The Fourth

I feel like summertime is unofficially the time to take a little break from blogging. At least it has been for me as I find myself doing weekly recaps as opposed to my usual 3-4 times a week check-in. And I'm totally ok with that. We are doing a lot of fun, memory-making things that we enjoy doing and then I just blog about it early Monday morning. It works :) 

We had a big, busy week celebrating the Fourth. Independence Day is definitely one of my favorite holidays. Between the fireworks, food, our county fair, swimming and music there's so much to love about this time of the year.

We went over to my sister-in-law's for a crawfish boil midweek. So much fun! I don't think there was one crawfish left when we were finished.

Last week Georgia Grace's Ma, Aunt Shanna and Grandmomma made patriotic shirts using her handprint and I thought they turned out so cute! Nope, not one bit spoiled ;)

While we were there GGH took a trip to the garden with Aunt Shanna and picked a wild onion. She thought she was big stuff!

While she was doing that I was taking a ride on the gator with my brother-in-law and all I kept saying was "I think I'm going to throw-up" ha! I said that being squeals. He is a maniac. Seriously crazy. And I guess I'm even crazier that I knew this and rode anyway-I survived!

We celebrated the 4th at the Catfish Festival (our county fair) as we do every year. Don't we have the best county fair name??? I mean seriously who wouldn't want to be known as the catfish capital of the world? :) This wild woman took to the dance floor with the square dancers. She had the best night.

Our best buddy "Ro-Ro" (as GGH has renamed him) was there and I just love this picture of our two babies. Two Julys ago we had no kids at CFF (GGH was on the way) and now we have two! Such blessings these two are.

We watched a spectacular fireworks show. She loved them (unlike her Daddy who use to have his ears covered and be cuddled when he was little...:)).

The night ended on this sweet note. Her "boyfriend" Ace was there and they danced together and it was the sweetest thing I've ever seen. Abby (Ace's mom) took a video of the dance and sent it to me to save to our hard drive to keep. We think maybe we can use it in their wedding video someday...:)

Saturday we pulled out the watertable to try for the first time. It was a hit of course. Anything that involves water and being outside is a winner in her book.

She wasn't content just standing and playing in the water like most kids and had to climb in it to see the top. Sheesh!

We went back to the festival Saturday night for the one last night of fun. We stole Miss Butler County Catfish for a quick picture. We love McKinzey! She was so sweet to love on our girl (she even included her in an instagram collage :)), she will be a great representative!

We weren't done with our patriotic celebrations just yet and headed to "Thunder Over Grancer" Sunday night. This is a get together our good friends have every year around the 4th at their house and it is so much fun. Swimming, a fish fry, pickin' and grinnin', and fireworks. I took these pictures in my Dad's garage as we were headed out the door-the perfect backdrop!

We got to see Aunt Paigey and Uncle Eric while we were there which was a sweet treat. We had a lot of family and friends time this week and it was wonderful.

This is what my girl thinks about the 4th of July! She has had the best week. Our bedtime schedule may be even more skewed but we will worry about that tomorrow :)

Hope y'all had a great 4th as well! Definitely sad to see this weekend come to a close but thankful for all the memories we made.

Father's Day Weekend 2014

We had a great weekend celebrating the fathers in our life. Marcus pretty much did whatever he wanted to do and we just tagged along :) We embraced the love language of quality time over gifts this year and I think we all preferred it.

We started the weekend Friday night by meeting with our architect to discuss the revisions to our house plan. We were at his house for FIVE hours. He showed us how a design plan would look from a certain angle, exteriorly, in 3D, etc. He was even able to put an average size person walking through the rooms to show spacing and room sizes. It was unbelievable! I'm anxious to make some final decisions soon. Geez louise there are so many decisions! And making decisions doesn't come easy for me.

Architect meetings and a wiggly 1 1/2 year old don't mix so my Dad kept Georgia Grace for us until the meeting was over. She helped him get ready for our lake day by exploring the boat. He said she played in his boat for 1-2 hours! Maybe we should just get a boat... :)

Saturday we spent the day at beautiful Lake Malone. Of all the lakes I have been to Lake Malone is my favorite. It's smaller and you can fish or do water sports. And the landscape is head and shoulders above the other lakes in my opinion.

"Ocean"
Ha!

For the past couple of years we have been going to the lake with our best buds Nathan and Rachel and staying in their family cabin. They weren't able to go this weekend but let us use it anyway. So we did :) They are the best! It's seriously the cutest little cabin ever.

Uncle "Erie" and GGH ready to hit the water


Georgia Grace's 1st time on the lake! She loved the water but wasn't crazy about the life jacket. Sorry but not sorry baby girl.

My Dad even let her "drive" the boat (we are idling). She thought she was big stuff of course. Love this picture of these two.

 I think we are looking at our crew in the other boat but I love how her little hand is on my Dad's leg and I'm holding her hand. Safe as can be!

After we went out in the boat for a while Mamaw, GGH and me came back to the cabin to sit on the porch while the rest of them went back out. She fell asleep in my arms while we were swinging. It was a perfect day at the lake.

Father's Day 2014

I didn't think I would ever know a man that was as good of a father as my Dad but I do. I'm blessed to have my husband and Dad leading our families. I'm so thankful for this man!

The way to my husband's heart is absolutely through his stomach. He is a foodie for sure so I made him a Father's Day breakfast of eggs over-easy, bacon, homemade buttermilk biscuits and fresh fruit to go with it. The biscuits are Grandmomma's recipe and he said they were good so I was proud of myself!

Sunday afternoon after church we were back to a body of water. This time my Uncle David's pond. As soon as we finished eating lunch at my Mamaw's we walked over to do a little fishing. We caught 20 fish in about an hour! Bluegill and bass. This is my first catch in many many years. I ended up holding the fish but didn't bait the hook. Rome wasn't built in a day :)

We went home and when Georgia Grace woke up from her nap she had a special Dad's Day card for Dada. She is reading it to him in the picture. Such a big shot! He loved it.

This was one of those weekends you never want to end.

Memorial Day Weekend 2014

Sweet summertime is officially here! Even though we had already swam a few times Memorial Day is always the summer kickoff for me. Here's a bunch of pictures to represent what our long weekend looked like.

Our cousins from Indianapolis came down for the holiday and GGH had an instant best friend. They played so well together. We are looking forward to her next visit!

This weekend we met with an architect to design our house plans and did a little browsing for house materials. I think we're getting closer and closer to making decisions about the big things. My dreams for our family home are coming true!

Saturday was a pool day and the first pool day for the newest member to our group! Roman slept the whole time nearly so I think he found poolside to be enjoyable :)

This girl loves being at her Gammy's. Between the pool and golf cart trips around the course she stays highly entertained.

Saturday night I attended a bachelorette party for one of my best friend's Shira. It was such a fun night being with gal pals. Abby was a wonderful host and we found out the next day that they are expecting baby #2! Love this family so much. 

Sunday we had nursery duty at church and got to check out the new courtyard playground. It is so nice! She had a ball along with her other nursery buddies.

She is getting to be such a big girl. Sigh.

Sunday night we were invited to three different Memorial Day cookouts but I wasn't feeling well so we just stayed home. Bummer. We let Georgia play in the yard after supper. As long as she is outside she doesn't care where she is :)

A funny from this weekend-our cousin Payton was talking about her and just said Georgia and after she finished talking GGH added "Grace" ha!

Yesterday Marcus went to the lake for fishing with the guys so I decided to work so I could take off at the end of the week before we leave for the beach Saturday. GGH spent the day with Ma, Grandmomma and Aunt Shanna. They had the best day and there's no doubt she's extra spoiled after this weekend :)

I hope everyone had a great holiday! I'm thankful for the ones who served like my Papaw Porter so we could have something to celebrate this weekend. God Bless America!

Mother's Day 2014

Monday mornings aren't as difficult when you've had an amazing weekend leading up to it. My family love tank is full. I have been so blessed.

Mother's Day 2014

This is my third Mother's Day since knowing this perfect gift from God was on the way. I pray I always give her my best because she is my most important piece of work. Even though she is a devout Daddy's girl she loves her Mama an awful lot too :)

She's my first born and my first daughter. I want to pour my everything into my relationship with her and be the best example. She deserves every sacrifice, opportunity and ounce of love I can give her.

2013 & 2014

My last Mother's Day at our first house. What a special place to spend these first memory-filled years.

After church we went to my Mom's for a day of relaxing. Pie, strawberries, sunshine and the pool made it a pretty perfect day. We have been so consumed lately with the house project it was nice to take some time to just kick back.

Georgia Grace is getting braver each time we visit the pool. She got all the way in Sunday and everytime someone would jump in and make a big splash she would say "Oh no!" and laugh!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! I am thankful for my Mom and Grandmothers who showed me the way. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree so I hope that's true for me.

Thank you Jesus for giving me the gift of motherhood.

Easter 2014

I wasn't crazy about Easter being so late this year but if it means we get warm weather I am all for it! It was perfect. We spent lots of time outside and slowed down a bit. It was much needed and felt like a reward for surviving our cruel winter.

We kicked off Easter weekend by getting to pet a real bunny! Our neighbors just so happened to have new bunnies and were outside with them. They were precious!! Georgia Grace got a big kick out of them. There was a lot of squealing and petting going on.

Saturday was our Easter egg hunt at church. She found 8 and was very proud of herself. She was the last one in the field. She was very thorough with her hunting :)

The Easter Bunny came and left GGH a basket of goodies beside her crib. She spotted it first thing and opened it up immediately. We kept it small and simple. She loved it just the same!

Easter 2014

These two complete me.

Easter 2013-I love to compare year to year.

My southern belle in her Easter frock. This is one of my favorite days to be a girl mom. Bonnets and smocking and T-straped leather shoes are the key to my mommy heart. 

We went to Mamaw Carolyn's for an Easter lunch and a mini egg hunt just for our Georgia Grace. She loved climbing the steps and I had to snap a picture of her bunny bloomers.

I'm not even sure what she was doing in this picture but that expression is priceless! She is such a live wire.

Easter (& turkey hunting) are hard on my man

What a difference a year makes! Days like today make me wish I could freeze time.

Hope you and yours had a great Easter weekend!