Back to life, back to reality

Well, summer is officially over and I am back at school. This summer has been absolutely wonderful. I can't say that I've done anything extremely productive or even exciting for that matter (besides Vegas at the beginning of the summer), but it has been just what I needed. It's not fun to leave this sweet little face everyday,

but I am very optimisitc for a great year. I think it is such a blessing to have a job that you get to start fresh every year, and let me tell you, after last year I needed that opportunity. All this to say, I wouldn't have traded this summer with Payton for anything in the world. While it's very hard to leave her, I am counting my blessings that I have a great job.

Cousins

Payton and Ella played together all afternoon. The girls were so good, and had such a good time. I got them to pose for a quick picture (actually they were staring at the tv behind me, but I take what I can get).

Ella was so sweet to share her juice with Payton!

She also showed her how to play on her really cool toy that she let us borrow!


She even taught Payton how to read while she was here!

Ella, tell your mommy and daddy to send you back ANYTIME!

I just couldn't resist posting this picture from this afternoon. There is nothing better than an afternoon nap on a rainy Sunday.

Sips-n-Strokes

I went to Sips-n-Strokes last week with a few friends. It was so much fun, and I must admit, I was pretty proud of my masterpiece when it was all said and done. Considering my artistic ability (or lack there of) I even surprised myself. If you haven't been, you definitely should go!

What do you think?

I actually do agree, but I think it probably says this for everyone.

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celeb - Collage - Morph

Another great weekend

We had such a great but busy weekend! My friend Ashley and her boyfriend, Mark, came over for dinner Friday night. On Saturday, we headed to Atlanta to celebrate Preston's 3rd birthday. Preston has grown so much just in the past few months! He is such a sweet boy and we were so glad to be able to help him celebrate his birthday.





Then we grilled out Saturday night.


Payton stayed in the nursery for the first time Sunday morning. We have been HORRIBLE about going to church since she has been born. I haven't wanted to wrestle her in the service, but haven't been ready to leave her in the nursery either. Maybe now that we have overcome that we will make it more often.
We went to Waverly to visit Bamama and deliver her new tv. She is living it up with the new 50" plasma! She thinks she is in heaven.


As you can see in the picture, her sitting is really improving.

Also on Sunday morning I realized that she was beginning to cut her first tooth!!! It has not completely broken through, but you can feel it and even see a little white. When I was looking at it today, I noticed there is another one coming in right beside that one! She can't be old enough for this!

5 months

Our baby girl is five months old today! Seriously, where does the time go? I didn't realize how much she has grown this summer until I went back looking at pictures the other day. She is becoming such a big girl! As mentioned in a previous post, she is almost sitting up by herself now. She loves to sit where she can look around and check things out, especially so she can watch Mollie. Very rarely is she content just cuddling in you lap these days. She is really enjoying playing with new toys that sing and light up. We started her on fruits and vegetables last month and have yet to find anything that she doesn't like. I love to watch her face at the first bite. I often think about how terrible it would be to not know what you are eating until it entered your mouth. Can you imagine? However, I get a kick out of it. She can now roll over both ways, although going from her stomach to back can still be a little difficult sometimes. She often gets mad and ends up scooting forward across the floor instead of rolling over. I love that I can just look at her and smile and her face lights up. She just has that ability to turn a bad mood around instantly. Oh, and by the way, she is so stinking excited to have Ella in Auburn starting this weekend! YAY!!

Fabulous weekend...but no pictures to show for it

We have had such a fun few days. Sometimes the weekends that are unplanned and laid back end up being the most fun. On Friday night, we ended up meeting up with Connie and going to Laredo's. Of course, there is never a dull moment with her around. Between telling Hugo that she was rich and wanted to marry him, to buying the last grape Bubblicious gum, she always keeps things spiced up. :) Payton and I went to bed, leaving Jonathan and Connie up playing Wii and listening to Michael Jackson (they're weird, I know). Saturday we hung out with family in the morning and rode around for a while. We had dinner at Trippi and Lisa's and were able to see Allen and Renee'. Of course, we had fabulous steaks, but most importantly enjoyed hanging out with everyone. Little Miss Priss wasn't in such a good mood, but hopefully will be next time we hang out. Sunday we got up and went to Bamama's so Jonathan could get her tv fixed up. It was great to spend a little time with her and watch Payton crack up laughing when she talked to her. We also go to see Mike, Judy and Kayden. Sunday evening we went to Karen and Phillip's for a great dinner with them, mom and dad, and Nancy. All in all, it was a wonderful weekend. It's time like this when I am reminded how blessed we are to have all of our family right here in Auburn. I truly can't imagine living far from everyone. We are unbelievable blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives!