A walk in the park

These first two pictures have nothing to do with our walk in the park. Devin took the picture of me and the babies before T-ball on Saturday. I love that everyone is looking and smiling- well almost, Maggie saw a squirrel.

 While taking the trash out I happened to look up and the Good Year Blimp was flying RIGHT OVER our house! It apparently was giving rides from the Hickory airport over the lake and back. It flew over us at least 30 times that day. Chatham grabs his "noculers" and sat on the porch watching it.

 Ok- now for our walk in the park!

 Harper wasn't thrilled about having to ride in her stroller, so she opted to push it herself.

 I love this picture, it finally looks like Maggie is smiling- she is so happy being outside.

We enjoyed the monkey bars and slides- Harper thinks she is big stuff and tries to climb everything her brother does- giving this Mama a heart attack!

Chatham brought his bike and cruised the trails- he is a PRO without training wheels now!

The BIG 3-0

 We started Memorial Day Weekend outdoors- Tball practice and playing at Gram and Poppy's. Harper's new trick is to "show her muscles" and it is SO cute because she growls while she does it.

 My parents and Devin put together a GREAT 30th birthday party for me. The kids  had Lauren over to spend the night (so her mommy could party with me) and Miss Wylona  (aka Lo-Lo in my house) came over to babysit. When I opened the door and Harper saw her she stretched her arms out and RAN to greet her! That made it MUCH easier to leave her.

We had a shrimp boil at my parents and hung out on the back porch!

 We are a good looking bunch if I do say so myself!!We drank and ate and it was fun to hear stories shared for old friends to new! I am very excited to see what my 30's have in store for me (the 20's were pretty great!) In my 20's I got married, bought my 1st and 2nd house, had two babies, and graduated from college.

Sunday was the family party in Winston at Aunt Mam's the kids swam and played cars and batman. We grilled burgers and dogs and had WONDERFUL Dewey's Cupcakes!

 It is so nice to have a birthday on Memorial Day Weekend- because then you can snooze the day away on Monday to make up for all the activities!! Maggie was worn out for so much pool time and hanging out with Saber (our neighbors dog).

The difference a year makes

I used to compare pictures of Chatham from year to year, and I wanted to do the same with Harper!


This was June 2012

 AND

This is May 2013

Wow, she's really grown!!!

First Swim of the Season

 Last night we headed down to the Crowder's for the first cookout of the year! We tried to do it Saturday but couldn't swim because of the rain. Harper LOVED the water, but wasn't a fan of her swimmies- I'll be shopping for a different brand for her. (any suggestions? We tried the orange arm bands)

 Lisa and Lauren came with us and the kids had SO much fun! I definitely think their will be floaty-free swimmers in our present this year.

Oh how I LOVE SUMMER!!!!

This is how we play

We had such a fun weekend- both kids spent the night with Gram and Poppy (Harper on Friday, then Chatham on Saturday) It gave us time to have a yard sale, AND to spend some one on one time with each kiddo. They were SO happy to be back together on Sunday. They played cars and dressed up and didn't leave each others side.

Harper saw our neighbor Reggie mowing the other evening and she grabbed the mower and pushed it back and forth- turning every time Reggie did! She looked over her shoulder yelling "Reggie, Reggie, Reggie, Reggie" the whole time! He got a big kick out of it.

 Chatham, Devin, and I hit up Sweet Frog on Friday night for his treat- YUM! It has become an addiction for me!

Happy Easter (in May?!?!)

Like I said before- we take pictures and then don't upload them. But this Easter I took a picture that I just LOVE!!

 We had Lisa and Lauren over to eat a traditional Easter dinner, since Paul was in Ireland. I LOVED it. Such a great memory and something we hope to do for many years to come!!!

Also, I wasn't sure if I ever posted the official East picture of the kids- in front of the first place in their Sunday best.

I want to ride my bicycle-

 A few weeks ago Chatham asked us to take the training wheels off of his bike- so we did. Then, he refused to ride it because it didn't have training wheels. Our neighbor, Don, humored him and put them back on. He rode it twice and then one of the training wheels fell off. 

 Tuesday night we were in the back yard playing and grilling and Chatham asked if he could ride his bike.Devin reminded him that he didn't have any training wheels, but that he would help him learn to ride it in the grass. Chatham was all for it!!!

 In no time at all he was cruisin down the (tiny) hill we have in the back yard. He is SO proud of himself- as are Devin and I!!! Now to build up his speed and comfort level so we can head out to the cul-de-sac!!!

Way to Go Chatham!!!!!

Photo Shoot with Harper

Last night I spent a few hours uploading and editing all the pictures on the "good camera". We take lots of pictures, but I am SO bad at upload them. It's so much easier to just snap a picture with my phone and send it to Facebook or Instagram. 

Back in February, we did a little photo shoot with Harper and then I never did anything with the pictures. Here are a few of my favorites!

She LOVES Chatham's gator- so we tried her out in the bed.

I remember taking these pictures and thinking how big she looked that evening- but now as I upload them I think she looks so little.

another look back

I can't believe that I have two BEAUTIFUL kids that I get to hang out with EVERYDAY! It makes me so happy to see pictures of them and know that they are having as much fun as I am.

We are having a yard sale this weekend- I told Chatham if he cleans out his playroom to get rid of some toys we will use that money to buy him some new toys. His responses was "Just sell everything except my Buzz Lightyear." It makes me said how quickly kids grow up and change- just a month ago he call him Buzz Lightcheer (hehe)

 And I'm not sure if I ever posted this picture from Chatham's birthday party- I think Chatham's cousins are the only ones not pictured (they left a first)- but I am proud of the fact I got a picture with SEVEN kids all looking at me!!!

Carrie, Carrie quite contrary- how will my garden grow

We have BIG gardening plans this year and are excited we received Pennington Smart Feeding System FREE from BZZagent!!!

A Boy and His Dog

Meet Maggie!

 She is the newest addition to our little family and has quickly taken the role of Chatham's best friend. They love to run in the yard together and Chatham thinks it's "very cool" that she can already fetch a ball.

We had thought about a dog for a while, but when we saw "Ygritte" at the Humane Society it was love at first sight for Chatham. He said "she's shaking, she's as scared as I am- can we take her home" and we did.

We Survived!!!

I have no pictures to prove it, but we did- we survived an entire week without Daddy being home. We love his new job and are SO thrilled that he is happy there; but we miss him when he travels to food shows! This was a LONG week being a single parent (props to those who do it everyday). It was pretty uneventful, and that made it much easier. But I just wanted to post this as a reminder on the hard days- that I cared for these two babes solo and they are clean, fed, alive, and well (except for the goose egg Harper got on her head this morning)!