80

A few weeks ago, the girls and I headed up to Nashville with mom, Elaine and Andrew to meet with Grandma and Mary Beth who came down from Ohio. We were so lucky to be celebrating my Grandma's 80th Birthday (a week early). The girls and I came up for a shopping day, dinner and a little surprise party that night for her. We all brought our presents and had a yummy cake. My Grandpa got her a Pandora bracelet and all 4 granddaughters got her a charms for it. Mom and Mary Beth got her a caroling angels lladro. We had to laugh when mom picked it out b/c we knew she couldn't go wrong with that trio of Grandma's favorite things : ) We are beyond blessed to have her at 80 years old, good health, still shopping and playing bridge, and still making delicious pies (well pretty much anything she cooks is delicious). I'm so thankful for all our memories together and that my girls have a chance to have a great grandma (Grammy) to know and make memories with as well!

We were all singing Happy Birthday and Mallary wasn't paying attention
It was the end of the song and she ran over to blow out the candles!
Too much practice from her recent birthday!

This is what she looked like instead of singing!
I usually hate pics like this, but she didn't want clothes back on
and was being so sweet and her little hiney - I couldn't resist!

Gracie was Grammy's Big Helper.
She opened her cards and presents with her...

I meant opened them for her!

Me, Mom, Grandma, Mary Beth and Elaine

with kids (tired kids who wanted nothing to do with pictures!)

Me and My Grandma!

Play Ball!

Instead of attempting to catching up, I'm just going to attempt to be a better blogger. I do have a couple of posts I want to document, but I'm really going to do better at staying current. With that said, last Saturday was Gracie's first softball game!!! I'm so stinkin proud of her! She has been practicing hard for a month now and I can see lots of improvement already! She is on the Blasters. Saturday they had a parade, opening ceremonies, pictures and their first game! Talk about a big day (have I mentioned I'm team mom and had to also participate in these events and coordinate them for our team and that the biggest fundraiser I work on for JLMC was also the same day - I was literally running on fumes Saturday night.) Anyways, Her team won 2-0! She didn't get a hit, but had so much fun anyways.

Ready for the Parade

Playing 'outfield'

At bat.

Mallary's Family Birthday Party

The Sunday after Mallary's Birthday we had all our family up from Birmingham for a fabulous Birthday celebration for Mallary. Alan cooked BBQ and we had a fun afternoon of playing, eating and catching up with everyone. However, with that many people in my house and being the hostess, I didn't get a whole lot of pictures. And Mallary was hilarious trying to open presents. She opened one and would run off with it, she had lots of help and once she opened her Dora backpack - it was over. She only wanted that and we had to force her to open the others. Here are a few of the fun day.

Cousins eating lunch

Present time

Happy Birthday and Cupcake time!



After a long day (and weekend) of celebrating!

Park

We love Delano Park!! We also love this warmer weather we've been having. We've been hitting the park on Sundays, after school - basically any free stretch of time we have!

Here are some from our 1st warm weekend a few weeks ago.

Father-Daughter Dance

Gracie's dance studio had a father-daugther dance. Gracie was so excited to have her daddy come to a party with just her. She picked out her favorite dress to wear and helped me make party favors for everyone to take home.

Happy 2nd Birthday Mallary

Sweet little girl - you are a big 2 years old today! And you are just as precious as can be. You are so loving and want to cuddle. You are now going to school 3 days a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. In the past few weeks I can tell a huge difference in your speech, vocabulary, general knowledge and SPANISH : ) When I want Sister to do something and she isn't I start counting 1...2...3 and the other day you yelled Uno, Dos, Tres! It cracked me up. You are still a big thumb sucker and I don't know how we'll ever get it away from you.

Let's see, some of your favorites right now are Dora and Elmo, Playing in your room with your toys, coloring on everything in our house but paper. You have learned that Gracie drinks "chocolattes" and you must now have them as well. Hey - it's milk so I'm not complaining. Strawberries and Hot dogs and Macaroni and Cheese are your most favorite foods, but you are a pretty good eater and will eat a variety of things.

You are sleeping in your little toddler bed (read crib with the side taken off). At night you always say "nuggle mommy" and I can't resist. I always say Night Night I love you and your sweet little reply is "I wug oo too".

You are a little character - you like to act like a monkey and say monkey ooo ooo ah ah and swing your arms. It's hilarious to daddy and I. When you get really excited, you aren't quite sure what to do, so you do a forward roll. You also love to wear Gracie's ballet shoes and I'm pretty sure you will love dance. Dress up is another one of your favorites.

We are working on potty training. You will go potty once or twice a day, but somedays not at all, but at least you show positive signs and we will be there soon enough.

We can't say enough how much we all love you and what a sweet little baby you are. You make us laugh all the time. We are so proud of you and all your little accomplishments and you bring us so much joy.

Chili Cook Off

Alan participated in the River City Chili Cook Off again this year. The girls and I came out on a beautiful Saturday to support his team and play, play, play!

Alan and his team's 10 GALLONS of chili!

Mallary enjoying the moon bounce

Gracie and Abby sliding togethers