Tiny dancer

I loved ballet as a little girl and still have hopes of getting my husband to take me to a real ballet someday. Well now it is time for me to live through my little girl, which I am proudly doing. She has been taking dance lessons for the past year and not only learning ballet but also tap. And she loves it, so maybe I can take her with me to the ballet in a couple of years...did you hear the big sigh coming all the way from Florida from Stuart? She had her end of the year show in June and it was very fun to see her perform with her little friends. A 3 hour show for a 2 minute song was not the best but watching two little 3 year old fight on stage over their spot on stage was worth it, it wasn't Gracie but it was hilarious. She is just too cute for words!

Trip to Virginia!!

I know there was other stuff I wanted to blog about since the last time, but I have these pictures out so I better take advantage of that. We had the opportunity to go up to Virginia all together and visit with my family. My oldest niece was getting baptized so what a great excuse to go on a vacation. Stuart had never been to Washington D.C. and we have some friends up there too, so if you haven't already guessed we did a lot while we were there.

We decided to drive so we would have our own car and enjoy the ride up, and let's be honest who can really afford plane tickets these days. We were half way thru South Carolina when our battery died and burned up the alternator. We pulled over in a very small town and as Stuart tried to find an auto repair parts or mechanic and very nice man came to help us. He let the kids and I sit in his air conditioned car while he called the owner of the auto parts store who came and opened up after closing just for us and we were able to get back on the road within an hour. I couldn't believe how nice these strangers were. The Lord was really watching over us that day.

We had so much fun with all my family. We definitely kept busy all week and the cousins took full advantage of all the time they had together. I wish we lived closer so they could play more often.

D.C. is so much fun, with too much to see. Luckily we had good weather for the 2 days we spent walking around and enjoying all the free attractions. The monuments are amazing and it is always fun to learn more about our countries history, especially around the 4Th of July. We decided to opt out of the fireworks on the capitol because of the crowds and the kids (which is kind of funny since we go to Disney so often), but found some neighborhood fireworks that were just as fun! It was a sad day when we left for all, but happy days are around the corner because we may all get together again before the end of the year!

Spring camping

For Spring break we decided to go camping with Stuart's brother and his family at Alexander springs, just about an hour from where we live. Stuart and my versions of camping are very different, he wants to just throw some stuff in the car and go and rough it if necessary...I want to plan and make sure we have everything we need, like breakfast stuff. But luckily we had a campsite right next to the in laws and they were much more prepared. The cousins play so well together, they had so much fun. I don't really know why I didn't get pictures of them together.

Zach was excited to help set up the tent. We had a separate tent just for the kids to play in to cut down on bugs coming in and out, brilliant idea and they loved it. The springs were nice and clear but still a little too cold for swimming. I was not thrilled to see "beware of alligator" signs around the water, but Stuart said they generally stay away from the populated areas. He is just used to them.

Sitting around the campfire with s'mores was so fun and relaxing. It was very nice weather in the evening, hardly any humidity which is important when you are away from air conditioning. Once the sun went down, poor Zach was tripping over every twig and root in the forest, but he was a trooper. Again, our very prepared family brought little colored lights for all the kids, they loved them.

We knew Zach was getting a little tired when he tried to make a bed out of the cooler, poor guy. They were nonstop for a couple of hours. Getting everyone comfortable and settled in the tent was not an easy task but we finally got the kids to sleep. And that is where the pictures stop because I got a stomach bug and was sick the rest of the night and the whole next day. Yuck, it was awful. And then the next morning it started raining, so the trip was over. Stuart packed up camp all by himself and got us home in one piece for some nice hot showers, everyone was filthy. It was a fun trip and hopefully this fall we will be able to go again, I know the kids will love it.

Bring on the big 2's

Look how cute this 2 year old is! This is a little late, but Meemaw sent pics from her visit, so we got some good shots of Zach's birthday. Zach was so excited to blow out his candle, he kept wanting to relight the candle so he could blow it out again (we should have gotten one of those ones you can't blow out). He wasn't that interested in the cupcake...although that can not be said at Gracie's party where his hand was in the cupcakes the whole night. I am so lucky to have a such a sweet little boy in my life. Zach loves to play and hug his sister, which usually turns into a wrestling match. He has discovered trains, cars and dinosaurs, so he is a boy in every way. He loves to growl and chase Gracie and her friends and never tires of playing outside. Bring on the terrible 2's, if I get to see this smiling face at least once a day then it will all be worth it.

Meemaw gave the kids pillow cases for their birthday's, so this is them loving their new pillows.

What is better then trucks and cake??

A princess birthday

My little girl has turned 4, I can't believe it. She is so funny and smart, I love watching her try new things and say new phrases. She is in dance class and loves telling us to stop whatever we are doing to watch her try a new move she just learned. Of course we took her to Disney World for her birthday and she got to wear a princess dress the whole day.

We were also very lucky to get into dinner with the princesses at Epcot. What a night for our girl, she got to meet 5 of her favorite princesses and have a little parade around the restaurant with them. What more could a princess in training want.

I also wanted to throw her a party this year since she has some good friends here and they play well at this age. We had a lot going on this week because my mom came into town and Stuart was out of town, so easier was better and we opted for Chuck E. Cheese. The kids all had a great time, and it was nice to sit and talk to the adults instead of running around being a host. Although I was visiting so much I forgot to take pictures with my camera so will have to wait for my Mom to send copies of her pictures. We may never do it again, but it was a great first kid's party for us all. Thanks to all that came and celebrated with us!

We started our long birthday marathon for the next few months, beginning with my birthday in January. It was so fun this year!! Stuart has had to work and be out of town for the past 5 birthdays, so the sweet man that he is made sure he was home for the whole weekend.

So we took full advantage of all the time together! My friends really surprised me with a party and as I came in and they were jumping out yelling I was so shocked I just stood there. I don't have any pictures of that since I thought I was just dropping off the kids to go out to the movies, but it was probably the best birthday party I've ever had. Stuart did a great job at keeping it a surprise and he said I did not make it easy. Then we went to Disney of course on my birthday so I could wear the button! It was as very fun day, but a little crowded since my birthday falls on the 3 day weekend every now and then. I never complained when I was in school though. And then to top off the perfect weekend Stuart and I were able to get away to San Ible island for a night with no kids. It was great and very beautiful. I'm glad that I finally was able to make it a little more south in Florida, to a very beautiful beach. We saw dolphins in the surf and lots of shells and ate some great seafood. What a weekend, I'm a lucky girl! It was so fun.

This has nothing to do with my birthday, I just like this picture. We went to visit Stuart while he was working in South Carolina and the kids got to ride a little train around the mall with Dad. It was a lot of driving but well worth spending the weekend with Dad when he is gone so much.

Texas Christmas

I bet you thought you were going to see Christmas morning pictures...well we forgot to take any and now have to sweet talk my mom into sending us copies of hers! We were having so much fun opening presents that I didn't even think about it (plus I knew my dad was snapping shots). We were lucky enough to spend the week in Texas with my family which is always such a treat for us, and while there we went to the Childrens museum. The kids had such a good time and since it was raining most of the time we were there, it was a great way to stay in for the day.

I love Zach's tongue sticking out while driving. He seems to do this a lot when he is concentrating. There were lots of cars to play with so he was one happy boy. And dress up for Gracie, so very fun.

Christmas was great. This kids are still young enough that they don't get up early so we didn't get started with presents until after 9am. Very good kids!! Both the kids got lots of fun new toys and it was a good thing we drove to take home all our new booty. My parents were so kind to find a sitter for my kids on 3 seperate occasions so we could go shooting, the temple and out for a night out. We are so spoiled. I just need to get better at taking out my camera to catch these special moments!