More Beach Photos...

Two vacation traditions for us include the "Mini Gras" at Baytown Village in San Destin (above) and the "Track" (below). The girls love the dance party, inflatables, face painting, crafts, fireworks, and playgrounds. It is fun for the adults, too, because it is such a nice village area with great food and shopping. The other night of entertainment is the "Track." It is fun to have family competition on the race cars and, of course, Matt and Jon really go at it! The rides are such a thrill for the girls and we love hearing the giggles and chatting as they race from one attraction to the next.

The Destin Common area is another fun place to spend our evenings. The girls love the little playground area and we crave the ice cream the whole week we are at the beach. Jon and I discovered the "all lovin' no oven" flavor last year when I was pregnant and it has been a favorite ever since!

Beach Highlights 2009

The next few entries are just highlights from our recent trip to the beach. Each year, my parents take the whole crew on a special vacation. It is something my brother and I have looked forward to every summer since I can remember. It started with my grandparents taking us with all our cousins and now, Mimi and Granddaddy, do the same for our girls! There is nothing like seeing you girls run into each others arms at the beginning of the week with all the fun in the world ahead of you. However, when you sweet cousins have to say goodbye it is very tearful. My heart breaks for you because I feel the guilt that comes with the distant between me and my brother. Our lives keep us 3 1/2 hours apart and, although we are accustom to it, the little ones are the ones paying the price. You five girls all range from 9 months to 6 years old. You are not only very close in age but very close in friendships too. It definitely makes the moments you are together very special!

The first time your little feet ever felt the sand between your toes was Summer 2009. Adelynn, you were not sure at first but as the week went by you loved sifting through the sand at the beach. I love how you curled up your toes to show your confusion of trying to understand just what in the world was going on around you.

The Destin Common area is a fun shopping place that brings many treats to us on our vacations. During the daytime, we all went to play in the sprinklers and you girls had your nails done at the "Glamour Girlz" shop. You made your own lotion and lip gloss. It was a highlight for sure for all you little cuties. Adelynn had fun just crawling around the soft playground area.

Beach Trip cont...

More Vegas Fun!

Birthday in Vegas!

I had the privilege to travel to Las Vegas with my man and spend a few days with him there before he had to start working. It was nice to get all of the spoiling and attention for myself that he so sweetly provides for our girls at home...as they are very demanding of it from him because they adore him so much! We had such fun together! I had a wonderful birthday full of poolside pampering, shopping, exquisite dining on a patio at the edge of the famous light and water show, and did I mention I had 3 days of full, undivided attention from my husband and best friend (but, Ailee, yes, you are my best friend too and you remind me of this at least 3 times a day!) We made sweet memories together this week and I will try to add some more photos soon. All the time, you girls were having a blast with Mimi and Granddaddy and getting a little extra spoiling of your own from them!

While I was traveling home alone on the plane, I heard this song that reminded me of the relationship between Jon and his girls...following Father's Day weekend, I thought I would share it on the site in honor of the father of my precious daughters...it reminded me of just another reason I fall in love with him again each day as I watch him live out his role as Daddy to our children!

Some of the Best Daddy's I know...

Yesterday, we spent most of the day still settling in from our beach trip but for dinner we created a special meal for the awesome Daddy in our lives. Jon spent the day on the golf course and he wanted new golf clubs for Father's Day. Because the girls and I could not pick those out for him, we came up with another way to honor him. We cooked his favorite meal, hotdog and green bean casserole, and made him a golf cake. They made the sweetest "Hole in One" card and we lavished him with praise. He is one of the best Daddy's I know! He adores his three girls and never thinks for a minute of trading one of them in for a little boy. He spends a lot of time making sure they know their Heavenly Father and prays for them constantly. They adore playing with him and one of my favorite memories of them together is during one of the biggest Georgia ballgames last year. Adelynn was an infant so we had to stay home from the game. Jon watched the first half of the ballgame while playing beauty shop and putting makeup on the big girls. It was precious and the grin on his faced proved he was rather be no where else in the world. And...this is only one example of the million ways he shows his love for all his girls, including me! We love you, Jon! Happy Father's Day!!!

Now, for my wonderful Daddy! I absolutely love watching him be "Granddaddy!" He has such a unique and special relationship with each of his five granddaughters. He and Ailee Claire remind me so much of my days growing up as his little girl. Daddy, you are an excellent model of what a Father should be. I am so grateful for all the love and guidance you showed me throughout the years. Who knew you would not only suffer through one daughter's love of girlie things but, one day, enjoy it all over again through five fabulous granddaughters! "Randdaddy" you are the BEST!

Daddy and his girls!

"Heirloom Angels" cont. and Feel-Good Mommy Moments

The neighbor boys are riding with us to VBS this week and when they showed up on Monday morning Ailee met Will at the door, "This is my big sister, Anna Grace. She takes care of me." I just grinned and Will says, "I know her, Ailee!" It was precious to my ears and my heart.

Today, as the girls and I sat down to eat our lunch following VBS, I asked who wanted to say the blessing. Anna Grace started, "Dear Jesus, thank you so much for this beautiful day and for our food. Please take care of Ailee and be with her during swimming lessons today, Amen." I was so proud of her for thinking of her sister so sweetly but, then, not surprised because she is definitely one to think of others first. Next, Ailee says "my turn, my turn!" I agreed and we bowed again and Ailee began to pray, "Thank you, Jesus, for my sister and for her being my best friend. Thank you that she takes care of me." As tears puddled in my eyes, we all said "Amen" and the girls began eating. I immediately stopped and said my own prayer of thanksgiving for the bond these two precious sisters share!

Sudden Changes, Dedication and Fast Friends...

Here are a few of the images from our morning at Grand Oaks Garden in downtown on Thursday. My sweet neighbor joined us and I was able to capture a lot of sweet images of my "Heirloom Angels." I will try add more images through out the week!



This week has brought major changes for Baby Adelynn. She is not the same baby as last weekend! Since Monday, she has learned to wave "bye-bye," her first tooth broke through the gum, she has started clapping her hands, she pulls up on everything and she can crawl at warp speed! However, her "cuteness" has not changed a bit and she can still flash that sweet smile and steal my heart away all over again!

The dedication went very well last weekend. We had lunch at our house afterwards for our parents and it was really sweet. Adelynn, was a little ham during the actual dedication but what did I expect. She kicked her little legs under her lace gown and grinned a huge grin...everyone laughed. Then, as you can see in the photo, she tried to steal the pastor's bible...everyone laughed. Even though she was clueless and just enjoying the moment, Jon and I were pleased to send up a formal prayer on her behalf and promise to teach her to the best of our ability about her Heavenly Father. Our sweet church family agreed to help us through this process, which means a ton to us as a family!

Dear baby so precious

you're a jewel from above,

We thank God for your coming

and pledge you our love.

We'll train you and teach you

of God's loving ways,

So you'll live for Jesus

all of your days.

"Let the little children come to me." Luke 18:16

Fast Friends...

(I couldn't help snapping this sweet photo of the girls as they slept one night last week. When I went up to say a few scripture over them and pray, I found Anna Grace sleeping safe in the arms of her little sister.)

We have been amazed at the changes summer has brought on these two precious girls too. On the last day of school, we pulled out the trundle under Anna Grace's bed and let the girls have a movie night and sleep together. Well, they loved it so much, we just left the trundle out and they have been sleeping together ever since. Their friendship has grown by leaps and bounds just since the end of May. The few weeks they have spent together just hanging out in the backyard and playing non-stop together has created a tighter bond than I could have imagined. They have always adore one another but these few weeks I have been an eye-witness to the true bond of sisterhood!

Fields of Fairies

I have been taking a few camera classes and researching some information online. I am trying to learn more about using my camera outside of the automatic mode and focusing more on only natural light. We stopped by a friend's house last night after dinner to try to capture a few photos of the girls playing in the fields. It was neat to try some new filters for my lenses and some experimental setting on my camera. Hope you enjoy some of our special moments!