Miss Priss and lil sweetie

And it was Pop's birthday

2011-04-03T15:07:00.001-04:00

We got to help him celebrate!

Princess Katie Jo

2011-04-03T11:05:00.003-04:00

I had to post these photos of Katie Jo from this morning. She is wearing a dress Gran and Pop bought her and it is too girly for words! I think she liked it too don't you? Georgia has one too but she was running a fever and had to miss church. She had on a blog worthy outfit that she had picked out herself with sandals and purple socks. It's too bad the camera got put away before we could capture it.
Speaking of the Flowertown Festival, it was this weekend. My mom and dad were here for the weekend and she and I went yesterday morning. I took a photo of the things we bought because thats the random kind of stuff that occurs when you have a blog. My favorite? The wooden cutting board and the kettle korn!

Just Because

2011-03-26T18:00:00.002-04:00

I will be the first to admit I have gotten terrible at keeping up with this blog. I could make a lot of excuses but basically I haven't made the time.
So here are just a couple to let you see that the girls are growing and we are all doing great!

Here is the new dog, Topaz. She is a gem (no pun intended) and we love having her as part of our family.
Classic Georgia. That's all there is to say bout this one.
Katie Jo lost her first tooth back at the end of January. It was very exciting and the tooth fairy brought her two dollars. She got in bed with us that night and when I asked her the next day, "Why" she said she was afraid the tooth fairy would wake her up!

Georgia started taking ballet in January. I would love to say she likes it but she is still on the fence about that one. She does like the leotards and I guess that's all that matters at this point.

Sleeping Quarters

2011-01-01T18:13:00.002-05:00

Everybody has new bedding! The girls got theirs from Gran and Pop for Christmas, but I haven't gotten around to taking a picture yet. Both girls got the bedding, throw pillow, rug and wall art. We're planning on painting a pink accent wall in each of their rooms but that won't happen for a couple more weeks. Katie Jo and Georgia both loved what they got which is good because it wasn't going back! :)

This is Katie Jo's room

This is Georgia's room

This is our master bedroom. Dillard's had a huge sale today and we found this gem of a set. I paid $100 for the duvet cover, shams, and four accent pillows. I think that was a pretty good deal! The girls love it. They felt like they were jumping around on a marshmallow!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-28T14:31:00.008-05:00

Santa is all set up and ready to be discovered.Katie Jo's loot. She had a "Scooby Doo" theme.
Georgia's loot. She had a "Fashion Barbie" theme.
And Santa left them both "Furry Frenzies" to enjoy.
They discovered their things and immediately started playing.
Georgia had to check out Barbie's shoes first!
Yay for the unicorn pillow pet! It was a last second request and so far her favorite thing she got.

Katie Jo and Georgia went shopping with me separately to get each other gifts. Georgia picked out a sparkle pair of shoes and a blanket for Katie Jo and Katie Jo picked out a "Tangled" t-shirt and skirt and a new hat and gloves set. This was by far the best thing we could do to get them in the spirit of giving. They were both so excited to see the other open their gift to see the reaction. Jay and I don't do gifts for each other but we do give gifts to each other that the girls pick out. This year Jay got a sweater and some boxers. I got new bath towels!
We spent quite some time opening gifts. The girls had their gifts from Santa then gifts from Mommy and Daddy. After breakfast we opened gifts from Mia, Aunt Joni, and Aunt Jessica and family, and Grandaddy and Mema. They got lots of wonderful dolls, clothes, activities, and books.

After a break we opened gifts from Gran and Pop. They helped the girls get ready for dance class with new leotards, tap shoes, and ballet shoes. They also were kind enough to do new bedding for each of the girls' bedrooms.

We had a lovely Christmas dinner at 5ish and by then it felt like 10 pm!
We bought a birthday cake and lit the candles to sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus.
We also got a family gift this year. We haven't had any video gaming systems before and Jay found the new xbox 360 kinect. It doesn't involve any hand held devices and the kinect sensor reads your profile so that when you step in front of the game your character immediately comes on the screen! Cool! He bought the girls an animal game and they love making their animals do tricks and interacting with it on screen. Below is Georgia with her animal the tiger.
The day after Christmas we had snow! It wasn't much but when your children are little and you never see it, it is a BIG deal! We enjoyed it and we enjoyed having COLD weather for the Christmas weekend.

Christms Eve 2010

2010-12-28T08:45:00.005-05:00

We had a very relaxing Christmas Eve. We started the day with a family breakfast of cinnamon rolls. Jay had a few last second errands to run and so the girls and I relaxed at the house. We did the usual getting ready for a house full of guest chores and then welcomed Uncle Brian, Gran and Pop. We ate a nice lunch of Lowcountry Boil and thanks to Aunt Joni got our luminaries set up. The girls got to open their usual one Christmas Eve gift, pajamas and we also had an Eve gift from Grandaddy and Mema; a recorded reading of "The Night Before Christms." Jay and I took the girls to the Christmas Eve service at church and when we returned we were joined by the Weaver family for our annual ride around the neighborhood to see the lights. Georgia was so tired she feel asleep sitting up in a chair with the frigid air blowing in her face! After the ride we settled back in at the house for leftovers, marshmellow roasting, and treats that Mia brought. The girls went to bed and Jay and I stayed up till 11 getting Santa ready.

August Round-up

2010-09-06T20:27:00.005-04:00

August has been a busy month and I can't believe September is already here. We had the beginning of school, the beginning of preschool and the beginning of some new adventures.

First, we had the beginning of gymnastics at the Y. The girls LOVE it and were only ramped up a little by the multiple viewings of YouTube gymdawg videos by Daddy. They both love jumping down the tumble track and swinging on the bars. Katie Jo is perfecting her back bend and Georgia is perfecting her listening and waiting on her turn skills.

We also got a trampoline. The last 7 months have seen a lot of sacrifice due to losing one of our family dogs, watching our neighbors/friends move away, and going through a grueling campaign. So Jay and I decided it would be fun to get a family gift for us all to enjoy. The girls love going out to jump and it doesn't matter if it's 100 degrees they'll do it anyway. We do have to sweep it off a lot but that's ok.

Katie Jo began Kindergarten. She loves her teacher, riding the bus, and going to recess. She is very good in school and her teacher has already lavished lots of praise on her good behavior. She is an eager learner and I suspect we won't have any trouble watching her grow this year. I look forward to her beginning to read although this won't come until later in the year. She is a precious child and we couldn't be prouder of her.

I celebrated my 35 birthday. I am glad to be another year older and was happy to celebrate it with my family and friends. Jay got me a pedicure certificate and an itunes card which was great (especially since it came straight off the list I had Katie Jo write!). Our friends the Weaver's came over and helped celebrate with cake and ice cream.

Georgia began preschool at the end of the month. She has only gone one week to date but she was SO excited to get started and I'm sure missing Katie Jo had something to do with it. She has lots of friends from last year's class so she was very comfortable going in the first day. So far she has done well and we hope that continues. I would like to see her listening skills improve and overall just enjoy being there. She continues to be such a sassy and funny little girl.

This month we also got an answer to a lingering issue we've been tracking for several months. Katie Jo was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis. We had noticed back in January that she limped, ran with a short gate, and had trouble doing things that should come normally to a 4.5 year old. After meeting with the pediatrician and having labs run it seemed things were all normal. Again in April we revisited the issue and had additional labs run. This time an elevation was spotted in one of her labs which indicated joint inflammation. We were referred to a specialist at MUSC. We were finally able to get in with him in August and he gave us the answer which finally put this subject to peace. She has a mild form of arthritis but we are already taking an active role in helping her to get better and hopefully move beyond this diagnosis. We can see a huge change in her already after taking advantage of some of our options in helping her. She is still an active little girl that is growing and developing right on track. We look for her to use this challenge to grow her even more and see that you can never work too hard or try to hard to stay active and strong.

See you again in September!

Katie Jo's First Day of Kindergarten

2010-08-16T21:00:00.004-04:00

Today was Katie Jo's first day of real school. She can now call herself a kindergartner. She is getting up early, eating in a cafeteria, seeing how a smart board works, and riding the bus home. I mean, how much better could it get? Here are some highlights from today and her notes of what went down.
Woke up at 6:15
She showered (how cool is that?) per her request
Dressed, ate, and gathered up book bag and goods
Dad and Georgia joined us for the ride to school
Family walked her in for the goodbyes and watched her very easily adapt to her new surroundings
Here are Katie Jo's highlights:
went to Art and the teacher was young
sat at their table for snack
went to the lunchroom (every time I say cafeteria she says Huh?) and ate her lunch with no talking. she said some people had to eat tray food because they didn't bring their lunch from home.
the teacher had to put some students bees in the pot to remind them to be better listeners
she saw her friend Reilly Kaye and Katie
she made a new friend, Olivia, that sits at her table
saw the playground and it was huge but couldn't play on it because it was wet from the rain
three boys heard it start raining
she earned three bee bucks for being a good listener!
She came off the bus at 2:34 and looked like a ragamuffin with her bow astray and her hair matted to her forehead.
She loved the bus and said she got to sit beside a girl that was also five.

All in all we call this one a victory!

Georgia and I were kind of lost today. We didn't have a schedule which was nice but also a little daunting. We ended up getting out and looking for leotards for gymnastics. It was nice to only drag one child in and out of the car and in to a store. We ate lunch together, snuggled on the couch to watch a movie and colored. We'll have to start being a little more productive but it rained today so we cut ourselves some slack.

Precious Moment

2010-05-12T22:11:00.002-04:00

My two blessings; holding a sleeping toddler and having a camera in arm's reach.

I love these two!

2010-05-03T21:35:00.000-04:00

Strawberries and Campaigning

2010-04-29T22:32:00.004-04:00

We picked strawberries for the first time this season last Friday.
The campaigning is in full force and that story will have to be another post all together. Cliff notes version is great support, busy schedule, lots of walking and knocking on doors, and I have managed to keep my sanity in tact. A local golf cart business donated Jay a golf cart to use each weekend to help with the door to door campaigning. Needless to say it has also been a hit with the girls too and Baby!

Wordless Wednesday: Laundry Induced Anxiety Attack Edition

2010-04-28T12:00:00.001-04:00

Round here

2010-04-27T20:11:00.004-04:00

Things round here have been crazy busy. I have fallen very behind on the blog but here are a few shots to tide you over.

I love this shot of the two girls. Such a sweet expression on their faces. One day Katie Jo caught a rainbow. She was very proud!
This occasionally happens and I thought it would be best to capture it on film.
Our resident artist, Katie Jo, painted this beauty today. It's a rainbow, sun, clouds, a unicorn, angel and flowers.
I mean really have you ever seen such a beautifully painted flower? She's going to be five in a few days!

Our Time

2010-03-10T11:24:00.003-05:00

On Wednesday I don't have to work and since Katie Jo goes to school it gives Georgia and I time together. I'm glad to have this opportunity and it's nice for her to get me all to herself. Today was great since we could play outside. Usually she takes advantage of this time to play with all of Katie Jo's things since she couldn't get away with it otherwise! I love sitting and talking with her, having a snack, running errands together, eating lunch together, and playing.
Today she got a little haircut and here's her new look. Don't mind the peanut butter on her face. She didn't!

Good idea

2010-03-10T11:16:00.004-05:00

I don't claim to be very creative but every once in a blue moon I manage to have a good idea. Even if it's a stolen idea I've learned that it's ok to share it! I saw one of the wives from Big Love do this and I thought "that makes so much sense." It may be something that everyone else in the world does but just in case someone doesn't here goes.
She was buzzing around her house with a laundry basket filling it up with toys. So now I do the same thing and man is it a great way to pick up. A lot of "stuff" collects downstairs and it's such a pain to take handful after handful upstairs so I love to collect it all in one basket and by all I mean toys, shoes, bows, books, my stuff, Jay's stuff and so on. Then when I get upstairs I go from room to room distributing the items.

Ta da!

Snow Day in the Low Country

2010-02-13T20:15:00.021-05:00

At approximately 5:50 on Feb. 12th, 2010 the low country got it's first significant snowfall in ten years. I'm glad we were here for it and that my girls were able to enjoy snow at their own home. It'll probably be ten more years before it snows like this again and I hope as teenagers my girls enjoy it as much then as they did now.

This is Katie Jo when it literally had just started to snow. And already trying to catch a flake!

What a beautiful site and we had no idea where it would go from here.

Just to see this little bit was so exciting. When it never snows where you live it's like a miracle when it happens.

This picture was taken at 6:30 and as you can see we quickly had accumulation.

After dinner we got serious with our snow suits!

Snow angels were on order

The neighbors came over and we put together our first snow man. We even had a carrot, thanks to our neighbors, for the nose.

Keep an eye on this palm. What a difference a night makes.

To see our home doused in snow was a majestic site. The silence of a snow filled existence is such beauty.

Sledding on a boogie board. On the low country could come up with this!

Our friends came over and the kids had a blast playing together.

Now it's gone and I'm not too sad about that! It was a special day that we won't soon forget!

Reach out and touch someone

2010-01-08T23:13:00.002-05:00

But not KEN!

Don't you just love it? This is how I found little sweetie before I went to bed. And yes, that is a row of 8, count them, 8 barbies/ken dolls sleeping beside her!

Snow Day

2010-01-05T23:01:00.006-05:00

With rumors of snow arriving in the lowcountry swirling around us, I thought it would be a good time to post about our trip to the snowy mountains in hope that it would bring good luck our way!

There was some major snow back in December and we happened to be in the upstate for the weekend with a chance to enjoy it. Our girls have never seen snow and Katie Jo could not have been more excited about the chance to see it and play in it.

On Saturday we decided to ride up to Wolf Laurel for some tubing. I'll delete all the extra info and just tell you that it wasn't what we expected but it turned out all right. What we didn't know was that the actual ski location no longer had tubing and had moved it a couple miles down the road. After being in the car for a LONG time it added a little stress to a couple of eager children but they lived. When we arrived at the "down the road" location we realized the side of a mountain tubing experience we'd hoped for was actually a hill. On the bright side it did have a moving belt you could ride on with your tube to get back to the "top" and they had a discounted price. On the even brighter side we had two children who were pumped up with excitement and they didn't care how big or little the hill was. Fun ensued!

This was the view we had most of our ride up. This was some of the first snow we saw and it was only about 10 miles from Lyman.

We stopped at a gas station and this little fella was outside the waffle house. He was practically saying, "Come on in folks."

Katie Jo's first moments in the snow!

Gotta love the "rules."

A happy camper (it didn't last long).

Jay and Georgia getting ready to tube down the hill. Don't let the photo fool you, Georgia didn't actually do any tubing that was on a voluntary basis.

Katie Jo and Mommy are getting ready to fly down the hill. She had such a great time and was such a trooper even though I know she was freezing. In a way, I wondered if she knew this would be one of few chances to experience snow. She just seemed to soak up every moment we were there.

And then Georgia got cold and unhappy.

Sisters posing beside the snow man. We didn't build him but we had a lot of fun playing with him.

This was in the last few moments that Georgia lasted outside of a heated environment. God bless Jay for keeping her inside the car while Katie Jo and I could enjoy playing.

We met a family from Columbia that had also driven up for the day with their girls. They had this neat snowman kit and let Katie Jo help add the pieces.

Making a snow angel.

Mission complete

Such a happy girl!

And here are my two beautiful girls on our ride home.

We had a beautiful site for most of our ride back.

I have to keep it real and post a picture of my shoes. Obviously we don't have to brave artic weather very much in our parts. I have had these boots for well over 10 years. The soles were coming off of both of them but instead of buying a new pair I used duct tape to hold them together. The tape was across the front and back and wrapped around the side. It proved to work quite well as my feet stayed warm and dry! It did not work quite so well in the climbing dept but I only fell a couple of times. It did provide some much needed laughter though.

What a difference a year makes!

2010-01-02T19:59:00.004-05:00

Can you believe this is the same child? I ran across the top photo when I was looking through some old shots. I decided to take another picture tonight to see the difference. She has hair, it's curly, she doesn't have a pacifier and my how she has grown!

Little Helper

2010-01-02T08:47:00.003-05:00

I thought these were a couple of sweet pictures showing Katie Jo doing what she does best, helping. She loves to assist Jay and I in whatever we're doing and we don't always say yes, but when we do, it delights her heart to the fullest.

Ist photo session

2010-01-02T08:37:00.006-05:00

I love getting gifts. I love wondering what they are and then the excitement of opening them to see what's inside. So, this year when I asked for money it was a step outside of the norm. BUT I've had my eye on a certain camera for some time and it doesn't cost the kind of money I make subbing so I had to find another route. I decided to put the money I received towards purchasing the new camera. The day after Christmas Katie Jo and I loaded up and headed to Costco to make my big purchase. Luckily the camera I wanted was in stock and came in a kit with the camera, two lenses, a camera bag, and a memory card. Jackpot! So now I have a nice new camera and Sunday morning seemed like a good time to try it out. So here's a little sample of our photo shoot.

Christmas Day 2009

2009-12-28T20:42:00.007-05:00

Christmas Day at the Byars' house was the best one yet! We had such a great time with our families and the girls had a blast with their new toys. We opened gifts first thing, had breakfast, played, opened gifts again, played, rested, ate dinner, played, rested and went to bed. It was a great day!

Here is their loot from Santa. Their big gift this year were bikes and they were very excited. Katie Jo has ridden hers a lot and Georgia will probably take some time getting used to hers.Santa left the girls a note.

Georgia on her bike.

Katie Jo has mastered the art of riding a bike while holding the umbrella!

Georgia and her new sleeping bag.

The barbie head was a BIG hit. She has played with this thing endlessly.

Daddy, his girls and his gifts.

Mommy opening her gifts. Jay and I decided this year instead of giving gifts to each other, we would get the girls to give gifts to each of us that they helped pick out.

Me and my girls!

More gift opening. We do gifts from Gran, Pop and Uncle Brian on the back porch. It's a nice change in scenery.

Katie Jo got a karaoke machine and boy have we ALL enjoyed using it!

Georgia got a princess pop up tent. It was a little bigger than expected but both the girls have loved it!
Everyone had to try out the new singing machine. The girls provided the entertainment.

Fried turkey for dinner. Can I get a YUM?

The parents/hosts/gift-givers; Amber and Jay.

Are we ever going to eat?

Yay, finally sitting down to our Christmas dinner.

What a wonderful day we had. If gifts hadn't been present (no pun intended) we would have still had the greatest day spending time together and having fun! Happy Birthday Jesus!

Christmas Eve 2009

2009-12-28T19:23:00.006-05:00

We had a truly wonderful Christmas and wanted to share a little of it with you. Our Christmas Eve was jam packed with activities and memory-makers but that's the way we like it! Here's a little tour of our day through photos.

We began the day with breakfast: casserole and croissants, yum!Mia and Uncle Matt came in town and we did our family gifts on Eve morning after our eats.

Here I am with the girls right before braving Publix for the "last second, just gotta have it" groceries.

Our meal of Lowcountry Boil was enjoyed outside. Gotta love that lowcountry weather.

We took our annual hayride around the neighborhood to see the luminaries and Christmas lights.

Santa came to visit us at our house. Can you believe he had time to squeeze us in?

Opening the Eve gift. Christmas pajamas, of course.

And off to bed they went!

A little update with PHOTOS!!!!

2009-10-26T17:51:00.005-04:00

The last couple of months have been a blur. The girls started preschool and soon after I started subbing again. I've consistently been subbing two or three days a week so life has been a bit more hectic. The girls have gotten into a nice routine and Katie Jo loves going to school four mornings a week. I fretted at first, thinking it would be too much, but she loves her teacher and has begun "teaching" at home. Georgia loves her days at school too and the days that she isn't in school and I happen to sub I have a wonderful friend of mine that keeps her. Georgia especially looks forward to these days since it's something she has that's just her without the big sis around.

I put together some moments from the last month or so.

Georgia's position to watch tv or to take off on the ladybug depending on which comes first!Katie Jo had show and tell at school and she was beside herself with the chance to take in Daisy, her lovie.

Both girls have gone on a bed strike. Katie Jo's started about a month ago when Jay built her a tent in her room with her sleeping bag. Sometimes she makes her way to the door and then usually into our bed. Georgia has completely given up the crib and we made a pallet on the floor. She loves this and as soon as we get our hands on a twin mattress set we'll set her up in a proper bed.

This was my view from the front of the van last weekend when we traveled to the upstate. Gotta love it!

A week or so ago I took the girls to a local corn maze/petting zoo/pumpkin patch/hayride place and the weather was terribly yucky. Georgia didn't mind but from the pictures you can see KJ felt otherwise. They both loved painting pumpkins and the hay bale maze.

The next picture makes me laugh. When I look at it, it makes me think of the following nursery rhyme.

There was a little girl,
Who had a little curl,
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good,
She was very good indeed,

But when she was bad she was horrid.
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

No, she's not really horrid, but sometimes she is hard to keep up with.

These photos were from last Sunday when we were in the upstate.

THE Snake

2009-10-08T09:22:00.002-04:00

So here iS the Snake Katie Jo pointed out yeSterday. I waSn't kidding when I Said he waS long!

(BTW, all the S'S are capital becauSe everytime I preSS that key it bringS up a new tab for Some reaSon. I never realized how many S'S I uSed till thiS happened!)

In thiS picture you'll have to let your eyeS adjuSt and then you'll See him. Look at how light hiS head coloring iS. Jay Said it waS becauSe he iS molting.
A Shot of hiS markingS.

Senior to Soldier

2009-09-16T11:24:00.012-04:00

Jay's brother, Matt, graduated from James F. Byrnes High School on Tues, May. 26th. On Wed, Sept. 2nd he graduated from boot camp at Fort Jackson in Columbia.

I took so long to post his H.S. pics on here that I finally decided to wait until the boot camp graduation and combine them into one post.

Here are the pics from these two monumental moments in his life. Please keep him in your prayers, along with all of our armed forces, as he plunges into a life of the Army Strong. He is training to be a combat medic in Texas for 18 weeks and then will be attached to a unit either stateside or abroad.

Graduation cake

Matt and Celeste
Celeste's son, Tony, is also a combat medic and is currently deployed.

Outside festivities

Grandmoney, Celeste, and Amy/Mia

Jay and Matt

Jay, Joni, and Matt

Amy and Matt

Joni and Matt

Graduation night

Teachers entering

The band

The graduating seniors entering the ceremony

Here is Matt walking up to the platform with his row to receive his diploma.

Matt receiving his diploma

The seniors raise their fist to end of the Alma Mater. "Loyal sons and daughters true of James F. Byrnes High."

After the graduation ceremony Matt posed with his proud Mom...

his brother, Jay and myself...

a hug from his dad, Scott...

posing with his dad and granddad, Kelly...

his proud dad, Scott...

and his granddad again.

These pictures are from the boot camp graduation. We took both girls and had a wonderful day. It was a short ceremony filled with pride, honor and strength. Matt was part of the Alpha company and he did very well during his time at boot camp. Afterward, we signed Matt out and headed to California Dreaming for lunch.

Georgia waiting on the ceremony to begin

Jay and Katie Jo

Matt standing in formation with the Alpha company

Walking out in formation after the ceremony

Matt hugging Joni

Matt hugging Katie Jo
*I will have to say, on a side note, that Katie Jo found this all very fascinating. We talked at length before the graduation about what to expect and what it meant to be a soldier. We got a photo in the mail from Jay's mom of Matt. It's his official Army photo and we hung it on the fridge. Not a day goes by that Katie Jo and Georgia don't point it out and say "Uncle Matt." So when I look at this photo I don't see Katie Jo hugging Uncle Matt I see a little girl who was sooo excited to see her Uncle, the soldier.

Jay, Amy, Matt and Joni

Matt and his dad, Scott

Matt and his granddad, Kelly, Joni and Scott

The girls at California Dreaming

Last chance photo
Georgia, Jay, Amy, Joni, Matt, Kelly, Katie Jo, and Scott's wife, Tina

Cousins!

2009-09-16T08:08:00.000-04:00

In August Jay's sister, Jessica, and her family came down to Seabrook from Maryland for vacation. Katie Jo and Georgia were so excited to see their cousins and spend time with them. They came by our house on the way in and the kids had fun running around the back yard and climbing trees. We went out to Seabrook a couple of days for some beach/pool fun and Katie Jo even spent the night one night. It was lots of fun and the girls can't wait to see Aidan, John Paul, and Mary Katherine again!

A couple of funny videos

2009-09-08T08:22:00.000-04:00

The First of Many

2009-09-07T23:13:00.005-04:00

This past Saturday was Katie Jo's first Clemson Football game. She was very excited to see the tiger, the cheerleaders, and clap and cheer. She did very well. By half time she was ready to go and by the middle of the third quarter she had hit a wall! Thankfully the tigers were up by plenty giving us the chance to make a break. All in all it was a great first experience for her.

Tailgating with some yummy Gutherie's!Playing a game of tiger washers before the big game.

Katie Jo's turn!

Katie Jo's picture of her Daddy.

Striking a cheerleader pose in her new cheerleader uniform.

Walking in with Mom.

She got to ride in most of the way on a golf cart. The highlight of her day, I'm sure!

It stared raining at the end but with a bag of Skittles any child can be made happy.

Here's a video of Katie Jo's reaction when we entered the stadium and a clip of her listening to the music from the comfort of her Daddy's shoulders.

BIRTHDAY EVENTS

2009-09-07T18:01:00.001-04:00

I TURNED 34 THIS PAST AUGUST 20TH AND APPARENTLY IT WASN'T TOO EXCITING SINCE I'M JUST NOW POSTING IT!
I DID HAVE A GREAT DAY. THE GIRLS AND I WENT TO THE BEACH THAT MORNING WITH A FRIEND AND HER DAUGHTER. WE HAD A RELAXING AFTERNOON WHERE BOTH GIRLS TOOK A NAP. THIS IS A MIRACLE IN ITSELF. THAT NIGHT WE DECIDED TO GO EAT AT MCDONALD'S FOR EASE AND TO GIVE THE GIRLS A CHANCE TO BURN OFF ENERGY.
THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY WE WENT OUT WITH FRIENDS TO CELEBRATE. WE HAD A GREAT TIME AT FLEET LANDING DOWNTOWN. WE SAT OUTSIDE ON THE WATER AND HAD A LOVELY BREEZE.
THEN ON THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY JAY AND THE GIRLS BAKED A CAKE. WE ENJOYED IT WITH ICE CREAM AND A LITTLE SINGING. I DON'T KNOW HOW MY BIRTHDAY BECAME A FOUR DAY CELEBRATION BUT IT WAS NICE! :)

Portrait Innovations shoot 2009

2009-09-07T14:40:00.005-04:00

Way back at in August I took the girls to Portrait Innovations to get their yearly shots. I like this place because they are quick, friendly, organized, and you get the prints that day. Thankfully my mom was in town and went because I don't know how anyone could do it alone. ~~The girls~~ Katie Jo did an excellent job! She smiled, laughed and cooperated like a pro. Georgia on the other hand was a pistol. I didn't think we would walk out with any good ones of her but that just goes to show how great they are at PI. She had some wonderful shots and we walked out happy!
Now, because I never want to make it look like it was all roses I have included the good and the bad! Enjoy!

THE GOOD

THE BAD (MOSTLY JUST FUNNY)

As said by Katie Jo

2009-09-06T22:55:00.001-04:00

On the way home tonight the following conversation transpired.

Katie Jo: Daddy when will I be able to fly?

Daddy: When milkshakes become extinct.

Katie Jo: Daddy, milkshakes don't stink!

First Day of Preschool for Katie Jo

2009-08-31T18:38:00.004-04:00

Katie Jo had her first day of four year old preschool today. Here are the facts.

Worn: New dress from Gran, bow made by Mom and princess backpack, lunch box, and thermos.

Time: Mon-Thurs from 9-1

Friends: Jude, Tyler, Megan and many new ones.

Favorite Part: Dollhouse, kitchen, making a craft, and eating lunch.

Dislikes: None so far, thank goodness!

Purple Monsters

2009-08-14T22:50:00.002-04:00

Thanks Jenn for the colored bath tablet idea!

The girls loved their colored bath and from a teacher's stand point this is a wonderful way to teach children about mixing primary colors. Katie Jo remembered how to make purple and a few days later we made green. Such fun! Go out and buy these wonderful little tablets. I got mine at Wal Mart.

Don't let KJ's face fool you. She's just in that "I'm four and too busy to smile for a picture" phase!

Is it just me or does Georgia's hair remind you of the cowardly lion BEFORE he went into the beauty salon?

White Lily ain't just grits, they're also G.R.I.T.S!

2009-08-12T23:18:00.005-04:00

Is there anything more southern than two sweet girls in their white smocked outfits taking pictures on the beach? There probably is but this is definitely a staple!

A few weeks ago when we were at Surfside for vacation we took the girls out to the beach one evening to capture some shots of them all gussied up in their matching white outfits. Katie Jo was very cooperative. Georgia was a pistol! We managed to get some good shots. My mom brought her camera out there too which was good because my battery died after about the fifth shot!

This is Katie Jo with her friend Jane. Her family had a condo downstairs from ours and the girls played together on the beach and pool that week.

Surfside Beach Trip 2009

2009-08-12T19:28:00.012-04:00

This years trip to Surfside Beach was wonderful. The girls enjoyed spending time with us, Gran and Pop, and Uncle Brian. They had such a good time building sand castles, playing in the surf, jumping the waves (and they don't get any better in SC than the Myrtle Beach area!) and swimming in the pool.
Each day consisted of basically the following: Breakfast, play, beach, pool, lunch, naps, beach, pool, dinner, bed. Does it get any better? Since that's all we did the pics are mostly from the beach but I tried to post all the sweet ones of the girls having a good time. We can't wait to go again next year!

We took Katie Jo to play putt-putt this year. This was a first and she really enjoyed it, so much so that Jay and I took her again the next night. We finished up our evening with ice cream!

Jay and I had fun helping the girls sift the sand to find baby crabs. They were fascinating to the girls!
We also had fiesta night one night and Georgia got to eat sour cream to her heart's delight!

Can you believe she let Uncle Brian do this to her? She loved it!

We dug these big holes everyday for the girls to play in. It was worth the effort as they usually played in them till we left or the water washed them away.

One evening we walked down to the pier. The girls loved being so high up and watching the waves crash below. Right as we reached the final section a man had just caught a baby shark! Georgia was all about touching it. Katie Jo, not so much!

The last night we were there the girls and I drove over to my old college roommate's house. I hadn't seen Leslie in YEARS! God bless this blog and facebook because it really does help you connect with people you lost touch with. Leslie and I were thick as thieves back in the day and if we lived closer it would still be the case I'm sure! She has two adorable boys, Colin and Jack Henry. The girls loved playing with them and Leslie and I had a wonderful time visiting!

It was a great week! I would be remiss to not include the fact that Georgia was not at her best sleep wise that week. She shared the room with us and went to bed late every night and woke every morning between 5:45 and 6:04. I was truly near tears to sleep in my own bed when we got home. I know that next year will be even better and it's just such a blessing to make these memories with Jay, the girls, my parents and my brother.

Well Check Ups

2009-07-30T14:19:00.002-04:00

The girls have both had their well check up this month and I thought I'd combine the info into one post.
Katie Jo had hers a couple of weeks ago.
She weighed 33 lbs
She measured 37.5 inches
She had to get four shots which went over just as well as you can imagine. We still have to talk about them from time to time. She passed on all four year old test that they gave. They did an eye exam which was funny considering she's, well, four. But she did well naming the pictures she saw and has great vision. They also did the old school hearing test which I also found amusing. Big headphones, buzzer ringing, and hand raising. Just like I remember doing in 1980. Katie Jo didn't know what to do and I finally told the girl it was a waste of time. I deemed her hearing to be great since every time the machine buzzed I could hear it and she'd look at me!
She's thriving and we don't have any cause for concern.

Georgia had her check up today.
She weighed 24 lbs and 11 oz
She measured 34 and 1/4 inches
She got her finger pricked and one shot. She did well with both. We talked a lot about her behavior, eating habits, and sleeping habits. Georgia is getting a little picky with her food which is normal for this age and will pass. I told the doctor I cooked quite frequently and if they weren't willing to eat it I wasn't willing to make separate meals. She agreed and we moved on. I talked about Georgia still waking a night a couple times a week. Last night for example she woke at 1 and then again at 4. Both times she was crying and calling for me. I go in, pick her up, love her and then put her back down. This for the most part takes care of it and it's just separation anxiety. She loves her momma.

I think that bout cover it! :)

Word Wednesday

2009-07-29T13:11:00.002-04:00

Finally!

Happy Birthday Video

2009-07-15T19:13:00.002-04:00

Here's the video of us singing, "Happy Birthday" to Georgia. Besides the fact that KJ had to obviously go pee and Georgia keeps scratching her behind, which turned out later to be a massive dirty in her diaper, it's a pretty cute video. I love the part at the end where KJ is kindly bringing Georgia closer to the cake so she can blow out the candle!

LOL for the day

2009-07-15T19:08:00.003-04:00

Katie Jo doesn't nap and hasn't since she was about 2 1/2. Every once in awhile she will and then it's so deep it's impossible to get her awake and almost more impossible to get her in bed that night. Today she watched a movie and then had about 20 min of room time. She wanted Georgia's new Wiggles CD playing and that's how I left her. I checked on her about 15 later and this is how I found her. I laughed out loud at the sight of her slumped in that chair with the Wiggles songs still going strong! I guess she was a little pooped from her late night with Daddy at the ball field and it finally caught up!

Georgia's party

2009-07-14T22:01:00.012-04:00

Georgia's second birthday party was a huge success! My mom and dad gave the OK to host it at their house so we could do a pool party. We invited all our upstate family and then some to the party and we appreciate the many that came. We swam, ate pizza, opened gifts, and enjoyed cake. It was the perfect kind of party. Georgia enjoyed herself and she loved opening the gifts and cards. Katie Jo was a big helper and we were very proud at how she let Georgia have "her" day. Thanks to everyone that came and made her second birthday so special!

Party Decor

Katie Jo is ready!

The birthday girl

Mommy and G

Mommy, G and Gran

Pop and Katie Jo

So COOL!

Jay showing out

The guest arrive

When do we eat cake?

Joni and Kat/Grandmother

Georgia and Aunt Linda

Wouldn't you like to know what Kat is saying behind that hand?

Mommy and Daddy with the birthday girl

I love this picture of my mama with Kat.

Georgia and Gran

The kiddie table

Goggle Girls

Isn't this just perfect? A whipped mom sandwiched in a Sponge Bob seat at the kiddie table drinking a Capri Sun. Kind of says it all about throwing a kids party.

GIFTS!

Katie Jo was such a good helper!

Time for cake! G was a little wary of the fire.

GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!

Does a Momma's Heart Good

2009-07-14T11:21:00.001-04:00

Having them play together so well this morning was nice. I got laundry done, clothes folded, calls made, and breakfast eaten. BUT finding them this way when I got out of the shower was the best of all: playing in a chair together!

Happy 2nd Birthday Georgia

2009-07-10T07:21:00.001-04:00

July 2008
"Birthday Girl"August 2008
September 2008
October 2008
November 2008
December 2008
January 2009

February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
May 2009
June 2009

July 2009

Little Georgia turns two today! She is just such a special girl and has grown so much in the last year. Her biggest growth has obviously been her hair! Her curls are something else and I always say it matches her personality, wild and woolly!
She has proven over the last year to have some distinct characteristics to her personality. She loves to laugh and gets tickled lately over silly things. She is very opinionated which is shown through her daily use of the word NO! She is a learner. She watches Katie Jo very closely and has learned so much, so quick. She likes to eat. She can consume quantities that would rival some grown men. She is a climber. We have found her on top of her dresser, in the sink, in the toilet, mastering stairs and has recently begun using a kitchen chair as a mode of transportation to get to the cookie jar.
She is trying desperately to communicate. We used some baby sign language with her early on and that helped some. She was verbal way earlier than Katie Jo and is now using two and three word sentences. I think this will be her biggest area of growth over the next few months.
She loves the water. She has always loved the bath and this summer has really enjoyed the pool and beach. She has even braved putting her face in the water.
She is fearless. She mastered many things early on like going up and down our stairs, opening drawers/cabinets, climbing out of her crib, opening doors, taking off her diaper, and hanging on tight when I push her high on the tire swing.
She loves her sister and she loves to push her buttons. They play well together and I am proud of that. Georgia loves to be in Katie Jo's room with her and they enjoy "hanging out" together. Katie Jo is good about including Georgia and protecting her.
Georgia is a good sharer. Let's see if this continues! :)
She isn't timid in front of a crowd. At our VBS family nite they let the kids go on stage for one of the songs and Georgia ran right up and did hand motions to the music.
She could care less about watching anything for very long. The first video she's shown interest in is the Wiggles.
She loves books and being read to. Her favorites right now are Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball, Goodnight Moon, I Love You Because You're You, The Poky Little Puppy, and anything to do with animals or flaps that she can lift up.
She loves animals but especially dogs. It's hard to go to a park or the beach and see one without her demanding to go pet it. She's very gentle and loves to pet their back while looking into their face.
She can throw a fit. Early on we noticed she'd show out when she didn't get her way. Back then it was through crying or some other way of protesting. That evolved into laying down on the floor and crying and now it's a very loud scream. We usually just ignore her and it doesn't happen in public very often, thank goodness! I think as she gets older and we are able to reason with her it'll subside. Right now I think she's just so focused on what she didn't get or what got taken away there's no room for reason! :)
She wakes up in a very good mood. She almost always greets me in the morning with a bear hug, and she's equally excited to get downstairs and find her Daddy.

I know that was quite a lot and most of it was rambling as I just typed what ever came to mind but I think it covers all the high points!

It'll be interesting to see how she develops this next year. If I had to predict I'd say Georgia is going to be loads of fun but a hand full!

9 Year Anniversary

2009-07-08T07:34:00.000-04:00

Nine years ago today Jay and I got married. Wonder how we met? It's a long story but I'll try to be brief.

I've know Jay almost my whole life. His dad and my mom were friends in high school. Jay's family started coming to our church, Wellford Baptist, when he was a teenager. He is the same age as my brother. Jay is three years older than me so he was a senior when I was a freshman. I've always know him. He was just Jay Byars to me back then. He played football and baseball, was real good looking, and always had a girlfriend.

In December of 1995 I was in my junior year at College of Charleston, and was at a friend's party. Someone behind me said, "Well, Amber Johnson." I turned and saw Jay and said, "Well, Jay Byars." And the next words out of my mouth could have been, "I'm going to marry you." I knew it in an instant, just like that. It couldn't be love at first sight since I've always know him but we saw each other for the first time at that moment.

We dated from there on out and continued dating through my graduation and Jay's two years of Georgia grad school.

Jay proposed sometime in June, 1999. He took me out to eat at the Charleston Grill. After dinner he handed me a photo album. As I flipped I saw photos of all our favorite places around town and our hometown. The last two photos were of the entrance to the Charleston Grill which had a card that said, "Tonight's Dinner" and then a photo of the table we were sitting at with a card that read, "The Proposal."

A waiter walked up to our table with a silver tray. The ring box sat in the middle. Jay got down on bended knee, took the box, opened it, and proposed. I said an immediate YES and the restaurant quartet played "Here Comes the Bride."

Some proposal? I know!

We got married a little over a year later. We had a beautiful, but very long, ceremony at Wellford Baptist and then a rocking reception at the Student Life Center Ballroom at USCS.

Here are a few photos from that memorable day!

My Dad, me and my MomJim (Jay's Dad), Jay and Amy (Jay's Mom)

Jim, Jay and Sarah (Jay's Step mom)

My Dad and I right before going down the isle

The ceremony

The recessional

Signing the marriage licence

Our official wedding photo as husband and wife

Our Party

Jay and I with our cake

Doesn't every girl dream of a bride doll that's a replica of herself and her dress? I know it's a little creepy and cool at the same time.

Leaving the reception

Ready to start our new life as husband and wife!

Next of Kin

2009-07-06T23:06:00.004-04:00

Jay's sister Joni closed on her first home a couple weeks back and I know her family has been dying to see the pics so I asked her if she would like me to post them here. She said that was fine so those of you who usually tune in to see the girls will have to allow this slight interruption. We are very proud of Joni. She has a terrific job here in town and recently stumbled onto an amazing townhouse. With the help of a fabulous Realtor and her brother Jay who know mortgages like no other she was able to seal the deal! She's just about moved in and a recent housewarming gift from the family made things all the more homier!

Front

Back-Nice Garage and Parking pad

Kitchen

View front front door into foyer/den/eating area

View from eating area to front door. On either side of the door is the 1/2 bath and a linen closet. The master bedroom/bath suite is also on the first floor.

Upstairs is an amazing loft area. There are two bedrooms, as well as a full bath upstairs. Where Joni is standing looks down onto the front door/foyer area.

Now for the AFTER shots!
This is the kitchen area. The french doors lead to a small patio outside surrounded by yard.

Joni's Master Bedroom freshly painted with the help of her mom/Amy/Mia

This is the upstairs loft area which Joni has turned into a wonderful sitting area with comfy couches and her new housewarming gift...

A BRAND NEW TV! Joni is quite the avid movie, tv, Clemson football watcher and what could be more perfect than a new tube to watch them on? All her family chipped in to surprise her with the new television. The girls enjoyed watching Mary Poppins on there tonight when we went for a visit.

Yay Joni, we're so proud of your new home! :)

Fourth Happenings

2009-07-05T20:29:00.005-04:00

We had a great, long weekend together as a family. Friday Katie Jo had her last swimming lesson and then I got to go visit a friend and her sweet baby! We made a family trip to Costco which is always a treat and then Jay and I went out on a date to Olive Garden (thank you Gran for the gift card) and then to our friend's fourth party.

Saturday we ventured out to the beach. This is not normally a good idea on the fourth and especially when Saturday is actually the 4th of July but we scooted and were out there by 10:15. As we passed by the entrance they had already quit letting cars in to park! We had a terrific time and the girls played so well. I am constantly surprised at their joy in the sand, as well as, the water.

Saturday afternoon after naps we went out to the Riverfront Park for their festivities. They had FREE jump castles which was a HUGE hit with both the girls (and us). We ate, sweated, and had cotton candy. We left before the fireworks since everyone was hot and tired. Georgia has an unnatural fear of loud noises such as thunder so we didn't think flashing lights with booming attached would go over too well. We came home and did a few sparklers and shot off the usual Roman Candles. It was a great day!

Jay and Katie Jo's Garden

2009-07-04T21:40:00.000-04:00

Jay began a garden with Katie Jo back at the end of May. They worked together to plant the seeds in a little tray. That took off and within a week they were ready to be transplanted. Jay built a raised box to plant them in. He and Katie Jo transfered the growth into the garden. It's been amazing to watch how everything has taken off. We have green beans, butter beans, watermelon, cucumber, squash, and carrots growing. Jay also bought a Topsey Turvey to grow a tomato plant in and it has grown a great deal too. No tomatoes yet but hopefully soon! Katie Jo has enjoyed this special project with her Daddy.

Father's Day 2009

2009-07-04T08:11:00.000-04:00

Jay had a pretty good Father's Day this year. The girls treated him to a bear card and a shovel and multi-use tool to add to our camping gear. This will be for the camping we'll do in the fall when it's not hotter than you know what! :) We went to church and then I had to go back to get my room ready for VBS which started on Monday. We ended the day with some swimming in the hood pool. It was relaxing which is always a nice way to spend a holiday!

Inheritance

2009-07-03T12:10:00.000-04:00

*Update* I wrote this post a while back and held onto it for awhile. I wanted to reread it to make sure it sounded ok. Some of the beauty I claim to have created has fallen a little to the waist side but it's only been 100 degrees outside which doesn't bode well for yard work! :)

In July we will have been in our house for five years!

I looked for homes in this neighborhood for a year before we bought. When I taught kids were zoned from this neighborhood to the elementary school where I worked. I knew it was a great family neighborhood with lots of older homes, trees, and fairly sizable yards. I was convinced this was the only neighborhood I wanted to live in when we decided to move closer in to Summerville (we lived in N. Charleston at the time).

On a Wednesday night we rode through, as we had done countless times, and saw a For Sale By Owner sign in a yard. We called and inquired about coming by to see the house. The owner was very friendly and said we could set up a time but she'd had people by that day that were coming back for a second viewing and were probably going to make an offer (the house had been on the market for less than a day). We set up a time for the following day and when I gave her my name as contact info she said, "Amber Byars from Beech Hill Elementary?" "Uh yes," I said. "Amber this is Tina, Sean's mom!"

Sean had been a fourth grader in my class a couple of years before that and Tina had been my room mom. To say I was shocked was an understatement. What followed was nothing less than miraculous. We came the next day and got our tour. We were sold. We made a better offer and the house was ours. We got very close to their family between that first tour and the closing. Tina wasn't selling property she was selling blood, sweat, and tears. She had worked tirelessly on the inside and out of this home. What we inherited was a home and yard on a silver platter.

She overwhelmed me in those weeks with information about the ins and outs of the house and yard. She was an interior designer, a perfectionist, and it was a show place. The amount of work she had put into this home was incredible and it had been updated way past it's 1983 original!

I found out later they divorced. She knew when she sold this house that it was going to happen and they had decided to move together to live in the same zip code for the children. I often think back to how relieved she must have felt to sell this home to a couple that was going to appreciate it and fill it with love and children and laughter. That night when she heard my name I wonder if she knew then this house was going to be ours. I really don't think she could have sold it to a stranger and she told me several times how glad she was that someone she knew would be living in it.

For a long time it was Tina's house. I felt like we were taking care of it for her and it belonged to us but wasn't really ours. I still tell people in the neighborhood when I first meet them that we live in Tina's old house. She was that well known and loved in this neighborhood.

The house held on it's own for quite some time. That was good considering I was pregnant less than two months after moving in, sick for the first fourteen weeks, working for the rest, had Katie Jo, stayed home full time, got pregnant again when she was 18 months, was sick for 12 weeks, pregnant with number two while running after number one, giving birth to Georgia, chasing after a two year old while balancing a baby, and now I finally feel like I might be able to come up for air! I mean really, who has time to keep up a house and yard with all that. I got tired just revising that sentence! :) The yard too was pretty maintainable with no real tricky plants or flowers. Along the way I changed things inside the house but very carefully. I always felt like each time I changed something major it was taking a piece away from Tina. I know that sounds so bizarre but I took her efforts very seriously and didn't want to undo her hard work needlessly. Very slowly it became our house and almost all the rooms now have our stamp of living here. Except the red room which I will never paint over no matter how much Jay tries to sway me!

It's been a long dark winter for me. When spring came, more came to life than the nature around me. I finally found the energy and motivation to get er done like never before.

The yard has been my sanctuary for the past several weeks. I looked around and was sickened by the sight of overgrowth, deadness, and drab. I have worked very hard in reviving it and have enjoyed every moment. Jay has said several times he doesn't know who this woman is. He said he didn't think he'd ever seen me in the yard but he liked it. And he likes what I've done. I'm no where near finished but what has been completed fills me with joy and tonight as I looked around and took in the color and neatness I told Jay, "I think Tina would be proud!"

So here's a little tour of some beauty around the outside.

This trellis of confederate jasmine was here when we bought the house. It is so fragrant and sits at the corner between the garage and the back door sending it's sweet odor straight to your brain every time you walk by.

I'll have to be honest and say one of the things that sold me outside was how many gardenia's Tina had planted. That is my favorite flower and now they surround me all summer long. Here is the first bloom so far.These are the gardenia's at the side of our house. They will be filled up in a month or so. Afterward, they will have to be trimmed back. They're one of those things we let get away from us these last few years.

Our beautiful Magnolia tree in the back yard

I wasn't kidding when I said Tina took her home and yard seriously. She put together a binder of info and included a detailed map of her back, side, and front yard. I guess maybe I should start adding to it!

This was really long but I've always wanted to tell the story of our home. It's special and I appreciate the love that went into it before we bought it and the love we've added. I'm sure there are details I've left out and some of what I was trying to convey might have gotten lost in translation, but let me assure you I don't claim to be Martha Stewart. I'm just a wife and stay at home mom that is finally finding the time to do some justice to the beauty I inherited.

Girl's Weekend June 4-7th

2009-07-02T22:48:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago I had a girl's weekend with two of my old school best buds, Kelly and Elsa. We had a great weekend at a condo at Wild Dunes. We did nothing but talk, lay out, enjoy the beach/ocean, and the pool. It was very relaxing to get away and have some adult time.

We did get out on Friday night and enjoyed dinner at Magnolia's and then some beverages at the rooftop bar at the Market Pavilion Hotel. Where else but Charleston? I love living here! Saturday night we ate at Off the Hook on Sullivan's Island and I highly recommend it for anyone wanting a low-key seafood dinner. We finished up Sunday morning with a brunch at Sea Biscuit Cafe. It was some great eating and once again, highly recommended.
I can't say enough about how relaxed I was after this weekend. Good friends are priceless and the older I get the more I appreciate them.
Jay and the girls did very well without me, as usual, and I'm lucky to have a husband who's not only willing to take them on alone but does a great job!

Beach Day with Gran

2009-07-02T20:40:00.002-04:00

I am WAY behind on the blog. I am going to try and update as much as possible and schedule them to come out once a day as not to overwhelm. There has been so much going on and it has been well documented but not published. So I'll try to keep the commentary brief, the pics few, and the entertainment value high!

This past week my mom, Gran, came for a visit. It was a hectic week and she was a huge help with our crazy schedule. She got lots of time with the girls and we sent her home full. We went to the beach yesterday and had such a great time. Both the girls love the water and it's such fun to watch Katie Jo, especially, swimming with the waves. Georgia got seriously pooped and passed out on Gran for a bit which was nice because it gave KJ and I time together in the water. We had a great visit with Gran and we're glad she came down to see us!

Talk about curling up with a good book

2009-05-28T22:20:00.001-04:00

This is how I found little Georgia tonight!

Dance recital

2009-05-23T11:55:00.004-04:00

Here is a video of last night's performance and a few pictures of Katie Jo with her classmates.

First Dance Recital

2009-05-21T21:55:00.003-04:00

Katie Jo has been taking dance since Jan. She is in a combo class of tap and ballet. She has really enjoyed it and early on we had to make the decision if we were going to put her in the recital. We did and I figured she'd love it until about a month ago when she decided she didn't want to do dance anymore. We had her keep going and she always enjoyed it once she was there. Then on Monday she had a rehearsal at the studio and I'll spare the details but it didn't go well. I was afraid we'd spent a lot of money on a costume among other recital fees for nothing. Well, tonight was her dress rehearsal and she did it! I was so proud! I almost cried when they finished because I couldn't believe she not only stood on stage but did almost all of the dance moves! It was a true proud momma moment. Here are a few photos of her with her friend Carly and then a video of her performance. We aren't allowed to video tomorrow for the real recital so this was my one chance and what I captured was priceless.

Katie Jo is on the end, far right. The tiniest!

Video of KJ singin

2009-05-21T12:00:00.001-04:00

Updated video: Katie Jo didn't sing today at her school but this morning before we left she was a singing maniac!
Also, I reloaded the plane video so if you wanted to see it scroll down to the Air Show in Beaufort post.

Child's Day Out program

2009-05-19T14:49:00.004-04:00

This morning Katie Jo had her program at Child's Day Out. She looked very cute and could have passed for the part of a performer but alas did not sing a lick when it came time. I did get a video of her the morning singing one of her favorites.

Air Show in Beaufort

2009-05-19T14:17:00.006-04:00

Sunday when we were getting ready for church Jay mentioned going to the air show in Beaufort. They only do it every two years so we figured we might as well try to go. After quickly getting things together we went to Sunday School and then scooted out and were on our way.

It was pretty neat! The planes were loud but we had some nifty ear plugs. We sat and watched, ate lunch and Jay took Katie Jo to see some of the planes up close. It started raining at towards the end and they called off the rest of the show. We missed seeing the Blue Angels which was too bad but hopefully at the next one we'll catch them. Fun day!

Might want to adjust the volume to low for the video. The planes were REALLY loud when they flew by but the speed at which they move is amazing!

Pics, pics, pics

2009-05-16T12:44:00.004-04:00

A few weeks ago we thought the pool was open. We got dressed, ready and walked to it only to find it closed. So we quickly recovered and I sent Jay to Walgreens to buy the cheapest sprinkler he could find. He did and man has it been a huge hit. KJ had the best time that afternoon and played in it for over an hour. I guess we got a good watering for our yard as well! Georgia wouldn't go near it but had fun watching.

This may be one of the cutest shots ever!Her hair is completely out of control. It is so curly now and we have no idea where it came from.

This is how I found KJ the other night before I went to bed.

G's big cheese smile

G's surprised face

I straightened her hair that night after bath. Curls are cuter and they were back in full force when she woke up the next morning!

I went to preschool on Tuesday to see G in her music class. She was super excited to see me and didn't sing a lick! She got a hand stamp at the end and was so proud to show it off!

Katie Jo turned FOUR!

2009-05-15T18:49:00.009-04:00

Katie Jo turned four, two weeks ago! I am so slack getting this out and I apologize. We had a very nice and simple party for her here at the house. We invited her classmates, her friend Reilly Kaye and our next door neighbor Jack. We grilled hot dogs, ate cupcakes, played outside, and opened gifts. It was a perfect party! My parents were able to travel down and Aunt Joni came too and we appreciated having some family here to help celebrate the big day. Her birthday was May 2nd which was a Saturday so that was nice to wipe it all out in one fatal swoop.

We started the day with her family gifts. Jay and I gave her a doll house and an umbrella. Georgia gave her a tinkerbell costume. She got many nice cards, money and gifts from all her extended family and we appreciate everyone thinking of our big girl on her big day! :)

We partied from 11-1 and then everyone had naps except for Katie Jo! She played with all her new stuff and watched her new Tinkerbell movie from Aunt Joni. Afterwards, we went to the pool and then out to the China Buffet! Such a great day!

Family gifts and cards displayed on the hearth

Isn't Georgia patient? She enjoyed watching Katie Jo open her gifts.

Notice who's in the back ground playing with the doll house! :)

Getting excited about her party and showing off her princess cupcakes.

Everyone got to become a princess that day including Lexi!

Strawberry Patch

2009-05-10T22:18:00.000-04:00

The girls and I went to a local strawberry patch a while back and had such a great time. Now that I'm not working anymore (my temp part-time job ended at the end of March) we've been able to get out and do more field trips. This was time well spent. Both girls loved picking but G did more eating towards the end. Check out the size of the strawberry in the last photo. It must have been two that formed as one. We ate all the berries we picked within two days so that tells you how good they were!

Bee City

2009-05-10T20:25:00.001-04:00

Right before Easter the MOMS club I'm in went to a place called Bee City. It's a Bee farm and they make their own honey but they also have a sort of zoo. For $6 the girls and I got to walk around and feed the many random animals. It was a lot of fun and we'll go back soon. Katie Jo loved feeding the monkey's and Georgia was a huge fan of the rabbits!

Inaugural Beach Day 2009

2009-05-10T19:32:00.000-04:00

We had our first day at the beach a couple of weeks ago and here are a few shots from our time at the IOP county park. It was VERY windy and not super warm but the girls had fun anyway. We've been back a few times since then and KJ especially loves the water. G loves playing in the sand and burying my feet!

Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-10T15:17:00.003-04:00

I've had a very nice Mother's Day with my family! Jay bought biscuits this morning and I got a sweet frame with a picture of me and the girls already in it and the new Michael J. Fox book. We went to church and then sat down to a yummy lunch. I know mom's aren't supposed to cook on Mother's Day but when both can be done in the crock pot I don't think it counts! Aunt Joni made banana pudding and we were set for our afternoon naps. Now it is pouring down rain and thundering like crazy but that's good for all the flowers I just planted!

I hope everyone else has had a relaxing day where ever you are!

Squirrel on the loose video

2009-04-20T13:46:00.002-04:00

Easter afternoon we spent time with my family at my grandparents house. While there my grandparents neighbor came over with a baby squirrel she had befriended. We all got a chance to hold and pet the little fella. After being handled so much he got a little, well squirrely, and climbed down Katie Jo's dress to hide. If this isn't blog worthy I don't know what is.

Easter Weekend Part Three

2009-04-20T08:02:00.006-04:00

Easter afternoon, after church, we went by my grandparent's house to do a few pics while we were dressed up. We didn't get very far since the girls were ready to play and all but we managed a few cute shots.

My Dad, Mom and Brother, Brian, with the girls

My grandparents, parents, and Brian with the girls

Georgi, Katie Jo and cousins Meghan and Claire

After we changed clothes we played, ate a huge lunch, egg hunted, played more and then left late that afternoon. Katie Jo and Meghan had such a great time playing together. They are only a few months apart and soon Georgia and Claire will be able to play together too since they're only three months apart. I look forward to them growing up together! We had a great day but I was so tired I could have died.

This is Georgia's new "surprised" face

Meghan, Katie Jo and Georgia playing with the bubble machine

Claire and Katie Jo

Jay and I didn't get any pics together while we were still dressed up but this one will do, even if the sun was directly in our eyes!

Pretty girl in front of some flowers that matched her dress.

My grandmother made this bunny cake and the kids were delighted!

Egg hunting with Uncle Brian and Pop

Ok, so at one point I walk out back and see my grandmother's neighbor talking to Jay and my cousin Eric and his wife Carla. Then I notice that Jay is holding a squirrel! It was a baby squirrel that she had befriended. I didn't get the whole story but watching that squirrel climb around was something else. Everyone got a chance to hold it and pet it. Katie Jo and Georgia LOVED it! That is an Easter memory I will not soon forget.

Mama and Georgia

Easter Weekend Part 1

2009-04-19T15:12:00.001-04:00

Saturday morning we went over to my mom and dad's house so they could give the girls their treats. The girls were most excited about their Minnie Mouse cups and then we had an egg hunt in the house. They loved finding the eggs. Georgia even got good at shaking the eggs to make sure there was a treat inside!

After all the egg hunting Gran let the girls decorate some cup cakes she had made. The girls had a blast! Katie Jo took it very seriously and decorated several of the cup cakes with jelly beans, m and m's, and sprinkles. Georgia also took it very seriously. She took a bite of cup cake, shook sprinkles on it, and took another bite! This went on until the whole thing was eaten and sprinkles were distributed ALL over the place.