June Birthdays

Mom and baby girl celebrate birthdays 6 days apart. So might as well have cake and gifts for both at one time.

Happy Birthday Brynlee and Jennifer. 

The little one enjoyed everything about her day. Loved watching her open her gifts and eating her birthday treats. 

Love my birthday girls.

Happy Birthday To You

The oldest in the child's generation has a birthday. Happy birthday to the sweet son, brother, husband, and father that you are.

So blessed to call you ours. 

Happy Birthday Brandon. 

Recital Day

Little Miss Brooklyn has her first dance recital. She loves the spotlight and the stage.

Behind the scenes she's all ready and waiting her groups turn to shine.

Her groups' routine choreographed to Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf. 

She did her steps, but maybe not in unison. But she did them.

She totally rocked it on stage. 

She was awesome before, during and after. 

And a little reception for her afterwards. 

Such a milestone for her. 

Can't wait for next year. 

Easter Was Here

With the expectation of church services to worship our Risen Savior on Easter Sunday, we took to a nearby RV resort for the bunny, eggs and basket, and chicks activities on Good Friday and Saturday. 

Thirty-six eggs were dyed, glittered and stickered. Some were cracked and eaten. 

Both adults and little ones participated in the fun. 

Everywhere you looked or everywhere you went the Easter bunny was there. 

My special enflatable Bunny was the center of my holiday decorations. 

The Bunny was available for self photos which none of our crew would take him up on.

He was the Grand Marshall in the parade which we watched curbside from our site catching candy, necklaces, and toy novelties. 

And he was the leader of the group egg hunt. 

We made good use of all things camping:

Splash pad

Sand pile

Bike riding

Campfire 

Roasting hotdogs

And, s'mores 

All made for a great holiday.

My Day

To My Valentines

Of course, I have quite a few Valentines. 

But these are by far the cutest. 

Mardi Gras baby sitting day (because schools and day care take a holiday for Mardi Gras) was combined with a Valentine party. We had Valentine candy and pizza and made a Valentine banner. 

Pink and red hearts were pre-cut before the party.  Each chose sizes and colors of the hearts they wanted. We lined them up and taped them together. And applied puffy heart stickers to our heart banners. 

 

 

And the littlest one put all her puffy heart stickers on all by herself. 

Happy Valentines Day to all my Valentines:

    ❤️ husband 

    ❤️ kids and their spouses and girlfriends

    ❤️ grand kiddos 

    ❤️ sisters 

    ❤️ brother 

    ❤️ And, blogger friends

The Latest in Pageants

The I'm After the Sunburst Nationals, there was Cinderella Preliminary. Always a great pageant. We've done every year. 

Brynlee at just 1 year cried and wasn't happy. Which has been her usual routine lately at pageants. She placed Cinderellja Baby Photogenic. 

And Brooklyn Cinderella Tiny Tot Overall Queen. Yay!! She did great. 

The Walker Pine Tree Festival Pageant we've also participated in every year. 

Brooklyn 3rd runner up. 

She loves pageants. 

Brynlee did awesome. No crying. No fussing. Walked out on stage by herself. But did not place. But that's ok.

A Circus Circus pageant. Just for fun. It was beauty dress and OOC.

They both got 3rd place. 

Brooklyn in beauty dress. 

Brooklyn a pop corn vendor. 

Brynlee in beauty dress. 

And little circus lion.

And a Christmas Angels pageant. 

Christmas Angels 

Brynlee - 1st, best fashion 

Brooklyn - Princess (next to Queen), most beautiful, best personality, photogenic, and overall photogenic 

Brooklyn - Princess (next to Queen), most beautiful, best personality, photogenic, and overall photogenic

She is so into pageants and going on stage.

And the Southern States Expo. 

Brynlee - Prettiest eyes.

Brooklyn- Queen and best fashion 

It's been fun.

End of 2015

Every year we say the year just flew by. Yet if we stop and reflect back on the year we've really crammed a lot into 365 days. 

There is work 5 days aweek. There is 13 family birthdays to celebrate. That's averages one a month with holidays to celebrate threw in the mix. There's always vacation, house maintenance, yard work, hobbies, shopping, and boring tasks that take up the days in between. There's visiting and caring and helping family and friends. There's church and doctor appointments if you went. And a hundred other happenings I left out. 

The last night of the year is a goodbye to the old and hello to the new. 

So as we say every year at this time HAPPY NEW YEAR. 

Santa gifts

We stopped to see the grands' Santa gifts. What fun!

Cohen, all of 3 and 1/2 years old is officially a dirt bike rider. With training wheels and the cutest helmet. 

He's good at driving and the gas and the brakes. Just like his daddy. 

And the girls a Elsa Frozen jeep. So cute. And they, too, can drive. Pushing the electric gas and steer. 

Who doesn't like Santa? Except when you take your picture with him. 

Joyful, Joyful Christmas

I'm 

Christmas is the best. Everyone's on their best behavior, sharing, giving, receiving. Nothing could be nicer. 

As our tradition goes we say grace and eat first. To get it out of the way. People can go back and eat more anytime later in the day. 

We always read the Christmas story next. It's so sweet that the little ones are learning the Christmas Story. 

At Thanksgiving Dinner we draw names for Christmas gift giving. By Christmas Day we're ready to exchange our Christmas gifts to each other. We've only been planning and waiting for a month. 

Even adults tear into their gifts. 

Kids again. 

Adults again.

It was a Very Merry Christmas.

Christmas 2015 Starting at left around the couch -

 Julie, Cohen, Brandon, Peggy, Bobbie, Jennifer, Chris, Brynlee, Larry (just the corner of his head), and Trent

Starting at left on floor - 

Me, Joy (the new rescue dog of Trent and  Natalie, thus the post title), Natalie, and Brooklyn in Natalie's lap.