Bottle bowling

One of my latest obsessions is Pinterest.  If you haven't created an account yet, let me know I will be happy to "invite" you to join.  I pinned this recently for an activity for the girls.  We had been holding off for the heat, but tried first thing this morning.

It was crazy hot in the driveway snapping pictures, so we moved out front.

We grabbed a heavier ball and were on our way.  So fun!

Morgan Leigh decided moving the bottles was more fun, and infuriated her sister :)  Loved the idea and will have to con my hubby into making us a bike wash next!

Reading corner

Most days when Morgan Leigh are to ourselves, we read a lot of books.  Sometimes she just likes to sit at the bookshelf alone and read to herself.  I snuck out today to try to get a picture.   She continues to make huge strides with language.  "My door open", "I you", "What you doin' mommy?"  (I need to get the last one on video so that we never forget the intonation on that!)

It's beginning!

I thought that we still had a while before Morgan Leigh would figure out how to imitate us.  This was last night at dinner, when she should have been eating.  Daddy was getting a tad frustrated and apparently sat like this.  ML followed as serious as could be.  Oh my!



Afternoon cuddle

Most afternoons put us in the pool when we visit Nonna and V.  And afterwards the girls love to cuddle up on this bench.  And although it was a fabulous week, I managed to take 2 pictures all week.  Thanks to everyone for having us!

Rain dancing

Tonight while we were eating dinner it started raining.  Nonna and V were so excited they took the girls out to dance in it!  

Popsicle treat

While AG has been away, I have been so lucky to have a week with Morgan Leigh.  She is stringing together a lot of sentences now.  We have read lots of books (mostly Anna Grace's).  Her favorites right now are Strawberry Shortcake's ballet class, The Napping House and Strawberry Shortcakes Easter Surprise.   It was a great week and I am looking forward to having her all to myself this fall!

Gigi's VBS

Anna Grace got to spend the week with Gigi for VBS.  My parents took her on the way home and we will go Friday to see her. 

This afternoon they were invited for a swim date.  I LOVE this picture that the sweet lady snapped for me.  She is loving the pool and especially diving boards.  I know she is loving every minute of VBS and being with Gigi and grandpa.

Party time

Anna Grace wanted a princess party again this year.  She chose Ariel for everything.  We played crown the princess.  Here she is posing while we waiting for everyone to arrive.



We had another Ariel cake that Nonna and I spent hours decorating.  We started the party with cake and ice cream.

Then we decorated crowns to put on Ariel.  I spun the girls around and sent them for the door.  Anna Grace won the game :)  Thank you sweet friends for a wonderful day.  We loved celebrating with each one of you and your sweet girls!

The look..

Anna Grace conned V into letting them play in the water today.  I have no idea what Nonna said when she came out, but had to post the picture.  Matt said that looks exactly like a look I shoot him....

American Girl Store

Part of Anna Grace's birthday gift from my parents was a trip to the Dallas store for lunch and an outfit. 

We shopped for a little while, picked out an outfit from Nonna and V and one from Mom and daddy.  Then we went up to lunch, where Rebecca even got her own seat. 

It was a wonderful time.  AG at one point said, "yes mommy, because it's my day!"  Right indeed peanut, right indeed!

Books with V

Morgan Leigh took about 2 minutes to start pulling out books for V to read to here.  Two little ears to hear His word.  :)

Happy Birthday Anna Grace

Today is Anna Grace's birthday.  We spent the day doing some of her favorite things!  We had lunch at McKinley's and came home to wait for daddy and Nonna and V to arrive.  We opened presents, ate dinner at Chuy's and then had dessert from Miss Stacey's.  (She picked strawberry pie!)  Happy Birthday big girl.  You are growing up so fast and we are loving every minute!

Fireflies and Fireworks

We almost missed one of my favorite shots, the only one of all of us together. 

The girls are never up at dusk during the summer.  So we took advantage and went outside to catch some fireflies. 

Anna Grace had a blast doing it, and I can honestly say I don't know that I have ever done this before.  Aunt Betsy even put them in a jar in their room for the night.

Then we were off to watch the fireworks somewhere away from downtown.  Brendan said he knew just where to go and we were not alone on the hill.

In fact, we weren't there long before four cops and the firemen showed up.  We think there was a fight, but we were all pretty tense for most of the fireworks show.  It was memorable if not for the fireworks show.

July 4th

I found the girls loving on sweet Nora today while the rest of us were rushing to get ready for the 4th of July parade.

This is one of my favorite because it captures how Nora always returns the kisses.  Precious!

Then we were off to this wonderful street with a parade and hot dogs.  It felt so small town and I love that about a 4th of July parade!

Here are a few more shots from the morning.

U2

Last fall, Betsy called and said they were going to U2 and asked if we would like to join them.  Matt said yes in a heartbeat, it is definitely a bucket list thing for him.  She found a sitter (who actually agreed to take all 6 kiddos, even though there were only 4) and we were off.  Here we are after waiting 30 minutes for a table nearby.

And Matt and I before the concert started.  It was an amazing concert!  I am so glad we got to go!

Family fun

We drove to Nashville yesterday to see Matt's sister and family.  After 11.5 hours in the car, we arrived just in time for dinner.  The girls were fabulous!

We brought some silly string for the girls to play with. 

Then they spent hours in the backyard just playing with one another.

And lastly, one of sweet Nora after she woke from her nap.  We found a sitter for the evening and we are going to dinner and then to the U2 concert!  A double date, we are so excited!

Road trippin...

..for a long weekend is how our favorite song goes.  Or as AG likes to say "for as long as we can"!  Here is the peanut with her pipe cleaner craft and funky new glasses.

And one of ML as well.  She was quiet for a really long time while I was driving.  Matt handed her a color explosion set and then took a nap.  AG told me she was writing all over herself, but I thought they were the color wonder kind of markers.  Nope, real markers and they are on EVERYTHING.  You can see a little of the blue on her thigh here.  Oh what I will let her do for a few minutes of quiet in the car...Overall though, it was a great road trip!