COUSINS

Here are a few more pics from recent visits with Tyler and Mallory's cousin, Kyla. It is hard to believe she'll be six months old in a few days!!! They just love spending time with her - we are so blessed to have them live nearby! (And, we LOVE babysitting, too!!!)

TYLER'S FIRST BRAVES GAME

Tyler and I treated my dad to a Friday night Atlanta Braves game for his birthday. The three of us had a blast - especially since it was Tyler's first experience at a Braves game, let alone his first time to Turner Field.

Tyler and I outside the stadium.

Tyler and my dad (Papa) before the game.

It was Star Wars night at Turner Field. There were people dressed up, as well as characters involved with the actual game. Storm Troopers stood by the coaches and umpires as they got ready for the start of the game.

On the big screen, all players (both Braves and Mets) were dressed up as Star Wars characters. Tyler loved it. This is Brian McCann, Braves catcher and Tim's long lost twin. ;)

An incredible firework show put on every Friday night home game. Totally worth the wait.

END OF THE SUMMER FUN

The Clifford Family (Mike, Allyson, Madelyn, and Preston) were gracious to invite us over, along with some other great friends of ours, to a family get-together to celebrate the end of the summer. Kids' waterslide (check!), plenty of food (check!), and drinks for the moms and dads (check!) kept this night fun and festive for everyone!

Mallory and Madelyn taking turns on the slip n slide.

Preston enjoying the cool water.

Tyler on the slip n slide.

Tyler and Lexi taking a break from the sun.

The guys playing golf toss.

Mally taking a break to cool off.

Heather Shroyer, Allyson Clifford, me, and Michelle Higgins.

Tyler and Summer having fun.

Moms lost a bet with our husbands' golf toss game. WE had to do the slip n slide!

A SUMMER VISIT FROM "AUNT SUE SUE"

My sister, Suzanna (aka: Aunt Sue Sue), came in town from Denver for a very generous week. We were able to spend a lot of time with her, which is always wonderful. Not only did the kids see her a lot, but I got to spend one on one time with her, as well as a night with the two of us and Tim. One thing we didn't do a lot of was take pictures. Go figure. We have a new camera and we don't even use it when she is here for nearly 10 days. We chatted too much! ;)

She and my mom came to Mallory's ballet/tap class. This is the ONLY picture I took! (OOPS!) Luckily, it is a good one!

HILTON HEAD ISLAND 2011

Once again, we returned to our most favorite place this summer, for a week of fun in the sun, back in June. We had the wonderful company of our great friends, the Clifford Family, for the second year in a row. Between our two families, we managed to take HUNDREDS of photos, so Allyson put together a video slideshow of the best of the best - and let me say, she did a great job! What a wonderful keepsake!

http://youtu.be/9ryIfDV2ZFs

GYMNASTICS, THEN BALLET/TAP

Mallory did gymnastics for a few months last year, but decided to try ballet and tap this year. Once class into it, and liking it already! Here she is with her preschool pal, Madeline, at their first class.....

And, her gymnastics class from last year.

TYLER'S FIRST DAY OF FIRST GRADE

Yep, that's right, my baby boy is in first grade. After a fantastic year of kindergarten, we we are hopeful that this year is just as great. Here's to a fabulous year of reading, learning to tie his shoe, and (hopefully) loosing his first tooth!!!

My handsome (and very tall!) little man.

MY CREATIVE OUTLET....

My new (personal) blog is what inspired me to get current, again, on our family blog. I tend to dabble in all things crafty, so I decided to start a blog journaling my creative endeavors.
Enjoy!

http://www.mycraftycreativeoutlet.blogspot.com/

GETTING BACK ON TRACK...

Okay, so there is a two year gap in between posts on this blog. You could say we got a little off track! Thanks to Facebook, life with two young children, and everyday distractions. Oh, Facebook. Love it and hate it all at the same time. I have decided to get back on track with our family blog - a much better way of tracking our lives, in my opinion.

Since most of you are aware of how we've been the last two years and what we've been doing, I won't re-cap, we'll just move forward with news and events. Stay tuned because I plan on keeping current this time! :)