Fun with friends!

One of my dearest friends, Kathy, came in from out of town last week. Kathy is just one of those friends that is one of a kind. We can go months without talking and then pick right back up where we left off. She is completely supportive and so encouraging. Kathy and her husband, Marc, live in Lubbock so I don't get to see them very often. When Kathy told me they were going to be in Montgomery I was thrilled! I was so excited to turn it into a little mini reunion with Alan and Jennifer, too! I have been friends with Alan and Jennifer since college and I am so lucky that they live nearby. I could sit and talk with Jenn for hours, but we often let our busy lives get in the way of doing that too often. We used to live a little closer and would do dinners together almost every week. We still try and do that, just not near as much as I would like.
During this visit we went out the Marc's moms little store in Montgomery, Just for Grins. It is such a cute little boutique! After checking out the store we went next door to a great little restaurant. Dinner with all of us was loud, but so great. I am pretty sure that when we were in college we never would have imagined that we would be sitting together at dinner outnumbered by kids. There were 6 adults and 8 kids - all 6 and under! After dinner we didn't want the night to end, so we went over to an old playground nearby. Well, I don't know if I should say playground, it was really just an old jungle gym and OLD merry go round. The kids didn't know the difference and had a great time playing. I wish the night could have last forever. Such a great night with wonderful friends!



Alan and Jennifer's little guy, Blake

Alan and Jennifer's girls, Maci and Payton

The old merry-go-round was a huge hit!

The little daredevil!

Kathy and Marc's oldest boy, Aiden

The guys found a ball and had fun throwing that around

Marc and Aiden

Alan had to get in on the action!

This picture is blurry, but it was the only one of the girls! Kathy just had a little baby, Corbin.

The whole gang

July 4th

My 4th of July cuties!

a glimpse of the past few months

It seems I left off after I introduced our sweet new little girl. To get you caught up I will start there.

Aubrey was born on April 4th. She is a beautiful, perfect little girl. I feared she would have a problem with her ear because of her enlarged kidney, but she came out with 2 perfect little ears. Her kidney is still enlarged, so we are continuing to watch it and praying the Lord will heal her just as He has her brother.

This picture was taken right after she was born.


Meeting her brothers. They were so excited to see her!

A pink star on her hat! I think the nurses had fun with her hats. Every time she went to the nursery and came back Aubrey had a different hat or little bow in her hair! I loved it!

Her eyes were a little grayish blue after she was born. Since then they have turned brown, just like mine!

Since the day she was born she has been a little daddy's girl. In the hospital she was already responding to his voice!

Cade and Reid were excited to help Aubrey open up her floppy bunny.

The boys also loved giving Aubrey a little necklace that says "little sister".

Cade helping hold Aubrey for the first time.

Reid was in love at first sight with his little sister!

All dressed to go home!!

In her seat to go home!

Once we got home Aubrey did great. I tried to stop and cuddle with her as much as possible, which is tough with 2 brother running around!

When I dropped the boys off at Mom's Day Out one day I went home and had a fun photo shoot with Aubrey!

Easter! Aubrey was 2 weeks old. Aubrey had her first day at church and then we went to my parents house for lunch and an egg hunt.

These two boys are in love with their sister!

Cousins!

Our new family of 5

Mimi's egg hunt!

Aubrey even got an egg!

1 month old!

Cade finished preschool! It's hard to believe the my little baby will be starting Kindergarten in the fall! He had a bon voyage/graduation celebration at school. The kids each got to come to the microphone and say different things they have learned this year. Cade counted backwards from 10-1 with his friends.

Tiffany came to help Cade celebrate!

Cade and his Mimi. Matt, Reid, Aubrey, Pa and TJ were there to celebrate, also!

Cade's WONDERFUL preschool teachers! Mrs. Karen and Mrs. Anne!

Cade played T-Ball through the YMCA this year again. He was on the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Cade LOVES baseball. He looks forward to practice and games for days in advance. I am pretty sure he thinks that he is in the big leagues!

This just might be his first outfield meeting...or maybe he's just bored in the outfield! :)

Let's face it, it's Houston and it's hot. Some of those games left us all drenched in sweat. Reid found himself some shade and decided to take advantage!

I can't remember what he was saying, but I love this picture!

A slide into third....SAFE!

On Mother's Day we had baby dedication at church.

Matt's dad, Warren, and his wife, Mary Beth, came to Aubrey's dedication.

My mom and dad. Mom made Aubrey's dedication dress.

Aubrey is 2 months old! She started sleeping through the night and smiling more this month. She is so easy going and goes with the flow so well.

A few more baseball pictures.

Cade decided he needed to wear his gloves!

On June 26th, Tessa and Lance got married! Reid was the ring bearer.

2 days before the wedding my Mom broke her leg. She got a wheelchair to help her get around, but hopped around to get a few pictures taken!

My sweet little Aubrey girl looked pretty cute!

Aubrey did a great job helping Katie (Tosha's little girl) get down the aisle. In this picture you can see the cones that my mom made for the pews. They are beautiful in person!

Mom also made the bow for Katie's dress. This dress was actually Madison's dress from my wedding! Mom tea stained it and it matched the wedding perfect!

My handsome little guy!

Mom found this little suitcase in Canton. She decoupaged old song sheets inside and then added some flowers and lace. The programs were in here on the sign-in table.

Mom also made the programs.

Mom made this frame to show off some old pictures of both parents along with Lance and Tessa.

Mom found this E in Canton and painted it to match everything.

Mom also made this topiary for the sign-in table.

Mom painted this board and I added the letters and arrow.

Mom made these cute little picture holders for the tables at the reception. She also made the little "poppers" that were at each place setting. They were filled with vintage style candy.

Tessa's cake.

Lance's cake.

The bride and groom

We got to celebrate Cade's 5th birthday with his friends on July 2nd! We met at the theater to watch Cars 2 and then had cake together afterwards.

On Cade's actual birthday we went to the Astros game! He looked forward to this game for days. His clothes had been layed out in his room for days all the way from the hat to the socks and shoes.

One of the reasons Cade was so excited was the fact that he knew he was going to be able to run the bases after the game! Talk about one excited kid!

My big birthday boy! He has made the last 5 years of my life so exciting!

Through all of this excitement, my little Aubrey turned 3 months! She is starting to get those cute little baby rolls that I love so much. Aubrey has also started cooing a bit more. She is getting that "goo" sound down pretty good! She has continued to sleep through the night and loves to sleep often during the day still. Aubrey is by far the best little sleeper! She doesn't cry too much, but can make a pouty face that will melt anyone around. Her little laugh is such a sweet sound to hear. We are so thankful for our little girl!