Golf with Dad

Jeremy took our little lefty out to hit the sticks recently. Check out that swing!

Outside Fun

Thomas wanted to try riding his bike without the training wheels. He started out excited, but it didn't take him long to decide he wasn't ready. We will keep working, and praying he gets more excited about it!







Whoooooaaaa!!




Bike riding turned into sprinkler fun after a hot morning at the Arthritis Walk.

Swim Lessons

Diving practice....




Kick, kick, kick, kick

Lily Chose Her Own Clothes for School

I must say that I love her taste! So fun, and definitely very Lily!

Hot Air Balloons and Carnival Rides

We met Jeremy's parents at Fort Gordon one night after a football game. They took the kids out there to see the hot air balloons and ride a few rides. Lily was not a fan of the huge flames that kept the hot air balloons aloft, nor was she a fan of the loud noises that accompanied the hot air.
Thomas and I enjoyed them a lot, but he did not like being in the basket when the well-intentioned man pressed the lever for the hot air.




Thomas drew this pirate island himself.


They both loved the rides! They squealed and giggled the entire time.

Cemetery Visit

For the one year anniversary of Asa's death, we went to lunch and the cemetery. Mom brought cards, pens, and stickers for the kids to make cards to leave at Papa's grave. We also left flowers from his casket spray, and his friend Doug left a hockey puck - one of their favorite things to do together.

The kids left the cards, said a few words, then ran to feed the ducks...




Not all of Lily's stickers made it on the card....


Davis - my adorably freckled nephew

We're Going on a Bike Ride

Has anyone seen my little baby girl? I thought she was here, but I turned around to find this tall preschooler in her place. She looks so old to me in this picture.


Lily inherited Thomas' old Lightning McQueen bike, so we were grateful when National Night Out gave her this Strawberry Sheriff helmet, knee pads, and bicycle horn. She loves to warn people of her arrival. She also finds it hilarious to squeeze the horn every time she stops.

Cooler Days...Hooray!!

We were so grateful to have cooler weather in SC. The kids have enjoyed their playset in the backyard so much. They climb, slide, snack, swing, pirate, hide, run, and act like kids. It is wonderful!





Lily's new way to go down the slide. She is such a dare devil!



This was the first time Thomas climbed to the top of the rope ladder.

Sleepy Bears

I love, love, love to watch my kids sleep! They are so incredibly relaxed and peaceful. Ah, what a precious sight.



Thomas has started sleeping with his head at the foot of his bed. It started toward the end of summer so he could be directly under his fan. It continued for so long, that we have even started putting his sheets on that way. Funny guy!

Lily's First Day of School

Thomas started school/Mother's Morning Out when the summer before he turned three. I mostly did this so he could get out of the house some when Lily was first born. He loved it! I did, too. Did Lily start the summer before she turned three? No. She started the fall AFTER she turned three. That means, because of how their birthdays fall, Thomas started school a year and a half early than Lily. There are a few reasons for this. First, she is my last baby, and I wanted her home with me as long as possible. Second, we were involved in more events than when Thomas was that age. Lily did spend time away from me at the YMCA when I worked out, at MOPS, and at CBS. So, she is by far not a sheltered little girl, but she is starting school differently than her big brother did.

She is in the same school that Thomas was in for 3K. She also has the same teacher, which makes her feel right at home....to the point that she helps the other kids with the routine!

Here are the pictures for the lead up to her first day.

Thomas and Lily checking out her folder we picked up at parent orientation. He was sooo excited for her!



B.E.E. book


Open House the day before school started. Lily LOVES Mrs. Head....in fact, our entire family does :-)




"Mom, I should sit here for circle time, because my name starts with an 'L'."


Leaving open house with her brand new school bag! My baby is growing up too quickly.



Ready for the first day!




Little nervous, but excited in car line. She would not let me walk her in for her first day. She insisted on doing car line.




I was not prepared for the flood of tears I had once she hopped out of the van, headed into the building, and never once looked back! I am very proud of her independence, though.

Midnight Rooster

Lily and I spent her last day of summer in Hartsville together. We dropped off our consignment, ate at Midnight Rooster, and wandered around downtown before heading home to pick up Thomas from school. Lily really loves taking pictures with my small camera. She is really turning into quite the photographer.

We had so much fun taking turns photographing each other and the restaurant. My little piece of Athens in South Carolina.


Check out the healthy kids meal....


Lily took these next two pictures.



Looks like a photo shoot, doesn't it?

Morning Fun

Lily spent the first month or two waking up in time to have breakfast with Thomas before he left for school. Then, she would go outside with him to wait for his ride. We stayed outside one morning so I could rake the yard before it got too hot. This is the ensemble Lily felt appropriate for a little handi work...


Pajamas, headband, and rainboots!




I love how focused she is!