Playing in Nana and Poppy's Pool!

Emma got her first swim of the year last weekend at Nana and Poppy's house! Emma loves to swim and has been waiting to go for a while now. Ella is going to be a little fish too! Lately, the only thing that will keep her content for more than 30 seconds is the bath tub. She Loves the water. Since El hasn't been feeling good, she only got to sit on the step for a few minutes, then she had to go inside. I'm sure my mother will call me as soon as she reads this to tell me that Ella did not need to be in the water. Don't worry mom, it was only for a minute! Emma still had a great time! I'm sure there will be a lot more swimming to come!

Mmmm....Crackers!

We have yet to find something that she won't eat!

Target Practice....

So, we've been having some issues in our quiet little culdesac lately, with break-ins! Our neighbor was burglarized last Wednesday and in the process of talking to the police we find out that another house close to us was broken into as well. Then, to top everything off, we learn that last Monday morning, Emma had gotten up early and was sitting at the kitchen table eating her cereal when she heard someone softly tap on the carport door! Emma said that when she went to the door (yes, she actually went to the door instead of going to get Jeb) she saw someone in the carport and when he saw her, he ran through the carport and up the street!!! Obviously she had remembered some of our talks about strangers and to NEVER open the door.....but she still went to the door and looked out the window. When he started running, Emma then ran to the front window to watch him run up the street.....and then she sat down and finished her cereal! She never thought anything about! Oh, the innocence of children! Anyway, I had to tell that story to be able to explain the pictures! Jeb thought we (well...I) needed to practice my aim.....you know, just in case! If nothing else, it was great way to relieve some tension!! We are having an alarm installed tomorrow so hopefully we won't have anymore worries. We really do live in a nice, quiet neighborhood. It's always been pretty boring around here! The Auburn Police have been great. They've been riding through several times a day and they even stop to get out and walk around behind our homes! Hopefully it was just a random thing that won't happen again. And if it does, we'll be prepared :)

Saturday Morning Routine...

......eat breakfast, get dressed, lay around and watch cartoons.....that's about it! Aren't they cute?!

Family Fun Day!

Every year Auburn hosts "Family Fun Day", on the Presidents lawn, for all University employees and their families. They always have tons of games and fun things for Emma to do, plus free food and Ice cream......that's always a good thing! Anyway, it's just another fun day in Auburn......so I thought I'd share!

Go Emma, Go!!

Emma LOVES riding her bike (and her scooter, and her hot pink big wheels for that matter)! Ella has just as much fun watching her. She was putting on a bike show for El. So every time Emma rounded the car she made me say "introducing Emma the Great"! Oh....what fun times!

Mmmm..Pudding!

Emma thought Ella would like to have a taste of her chocolate pudding. As you can see, Ella LOVED it! She kept leaning forward with her mouth wide open, begging for another bite! Since Emma had already eaten most of it, poor El only got a taste of it. She looked so sad when she realized that she wasn't going to get anymore. Little sister never gets the good stuff!

Old Friends!

I was walking through Kroger parking lot the other day and heard someone yell my name. I was shocked when I turned around to see Casey Graham standing there! Casey is one of my best friends from high school. He was my escort one year for homecoming and I think we even went on a couple of dates! Above all, he's a GREAT friend! We haven't seen each other in a very long time! He was in town leading a seminar at Journey Church, here in Auburn. Lucky for me, he had enough time to stop by before he left Saturday afternoon. We got to do a lot of catching up and had a blast reminiscing over a box of pictures I have from high school (prom, senior banquet, etc.)! Casey is one of the most genuine people I have ever known. I'm so happy I got to see him!!

The Best Mother's Day Ever!

Mother's Day is always special, but this Mother's Day was one that I'll remember for the rest of my life! I got a "Greatest Mom in the World" certificate and a BEAUTIFUL jewelry box (made out of Popsicle sticks) from Emma, and a flower pot and cut out hand print from El (her teachers at daycare helped with that gift). I loved everything, but I have to say, the best gift of all was watching Emma get Baptized Sunday night at church! This was a decision that Emma made a few weeks ago, all on her own. She had been asking questions about being saved and about God for a while. It was very important to Jeb and I that we teach her and talk to her about it and answer every question that she had but not to force the issue on her. We wanted it to be something that She wanted to do for herself.......not because she thought it was what we wanted her to do. She truly understands what it all means and how important this decision is! We are all so proud of her and of the young girl she is growing up to be. I was able to get a "behind the scenes" view of her getting baptized! I cannot begin to describe the overwhelming feelings of pride, joy, love and relief that poured over me all at once when I watched my little girl be Baptized in the name of the One and Only Jesus Christ! I will never forget the day that Emma was born 7 years ago! And I will never forget this day, May 11th, 2008, when she was born again!!

Family Pictures!

Worn Out!!

This was a first!! We got home from work/school/daycare this afternoon and, after playing for a while, I put El in her excersaucer so Emma and I could start on her homework. When I looked around the corner to check on her she was slumped over in her seat! She must have played really hard at daycare because she's usually wide open when we get home. I picked her up and put her in her crib and she took a two hour nap!!

So Pretty!

Ava found Mimi's red lipstick and decided to try it out! When I went to check on her and Emma she said "look....pretty lips!!" She looks just like her Mimi!!

2 Babies, 1 Toy!

Lori, Brannon, Ava, and Cakes came home to visit last weekend, so the girls were able to spend some quality time with their cousins. Cakes REALLY liked Ella's toy. Unfortunately, we haven't mastered "sharing" just yet! At first, it was just a little harmless tugging back and forth....then Ella's little temper started to show (I have no idea who she gets that from, by the way)! Poor little, mild-mannered, Cakes just stared at her, toy in hand, like "Geeez, what's your problem kid?!" We eventually pulled out a few more toys and life was back to being grand! We'll have to keep working on the "sharing" and "temper tantrums".......I have a feeling it may take a while!

More "Sister" Moments!

Emma wanted to read Ella a "bedtime story" last night before she went to bed (that is before Emma went to bed, not Ella), so while I was getting Em's things together for school the next day she read to Ella. Ella really enjoyed it.....maybe a little too much! I heard Emma saying "EELLLAAA....stop grabbing the pages!!" As you can see in the second picture, I got a pretty good shot of Emma getting on to her! I have a feeling that this might be a little taste of what it will be like in a few years! I just keep picturing 10 years from now.....Emma's on the phone with a friend talking about something "very important"......Ella's right underneath her asking 10 million questions.....Emma's whining because Ella won't give her any "space"........I can't wait!!

Ready...Set....

It looks like Ella is starting to figure out how to put those chubby arms and legs to use! She'll push up on her arms but hasn't quite figured out how to get her knees underneath her. She'll try and try until her little arms give out...then she usually does a face plant in the floor! Then she usually gives me that look, like "A little help here, please!"

Emma's Dance Recital!

Emma had her dance recital tonight and she did amazing!! We are so proud of her! Ella had a good time too. She slept through half of it and danced through the rest! She'll be up there soon!!

Lots of Hairbows.....

......she just needs some hair to put them in!! Maybe it will start growing soon!

Fun in the Bathtub!