Favorite Photos

 A blog I follow, Kellys Korner is doing a link up of favorite pictures. Most of these have been on the blog before but I figured it would be fun to compile some of my favorite pictures on one post. It was too hard to pick.... I have about 400 favorites but here are a few highlights:

Avery's 1st Birthday Cake Smash Photos. The look on her face is PRICELESS!

Parker in  the sunflower fields

Get a room, right? Hilton head Island 2011

Daniel and Parker playing on the beach in Hilton Head

From Avery's Newborn Photoshoot. I used this picture as her birth announcement.

This was from Parker's preschool orientation. I just think she looks so precious!

Also from the sunflower fields

All of these photos except the one of Avery in the apple smocked dress were taken by Alicia Sutton Photography. I love having pretty, professional pictures framed or printed on canvas around the house! I REALLY regret not having professional photos done of Parker. It wasn't as popular to do back then and we were just so excited to have him home from the NICU. He was our little fragile preemie and I just couldn't imagine stripping him naked and bending him in half but now I SO wish I had! They are some of my favorite photos of Avery! Avery is a great poser. She's happy to smile and stand still for a photo but Parker is our "action shot child." I'm trying to learn to be better about setting our photoshoots up for success with less structure and more candid shots.

I've really enjoyed getting other photography ideas by looking through other people's submissions on Kelly's Korner. I'm already getting spring family photos fever!!!!

Dear Letters

After this post you're probably going to think I'm a complete whackado (if you don't already) .

Confession: Sometimes, I write letters in my mind and I find it extremely therapeutic. Remember in church camp where you write something on a paper that weighs heavily on you and then the pastor burns it or nails it to the cross? Basically, it was an exercise to symbolize giving your burdens to Jesus and setting yourself free. Well, letters in my mind that I never actually write (because who has that kind of time?!) or send (because I would DIE if these people knew I felt this way) is my way of addressing the issue and moving on. I also compose mental thank you notes which I should really get better about actually penning.

Am I the only one who does this? Probably so. Since it's already out there and you already think I'm nuts, I figured I'd compile a list of "Dears" for your reading pleasure. I'd LOVE for you to add your own in the comments section!
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Dear Old Navy,
Thank you for your selection of embroidered shorts and capri pants this season. I especially like the anchors and the 5 inch length but why didn't you make matching shirts?! There is not a single shirt in your store that matches any of your anchor, seahorse or lobster embroidered bottoms. Not even solid shirts. This new, "not matching is the new matching" is NOT cute... on anyone.

Thanks in advance for making cute matching shirts and sending me one for free and a coupon for bringing this oversight to your attention.

Taylor Wise
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Dear Mr. Toyota Camry,
Do you see that temporary tag on my minivan? It means it's new which is why I parked in east nowhere. There were 6 other spots closer to the store that you could have chosen. That temp tag gives me a 2 car space bumper. I thought this was common knowledge but I was clearly mistaken.

Taylor Wise
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Dear 7:30pm,
You take forever to get here and yet I still love you. My children don't share my affection for you.

Taylor Wise
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Dear Priority Honda,
You suck. Except for Jason.... Your customer service is SO awful that I have no idea how you're still in business.

Taylor Wise
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Dear everyone who told me LASIK eye surgery was the best thing I'd ever do,
You're all liars. I much prefer going to the dentist and we all know where that ranks on my list of loves/hates.

Taylor Wise
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Dear Avery,
It is a daily struggle to keep you alive. PLEASE quit climbing stuff. You are going to put me in an early grave.... or at the very least, break your arm.

MOM
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 Dear Parker,
Would it really kill you to eat a vegetable other than peas?

MOM
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Got the idea? There are my "Dear letters." Sadly, those are only the ones from today. Maybe the lack of adult human contact as a stay at home mom is starting to take its toll on my mental sanity. I should probably schedule a girl's night ASAP. Wanna play along? Comment below or on facebook.

Grass Sledding, Ice Cream and Hair SOS.... not a random post at all

I set today aside to give the bathrooms a good deep clean and to scrub the kitchen floor. It's almost 9pm and I assure you neither of those chores are done but we did have a pretty fun day which included not an ounce of cleaning solution!

Thomas is now dead to us... we're back on the Toy Story band wagon in case you're keeping tabs

The kids and I headed up north, picked my mom up and headed to Davidson. If you've never been to Davidson, you MUST go! It's the CUTEST little town with whimsical shops, precious parks and a beautiful college. The kids loved the playground then we strolled to the HUGE sandbox! Daniel is on the long term planning committee for our neighborhood and I've already begged him to bring one of these up at the next meeting! The concept is that there is a fenced in area, a gigantic sandbox, shade, picnic tables and lots of fun sand and riding toys for the kids to share so you don't have to bring your own. Parker and Avery had a blast!

PCC we NEED one of these!

I felt like the WORST mother EVER when I didn't take my kids out in the snow the other day but I made up for it today with grass sledding which is much warmer and less messy. Score one for mom... or really nana because it was her idea.

LOVE those little faces! 

After the park, we headed to Birkdale for some TCBY....followed by Kilwins because who can resist the caramel apples when you see the chocolatier taking them out of the vat of hot, delicious smelling caramel?!

Double fisting ice cream. A girl after my own heart!

Woody needed some ice cream too!

Afterward binging on ice cream, fudge and caramel apples, we went back to my parent's house to play. Avery felt the weight of all the junk food and clearly needed to burn it off. Burn baby burn! 

If only exercising were actually as easy as sitting on the handle bars while someone else does the work!

Parker crashed in the car and transferred to bed easily so here's hoping he sleeps all night! Miss. A was also pretty tuckered out so this mama is hoping for a good LOOONNG night's sleep! 

So here's the advice part. My mom made it quite clear.... multiple times.... that Avery's hair made her look like an orangutan (in love of course). The problem is that she doesn't have much hair and it's REALLY fine. To add insult to injury, last night Parker poured an entire bottle (no lie) of head and shoulders on her head when they were in the shower and this morning it was dry, crinkled and brittle. WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS CHILD'S HAIR?! Seriously. I need help. What do I do to make it grow, thicken up and uncrinkle?

No, it wasn't windy. Her hair really looks that way after her latest shampoo job. HELP!

 Side note: When Avery screamed because her eye balls were getting a dandruff treatment, I jumped in the shower fully clothed and held her up to the faucet and water boarded her. Poor thing may never shower again. Mommy is sorry for torturing you. Please don't be the stinky kid.

Remission Party Pictures

I got the pictures back from my remission party so I thought I'd share some with you. I feel so blessed to have all of these wonderful people in my life! 

Group shot!

My mom was in charge of the cake and she did a great job having it match my plates! I have a slight obsession with paisley.

 Holden Memories photography set up a fun photobooth! Here are some of my favorite shots:

Neighborhood friends!

Dean and Tabitha!

My Clemson friends (minus a few who couldn't make it)

Friends since 2003!

David and Ronnie 4 life

My silly mom and dad!!

David and Amber, Daniel and I, Brandi and Ronnie.... PROM POSE!

Daniel and I and my mom and dad! :)

Tabitha and I. Sadly one of the only pictures we have together!

The BUNCO ladies!

The Poker Pals!

My old neighborhood ladies!

What a fun night! I really appreciate everyone who came to celebrate with me! Even though only my Clemson friends, my family and Dean and Tabitha actually knew me during my cancer, it was so fun to celebrate 5 years cancer free with my friends old and new!