Parker's 6th birthday present!

We decided to give P his birthday present a couple days early. Grammy and Papa were here to watch the kiddos Saturday while Bill and I went to a conference in Nashville. They had planned on getting him a helmet for his bike. So they went a few places and both boys got dirt bike shirts and gloves. P also got a helmet. So we came home and set the bike up for the BIG surprise. (We had it stored at a friend's house and picked it up on our way home from Nash.) They were in the bath when we got home and wanted to "surprise" us with there new things. So P went in his room got dressed and put on his new shirt, helmet, and gloves. We acted very surprised at his new gear and I said, "Why don't you show me how you ride your bike with your new helmet!" So then I ran outside and waited for a few minutes to take this video...

This is why I coupon...

all this for $48.87! This isn't shopping at Walmart either. Kroger baby, Kroger! A savings of 59% $63.66.

A little of August thus far...

Parker is a big 1st grader now. He's loving it and I am loving a routine again. Ahhhhh!
This girl is a climber! She climbs the stairs at lightening fast speeds and can now climb up the swing set stairs too. Yikes. Not only that she's starting to "walk." I use that term lightly because it's been 3-4 steps until yesterday when she took about 8-9. Today she took 0! I think she's figured out she can crawl faster. At yesterday's 12 month check up she weighed 20 lbs. 6 oz. and 29.5 inches long. She's cut another bottom tooth in the last few days and also added a new word to her vocabulary, "nigh nigh" = night, night. Yes, she tells us when she is ready for a nap/bed. LOVEN IT! I've also heard her say "all done" several times this week. Forget baby signs she's decided she can say it perfectly clear. Lets see what else....oh she does ballet...or so we call it. She crawls on all fours and then stops and lifts one leg straight out and holds it. Then, she'll sit down and spin around in a circle and then lift one leg up in the air. It's really too cute!
Steffen and his girlfriend, Diana, came to visit for a couple days. We enjoyed their visit as they are few and far between with him living in FL.
Met our dear friends at the lake one Saturday and hung out. Had to capture our kiddos together again since we did a pic with both of them 6 months ago. Chloe (12 months) Owen (13 months)
Our cutie patootie niece, Morgan, modeling her new tutu! I heard she LOVED
them and couldn't resist buying her one. I hear she doesn't like to take them off....ever. lol

Where's your nose?

I really wish that is what I said before I snapped this picture of these two. However,
I hadn't mentioned "nose" at all. These two are two peas in a pod...in more ways than
one. So as I was going through the pictures I came across this and couldn't help
but laugh. My kids...oh how I love them. I had to share this. I've thought
about using the "outtakes" from our sessions on our Christmas card this year...

Mini Vacay photos

This just screams summer vacation to me. Only one thing missing though...Chloe! Next year.
GG and her 8 Greats.
Coley monster.
Peyton and Luke...crazy how big they are getting.
This little sweetheart is a FISH. A good swimming one too.
The past 2 weekends we've been away. First, to IN for a graduation party. Second, to Green Turtle Bay in KY...a Johnson family vacation spot that goes back a few years. While I wish I could show all 1, 395 pics I took...maybe not that many, but close. :) Here are a few that I LUV!

Celebrate....

our little girl is just hours away from turning 1. I can hardly believe it. And I thought the last 5 years went by quick as I put P on the bus last August. This year has been the quickest yet.

A year ago I went out to get a relaxing pedicure before the big D day. It was amazing. I remember sleeping fairly well that night. I woke excited and scared. I've always gone into labor on my own. None of this scheduled c-section stuff. It was weird. However, as I was waiting in the hospital lobby the contractions did start. Then I realized how much I didn't really need to be reminded of the pain this time around that contractions are. lol About 2 hours later a beautiful LOUD girl made her entrance and completed our family.




A baby girl...so different after 2 boys. All the pinks and purples that come with a little girl. What's not to love about that? Afterall, blue and red do kind of get old after a bit. ;) A precious little girl sent down from our heavenly Father. How could we be so lucky? I never thought we'd be blessed with a girl. I had always thought boys. We had 2 already so our chances were slim. He sure knew what He was blessing us with. An adorable little girl with that twinkle in her eye when she smiles, a wave just like a princess, a self soother, a fairly good eater, a drama queen in training, and lungs that she is NOT afraid to use when she wants something and you just aren't appeasing her quick enough. She has been the easiest baby of all 3. Maybe because she is #3?!

I can't help when I rock her or snuggle her to think of all the things we'll be able to do together. The mommy/daughter stuff that I see my girlfriends do with their little girls. At the same time I still wish she was that 7.5 pound little baby for just a wee bit longer. What I would give to get a whiff of that newborn baby goodness. Just thinking of the past year and all the changes I'm tearing up. Did I take in each and every moment that I should have? Did I enjoy every bit of it? Enough to remember it in 4 years? I'd like to think I did considering my bout with PPD. :)

Chloe bug you are loved more than you can imagine! Thank you Lord for blessing us with this precious girl.

She's almost 1...

Sunday we had a little party for our soon to be 1 year old with our small group. I'm pretty sure she enjoyed it, as she enjoys all the attention she gets every Sunday night from group. S P O I L E D and she knows it. ;) We ate pizza and then had cake...super simple!

The past few days it's hit me pretty hard emotionally that my baby is turning ONE! Really. Already. At times throughout the day I'll be holding her and think of how just 11 months ago she was a sleepy, cuddly, and quiet newborn. Now she's on the move and can scream with the best! She still does love to cuddle with her mama...thank goodness! The growth that happens in a year is simply just amazing to me. So the tears have been flowing the past few days and will continue I'm sure until at least the 29th...here actual birthday. I'm so thankful that God has given us a sweet, precious girl to love on. She is adored by all.