Family, Friends, and Babies

We recently had a very  special night with family and friends!  Lindsey and her family were here for the weekend, and many of them had not met Lillian yet, so it was lots of fun showing her off.  Even more special was getting to see Lindsey with two of her lifelong friends and their children!  We have so much history with all of these fantastic people, and it is such a joy to still be a part of each other's lives!  Marnetta, Stacy and I have been friends for over 30 years, and my history with Gloria and her family goes back even further!  Our grandparents and parents grew up together! There was lots of laughter, lots of passing around babies, lots of reminiscing, and hopefully lots of new memories were made! Uncle C was at the beach, so he missed the fun.  I can't wait until we are able to get together again.

First, a little early morning snuggle time with Pop!

 Meeting two very special ladies for the first time - Marnetta and Aunt Di
She already thinks Marnetta is funny!

Charli and Alanna soon arrive with their cuties!  Addie Grace was born in January, and Jim and Lillian were both born in May.  Look closely - they may or may not be holding their own bundle of joy!

 Here are the mommies with their babies! (I am so sorry that Maddie is not in this picture!)
 Just a few random shots!

Lots of snuggling!

Hands down - the best big sister in the world!!

 

 Jonathan and these ladies go way back!!

I had to rewrite this post a couple of times, because I found myself getting a little "sappy".  Make no mistake though, I feel blessed to have such wonderful family and friends!  This circle of life thing is a pretty amazing thing to witness and be a part of!

Everybody Say Cheese

After eating out one night, we hit the beach for some family photos.  A nice young lady was gracious enough to take our group picture for us!

I think we clean up pretty good!!

Sun, Sand and Waves

I simply love everything about the beach - sun, floating in the ocean, watching the parasails, dolphins, ocean breeze, eating out- I love it all!  However, what I loved the most this year was having all of my family together under one roof!  I like to get up early and be at the beach by 7 or 7:30, and I stay all day!!  This year was a little different.  We took turns staying in the house with Lillian.  Those times were my favorite this year.  There is nothing quite like snuggling with a precious newborn!! 

Beautiful - even on a cloudy day!

 Can you tell how much this one loved the beach?

Playing in the sand!

Little Slugger!

 Burying Lindsey!!

I am ready to go back!!

Next up, beach family photos!!

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Twenty Six

Twenty six years ago (after 39 loooong hours of labor), we welcomed a beautiful baby girl into our lives.  We could never have imagined what a blessing she would become.  I also am not sure I can express the joy we feel now when we see her with her two beautiful little girls.  Wow - time really does fly!

Happy Birthday!!

Uncle C surprised her with this birthday cookie!

Our birthday girl and the original Princess of the family!

Peach Park

Maddie spent a few days here with us recently.  When it was time for her to go home, Papa and Grandmother rode with us to meet Lindsey and Lillian at Peach Park.  This was the first time Grandmother and Papa had meet our new little one.  We had a wonderful time watching them get acquainted!

Not only can you get great food and ice cream here, you can also ride horses and cows!!

Lillian and her great-grandparents!

Bama Bounders

Pop and I enjoyed a morning with Maddie at Bama Bounders in Tuscaloosa.  This is a wonderful outing for children 18 months to age 4. I think it is offered two mornings a week.  For $5.00, they can play, run, jump, climb, roll and simply have a great time!!  I highly recommend it!  Maddie loves it.  She attends Tumble Bus classes at home, so she really enjoys it!!

Doesn't this look like fun?

Lindsey spent most of her childhood on her head like this!  I wish I had a dime for everytime she said, "Count and see how long I can stay up?"

So much fun!!!

A Day in the Life

Life as a princess is tough work!  Make no mistake about it - Maddie takes this princess stuff seriously these days.  According to her, Princesses don't take naps, can eat ice cream whenever they want to, and can stay up as late as they want!  She had two perfect guests the other day that attempted to make all of her Princess dreams come true!!


First, they enjoyed playing in the pool!

Next, when they came inside Maddie was treated to a pedicure and had her hair fixed!  She was in princess heaven!!

Thanks Girls!!