This boy loves to dance! I've got to get it on video.

Heyyyy, batter batter

Preston got an ESPN baseball trainer for his birthday. Both of the kids love it.


Once he hits a ball, he swings at it like a golf ball
His 2 favorite toys
Preston calls her Diddy

To Grandma's house we go...

We took a day trip to visit Marty's family today. We decided to celebrate Maddie's birthday a little early since they can't make it to her party.

Show off!
Aunt Rose got Maddie the cutest puppy cake
She was so embarrassed when we sang to her
Do you think any made it in his mouth?

Cousin D wants a turn

Maddie got her first head band and stick on earrings
She had to see the earrings in the mirror... such a girly girl

Summer fun

We have been enjoying our summer to the fullest! Unfortunately, I have forgotten the camera on more than one occasion. I have had lots of questions about Preston's nose, and it is healing pretty well. We keep lots of sunscreen and Mederma on it.

Our big girl is fast approaching 3!! I can't tell you how many people (friends, family, strangers) keep telling us age 3 is far worse than 2. Hmmm. 2 started off a little rocky, but only lasted a short while. Marty and I will be praying over Maddie as she blows out her candles!! ha ha

Maddie loves to spell. She is constantly asking us how to spell EVERYTHING! She can spell most of our friends and family's names, and she has also taken a liking to learning everyone's "whole" name. She understands that many people have a first, middle, and last name, but her brother has 2 middle names, one of which is Preston. She also seems to understand that her real name is Madaline, but we call her Maddie. It's a wonder kids don't grow up completely confused.

Preston is becoming quite the talker. His new words are cookie, night-night, more, Bible, football, and baseball. He knows baby sign language for "more", and he uses it at every meal. The kid can eat. He often eats 3 helpings, and his little belly just pooches out.

We are having so much fun with our kids. I will try to get some new pictures soon!

Breaking the rules

We had this crazy storm the other night. Marty had a ball game, which was called off half way through it. The wind was so terrible, I put the kids in bed with me until he got home. We never let the kids sleep with us, but I was worried we were all going to blow away!

Who could sleep with the 2 of them?

Kenny, Gerand, and Liam came in town for Kenny's birthday. We met up at the California Pizza Kitchen and had a great time visiting.

Daddy's Ballgame

I took the kids to daddy's game a few weeks ago (I am WAY behind on the blog). They loved standing at the fence yelling "dada" and "go daddy go!". We went to the zoo after the game, and on our way home we spotted a random pony ride on the side of the road. Of course we had to stop.

Tough Guy

Mamaw and Papaw are not gonna be happy about this. Marty and I were putting together a new toy shelf for Preston's room when he tripped and fell on the edge of it. His nose has a huge gash. When I stood him up, my heart just ached. It is so difficult to see your child hurt. Maddie was worried about him and she wanted to help take care of him. He only cried for a minute. I think he was really excited about the toy shelf.




What's the worst boo boo your child has had?

Girl's Night

We had a great time celebrating Heather's birthday at the Cheesecake Factory!

Shawna, Cindy, me, Anne, Heather, and Jennie
Happy Birthday Havanna!

We got it!

Our first letter from our sponsored Compassion child was waiting in the mail for us today. We couldn't wait to read it and learn more about this precious boy. He lives in Indonesia, and he will be 7 next month. His family's monthly income is $25.00. $25.00. I can spend $25 at the dollar bin on toys that my kids don't need. I can spend $25 on a pedicure. We can spend $25 on fast food. We have no idea how blessed we are. I pray you will consider sponsoring a child through Compassion International. It can truly change a childs life and provide a future and education they would otherwise not receive. You won't regret it.

Ricky's picture (sorry, I can't show his face)
Our treasured letter

C - E - C

Marty and I refer to chuck-e-cheese as c-e-c so that we can keep our visits a surprise from Maddie. We took Maddie and Olivia last weekend, and Amy, Chris, Scout, and Nat-nat came with us. It was lots of fun.
The girls wanted to dress alike.
This made it very easy for us to spot them.

In the mouse house
Dance dance dance

Holes

Maddie has let us know that she would like us to get her some earrings. She was very matter-of-fact about it, and told us that she was ready for "holes" in her ears. She's not getting earrings any time soon, but we thought it was funny. We don't know how she even learned about "holes" in the ears. No one in her class has pierced ears. What age did you pierce your daughter's ears?

4th of July

2 baby pools and at least 3 bottles of sunscreen. It was a beautiful day. Until it was time to eat. But we improvised with the rain.

We played outside all day.
This guy had more fun than anybody!



Everyone piled on to our back patio to watch the fireworks show.
We could see them from 2 local parks, but...
Our neighbor puts on the best show around.

Oh my!

Yesterday at school, Maddie told her class that she's gonna get a baby sister after she's done with her brother. Oh, she makes us laugh!

On to some pics of Hailey's last day with us. She was able to visit for 4 weeks, but she has other fun things to do back home before her summer break ends. We miss her already, and we hope to make it a yearly tradition!!