happy 4th of july

July 4 weekend we headed to Louisville to spend the weekend at Jason's grandparent's house.  We had such a great time!

Hanging out by the pool, Mamaw and Papaw

Taking a break from swimming eating cheetos

Grammy holding the newest addition to the family, Olivia.  The girl's new cousin!

Friday night we went to the July 4 bash at Mamaw and Papaw's church.  Ava was cracking us up eating the watermelon.

Emma and cousin Ella


A little fun with sparklers.  That is a sucker hanging out of her mouth not a cigarette.  I know you were really worried.

a beautiful night at the park

Recently, we all packed up and decided to go check out some garage sales, or as a friend of mine says, "We're going trashin'!"  It's true.  One man's trash is another man's treasure.  I'm usually not up for the task of finding a "diamond in the rough", but I have had so many friends come up with great things lately that I had to give it a try.

One thing we found was a bike for Emma that was $10.  It was in perfect shape.  We had talked about upgrading from the tricycle, but we didn't really want to fork out the money.  You see, it's not because we're cheap.  It's because Emma is a month away from being 4 and has never really got on to the whole pedaling thing.  We have spent countless hours pushing Emma around trying to teach her.  However, at this price we could afford it.

And apparently, this bike is just what she needed!  She has been doing a great job.  Now if we could just get the pedaling and the steering down at the same time...

It was a beautiful day yesterday, so we decided to pack up and head to the park after dinner.  We grabbed the bikes for them to ride on the trails.

Yeah, we're still in the pushing stage with Ava...

And to top off a fun night we went to McDonald's for their kiddie ice cream cone!

We're pregnant!

So number 3 is on the way!  We are all so excited.  It has been fun to hear Emma and Ava walk around telling that there is a baby in mommy's tummy (even if they were telling before we were ready to).  

This pregnancy has been interesting.  With Emma and Ava, I was never sick in the beginning.  With this pregnancy, I have  been sick morning, noon and night.  The joke I keep hearing is that maybe this one is a boy. Doubtful, but maybe.

Another thing that has been interesting about being pregnant with the third child is that people have assumed for us that we are done.  The common reaction has been, "So, this is it, right?"  Slightly, annoying.  Maybe it is.  Maybe it isn't.  I wasn't aware that we were only allowed a certain number of children to be socially acceptable.  I'm not saying I want to start another Duggar family, but I want the decision to be mine and Jason's with no "peer pressure" from others.  Off of my soapbox now:)

Baby #3 is due January 20!

all aboard the boomerang express!

We have been so busy lately! (hence, the lack of blogging)  This year I am the coordinator for the preschool for vbs.  I have had so much fun planning and working with our team this year.  Our numbers this year almost doubled from last year!  God is so good! 

The theme this year is the Boomerang Express so we had everything decorated and themed out Outback style. We have so many creative people at our church.   I have been so blessed to have some of the best volunteers.  I could not have done half of what we did without them!

Ava's class...

I love this picture of Emma.  This is how I remember vbs, with a kool-aid mustache!

a cute snack one day... the great barrier reef

Emma having some fun at rec and game time...



These are some pics from our vbs family night. We cooked out, fished, had a zip line, and played on a huge waterslide. Of course it was extremely hot, but who cares when you are having fun!

Ava wanted to fish the whole time. Funny story. Ava saw the ripples in the water that the fish were making and she said that the fish tooted. Makes sense. This happens when she does it in the bath tub. That's my girl using her logic and reasoning skills.


Another thing about Ava is that she loves the vbs t-shirts this year. She literally wanted to sleep in it and wear it every single day.

Such a fun experience!

the beach

Oh, Navarre.  How I do miss you...

bubbles

This make my heart happy...

Harley is Marley with a "H"

Remember this sweet dog we bought for our family...

He looks innocent enough, right?

We are about at our wits end with this dog.  He chews everything, he can't get his bladder under control, and he is just an all around pest.  In fact, he may just be my archenemy.

But then I watched the movie Marley and Me and suddenly he wasn't so bad.  He became cute and silly and lovable.  I believe the word I used with Jason was "endearing".  They had a much worse do,g and they still survived and even loved Marley more for his antics.

And this my friends is what we call the magic of Hollywood.  Because nobody in their right mind would but up with this...
This is Harley's new way of torturing me.  He has figured out how to jump on the table, and he shows off his skills ALL THE TIME!

I am about at my breaking point!

If it was not for this little girl...

See, she loves him.  He's her best friend.

Oh, brother.

The 8 Game

I was inspired by one of my best friends Candice's blog.

8 Things I am Looking Forward To...

1.  going to Memphis this weekend

2.  the beach in a month

3.  seeing Ava go from toddlerhood to a little girl

4.  potty training Ava (NOT!)

5.  seeing Emma beginning to grasp who God is and His incredible love for us through His Son Jesus Christ

6.  warm sunshine days

7.  getting my hair did :)

8.  the girls' new swingset

8 Things I Did Yesterday...

1.  took the girls to the park

2.  took the girls to get a treat at McDonalds

3.  taught clogging lessons

4.  went to a VBS director's training meeting (I've been asked to be the preschool director this year for VBS.  SCARY!)

5.  went to Starbucks with a friend

6. watched the DOVE awards

7.  got home just in time to put the girls to bed...not sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing:)

8.  began to go into vacation planning mode

8 Things I Wish I Could Do...

1.  plan a vacation for Jason and I touring the North Eastern cities (Boston, New York, Philadelphia)

2.  have more date nights with Jason

3.  buy a new really expensive purse

4.  be a cake decorator... my talents just do not lie in this area

5.  have a full time maid

6.  have more time with friends

7.  sing

8.  go on a shopping spree

8 Shows I Love...

1.  The Biggest Loser

2.  The Office

3.  Brothers and Sisters

4.  One Tree Hill (I'm a little embarrassed about this one)

5.  Jon and Kate Plus 8 (however, Kate is really started to annoy me.  She just looks miserable!)

6.  The Real Housewives of NYC

7.  The Hills (another one I am embarrassed about)

8.  Burn Notice

a ladybug birthday party

This year for Ava's 2nd birthday, we decided on a Ladybug themed birthday party.  We had such a good time with family and friends.  

cupcakes a la Kelly:)

We have no pictures of Ava blowing her candles out.  This is how she remained as people sang to her.  Oh, and Emma had a serious meltdown while we sang "Happy Birthday".  She thought she was going to sing, just her, to Ava.  So we then listened to Emma solo to Ava.

Maybe red icing wasn't such good choice?

Ava loves this baby that the Pair family got her.  It crawls and Ava is so confused by it.  When the baby tries to crawl away, Ava sprawls out on it trying to hold it down.  She thinks it is trying to run away from  her!