Halloween 2009

We spent halloween with some very special friends, the Sharps and the Deebs, and had a blast. We ate homemade chili and cornbread on the front porch and gave out lots of candy. The daddy's took the kids down the street to Trick or Treat. When they got back we ate some delicious homemade apple pie. Judson wanted to be BATMAN and Mary Grace was a candycorn!!!

MG's special day!

We celebrated Mary Grace's first birthday Thursday and Friday!! Thursday Judson and I made MG a special breakfast, cinnamon muffins with a candle!! MG loved it. Friday we had a few friends and family over for a birthday party. It was such a fun and special birthday. MG is so much fun. She is trying to walk every where she goes. She still falls a lot, but gets right back up and tries again. She has such a great smile and laugh!! I love to here her laugh. No one can make her laugh like her big brother. MG also loves our dogs. She wakes up in the morning asking to go see the doggies. Then she doesnt want to come in. She loves to be outside. Both of my children do. I dont mind one bit, I love to be outside also!!! I can't wait for some nice fall weather so we can really enjoy playing outside.

I have loved everyday of the past year with MG. Although I wasnt sure she was ever going to sleep all night. I tried to enjoy the sweet, quiet times with her in the wee hours. I pray daily that God would capture her heart in a very special way. I pray that she would have the confidence of knowing that her Heavenly Father created her special and has a purpose and plan for her life. I pray that she would chose to follow Him wherever He leads her. I pray that I would be a mom that encourages her to be exactly who God made her to be. She is so precious to me and Neal. But even more precious to her Father in Heaven. Thank you God for this sweet angel. Thank you for entrusting her to us for this time. Help us to be the parents she needs us to be.

more pictures

My sweet friend Sherri took some pictures of Judson and Mary Grace. They turned out great. We went to a friend of my mom's to take the pictures. Her yard is beautiful!! Here are a few of my favorites!!

Growing Up...

Judson and Mary Grace are growing up too fast. Mary Grace is ready to take off. She can stand by herself and take about 3-4 steps. Judson is such a great big brother. They are really starting to play together. It is a lot of fun to see them playing. We have to watch MG very closely. She is a climber!! She loves sitting in the Cozy Coupe and watching the dogs. Here are a couple of pictures!!!

9 months...

Where has the past 9 months gone? It seems to be flying by. Mary Grace is doing so much. Eating real food and making a mess, drinking out of a big cup, playing independantly with her toys and bringing us so much joy. She loves to make us laugh by making funny faces. Her favorite book is an animal book that has a picture of dogs. She says, "DOGGIE!" She finally has gotten one tooth. And is finally sleeping through the night!!!

Judson turns 5!

Judson turned 5 on July 7th. He had a great birthday. He woke up ready to open some presents. We let him open a few from us just to get the day started!!Next, he wanted birthday muffins with a candle!! I made some blueberry muffins for the birthday boy!! Neal and my dad took him to lunch at Anne's for hotdogs!! He invited several friends to come slip n slide and celebrate his special day!! They had a great time. Neal greased the slip n slides with baby oil. I'm not sure who had more fun the kids, or Neal. And yes, Neal did try out the slip n slide. They are not as long as they used to be. They come with inflatable boogie boards now!! Finally, we had a family dinner and then opened presents. It was a great day. I can't believe I have a 5 year old!!!

Cape San Blas 2009

We just got back from our yearly trip to Cape San Blas, FL. It was absolutely beautiful!! I love the beach. I love everything about it...the sand, the salt water, the waves, the seashells, the sun, the sunset. God did not hold anything back when he created the beach. It is so full of his creativity and I love to see it all. What a blessing to see just a glimpse of our creator in something as wonderful as the beach. He is every where if we will just take the time to look!!!

Judson had a great time. He loves spending as much time as possible with his cousins. He liked the ocean ok, but his favorite was the pool!! Mary Grace surprisingly loved the beach as well. She did great in her little pool and would kick her legs with excitement when I took her in the ocean. Trevor had no fear this year as he wrestled the waves. My nephew, William spent hours patiently combing the beach for treasures. He found some really unique and beautiful things. Samuel decided it was time to swim ( in the pool). He put his goggles on and off he went!! Judson is already asking when we can go back.

Some pictures of Judson

Judson is having a great summer so far. Last week he went to VBS and had a great time. His cousins came over to play and eat homemade popsicles!!! He helped his daddy fix something under his truck. We have been to the pool a lot, but I have not been able to take any pictures. Trying to watch Judson in the big pool while playing with Mary Grace in the baby pool is a little stressful!! Judson was not sure about swimming at first, but is doing great now. Hopefully Neal will go with us this weekend and I can get some pictures.

We went to our local farmers market this morning. It was great!! It is in the Civic Center parking lot. There were a lot of local farmers with all kinds of fresh produce. We got blueberries, peaches, and cucumbers. They will be there every Sat. in June and July. Go by and check it out!!!

I think I am in trouble...

I think I am in trouble because I have a little firecracker for a daughter. She is active, fast and very loud!!! Yet, she has the sweetest smile ever. This week she has learned how to pull herself up. It started in her crib and now she can pull up on just about anything. She is only 8 months old!! She started crawling (army style) when she was 6 months old. At this rate I am afraid she will be walking by 10 months. I dont want her to grow up so fast!!

Mothers Day

I had a very nice Mothers Day. Neal smoked ribs and a tenderloin Saturday in honor of his mother, grandmother and my mom. We had a wonderful dinner. Sunday we had big plans to go out to dinner after church and do something fun. Our plans were changed when Judson got a really high fever and pretty much slept on the couch all day. If you know Judson that is very unlike him. However, it made for a very relaxing day. I actually enjoy taking care of sick people, especially my family. So, as weird as it sounds I had a wonderful Mothers day, doing what I love to do...serving my family.

My SIL and I decided to attempt to take a picture of the 5 grandchildren for my mom for Mothers day. They did pretty good, although it did take 2 days of photo shoots before we found one we really liked.

Easter 2009

We had a wonderful Easter weekend. Starting with an amazing Good Friday service at our church and ending with a great lunch at my parents with a lot of my family and some very special friends. I am so greatful that we have the freedom to celebrate our Saviors resurrection. I love to make my children special Easter outfits, dye easter eggs, fill my childrens easter baskets, etc... but most of all I love celebrating the freedom I have because of what Christ endured on the cross. I do not deserve it and cannot earn it. It is a gift that cost my Father his perfect son. And it is available to ALL!