Favorite New Toy

The day before Ella's birthday, my mom called to

ask how I felt about Ella having a touch screen gaming

device of some sort. I actually hadn't ever considered it because

thought she was too young. Boy was I wrong, she can do more on

it than Brandon or I. We went with the Kindle Fire because it

offered the most that the whole family could enjoy. I can read books,

Brandon surfs the internet, and Ella plays games.

I immediately knew that we would have to set some rules

as I refuse to have a child glued to a game all day, and so

far she hasn't had a problem with it. If she wants to play a

game she first has to complete one of the learning exercises

that I have downloaded, but she doesn't mind because they

are pretty fun as well.

Thanks Mom, we all love it!

Like A Little Fish

This is the first summer that Ella has gone to swim

lessons with Mrs. Kidwell. She has gone every day

this week and loved it. The first couple days she started

with the noodle and Hannah for support.

 When I came to pick her up on the third day she had a

surprise for me. The same Ella that can't stand to get water

in her eyes, won't take a shower, and constantly asks to wipe

her eyes when swimming was now going under water on her

own and was loving it. Hannah even gave her a popsicle

for going under, and she was super excited to get home

and tell Dad and Grandma what she can do.

 Then by the fourth night she was all the way in the deep

end and swimming on her own with just words of

encouragement. "You can do it Ella, long arms and quick feet"

I am so glad we did this and we will for sure continue next summer.

Thanks Mrs. Kidwell!

Summer is...

playing outside until dark and then catching

fireflies for your bedside table,

new swimsuits for Grandma Cindy's pool,

 setting up a tent just because "Grandma Joni said we could",

 eating lots of yummy sweet corn

 from our favorite produce patch girl,

watching the Shoals fireworks from our favorite

spot with friends,

 Playing and working so hard on the farm all day

that you can't keep your eyes open by early evening,

 and helping Dad wash the vehicles in the drive.

Summer, you are going so quickly and we

will sure miss you when you have gone!

Ella is super excited about 5

So this post it a little late, but back on June29th

our first born, baby girl turned FIVE!

And she was really pumped about her

Birthday morning wake up balloons
(so much so that I had to sneak in her room

when she was asleep a week later to get rid of them).

She requested that we go to the park, but is was just

WAY TOO HOT as I'm sure you all remember. So we had a

special birthday breakfast and just hung out all day.

Then her grandparents and aunt and uncle

came over in the evening for pizza and cake.

Grandpa Jay's birthday was the next day so

pizza was fitting since it is kind of his favorite also.

Unfortunately, I called all the moms and told them we would

have to reschedule Ella's birthday party with friends for another

weekend. I didn't think running around in a bounce house in 104 degree

weather sounded like a good time for anyone.

Ella,

We are so excited for all the things that this year will bring

for you. New school friends, after school activities, learning to read,

and Mom and Dad learning to set back and watch more as you become

the beautiful person you are meant to be.

"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not

to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" - Jeremiah 29:11

Vacation Bible School 2012

A Day for Dads

Highlights of how we honoured those amazing

men in our life this year.

Tattoo Trip 6.16.12

So Taylor was itching to get her first tattoo and asked if I would take her.

Well, of course I was needing to get Ryder's name since it was a year overdue.

So I jokingly mentioned to her mother that I was going to take her darling

first born for a tattoo and was fully expecting a "the hell if you are".

To my surprise not only did Mindy not mind but she said "Only if I can

go and get one too" or something to that effect I don't remember as I was shocked. 

It turned into a whole family affair.

Taylor even got a hand hold from Dad and a thumbs up from Mom.

I actually thought it was a very lovely choice for her first tattoo.

Yay for no tramp stamps! Hehe.

We were there a long time, but we all waited patiently.

I think Brian and Jason's patience had something to do

with the very handy location of the liquor store next door

and a big comfy SUV to sit in.

Courtney got BELIEVE in Disney font with "pixie dust" around it.

Mindy honored both her Great Grandma Grove and her

Father-in-law Mike for her first tattoo. 

She chose the Calendula Marigold which is the flower for

October in which they were both born. How sweet and beautiful.

Sara chose to get the names of her boys on her wrists

and had them shaded in their eye colors. Really very cool!

And I FINALLY got around to getting Ryder's name.

I knew I wanted it to be small and in handwriting, so I took samples

from several family members and Ashley was the winner.

I ♥ it very much.

Strangely, the guy working at the front desk at the parlor was also

named Ryder, and the guy who was in line in front of us had his son Ryder's

name tattooed on his back.

After getting our ink we headed to Hooters for wings at

the request of Jason. I think this might have been the only reason he tagged along ;)

Then I was very tired so I asked Allie to drive us home. Allie and Taylor sat up front

and Courtney and I rode in the back while Taylor schooled us the whole way

home on current music and dance moves. I guess we are officially old now because I

couldn't stand most of it, but I haven't laughed that much in a very long time.

One great night.

Cool or just plum crazy?

So yes as you can see from the above pictures, my five year old

has had her first experience with hair color. I went back and forth between

cool and just plain dumb and I decided it would look too cool not to. Right!?

After all she does have an all too willing beautician for an aunt. It was a very

spur of the moment decision. Actually, I had the idea about 10 minutes before our

appointment for a trim. Love my spunky little girl, but now I'm not sure what I

started as she is already requesting different colors for NEXT time. Oh and in case you can't tell by the bad picture, we went with on purple and one turquoise streak. LOVE you Aunt Brittany.

P.S. Dad wasn't even mad, Yay