sibling love

I sure do love days like this. 

Days where they are each other's best friend. 

The fighting is kept to a minimum.  The love is at maximum. 

 Lots of silliness & laughter.  

They are oblivious to anything else in the house.  

Just each other having fun. 

Favorite pretend games you two like to play right now...

the superhero and the princess

michael & meredith

puppy dogs

*and there is an occasional fight over a darn orange carrot.  yes, it's plastic.  yes, it's a toy.  but for some silly reason there are lots of tears shed over this carrot.  it is now our family joke.  

shane jr.

I saw this adorable idea for a valentine for davis on the beloved Pinterest so I got a jump start and worked on them this past weekend.  These were the other pictures that didn't make the cut.  

I swear, he is truly a mini-shane.  And even more so as he matures.  

Looks, crazy eye rolls, accent (uh oh!), tender heart, desire to be a care taker, hysterical personality, observation skills....all of it.  Just like his daddy.  

a letter to my kids

davis & carson~ 

I want to tell you about one of mommy's newish friends.  

Her name is Katharine...with that silly little a in there that makes her unique. 

She is a true southern girl.  She befriended me on the soccer fields back in 2009 when we lived in Maryland the first time.  

We had an instant connection because of our southern roots (& charm, right??).

She is really like mommy's long lost cousin.    

We laugh A LOT and she really likes to pick on mommy and one time about the blog that I write for you guys.  

You know, you hurt the ones you love the most, right?
You see, I told her that most of our days at home ARE awesome.  I do LOVE teaching you and being crafty and snuggling with you.  Then there are days that....... well, just don't need to be posted on the blog.  Those are the "memories" that we can hopefully forget about one day.  

I assured my dear friend that we do have not-so-rosey days, but that's when she will get an ear full and not a blog full.  :)  We keep this place for happy thoughts (mostly!) 

Anyhoo, we are so lucky to have Katharine's family in our lives.  She is truly an awesome friend and has introduced me to an entire set of great ladies. She is absolutely hysterical and truly one of the kindest people I've ever met. 

You guys love Cooper & Colby and look forward to many many fun times together.  

So very thankful for my friend Katharine.  

Love, 

Mama

P.S.  don't you dare tell her the truth about me raising my voice, or making you clean your rooms, or me.......it's all good sweet kiddos.  

baby, it's cold outside!

My bones are cold right down to my toes.  I'm a summer girl for sure, although sometimes lazy days in pjs can be nice too.  Monday, we ventured over to play a little indoor golf with some friends.  

This was Carson's first putt putt experience and it was funny to say the least.  Thank goodness she was free, because sister was more interested in climbing and cheering her peeps on.  Davis took the game very serious...I think he was trying to impress his gal pal Riley.  It was a fun day of trying to stay warm! 

Hitting the arcade for some .25 cent games!  

This picture was from last week.  It was a tad warmer so we went on a little picnic out at Assateague with our friend Payton.  

36 years of goodness

We celebrated this sweet guy in our house this weekend.  As the kids call him now..."Big Daddy!"  

Shane & I took a fun night out with some friends, we loaded him up with fun surprises and cards, and ate too much cheesecake.  The perfect weekend to celebrate the man that makes us all smile.  Loved having him all to ourselves, but couldn't help but  think about the sweet mama who gave birth to him...it must be hard to be away from your children, especially on his special day.  

a new year

 2012

Bet it's gonna be a good one! 

We set some little goal for ourselves.  
Some that aren't too hard to reach for this upcoming year.  

I'm gonna be nicer to myself this year.  That's it for me.  Treat myself with kindness.  Included (but not limited to...) letting my fingernails grow out & leaving the regular coke at the store and not in my body.  

visit with the Denton family

Laura and I go waaay back.  

We've been friends since the beginning of high school & lived together throughout most of our college days.  Her family recently moved to Columbia, SC from Florida so we were able to stop there on our way home to Georgia.  What a treat to be able to spend so much quality time together.  

Elly & Davis are only 6 wks apart so it has been fun to watch them grow up together.  

Carson & Audrey (who is the FUNNIEST toddler on the planet) had the best time hanging with the big kids.  

They played so awesome together...leaving lots of catch up time for the mamas.  

We are so excited to have a good pit stop now when we travel between GA and MD.  

And, to be able to see some of our favorite people more often.  

*Davis went shopping for Elly at his school store.  He bought her the perfect set of princess markers.  I think she was pretty excited.  

Here are some pics. from our fun night.  

Here is mask boy and the lovely princesses.  Audrey was chasing Davis around saying, "mask mask".  Oh my, I can still hear that adorable voice in my head.   

 Princess markers for a special friend.  

 Audrey hugging mr. mask goodbye.  Her parents are lucky that we didn't take those girls with us.  So cute! 

 Mr. Rob is so fun & let them try on his flight masks/ helmets.  

Looking forward to our next playdate!