Reunited!

After Parker's Thanksgiving feast at school, we rushed home to host a play date. Our buddies Anna, Lily and Shiloh who moved to Texas were back in the Carolina's visiting family so we stole them away for a few hours of fun! Brandi, Logan, Landon, Amber and Zury also joined us. The weather was BEAUTIFUL so we spent a good portion of it in the sunshine, playing on the swing set. It was SO wonderful watching these 4 play again!

When the Alls family moved to Texas, Shiloh wasn't walking yet. I couldn't believe how grown up and beautiful she's become!

Landon is also now a walker... and sand monster!

Avie hogged the swing, as usual!

This photo was taken in August of 2011 when they were SO tiny!!!

From youngest to oldest: Landon, Shiloh, Marshall, Jonah and Avery. Avery looks like a GIANT. She's 3 months older than the youngest (Landon) who was only about 2 weeks old in this picture.

Parker, Zury, Logan and Lily enjoyed twirling around on the tire swing. 

It was as if they had never been apart! I love these sweet kids and wish we got to see each other more frequently!

Bring on Summer!

Today was a blast! It was the first day that really felt like summer to me. We got up and went to our friend's neighborhood pool. Most of the usual play group was there and it felt like "old times" but with a whole second group of kids! Last year, Avery was the only baby for most of the summer and even then, she slept in the stroller or wagon most of the time we were at the pool. This year.... is VERY different! The 3 year olds are now pretty easy and self sufficient in the water with puddle jumpers which frees up our eyes a bit to be on top of the busy 1 year olds/babies! 

The babies want to be in the baby pool with the fountains and graduated entrance and the 3 year olds want to be in the "big water" as Parker calls it. Thankfully, we all believe it takes a village so we divide and conquer.... and hire teenagers.

Parker and Logan were excited to see one another

Landon and Avery chatting

I actually think with his hat on, they kinda look like twins

The puddle jumper gang

Avery kept her hat on for 1 minute... a new record! I'm aiming for 1:30 next time! haha

Umm... well.... how's that feel Parker?

Sweet boy playing in the fountains

I am SO blessed with these friends. Anna, Amber and Brandi (and many more) have been amazing friends to my kids and I. We LOVE summer days spent at the pool and running through sprinklers in the backyard! Bring on the summer, ripe watermelon and shriveled pool toes!

Neighborhood Toddler Play Date

On Tuesday, we were invited to our 1st toddler play date in our new neighborhood. At the HOA meeting, I signed up for the toddler play group and we finally set one up. I already knew all of the kids and moms from Bunco and the pool but it was fun to get the kids together. The host, Abby, is super mom and always has a beautiful spread with table clothes and yummy food. She set the bar high... UGH.... gotta step up my game! ;)

The kids enjoyed playing in the slip n slide, water table, sand box and lady bug sprinkler.

Avie loves sprinklers

Big Avery, Isabella, Jonathan, Parker and Julia's twin brother (ekkk... I forgot his name!)

Hailey was monitoring Parker who was standing on her lady bug sprinkler. Boys just don't play like girls!

"The Parker" jump.

Most of the crew

Avie in the sand

The girls... Peyton, Hailey, Isabella and Avery playing in the sandbox

We love our new neighborhood and are enjoying making new friends!

Happy birthday to ME!

It's my birfday! I am 21 for the 7th year in a row! Weird right?

We've really been celebrating all month. I gifted myself my kitchen tile backsplash in early February which i love! I also used birthday money to buy kitchen barstools. On Sunday, we met my family at a delish hole in the wall Mexican restaurant for margaritas, chips and queso and ice cream cake. Fun times had by all!

On Wednesday, my parents watched the kiddos so Daniel and I could go out to dinner. We ate at the cheesecake factory and I had my usual jambalaya pasta. It is insanely tasty! Daniel gifted me the BEST present EVER! Consuela, my robot vacuum. She is my new best friend and works amazingly! Well she did... She suffered a fatal wiring defect and consuela 2.0 is being shipped. I don't even care... I love her. Seriously. I am now a believer. (mine is a neato, not roomba because that brand worked better for my needs) I miss her already and I've only been without her 1 day. She makes the most beautiful carpet lines. I heart carpet lines! ... Enough to have posted a picture... See below.

Today I hosted a fun play date and everyone brought me PRESENTS which was so not my intentions but I'll never turn down a Starbucks gift card! We played at the park this afternoon and tonight after dinner, Daniel gave me another dairy queen ice cream cake. So basically for my birthday, I got tile, barstools, a vacuum and 5 extra pounds!

Here are some pictures from our festivities!