Louisiana Saturday Night

This past weekend we made a fun-filled trip to Louisiana. Caroline had requested a "weinee roast" for Saturday night, and you know the grand kids usually get what they want. After playing hard outside all morning long, we headed to the lake Saturday afternoon to meet our cousins and have some fun along the campfire. The kids enjoyed riding the 4-wheeler, riding in the boat and casting a line and playing games with their cousins. The hot dogs were good, but the smores were the best! Caroline and Will were worn out, but come Sunday morning, they were ready to go again. After church, we headed to the park to play before visiting Mamaw Elsie. All and all, we had a great weekend and were able to enjoy this absolutely beautiful weather we're having!

Silhouettes

This morning the kids and I went to see a silhouette artist who was in town. I've always loved silhouettes, so when I heard a professional, Clay Rice, was coming to town, I jumped at the chance to have him capture my little sweethearts with his scissors. After seeing the finished product, I couldn't be happier.

It SNOWED!

Having gone 6 years without seeing snow, we finally lucked up! Yes, late last night we saw some unfamiliar "white stuff" falling from the sky. Even though Caroline was already asleep, I woke her up so that she could enjoy all the fun. I mean, who knows when it will happen again?
Caroline and I have been talking about snow all winter in hopes that we might get lucky since we live a little more north now, so I knew she would be so excited to actually see it. She was and thankfully went back to sleep without too much fuss. When we woke up Sunday morning, we were tickled pink, or "white" I should say, to see that some of it was still hanging around. Daddy helped Caroline make a tiny snowball before we headed off to church and I had the hard task of convincing her to drop it and not take it with her in the car. And of course I took the opportunity to dress the kids in their matching snowmen outfits!

My Lil' Cowboy

A picnic and tea party

This past week we had some beautiful spring like weather. The kids and I jumped at the opportunity to enjoy the warmer temperatures and decided to have a picnic outside with the new picnic basket Caroline received at her birthday party.

Despite good intentions, Will's good behavior was short-lived and we ended up having to put him in his high chair to ensure the food stayed on the table and that he stayed off of the table (standing for clarification).Since she enjoyed sharing a picnic with her brother so much, she decided to invite him to tea time the next morning. As you can see, it went really well and this time Will behaved like a gentleman.

Now give me a hug

From the mouth of Caroline:

"Will, I haven't gotten a hug or kiss from you all day. Now come over here and give me a hug."

Have you heard the news?

According to Caroline, "Aunt KK has a baby in her belly!" And we couldn't be happier. Caroline is so excited that she is going to have another baby cousin. Some days she hopes for a boy, but most days she is hoping for a little girl. Either way, we know Aunt KK and Uncle Stephen will make great parents!We were also very excited that KK got to come into town to help celebrate Caroline's birthday. We went with Nana to pick her up at the airport and as soon as Caroline saw her, she took off in a full sprint. Will did the same and completely bypassed his sister who was trying to give him a hug. That is completely unlike him, so I knew he was excited to see his Aunt KK. After leaving the airport, the pregnant lady quickly informed us that she had to get something to eat, so we made a stop by Chick-fil-A. Then, as you can see, we had a little fun at Target.

Aunt KK took Caroline shopping for her birthday present where, you guessed it, she picked out a few new t-shirts. She also picked out her first pair of flip flops in hopes that spring would come early. All of the shopping made us hungry again, so Nana treated us to Kyoto's, Aunt KK's favorite restaurant. The kids enjoyed the entertainment, but were exhausted afterwords, so it was time to head home for a nap. But before everyone took a nap, Caroline had to give Aunt KK the present she picked out for her new cousin. Congrats KK and Uncle Stephen!

Cowgirl Caroline's Party

On Saturday, the wait was finally over. It was time for Caroline to have her birthday party at the Ag Museum. Caroline helped me make all of the invitations that we sent out and helped shop for all the treats and food we were going to have at the party, so by the time Saturday rolled around, she was ready to party! We were blessed with great weather and lots of family and friends present to help her celebrate. Thankfully, Pop, Mimi and Uncle A came into town a little early so Mimi could help me with the cake. Other than it turning out red instead of pink, it was a success.Since Caroline's cousin, Mason, turned 3 the day after Caroline, we decided to opt for a double party. Of course the kids didn't mind because that meant more friends and family would come and the adults enjoyed having a bigger selection of food! The kids enjoyed riding a variety of things including ponies, the train and the carousel.

I can't speak for everyone else, but I know that my two little stinkers enjoyed themselves at the party. Afterwords, they were exhausted and passed out on the way home. Happy Birthday, Cowgirl Caroline!

Celebrating Caroline's Big Day

To help celebrate her 3rd birthday, I dropped Will off at playschool and spent the entire day with Caroline. We began our day by going to Toys-R-Us to let her pick out a toy with the money Aunt Clay, Uncle Richard, Aunt LeeAnn and Uncle Donnie sent. She quickly decided on a Barbie make-up kit and didn't even complain when it was time to leave the store. Next we went to Sam's to pick up some party supplies for Saturday where the guy in the floral department gave Caroline a pretty pink rose. He said she looked as if she would like a little rose and when I told him that it was her birthday, he was glad he picked her out of the crowd.




Before picking Will up, we came back home to eat lunch and play with her new toy. Since she was in the mood to primp a little, I decided to go ahead and paint her nails. Caroline was glad to go pick up her little brother, but didn't dare tell him about her day alone with Mommy. She thought it might make him a little sad that he didn't get to go. After taking a nap, we met Daddy and Nana at GattiTown for pizza and fun.
All day I kept Caroline from opening her big present until after we got back from GattiTown and Daddy was home. Well, she took it to heart because as soon as she got home, she got her present and began opening it. Unfortunately, I wasn't at home because I was at my sewing class, so I missed all of the excitement. Nana knew I would be disappointed, so she and Caroline wrapped the present up again so I could see Caroline open it. Caroline is quite the little actress because she acted all surprised when she opened it the 2nd time around. Caroline, I hope you enjoyed your birthday because I know I sure did!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Caroline!

Today marks Caroline's 3rd birthday. About this time 3 years ago, we were wondering if she was ever going to make her appearance. After two days in labor and delivery and the doctor warning that if I didn't have her before 5 p.m., he was going to do a C-section, she finally decided to grace our presence at 4:50 p.m. Since then, our lives have changed forever...for the better of course!

Since her birth, Caroline has brought a smile to our world. She is so loving and caring and is the smartest little 3-year old girl you'll ever meet. She amazes me with her memory and the things she can come up with. She loves her brother more than anything and takes care of him like a little mommy should. She tries to be much bigger than she actually is and wants to be included in everything I do. I feel like I have a little shadow following me around the house all the time, watching me and asking about 1,000 questions a day. It actually comes in quite handy when I forget what I'm supposed to do during the day. I ask her and she quickly reminds me what I told her I had to get done or what I needed to pick up at the store. She is quite the talker and is quickly filling my shoes as being a nonstop yak-yak (the nick name I was given as a kid).
Anyway, enough bragging about my little girl. To celebrate the big day, Daddy picked up some donut holes that Caroline enjoyed eating on her new miniature tea set. After breakfast, Will had to give his big sister a birthday hug before we took him to playschool. Caroline skipped playschool today and instead was treated to a day alone with Mommy.

Happy birthday, my sweet Caroline! We love you and can't wait to see what God does with your life!

Daddy's Little Valentine

We are loved

Valentine's Day was a big day around our house because the grandparents sent us all kinds of goodies. From the big lip suckers to the cuddly teddy bears to the peanut butter candy, we began thinking it was Christmas time again. Thanks grandparents for all the sugar! :)