Let's go to the beach!

When my parents came to town we went to the beach to relax and spend some quality time together. It was beautiful weather and even better company. 

I love this picture of my mom and Lucy! They love being together!

 Hank and Papa Newt hung in the shade with Fave. 

 I just love this girl

 Getting ready to work on her sand castle

 Grammie helping the girls in the sand

 Ring around the Rosie

Tippi Toes Dance Recital 2012

Our Tippi Toes recitals were a hit this year! We had over 350 dancers and nearly 3000 guests come through our doors this weekend. All the classes did amazing -but my favorite of course was Lucy and Lola's class. They were adorable. They did 3 dances; Candy and Cake, Ice Cream and Music Box Ballerina. The girls were awesome. They danced the entire time and loved being on the stage - imagine that :) After their show - Lucy wanted more - she stayed and watched a few more numbers with my mom. After they got home we played "dancer recital" at home it was so sweet. 

Backstage!

 After getting her make up on

 Lucy and Lola's class - Lola' was getting make -up on at this point. 

 These girls just shined!

 Our special guests - my parents!!! This was a very exciting year for me since my girls were in the show and my parents were in the audience! 14 years and this was my very favorite!!!!

 Lucy and her best friend Lelani

My mom - she taught me it all!

So it is mother's day...my first with 3 children (3 1/2, 2 and 10 months) I love this day not because I am a mother but because I learned from the best mother - my sweet mom. It is amazing the impact our moms have on our life - from the moment we are born as we grow up. Even though I live far from my mom things she has taught me I carry with me every single day. I do so many things like my mom - or at least I try too. My mom is so great at making moments count, making them special and making people feel special. She is a giver and she has more patience than 100 mothers. She is loving, gentle and kind. I am lucky my children have her as their Grammie. 

As I am aware of what my mom has given me it puts that much more pressure on me to try and be the kind of women she is. I want my children to feel like they were raised with the unconditional love my mother give me everyday, I want my children to always know that no matter what the circumstance I am on their side, that I will always be there for them, and that I am their biggest cheerleader. I feel that from my mom and it means the world to me.  My mom also has showed me the most important thing - how important marriage is. Anyone who knows my parents knows they are in love...I used to think it was funny when they would kiss and snuggle in public (DAD!) but looking at my family the single most important thing I can do in my children's life if to love Adam - It is not hard and the best job but the most important. My parents solid marriage and love has made the biggest impact on my life! Thank you mom!!

I could not have a better mom and for this reason it is her day - Happy Mother's Day to the most wonderful person in the world! I love you mom!!

This is one of my favorite pictures - Lucy and my mom doing what they do best - A TEA PARTY and "chatting"

Nobody gives snuggles like Grammie!

 And of course getting pampered with a little make-up from Lola!!

A busy weekend

Lucy on her roller skates! She is getting to be a pro!

 Tea Party time!

 Cheese!

 Girls and their silly faces!

 Hank wishing he had just one boy toy...sorry Hank!

 Lucy told me for mothers day she was going to clean the sink and take out the trash. She cleaned the sink for 30 minutes straight and it has never looked better!

 Lucy had her first big kick this weekend at kickball! She did so amazing and ran the right direction...which many don't so we count it as a plus! I was one proud mom!!

 After the game Lola wanted her chance for her big kick and she did great!!!

 We went to hang out with Adam at the ball park!

 Hank Loves Sammy!

 And so does Miss Lucy...Lola - likes him from a distance!

Look - NO HANDS!

That is what I shouted during church today when Hank was just standing there. It was only for a few seconds and I think I scared him enough that he quick sat down but he did it. He is all over the place and would much rather hold onto everything and walk around a room than crawl anywhere. I was feeling he was getting pretty confident and then he proved it! I think we will be seeing a lot more of this! Way to go Hank!
And don't you know...I don't have a picture to prove it!

Busy Busy

May is always such a busy time of year for our family...and I am sure yours too! Adam is knee deep into the baseball season, Tippi Toes is coming to an end and recital time May 19 & May 20, school parties, birthday parties, kickball, and Tippi Toes is busy, busy, busy - that update later!

Here is what we have been up to!

Visiting Adam at the stadium - girls love hanging out here!

 Hank has fallen in love with Carla - our cozy coop!

 Lucy's cousin Gannon sent her and Lola this picture and she is totally in love with it - and actually has been carrying it around for a few days!

 Adam spoke to the local Rotary club - there were about 200 people there and Hank and I snuck in the back. He was amazing!!! He was so funny, and had every ones attention. I was so proud of him! 

 Hank loving loving loving the park!

 Lucy and Lola teaching their "children" Tippi Toes!

Then came - the big storm. I was home with the kids and Adam was at work. I would typically say I am tough but the storm was SO LOUD and the lightening so BRIGHT! The electricity went out, Hank woke up - scared to death and I was shaking. I could not reach Adam and my phone signal was weak. 

When my phone started working, Adam called and was yelling - "What the heck is this a tornado". None of us knew it was going to be this bad so Adam was on the road headed home. He ended up having to pull over and get under a bridge. I forgot to mention that earlier that day when I was picking the kids up from school we had to take shelter for about 20 minutes. It was all around a nutty day. 

Here is the car wash on the main road by our house. 

 The tree in our front yard

 The tree in our back yard. The limb actually fell on our neighbors home - they are saying there wasn't damage and I am praying not - but it is still laying there - now the fun part dealing with waiting in line for tree trimmers. 

Here is the picture of our swing set.