What A Super Fun Shopping Day!

Nathan has been working a lot and I needed to get out of the house so I thought I would attempt a little shopping with both kids. I did not have high expectations when I left this morning but the kids were both wonderful shoppers and we found a great many deals!

First we went to my new favorite consignment shop, The Kloset, on Hwy 51. I got Ava 2 dresses and 1 winter outfit. They had a sectioned off play area that Noah loved and the best part was that he could not get out! So I could shop with no worries about him breaking anything or getting lost in the clothes racks- which is his new favorite thing to do when we shop! They also have women's clothes and maternity clothes as well. I will be back to shop for myself once Noah is back in school!

Next we went to Sweet Dreams in Madison. They were having a 75% off sale on their summer clothes. I got Ava 5 dresses for next summer at around $14 a piece! Boutique dresses! They had a train table here that occupied Noah the whole time I debated over what to buy.

Then we stopped by the mall for lunch- Chick Fil A- Noah's choice. By this point it is almost 1:30 and we are all starving. He loves to go to the mall- I guess because there are so many fun things to do. (See pictures below!)

We stopped by Gymboree- they had their sale items an additional 20% off. I found Noah some things here but when I got to the register I remembered I had a coupon at home for 20% off the entire purchase- so I had them hold my items and we will go back tomorrow to get it even cheaper! I want my kids in cute clothes but refuse to pay full price!

Sorry forgot to turn this one. Ava was a great shopper except for the leaky poopy diaper...

Noah LOVES riding the train! It is a must anytime we go to the mall

Here are my bargain boutique dresses for next summer!

Both kids fell asleep on the way home and stayed asleep when I brought them inside and now it is starting to rain. Maybe I'll catch up on a little reading and sleep myself!

Happy 50th Birthday!

This past weekend we drove down to the coast to celebrate my mom's 50th birthday. The 3 day celebration started with a surprise spa day on Friday which included a facial, pedicure, hot stone massage, and lunch. Dad decorated the house with black 50th birthday party decorations while Mom had her spa day. Friday evening we had my mom's sister Lynn and her daughter Kelly and my mom's mother "Nona" over for dinner and birthday cake. Dad surprised Mom again with a DVD slideshow with pictures from the last 50 years. It was a tear jerker and very sweet. It really makes you think about how quickly time passes by.


Saturday we had a Birthday Luncheon at Olive Garden with Mom's friends. We had a great time and Mom got some very nice gifts. Saturday evening Nathan's parents came over for a cookout, more cake, and an encore presentation of the Birthday DVD.

After church on Sunday we headed to a Mexican restaurant then back home to open some birthday cards and one last present.

Dad gave Mom a beautiful journey pendant. Then we went for a dip in the neighbor's pool and then had to pack up and head back home.

We took pictures on 2 different cameras and I don't have the other half to post but

we had a great weekend visiting with all our family. We love you Mom and hope you had a great birthday celebration. You definitely don't look 50! I know Dad is glad all this secretive planning is over!

First Time Bowling

We went bowling with our neighbors David & Christin and Kelly & Josh and their baby Mason the other night. It was Noah's first time bowling and he had an absolute blast!


Picking out a ballDaddy helped Noah with all of his turns

Waiting patiently for Noah's ball to hit the pins. I think his average speed was about 1.5 mph down the lane.

Just one of Noah's many dance moves throughout the night.
He kept us entertained between turns!

10 Months Old!

Well I can't believe my baby is 10 months old already! She is such a sweet, happy, easy baby that is really starting to get silly. She loves patting Nathan on the head and pulling his hair- she just laughs and laughs. Ava loves playing in Noah's room. She makes a beeline straight from her room to his. I've got to get this sweet girl a baby doll to play with before she gets too attached to Noah's cars. Noah & Ava are so sweet together. He makes her laugh all the time and sometimes I'll glance back in the car and they have their arms stretched out holding hands. We feel so blessed to have 2 beautiful healthy happy children!


Ava trying her first biter biscuit. It eventually just ended up on the floor.
I don't think she was too impressed.
Eating cut up bananas for the first time yesterday. She loved it! I think she mainly likes picking up food and feeding herself. She is starting to boycott jarred baby food. Now the adventure begins to come up with healthy soft food for her to eat 3 times a day.

Today after church. She is playing with the Leap Frog Learning Table- she loves to make it make different sounds. She is even starting to "dance" a little bit!

I tried to pose her in the chair but she just kept trying to jump out so she could get down to play. She just looks precious in this dress and so dainty with her little bracelet on.

Just thought this one was sweet.

A Day in the Life of

Today was the last day of swimming lessons. It took 8 days but he finally walked by himself to the edge of the pool where his class was. The first day his teacher had to pry him off of me. When are we going to grow out of this attachment?

Ava patiently waiting during Noah's swimming lessons. I met some really nice ladies these past 2 weeks that I hope to keep in touch with. I really enjoyed talking with them everyday.

"Look at this funny face"

Ava's pulling up all the time now but not cruising around yet. Noah started walking at 10 1/2 months but I don't think Ava will be doing that. Thank goodness! I want to keep her a baby! :)

On our way to Gatti Town. Noah's feet didn't even reach the end of the seat when we first put him in this carseat. I can't believe how big he is!

Noah & his friend Cade Sumrall. Cade's mom Jennifer
says that these boys were separated at birth- and I agree-
they are made from the same mold!

Playing games with Daddy

Cade had his game face on but Noah kept getting distracted by something

Ava had a great time too

Fast asleep... check out the fireman truck slippers he put on himself :)

This picture was the right direction at first and now I don't know how to fix it. Anyway, here is Ava with her hot fleece blankie. She loves it. She is a great sleeper- usually at least 12 hours a night!

What a Deal!

Snapfish is offering 1 cent prints through tomorrow up to 50 prints then regular price at 9 cents after that. Sorry I'm a little late posting this deal- hope it's not too late if you are interested in this steal! Use coupon code JUL4PENNY08 at the checkout.

Our Weekend on the Coast

This weekend we went to the coast to visit with our family and also to go to my 10 year high school class reunion. I forgot my camera so I don't have any pics from that night but I had so much fun- much more than I expected to. It was great to catch up with old friends.

On Friday we made a trip to the sno-cone stand. It is a must-do in the summer when we visit Grand Bay. There was some ice on top that didn't have any flavor so we gave Ava some and she loved it!

On Saturday we took Pop Pop's boat out to Horn Island. It was Noah's first trip to the island. It was pretty choppy on our way out but my little man did good and held on to the bar in front of him on the boat with a death grip even though I was holding him the whole time.

Jason and Louisa

Nathan let Noah "drive" the boat

Blue Angels

On our way back from the beach a couple of weeks ago, we stopped by the Pensacola Naval Air Museum so Noah could see the Blue Angel jets. The battery on my camera was almost dead so I only took a few pictures, but Noah absolutely loved it!

When It Rains, It Pours

Well the week started out with Ava getting a fever Sunday night. Monday Nathan and I had dentists appointments. While the hygenist said my teeth were much cleaner than Nathan's, upon looking at my xrays, the dentist tells me I need 3 root canals, 3 crowns, and 4 other fillings. Yes you read that right. I started crying right there in the chair. I still cannot believe it. I floss everyday and brush at least twice a day so it can't be due to poor oral hygiene. And to top it all off, we do NOT have dental insurance. I am going to work on that though since it is actually time to reenroll in all of that so please pray we can get insurance and that at least some of this work will be covered! In the midst of all this, Nathan is also sick and had to rearrange his work schedule. Ava continued to have a high fever- mostly 102 or above for 48 hours with it barely coming down at all between alternating Tylenol and Motrin around the clock. Poor baby. She just cries and wants to be held. Anyway we finally got her to the doctor and after many pokes and prods it turns out that she has a urinary tract infection. She got a Rocephin shot yesterday and again today and is also on oral antibiotics although we still have not seen any improvement. Last night her temp reached 104.7. Needless to say I was more than worried but we finally got it down to 103 with cool rags all over her body. The doctor said to expect fever for 72 more hours so we still have a little way to go. Nathan goes back to work tomorrow but thank goodness my mom is coming up to help. Noah definitely needs a playmate and some attention. Oh and did I mention we are having a new roof put on today and tomorrow? :) All in all, we are blessed that this all can be taken care of and "fixed". We have so much to be thankful for. Glory to God!