Ride 'Em, Cowgirl!

Once we moved into our new house, we had a find new ways to get to Whitefield in the morning. Well, thank goodness we learned about Welcome Road. Otherwise, we would have never found the BEST place for Bailee's party!!! We drive past Welcome Ranch twice a day, and we've been talking about having her party there since about November. Eventually, I got tired of hearing, "That's where I'm going to have my birthday party," but it was BY FAR the best birthday party...

#1-I didn't have to do anything! They told me to "just show up." I'm always a little skeptical of things that are too good to be true, so I brought a couple of 2-liter drinks and some chips, but didn't need either! They provided the pizza, drinks, paper goods, and cake. (And, oh my, was the cake good!)

#2-The weather was BEAUTIFUL! I couldn't have asked for a better day! It was a little chilly, but we kept our coats on and enjoyed it none the less! February birthdays are so hard to predict, but that's what made this place even more appealing...they are equiped for all weather-rain or shine.

#3-The kids got to do so many things! They rode horses, climbed in an authentic fire truck, and pet lots of farm animals. There was something for everyone and for all ages. Even the adults got in on the riding action!!! And again, I didn't have to do anything. Lisa was in charge, which freed me up to take pictures and just enjoy time with the birthday girl!

Potsy dismounting...after the horse "Montana" nearly took him for a wild ride!

Shooting the fire hose all by herself! What a big girl!!

Bailee on "Cisco," the miniature donkey. Lisa told the coolest story about how this animal was marked with a cross on its back because this is the animal that Mary rode on her way to Bethlehem.

#4-No clean up! We just loaded the presents up, said our goodbyes, and hit the road. A mom's dream come true!

I think the children all really enjoyed it too. If the speed with which Bailee fell asleep is any indication of how much fun she had, she had a BLAST! And she slept for about 2 1/2 hours, then woke up with the biggest grin on her face, and said she had a lot of fun! We will definitely be going back....perhaps for Summer Camp!

I took about 130 pictures, but this just a sampling of the fun that was had by all!

Happy Birthday, Bailee Boo! WE LOVE YOU!!!

I'm SAD!

Why, might you ask? Because my baby girl is FOUR!!!! It seems like just yesterday we were bringing home our sweet little bundle of joy! And now she's all grown up! Over the last week, we've been reflecting on our first days home with her....We still get tickled talking about how much hair she had! She was quite content where she was, and needed a little convincing to come out and greet the world. As it was, she was about 5 days past her due date, and when she was born, the child had finger nails like daggers and hair that already required a bow! She even had patches of hair on her shoulders and thighs, which she'll hate me for sharing with everyone! Honestly, though, if she was swaddled, she looked like an Eskimo because she had this beautiful dark complexion and stunningly dark features. She has been and continues to be a blessing to us each and every day.

• Right now, she is quite the diva, and doesn't mind telling you what she thinks. I am proud of her for her independent spirit.
• She is constantly amazing me with what she knows and can do. She has been reciting Bible verses, and is learning by leaps and bounds in school.
• She is love bug, and wants nothing more than to please Mommy and Daddy. She loves cuddling with me in the bed, and when she falls asleep in my arms, I just stare at her and her beauty.
• She loves princess stuff (perhaps because she dreams of being a princess).
• She has an amazing imagination. There are times when I just sit and watch and listen to her. She can come up with some of the most intricate stories.
• She loves her baby brother and is very motherly towards him. She has never once shown an ounce of jealousy. She is very nurturing and wants to protect him. She loves making sill faces at him to get him to laugh, and I just love the way she loves him!
• She loves Fancy Nancy, and can read an entire book. (Video to follow shortly!) Side Note: we will be baking our "delectable cupcakes" tomorrow so she can take them into her class on Monday.)
• She loves to wrestle with her Daddy. (Or is it pronounced "RASTLE"?) They get in Nathan's room and tustle and throw down like they are championship wrestlers! It's especially funny when she delivers a "power blow" and then walks around shouting "WOO!"
• She is a Mommy's Girl most of the time, but a Daddy's Girl at nights and first thing in the morning. They are so much alike and can fight like cats and dogs, but then a moment later, they are back to being best buds.

So, I'm sad that my baby girl is four, but I'm so proud of the person she has become and continues to grow into. Bailee, you are so very special to Mommy and Daddy, and we love you very much! I can't wait to see what this next year holds for you, and here's to many more birthdays together!!! Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!!!!

A Trip to the Zoo!

We have had the most beautiful weather here this weekend, and it was perfect timing because I was off for 4 days with a holiday and a furlough day. The kids and I spent our first day with a trip to the Greenville Zoo. I think everyone else had the same idea...we saw tons of people we knew and even missed others that went earlier!

Bailee's best friend from school, Janelle, her mommy, and baby brother Adam accompanied us on our outing. We had lots of fun eating our picnic lunch, playing on the playground, and visiting all of the animals!

Bailee and Janelle

Michelle and Adam

Nathan was fascinated with the giraffes...I guess so since he's seen them all over his room!!!

Redneck Baby...look at that gut!

My babies!


Cute little hineys! :)

I love that they love each other!

Look, Mommy...MULCH, yum!

All this warm weather and spending time with my kiddos has me longing for Spring Break! We don't have any plans (as of yet!) but it won't be long! Only 28 days...WOO HOO!!!

It's time to PAR-TAY!

FINALLY! The flu and strep throat have been floating around, so Nathan's party had to be pushed back a week. But we couldn't have asked for a better Saturday! The weather was warmer and most of our friends were still available.

What a CUTIE!!!

The birthday cake (courtesy of Ms. Janie Baker)

Singing "Happy Birthday" and a little help blowing out the candle!

Uninterested in all these presents (until they were out of the boxes, that is!)

Caleb had to help...He gave each toy the "seal of approval!"

Sadly, these are all the pictures I captured. I was too busy doing other things!!

We had a good time hanging out and celebrating our little man! Thanks to everyone for coming out!

Spirit Week

This week was Spirit Week at Whitefield...Here are a couple pictures of Miss Bailee all dolled up!

Hat Day

Crazy Hair Day

Valentine's Day...everyone wore red, but Bailee was sick, so she missed the party. :( I sent this cake to her class, and it's the only picture we have from Monday.

One Year Ago...

While I bake a cake for the first of three birthday celebrations we'll be having this month, I am reminded of the events of a year ago.

This week marks the end of Nathan's first year, and what a year it has been! I struggle to wrap my mind around the fact that Nathan is officially now a toddler! He brings so much fun and joy into our lives on a daily basis! God is so good, and we are so unbelievably blessed! Here's a quick look back at where we were a year ago:

I was as big as a house, and so ready to meet my little man! Unfortunately, we had not decided on a name. Technically, he had a middle name, but no first name. In fact, we were still debating this while I was laid up in the hospital bed. After 14 hours of labor, I ended up having to have a C-section because this sucker's head was too big! And it wasn't until I was in the recovery room that the official call was made. The coversation went something like this:

Dr. Duniho (while on the telephone with the nursery): "Hey, Brooke! He was almost a full pound bigger than Bailee...8 lbs. 3 oz!!"

Me (still groggy from the drugs): "Has Patrick named him?"

Dr. D: "Not that I know of."

Me: "Tell them his name is Nathan."

It was a long day, but in the end we had a beautiful, healthy baby boy. We all had some adjusting to do, but I wouldn't change a thing. He is such a wonderful addition to our family!!!

Fast forward to today.

• He is all over the place! Walking, crawling, whatever he can do to get into whatever he's not supposed to!
• He is sleeping better now, thankfully! (Hopefully that won't jinx things for me!!!)
• He just cackles at his sister. They play very well together, and as a Mom, that's such a blessing!!!
• He and Beau are partners in crime. I often have to scold both of them for sharing food. At the moment, I am handing Cheerios to Nathan, but I'm pretty sure half are winding up on the floor for the dog. But if that's the biggest problem we have, I can handle it! (Plus, it's really cute!)
• He has the cutest smile and just one look at him, causes a smile to spread across my face.
• He is discovering everything. And so proud of himself when he does something new. So CUTE!
• He has a temper on him, and will holler if you don't feed him ON THE SPOT! Meal times can be a struggle as I try to get the spoon to his mouth fast enough. And he eats non-stop. I am afraid to think what our grocery bill will be like in a few years!!!
• He is talking all the time. Favorite words include: "Mama," "Dada," "BoBo," and "nana" (for banana). I can't wait to hear him say Bailee's name for the first time!!! But I'm sure this time next year, he'll be chattering up a storm!

My cake has just finished, and it is now time to decorate! Life is so good! Happy Birthday to the sweetest little guy! We love you!!!