Happy 5th Birthday Ava Nicole!

A little hard to read the number 5 infront of birthday. Time flashes before my eyes, and just like every year I think back on Ava's arrival! So scared we were, yet so overjoyed to finally have our miracle girl arrive safe and sound.

To say she gives me a run for my money, well that would be an understatement! She is seriously the sweetest most empathetic little girl, yet at the same time smart and sassy! She is loving kindergarten, is tormented by her brother (yet loves him at the same time), loves nature, is creative beyond belief, so artistic, loves music, loves to dance and is full of personality! We are so lucky that God knew we needed an Ava in our lives and are so better because of it! We are blessed beyond belief! Here's to many more precious girl, we love you more than life itself!

Here are just a few pictures on her actual birthday. The party post will come soon!

Ava eating her traditional birthday breakfast, enjoying a few presents, and her 3rd cupcake of the day!

First Day of Kindergarten

Yes, you read that correctly...kindergarten! Today was Ava's first day of school. I can't believe that my sweet girl is ready for such a big day. She was a little apprehensive as she is going to a different school this year, but I know once she meets her new friends and see all the wonderful things her new school has to offer she will love it! Not to mention she only has 10 kids in her class...talk about a lot of individual attention!

I was more worried about myself than her, however walking into the school and seeing how loving her teacher is my poor heart was put at ease. Seriously, it sounds crazy put leaving her there I was truly at peace knowing that she is loved and well taken care of.

Poor Bennett took it harder than anyone. It was so pitiful to see him run to her room yelling "ada" "ada". He will have the biggest adjustment.

We picked her up at 2:00 and the biggest smiled beemed from her face! She was so excited and actually eager to go back the next day!

We feel so blessed to have such a wonderful, nuturing school to send our sweet bean to and look forward to all the wonderful things she will learn in Kindergarten!

Sweet Summer Time

Warning...very long post. What a whirlwind of a summer, but an amazing one at the same time. So blessed to be able to stay at home during summer break and enjoy the freedom of lazy days and soaking up every last waking moment before Ava heads to kindergarten. To say we were busy...well see for yourself!

We had so much fun as a family bowling one Sunday afternoon. I almost won, but caved to the pressure in the end.Ava got to go to Miss Jan Walker's Children's Gallery art class. She had SOOOOOO much fun that week, and it was worth every penny. Her favorite part was getting her knee neep. My brother and I went to this same camp when we were little and it brought back so many memories. Miss Jan really channeled Ava's artistic talent and we will definitely go back next year!BB loves to wear sissy's hand me down purple helmet and "ride" the trike.Ava girl and Mimi had a special weekend, just them and got to go see Toy Story 3! So after church I tried to snap some shots as Bennett ran around. Nothing in this world sweeter than a tan, meaty legged boy in a sweet summer bubble.Can you see the curls in the back? NEVER cutting those off!Directing traffic on Laney RoadSeriously melt my heart!We signed Ava up at The Swim Center. She did Amazing and exceeded our expectations. She was not afraid as she has been in the past and was one of 2 out of 10 kids to get promoted to the next level. So proud of her!By day 2 she was swimming by herself, face in water, holding her breath. She even dove down and picked up objects off the bottom of the pool.Lining up to jump off the diving board. She marched right up with no hesitation.Whoops missed it. Trying to take a picture, video tape and watch crazy b was one to many tasks for me. She almost jumped over her instructors head. She then swam by herself to the other end of the pool.SO PROUD!You know I couldn't leave out a photo of wild thing. It was over 98 degrees and no shade at the pool. So for 5 days he drank jumbo sized waters...all of it! Here he is sweating and sippin on his water...in his sunsuit of course! Messy Marvin...I can't keep him clean. He could eat a slice of bread and be a mess. We enjoyed time at the lake with Granny and Pop. Bennett wasn't too sure about his floatation device...Well, needless to say he decided he wasn't having it!Ahh...this is better!My precious little lady. Her favorite thing to do was find "shells" off the bottom.Nothings better than spending a hot summer day with great friends. This is our best attempt at a group shot.Eating pizza picnic styleJust floating away with her shades on!

What a wonderful summer, and I am so sad to see it end. Great family, great friends, great memories and great times make my heart full.

Happy 4th of July!!!

My sweet little firecrackers were raring to go on the 4th of July! You know I had to have them matching firecracker outfits. Precious if I do say so myself!

Not quite sure if he was yelling at something or just excited to be wearing his firecracker bubble. As we have done for the past 6 years, we headed over to our friends the Robertsons for some pool fun & fireworks over the lake.

Ava had fun swimming with her friends.

Marisa helped the girls roast marshmallows by the fire pit. The kids enjoyed sparklers.By the time the fireworks started over the lake, sweet B had enough. He was so tired and all he wanted to do was snuggle. I didn't mind a bit! We hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July, and we are so thankful for all of those who risk their life so we can enjoy our everyday freedoms!

God Bless America!

Our Sweet Cupcake's 1st Birthday Party

Today, we celebrated sweet B's first birthday with about 45 of our closest family & friends. Ironcially enough, June 5th was my due date...so we thought it was the perfect day to celebrate. To say I had been planning for months was an understatement, and with much help from my cricut machine...and my wonderful mother we planned the perfect day for our sweet boy! I loved every minute of getting ready for his party and was so happy to have all our favorite people brave the 95degree heat and spend their Saturday with us. I was a little worried at first as there was a big chance for rain, but no rain on B's parade...only a good bit of wind (which was a relief from the heat). We ate a yummy lunch & the kids ran & played. The adults huddled under the tents to stay out of the sun.

It was a great day and so glad that we were able to make some special memories for our sweet Bennett Parker! Of course I took a tons of pictures, so I had a hard time narrowing it down...but here are some of my favorites!

My balloon wreath that we made. We use it for all the birthdays. So easy to make...all you need is about a 140 balloons, straw wreath and floral pics. I added scrap ribbon just to make it different.I made a banner with all of his "monthly" photos...from 1month-12months. It was so neat to see how much he has changed. Kiddie table...all the tables had pinwheels and pictures of Bennett during his 1st year. A party wouldn't be complete with blue & green candy! Thanks to Mimi for helping me make the lollipop tree & tissue pom poms
Birthday cones for the kids and all their sweet treats All ready for the birthday boy! My boys! Glad they look nothing alike! Precious angel in his special birthday outfit that we made him.Bless them...they were so hot! Bennett and his lady friends. They are so sweet to him and he had about 9 big sisters that day! The Best of friends!
The bubble bin was a huge hit...Quinn and Josie especially thought so!

Bennett and his best bud Bode playing with bubbles Favorite activity of this 1year old...eating a yummy lunch! My DIY "Happy Birthday" Banner, cupcake tower & cupcake toppers. Thanks to Bliss Bakery in Mcdonough for all the cakes & cupcakes. They were amazing! Any birthday is not complete without a giant cupcake (that seriously was the best cake I've ever eaten), bib and party hat! Wasn't too sure about being the center of attention...unlike his sister.

Poor B...he really was a red as his face looks in this picture. We didn't push it. Sang happy birthday for the camera and video and let the poor thing calm down. A burpie and daddy make it all better. He was so tired and was a little overwhelmed by all the people stareing and singing to him Pinata time! No candy in here, just goodies! After a much needed cool down and nap
Cruising in his new ride. Ohhh...he was mad! Out he kept yelling at her! Get your own car sissy! We attempted round #2 with the giant cupcake after his nap and a little play time. Still unsure about the cupcake. Shocking considering this boy will eat anything and everything.
Sweet meaty fingers!

I wish my eyelashes could be so long. Oh and his tan would be nice too!

Okay daddy...so there is cake in there. Hard to tell with all the blue icing and marshmallows.

After the party

Brave Uncle Chris with one messy baby boy!

Do you like my hat? Thank you Lord for Mimi & Papa & Gigi & G-Paw! They came super early to help out! I'm usually behind the camera...so finally a few with my bugs!

Hot & sweaty...but hey everyone is at least looking in the same direction!

Sweet girl! She had so much fun with all of her friends and was the best girl! Oh PLEASE NOT ANOTHER PICTURE!

After everyone left, we went out and had some family "bounce" time. So much fun just to laugh and play together. Needless to say...I could barely walk the next day.

He LOVED bouncing with daddy and laughed the whole time. No words really needed for this picture...
Round #3...As you can see 3rd times a charm...he LOVED IT!
Many Many thanks to all of our wonderful friends and family who made his day so very special. Each and every one of you holds a special place in our sweet boy's life and it wouldn't have been the same without all of you there. All of you mean the world to us, and we are so blessed to have you in our lives!