picture of it because it really is a funny site. We had a great time with all our family!

Will also had his first t-ball game on Saturday. I will try and get some pictures posted soon!