We are still here....

Haven't done this in a while but now I can do it on my phone so I wanted to share the photos of Bodie and Braylen having fun at the mall! Bodie is here for the Christmas break. Braylen and Bodie get a long so great together.

Pictures I have forgotten to share...

This was last spring....I think right after Easter!


This picture explains their relationship. The way things are going now, they should be the best of friends.

I love this! Carsen has changed so much, Braylen still looks the same.

This was cute but Braylen was having a hard time pulling it because the grass was so thick.




Carsen's first birthday pics. She was loving the icing.



Had to get a cute picture of her ruffle bloomer....too bad you can see some of the diaper....!


She is such a busy body, that I am surprised that we were able to capture any of these.


Are you guys for real....you put me in a picnic basket....lol


She is such a sweet girl but is very needy. Wants to be held ALL the time.


Hope you enjoyed the pics. Sorry, I forgot to post them on here.

Halloween Celebrations

We started out our celebrations with a FALL FESTIVAL at Braylen's school. They got to dress up in their costumes and play in the jumpies, decorate cookies, make sand necklaces, eat popcorn, and go on a hayride...it was so much fun.






Our next celebration was with our Life Group through church. We meet every Friday night and have a salty/sweet snack and then do our group discussions/lesson. This past Friday was a tad bit different, we did fun food and just got all dressed up and dances with the Wii and the kids hit a pinata and just celebrated being together.







Our next celebration was Pumpkin carving. Elisabeth and her family were in town and they came over to carve pumpkins and so did our good friends, The Cook FAmily. We then went to a nice dinner and came back and ate yummy apple pie.




Our last celebration was Halloween night. Everyone came to our house, we ate wings and pizza and then got the kiddos dressed for a fun night of "trick or treat." It was a blast and the kids all did so good, it just warmed my heart to see them all having so much fun. When we were done, the kids came back....ate some candy, ran circles around the house for about 15 mins and then it waas time to close shop. All the kids were winding down and the costumes were off, the jammies were on, and until next year!!!

Fall Fair

This year was such a fun year for the fair because Braylen could actually ride some rides. We went on opening night (free admission and unlimited rides for a certain $ amt.) We went with her best bud Georgia and her mommy and daddy. It was a blast. I was hesitant at first because I didn't know how Braylen was going to react on the rides but having Georgia around was saving grace. There wasn't a fear in the world with those two together, they conquered all the fun rides and even did the Caterpillar roller-coaster (i was shocked!) When I was a little girl, I was scared to death of the roller coaster but now of course I LOVE THEM.


(braylen looks like Jackie O here)


(when they are together they are both BIG HAMS)


(of course matching face paints)




The Cumming Fair almost lasted 2 full weeks, so of course we had to go another day. We decided to go with Elisabeth, Dad, and the two boys. Elisabeth and her family were in town for a week because Adam had a conference in Atlanta.....we were so excited to see them and let the cousins have fun time together. So anyways, we got to the fair early evening and were able to do two rides until all of a sudden...it started raining....! It was such a bummer because the kids were all excited about the fair and riding rides together. Well we decided to stick it out and let the rain clear out, but in turn, we were wet and the temperature dropped several degrees....so damp and cold....brrr! It was a great time regardless, Bodie and Braylen had a ball and Bodie has NO fear which helped BRaylen not be scared either....loved it.

(first ride after the big rain...it was very wet and there was no one on it....ha)


(this makes me giggle.....)


(i have a picture of me very similar to this....wish i could find it)


(Poppy and his grandkids)

Fall Happenings..

We went to Elijay to Hillcrest Farms for some good ole apple pickin'. This has become an annual event with our good friends. At Hillcrest, you can pick your own apples, eat lunch, play on jumpies, play in the petting zoo, ride ponies, just tons of things to keep you occupied. Here are some pics to enjoy and I had to add an OLD picture of the same kids....I believe it was two years ago. Oh...I got TONS of apples....and have made 2 pies, apple sauce and have eaten an apple everyday along with sharing them with my kids. I have had the apples for a month......LOTS of apples....heehee.

Carsen turns 1

(Going to her party and riding in her new carseat....she is only 19lbs.....but we assumed the cupcake and icing would add another pound. She was itching to face forward.)



Next was Carsen's BIG celebration of turning ONE...or maybe it is an Adult celebration because we survived ONE year of being parents of TWO precious, determined little girls. However you want to look at it, it is still a wonderful celebration.
We chose to combine Carsen's birthday with Coleman's birthday (they are 5 days apart from each other.) We are very good friends with the Cooks (Coleman's parents) and knew we would be inviting the same people to the parties so we thought....why not just combine them....! And the party was SO MUCH fun and a super duper success. Below are some fun pictures of the party....












(We chose to ask guest that instead of bringing a wonderful gift, why not bring a book or dvd that can be donated to the Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta!)

Braylen turned 3!!!

(Braylen and her very best friend Georgia)

So for Braylen's big day we decided to give her a birthday party with several of her playdate friends. She was able to invite 10 kiddos. We had her party at Menchies (a local yogurt shop) and it was DELISH! They have a side party room....so each kid had their own place settings...with crayons, stickers, tatoos, and shirt with the Menchie man on it (they were able to color him with fabric markers also.) Then the lady at Menchies did a small game with them, pin the topping on Menchie and she interacted with them by helping the kids color and asked them lots of questions.....she was wonderful! After all of that...they were then able to go get their yogurt...however much they wanted with whatever topping they wanted.....YES....the kids were in HEAVEN and it was before dinner time....the parents were going to kill me....lol! After all the sugary treats were consumed...Braylen got to blow out her candle on a single cupcake and then open presents.....she got some wonderful new things to play with...! Her party was a true success and I didn't have to make or clean up a thing....how nice that was!!! Then for her REAL birthday day....Braylen and mommy made cupcakes the night before and then I brought them to school to share with her friends. We made strawberry cupcakes with strawberry icing....she literally asked for this everytime someone asked her what she wanted for her birthday....and I wasn't going to complain because if I had to choose any flavor...that would have been my pic as well!!! Can you say similar tastebuds? Anywho, so I went to her school after their lunch and all the kids sang to Braylen and then devoured their icing....I mean cupcake. It was a wonderful treat for Carsen and i to go see Braylen at school...she was also excited to see us there and share her little sister with everyone!
All in all Braylen's celebrations were great and I can't believe she is already 3. She definitely looks like a 3 year old and acts like one too but I am not so sure I am ready for these years to go any faster! Braylen is so much fun these days, really smart, and has an imagination that I envy. I love how she loves and cuddles, and I especially love how she wants to be JUST LIKE ME! (everytime I turn a corner, she is doing something that I am doing or was doing...lol.) I am very thankful for my blessings and for my Braylen....she is very special to us and will always be #1 in so many ways! Happy Birthday Booger Bear!


(About to sing Happy Birthday)


(She is my first and I love her so much)


(And yes, she is a lefty)


(Enjoying some yummy Yogurt!)