Ten Years...

It seems so strange to be writing this post after the fact...this anniversary has been something we have been looking forward to all year. We set up the perfect getaway to celebrate one another and the life we have been blessed with. It was nothing short of amazing! We shared the resort with some honeymoon couples which was so rewarding to watch. God has brought us so far, blessed us beyond measure and taken this marriage to places we could have never seen coming. Oh, how we are so thankful. I could never have dreamed my life any better, my husband any more perfect and my darling children any more angelic! The road hasn't always be smooth and easily traveled but the rest stop at the 10 yr point last week held an absolute breathtaking view! (Literally, as you can see from some of the pics below) We savor the time we had together to remember where we had traveled from and pray for the road we will be taking in the future. For now, I will hold on to the laughs, snuggles, late morning sleep ins, walks in the dark on the deserted beach, hammock swings while saying nothing which was more than enough, dips in our private pool which literally stepped down from our back door and visions of paradise surrounding my beach chair all while I had my very best friend all to myself!!!

(Girls, I will post more shots and details about our entire trip later but only 24 hours after our flight touched down I am now packing again to load you all up for a girls only "beach camp" as ailee called it tonight! )

Lemonade...The taste of Summer in the South!

You all have been so blessed this summer to be able to spend a lot of good times with Mimi and Granddaddy. We went up to stay one weekend when they happened to be having a yard sale and guess what you both wanted to sale? LEMONADE! You worked hard setting up your stand and did surprisingly well selling it too. I think it helped that your littlest sister was walking around holding her hands out begging for her very own quarter each time you both got one. It was sweet to watch you work together and make special memories at your Grandparents.

Mimi's yard and Granddaddy's garden are both in full bloom. Of course, when you pull up to the culdesac of their house the view of the yard takes your breath away and you cannot even see the secret gate to the garden in the back yet. It is like going on a retreat to stay there a few days with the view of gorgeous flowers and decorations. However, this year something new was added! I may be more excited than anyone (except you, Ailee, because you think the entire section of corn was planted just for you!). Granddaddy and Mimi planted a garden this year! It was very sad to hear about the selling of Granny and Pop's house recently but I am so proud that Mimi has decided to bring those memories to Vanns Town for the newer generations. I will never forget the days spent running through the rows of veggies while Granny picked okra and then sitting in between Pop's legs as he showed me how to string beans. One of the first things Anna Grace said when she saw the garden was "Mimi, can I help you pick something when it is done growing?" Whew, that hit hard...I am OLD! That was always a joy of my summer and now I am seeing her begin to witness it. I am glad that summer days are turning into more than trips to the pool and lazy afternoon naps. These type memories made with Mimi and Granddaddy will be SOOO cherished one day. For years, Big Unc continued the garden at Granny and Pop's house and Mimi always helped him can and cook up the goodies. I really love having it closer. We were lucky enough to get to rush over after church on Sunday for a home cooked meal. As I took the first bite, I was flooded with how spoiled I really was growing up. We always ate two weekend meals around the round table at Gran and Pop's with the whole gang. There were times I would have just given anything for a happy meal instead, I am sure. And, especially when the dating years came, it was hard to have to attend the Saturday night meal at Gran's at 6 before any dating would occur. However, now I see how lucky I was! I miss the southern summer treats of my childhood. Thanks, Mimi and Granddaddy for bringing things back around full circle even though I know the distant makes it hard on everyone.

We love to give Granddaddy a hard time though that he planted the garden in the designated pool spot. When they moved from our childhood home, they left behind a very special treat...our swimming pool in the backyard. Now, first thing we found a place a replacement spot but Granddaddy just wasn't on board with all of us living in different places. I think he was probably correct in this decision and summer seems to be more than "paradise" just the way it is! We made a super splash anyway when we visited this past time.

And, I cannot leave out the other addition. At Pop's there was Bob, that Anna Grace chased around as an infant. Then at Mimi's old house was Jiggie that both AG and Ailee I am sure drove close to crazy. And now, there is sweet GiGi who Adelynn worships near and far! I actually just heard you discussing her with your sisters a few minutes ago in the living room as you played. She is named GiGi, as short for "Georgia Girl" because she actually belongs to Anna Grace. She pulled the strings on Granddaddy's heart when she called one morning as our neighbors had out kittens who needed a home. With Daddy being allergic to cats, we couldn't possibly keep her here. She wanted her soooo bad and the conclusion she came up with when we explained to her why she couldn't stay here was..."can I just call Granddaddy?" Well, there she is so you know how that phone called ended up. Two years later and a beautiful sight as she leaps through the flowers and rubs around our legs during each visit.

"...the Best Day I Ever Had!"

said Anna Grace, about the day we spent at the amusement park this week. I must say that it was a real special treat for me, as well! It was like a day in my past! I remember going to this same park as a child for my Daddy's bank picnics. It felt like being in an old movie. It is the cutest, most quaint little amusement park I have ever seen. It was just as fun as an adult too!

Everything Anna Graces says is the absolute best to Adelynn, so when she told her to raise up her arms on the mini ladybug coaster (which literally went up and down maybe 6 inches) she held them up the whole entire time . SO cute!


"The Mimis," as the girls called them all day, were a wonderful blessing to us, for sure!!! Despite that when I asked mom if she was okay, since we did choose the hottest day of the year so far to take this adventure, they just laughed and said they had decided that when we approach them about coming back they had planned to just drop their wallets and run! Now, I could see it in their faces all day, that they had an amazing amount of fun too and would not trade the memories made with the granddaughters for anything. Although, it was HOT!

I know that is was extremely cool to be asked to ride the Ferris wheel with the boy of the "minute" in middle school. Yes, I said minute because that is about how long those little "likes" last. But, riding it with my oldest daughter was soooo much better. We had special times together today! I loved every minute of it!!!

You got to love a photo booth! I ADORE these shots of us girls just being goofy together.

A day in the life of the "A" girls!

Few More Fourth Highlights...

The July 4th celebration is always a great time for our family. I missed Granny's Homemade ice cream but we have come to make some wonderful traditions of our own over the past few years. You girls love going to the club festivities for fireworks, etc. I love making such special memories with each one of you and your Daddy too! There's nothing like snuggling through some fireworks with my favorite people in the world!

We actually walked in the parade this year in support of "Uncle Shep" who is running for State Rep. You all have fun decorating the wagon and making your own "vote Shep" signs. Ailee, you did great greeting people, handing them cards and saying "Vote for Shep" in your sweet country voice.

We were so proud of you, Anna Grace, for not only jumping but for being so determined to turn a backwards flip. You saw the older girls in front of you trying hard to do them but they didn't have much success. I love how you don't give up when things don't just come easy for you! You turned three really super back flips. Well done, princess1

And may this country not ever forget that we are and will always be...

One Nation Under GOD!

Nothing like a birthday...July 4th!

This is a special celebration~~Happy Birthday America!

As I think back to what this time year meant to me as a child, I remember pool parties with fresh grilled burgers, watermelons, a horse decked out in red, white and blue ribbons (yes, as a wee little one, I participated in the "Wagon Train"), parades, lots of good sing alongs lead by Granny, Pop with his true sense of pride for what this day really was all about and more than anything....Freedom. The days of childhood seem to pass so quickly and so "freely." As I watch my own girls, I remember so clearly what life without responsibility was like...no worries or burdens~just skipping along each new path with smiles and laughter. You girls seem to have lots of it. Awwww, how I miss those days! Now, I can truly appreciate what the men and women go through to give me FREEDOM. Not the kind I had as a child but the kind that lets me lay my head down each night without fear. I am blessed, we all are. What gratitude we owe those who serve this dear land...

Somehow the tiny peanut in this family became a little rotten! My favorite new joy each day is...

When I ask "Whose mommy's precious little peanut?" the sweetest little voice ever answers back with the same face as above~~~"MEeeeee!"

Finally!!!!....

Although my parents "or Santa" brought me Photoshop Elements more than a few years ago at Christmas, I have been scared of trying it very much for editing my photos. This summer, while taking a little time off of sewing, I have ventured into learning more and more about it. Although I have a TON more things to learn, I am so excited to finally be making some adjustments for the better to my photos. I decided today to try my hand at some of the free actions offered online from various websites. I combined a couple of actions together below and was very pleased with the results. Now, for all my true photographer friends, please do not look too closey. But for us here at the England home, these are definitely going to find their way upon our walls somewhere soon. Just felt like sharing...

These are all before and after shots. I think it should be obvisious which is which, I hope...

June Memories 2010

June has been a month full of fun times and great memories! It seems like we have been celebrating something the whole way through. This first shot gives a glimpse of what life is like in a house full of girls gone wild for summer!

Cheerleading camp this week has been such fun for you girls and today was "crazy" day. Ailee you loved it, of course. You would dress this way everyday if we let you and, Anna Grace, you had to make sure your outfit still all matched even if it was a little funky.

And, today was Mommy's birthday...thanks for the wonderful dinner you all cooked for me last night and the sweet gifts you gave all day today. The handmade ones were definitely my favorite! Mommy was so surprised when we showed up for American Idol night at the club pool. My sweet friends had a little surprise party for me! It was complete with my favorite dessert, a banner, balloons and special friends. The best was the beautiful version of Happy Birthday sang by all the little princesses during karoke. Thanks, ladies, for such a memorable and loving surprise!

Then, there was Father's Day last weekend too. You all made Daddy some super sweet "trees" from the branches that have blown all over the yard during the nightly storms. Anna Grace, you came up with the idea to tie notes all over them that explained all the things you love about your daddy. I think by far his favorite comment was..."My daddy does a great job taking care of me!" So sweet!

We all look forward to our escape to Uncle Matt Matt's and Aunt Beth's each summer for your cousin's birthdays. Campbell and Cybil both had a joint party this year and it was a blast.

Sorry, Anna Grace, but I had to put this picture up. (Not just because it is the only shot of Campbell I got all day...she is in the background chatting with a friend) But because I love the way the camera captured you throwing this ball. It is not a secret that you have very much of your Mommy's athletic ability. Gracefulness is definitely more our thing than throwing balls and shooting hoops. However, you may have looked a whole lot like a "girl" throwing this ball, but I think you surprised the boys when you hit the target on the first try almost everytime you got up to the dunken booth. I know I glanced at Uncle Matt Matt a few times when his eyes were big along with his grin! You are a very determined little lady. I cannot wait to see what you accomplish once you set your mind to it!