Wedding Prep!

Jon's sister, the girls' Aunt Beth, is getting married in 6 weeks!!! We've had Mackenzie's flower girl (or as Mackenzie calls it, her princess) dress for a while, and I wanted to make sure she wasn't going to outgrow it before the ceremony. I took some pics to pass on to Beth, and couldn't resist posting them here. (On a side note, AJ's nephew Preston, who is about 6 months younger than Mackenize, is the ring bearer. Mackenzie has told me countless times that she's the princess, he's the prince, and they're going to dance together, like on the Taylor Swift song. Her words, not mine!)

Full body pose...

With socks...

Without socks... (I love this picture!!!!)

I swear she is imitating Marilyn Monroe! Too cute!

One of my favorites!

Poolside!

We FINALLY made it to the pool! Last Friday was Jon's final week of 4 day work-weeks and having Fridays off (only during the summer), and it was cool enough for all 4 of us to go to the pool. Of course, Mackayla and I only watched, but Jon and Mackenzie had a blast!

Kaitlyn's 3rd Birthday!

We went to NC last weekend for my niece, Katie's, 3rd birthday party. My dad went with us, and we loved being able to spend time with my sister and her family. Since they moved 2 years ago, it's been hard to get everyone together.

Katie had a Tinkerbell party!

I thought it was hilarious that Katie opened EVERY card and pretended to read it! Mackenzie enjoying watching her cousin open her gifts. I love this serious face!
I am almost too embarrassed to post this video. Mackenzie has never done this before...she blew out the candles instead of the birthday girl. I'm only posting it because it is kinda funny. :)

However, we had a nice chat about it, and she won't be blowing out anyone else's candles!

Mackenzie on her 1st 4-wheeler ride--she loved it. Jon and the kids rode for literally hours that day!
Michael and Mackayla
Stephen and Christopher with Mackayla

Mackenzie with a gorgeous butterfly

This picture cracks me up...we're all looking and walking in different directions. I have no clue why I was staring at the hill?!
On the way home, Mackenzie had a snack of M&M's out of Mackayla's bottle lid--what a nut!

Wow I feel old...

After spending time with my sister and her family last weekend, I was reminded of how much her kids have grown. My prime example: her oldest son, Michael. He was 5 when Jon and I got married. I was in the 8th grade when he was born, and he was my whole world. I babysat him as much as Michelle would let me, and we were inseparable.

Now he's 13, taller than me, and such a handsome guy!

I adore the young man he has grown into, and can't wait to see the man he will become.

Beth and AJ's Wedding Shower

On Sunday, July 12 we celebrated the upcoming marriage of Jon's sister Beth and her fiance, AJ.

Jon's Aunt Lisa and her daughter Kristen did an awesome job with the decorations and food table. It brought back lots of memories for me--Jon and I had one of our showers at this fellowship hall over 8 years ago for our wedding, and one of Mackenzie's showers was held here as well.

The cute, yummy cake!

Beth had a few little helpers: Mackenzie and her cousins Kaylee and Josh (who managed to duck out of the frame everytime I tried to take his picture!) They were very good, and only helped unwrap presents when they were told it was ok!

Aunt Lisa loving on her newest niece!

Mackenzie took a spill and landed on her knee (although from the angle I saw her fall, it looked like she smashed her face into the floor--thank God she didn't) and Grandma Joyce made it better.
"The Man Corner"
From left to right:
Jon's dad Papaw Bill, Jon's Uncle Terry holding Mackayla, Jon, AJ, and Jerry, a super close friend of the family.

My big girl was exhausted by all the pre-wedding fun.

(Yes, she's playing oppossom)

A Day in the Life...

Here are a few pictures documenting what we three girls do most days.

Mackayla and Mackenzie cuddling on the couch.

Mackayla swaddled and sitting in her boppi.

Still in the boppi--her favorite place to lounge around! Look at that smile. It's the first one I've caught on camera.

On this particular day we actually made it to the park for a walk and some soccer.

The geese followed us around the walking trail, from one pond to another, and then on to the grassy field.

Mackayla wasn't too sure about all of this. (Mackenzie shared her much-loved Pablo stuffed animal with her little sister!)

4th of July 2009

We went to Charlotte for the Fourth to celebrate with Jon's family. We stayed with Aunt Beth and AJ, who just moved into their new house that week. They threw an awesome party, with lots of friends and family. Here are a few of the pictures I took, when I actually remembered to use my camera!

Jon, AJ and friends playing Bocci Ball. It looks like AJ is aiming for Jon with the ball, but I promise no one got bonked on the head! Mackenzie blowing bubbles, compliments of Ms. Kim and Brooklyn. Mackenzie and Brooklyn watching the guys shoot firecrackers. Mackayla sleeping the day away! Mackenzie in her first kiddie pool!