When I Grow Up...

It has been Red Ribbon Week at Maryn's school. Which basically means it's the week where they tell kids to stay away from drugs and build goals for themselves and their futures. On Tuesday the kids were supposed to dress up as what they want to be when they grow up. If you know Maryn, you already know what that is, a veterinarian of course! I was so excited for her to get to dress up as a vet, since she is ALWAYS talking about it, that I did something a little crazy. Folks, I sewed. Just so you know, I don't sew. I've made my kids baby blankets and some little pillows, but that's about the extent of my forays into the world of sewing. But after pricing doctor's jackets online and feeling they were ridiculously overpriced and in a moment of over ambition I went a grabbed an old white sheet out of the linen closet, a tape measure and Maryn and started cutting away. The end result, a coat that actually resembled what I wanted it to! Miracles do happen! In the picture it looks bunched up on one side because of how she was holding Princess Pup, but it really was straight, I promise! She makes a pretty cute, little vet don't you think?! I hope Maryn is never afraid to work hard for the things she wants in life, whether that's being a vet or anything else. I sure do love that kid and am so proud of her.

Blast From The Past

This trip was magic to me. Everything was just right, the mood, the light, the air. We went out for my sister-in-law, Kristen's wedding and it was such a beautiful backdrop for those memories to be made and kept forever. I remember Maryn running around on the grass and me thinking that I had never seen her more beautiful than in that moment, caught up in her imagination and basking in late afternoon light.

The day after the wedding was spent at the beach, absorbing the beauty of the California Coastline. I remember sinking my toes into the warm sand and watching the wind caress the curls at the nape of Brynna's little baby neck. I remember walking her into the water and her excitement at the rush of water over her toes. Our escape to California is one that I will never forget. I think back and there I am again, happy, warm and content.

Pretty Dang Cute

This morning Lauryn slept in BIG time! I was up at 6:00 with Maryn, so unfortunately I did not get to do the same. But Lauryn did not get up until 9:45!! Can you believe it?! I kept checking on her to make sure she was okay and she just kept right on sleeping! Finally at a quarter to ten I peeked in on her and she was still snoozing away, but I saw what was keeping her so content...She discovered her thumb! As soon as I took this picture she woke up!

Who wouldn't want to greet that little face every morning?! Man, I love my job!

Give Me A Smile!

My tradition with all my girls has been to go and have their pictures taken every 3 months for the first year of their life to capture them at each little stage, since they just grow so darn fast. These are some of the pictures from Lulu's first photo session. I just love that little bug, crazy cowlicks and all!

A Blast From The Past

Before I started my blog last year I had a little website on babysites.com that I posted pictures and stories on for a few months. Since this blog is basically our family journal, eventually my goal is to blurb it into a book for us to have forever. I didn't want to miss out on those little blasts from our past from the babysite, so every now and then I'll post some of those goodies on here. Enjoy the stroll down memory lane!

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BRYNNA!!!

Date: 2/10/2007

Well today turned out being nothing like I thought it would! Justin had gone out to Chick-fil-A to get us some breakfast. I was thinking I'd have an nice, easygoing Saturday morning. Well, little Miss Brynna had other ideas I guess. Justin and I had just sat down to eat when Brynna comes walking up and she has something all over her p.j. bottoms. My first thought was "Oh no, she had a blowout!" But as she got closer I noticed she actually smelled good, really good. That's when I got worried! I ran upstairs to the playroom and discovered she had dumped triple concentrated laundry detergent all over the carpet. I tried wiping it up but it just kept foaming and foaming. I knew this was trouble! Justin ran upstairs to help me. Brynna kept getting in the way, so I put her in her room. Justin realized we were getting no where fast with the little Spot Lifter machine we have. So he ran out to Home Depot to rent a carpet shampooer.

While he was gone I walked by Brynna's door and smelled a horrible odor! I thought "Wow, that must be one killer diaper." I only wish a stinky bottom was all I had to clean up. Brynna had taken her diaper off and smeared poop all over her room! On the bed, on her toys, on her rocking chair, all over the carpet and then she stomped through it leaving poopy footprints all over the room. I didn't know whether to laugh or yell. She had just destroyed another room 20 minutes earlier! How could she possibly have struck twice?! So I gave her a bath and sent her downstairs while I tried to clean up the bomb in her room. Her and Maryn decided it would be a good idea to spill water all over the kitchen floor and then sit on Dad's laptop and giggle about it. Justin, who by this time had returned home, was on the verge of "selling these kids to the gypsies" as my Mom used to always threaten.

Luckily, my in-laws, Phil and Jody, rescued me and came and took the kids to bake sugar cookies at their house while I cleaned up the messes. Jody said she knew it wasn't funny right now. But her and Phil had a good chuckle on the drive over, remembering 'those days' when they were raising their six little rugrats! And I guess there's a silver lining to every unexpected disaster. Without the last four and a half hours of me shampooing every floor in my house, my carpets otherwise wouldn't be so clean!

Fall Favorites

Every October you'll find the Young Crew making the drive through crisp, mountain air up to Burt's Pumpkin Farm up in Ellijay, Georgia. It was a tradition started well before we even had children. But admittedly it is much more fun since the girls have joined the scene!

They held still just long enough to snap a picture and then they were off again!

So much to take in and explore!

"Mom, will you PLEASE stop taking my picture!"
The day was full of smiles and memories.We completed the trip with a stop by Hillcrest Orchards to load up on freshly picked apples, apple pie, apple bread and apple cider for some yummy, warm wassail. It really was an awesome day enjoyed with family and friends. We hope you can get out and enjoy this beautiful season too!

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!

Wonder of Wonders!

For all of you who know my folks, you may be happy to know that my mom posted again on her blog! Wahoo! I thought she had given up, after a short attempt, on the whole blogging thing. Her last post was done in February, so I don't know why I would think that she was done with it. (Wink, wink.) Way to get back in the game Mom! Your nerdy, blog-lovin' daughter is so proud!

Next on my list to convert over to the nerdy side... Jody and Tracy! Watch out ladies, I'll get you eventually!