Mia is THREE!

Mia turned 3 on August 3rd! It blows my mind that she could possibly be this old! She has made the transition in looks and behavior from baby to little girl. Mia brings so much laughter and joy to our family. I hope she forever has her cute way of talking and her relaxed outlook on life! Her favorite pastime these days is playing babies. She can spend hours tending to her little ones - nursing them (ha-ha), changing diapers, etc. - and is quick to tell me "I'm the Mommy!" if I interrupt her. May she always stay so innocent and carefree! Mia has a precious, sweet spirit about her and a compassionate, big heart to match.

We celebrated Mia's birthday with a party at the Creative Discovery Museum. They have a new Clifford the Big Red Dog exhibit, and Mia was sure to tell us it was the REAL Clifford! She had lots of fun playing at the museum and seeing many of her friends from preschool. Here are some pictures from her big day and two of my favorite new pictures of her. How much does she look like her Gigi in these pictures?!? Happy Birthday to our little Mimi!!!

And here are some of sweet pictures of Mia from birthdays past. Sorry for the long posts, but I love my girls!

At birth . . .

1st Birthday . . .2nd Birthday . . .

Happy Birthday (a month late!) Gracie!!!

Our Gracie-girl turned six years old on July 3rd! Where did the time go??? It seems just like yesterday, Bart and I were bringing her home from the hospital and sitting on the couch crying - looking at our beautiful baby and not knowing what in the world to do with her! Gracie is such a special girl and we are so blessed to be her parents. She has always been mature beyond her years and the most observant little girl. Her mind is running and planning from sun up to sun down. She works on her projects - whether it be writing a book, decorating her playroom, making birthday cards, etc. - with such diligence that I cannot wait to see what she becomes when she grows up. We love you Gra-Gra!!!

We celebrated at home on her actual birthday and had her party on July 5th at the Country Club pool. She had so much fun swimming with her friends. Bart and I both commented that we think she had more fun at this party than any one of her previous shindigs. She really seemed to enjoy herself and just being with all her buddies. And her "mermaid" birthday cake was too cute! It looked exactly like her invitation and tasted great too.

Here are some pictures from her party. Check out Miss Beckley Manning going off the diving board - only a few of the older kids went off the diving board, but Beckley already has it mastered at age 2! Do you think she could be Keyla's daughter?!? Happy Birthday Gracie!

Here are some pics of Gracie from birthdays past . . .

1st Birthday . . . (Bart and I look like babies too - guess 3 kids have aged us!)

2nd Birthday . . .
3rd Birthday . . .

4th Birthday . . .
5th Birthday . . .

Watercolor July 2008

We traveled back to Watercolor (neighbor of Seaside, Florida) in mid-July for a week at the beach with our good friends - Larry, Ashley, Luke & Annie Reed. We had a great trip - beautiful weather and lots of laughs! The kids all played very well together and enjoyed being roomies for a week. Henry and Annie are only five weeks apart in age, so it was cute to watch them finally notice one another. The guys got in a few days of golf, and somehow Ashley and I squeezed in a little shopping! Here are some of my favorite pictures from our trip. Forgive us for dressing our kids alike for beach pictures, but they looked so cute matching - they are going to get even with us one day! Enjoy!!!