VT vs. BAMA

Craig and Hamilton were able to travel to Atlanta for the VT / BAMA game. Looks like they had a great time!

LadyBug Girl

Ashlyn has always been our little ladybug. It's been our nickname for her since she was a baby. She even had a ladybug themed baby shower just a few weeks after she was born. Recently we discovered a book at Barnes and Noble called Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy. She loved it!

This girl in the story dresses up like a ladybug. Right up Ashlyn's alley! She has dress up on every day! Another thing Ashlyn loves is any craft. She's always painting or making something out of paper and glue. She came down one day after reading this book dressed in her own ladybug girl costume.

Fun Lake Weekend...

We had the opportunity to accompany the Morales' to their family's lake house over the weekend. We were all looking forward to it. Craig and I spent a lot of time on the lake with friends before moving to NC over 10 years ago, but this was one of only a handful of times since. We love the lake!

Unfortunately, Craig was sick the entire week leading up to the lake trip and stayed home. He ended up having an ear infection and respiratory infection. Poor guy!

We had a great time with our friends. The girls loved the lake. Kiley preferred to be riding ON the boat or swimming. She didn't like the bumpy and roughness of the water. Ashlyn LOVED it! We also got to know the Monstrola's. Desiree has celiac and has been on a gluten free diet for over 5 years, so the timing was great. She was able to give me lots of good information to help with Ashlyn's issues.

Another milestone

When Kiley lost her tooth recently, she ended up firing the tooth fairy again. TWO nights in a row!! So, she asked me...uhmm, I mean the tooth fairy, if she would leave a note for her to get her ears pierced as an apology. The tooth fairy obliged.

Kiley has wanted her ears pierced since she was old enough to ask, probably about two. Craig wanted to wait until she was old enough to really know that she wanted them, but agreed she could at four. Well, when four came, she was too scared to go through with it. A few months ago she decided she would go through with it and has been asking if we'd take her.

We made a family outing of it when we were in Virginia. She nervously waited, but was very brave and excited. When it was over she couldn't believe it and asked "Is that it?" She barley felt a thing.

Berry Picking in Virginia

We went berry picking in Virginia. The girls liked it, but they are not farm girls. The gnats bothered Kiley and neither liked going to the port a potty! We had a good time though and had fresh berries for lunch.

On the way home Ashlyn was very sad. Kiley noticed tears streaming down her face as she looked quietly out the window. She really loves visiting in Mamaw and Papaw.

Trip to Mamaw and Papaws

We took a long weekend and spent and Mamaw and Papaw house in Virginia. We had a great visit. We swam the first day, but the weather was unseasonably chilly. In the 60's in July! Crazy global warming! :)

The view is great! I never realized how beautiful it was until I no longer lived there.

Piano Recital

Kiley is growing too fast. REALLY, what happened! She's looking like a little lady and she's quickly approaching the teen years! Lord, help me appreciate these times before they are gone!

Her piano teacher, whom she loves, just finished her PHD and will no longer be giving lessons. This is her 2nd recital with her, after one and a half years of piano.

Anyone know a teacher that comes to your house? We are already gone so much, I'm trying to not have something else we have to leave for! Who ever coined the phrase "stay at home mom", cause we sure don't stay at home!

Swim Team

The girls joined a swim team this summer. It was time consuming but well worth it. Ashlyn could swim before starting, but preferred to stay at the wall. She now is a little fish and swimming is her favorite sport. She would stay in the water all day if possible. Notice how she stops during her race to wave to daddy! Precious!

Kiley has learned to swim much better and can even do butterfly and backstroke without getting DQ'd. Which is super cool to her! She even won two heats during one of her swim meets. She was so excited!

Both girls did great and got better as the season went on.