Short But Sweet

We enjoyed a long weekend getaway to Florida with Nana (Drew's mom), and Michael and Emily. We were also blessed by some fun time with Laura and Brent and their two precious kids who now reside in sunny FL. What a great trip!!

We packed it in since we only had two full days there. We enjoyed some beach time on Captiva Island, where Sydney for the first time really got into playing in the sand. In the past when it came to sand, Syd's experience consisted of tasting the sand, and an overall sense of uneasiness about playing in it (getting her hands dirty is not one of her favorite things). This trip she ended up covered in it, and was a very happy camper:) Drew and I found ourselves building castles in the sand with her, and it sure was fun! Sadly I hadn't done that in years. It brought back so many great memories from our family vacations to Hilton Head. Dad would always build the coolest creations......seriously people would walk by and stop to get a good look. I remember him most often making a "dead man" which resembled a man washed up on the beach. Anyway, Drew, Sydney, and I's creation wasn't even close to being as cool. We've got some practicing to do. We also enjoyed some delicious seafood, fun time in the pool, cheering on the Vols, a little shopping, and some nice walks. Thanks for such a memorable trip!

The Mundies

Is this not precious?!

Syd's new fave friend...Emily!

Sweet Parker

Ponytails and Lake Watauga

I have blogged about Sydney's hair recently but here I go again, because woohoo! she's got enough for a ponytail, if that's what you call this;

Syd cracked me up one evening as we were playing with our hair and the camera. She has learned to expect the camera to flash when we count to three and say cheese, so this is the face we've been getting;

Drew and I enjoyed Labor Day weekend with some of our friends at beautiful Lake Watauga. We made the trip last year as well except we had Sydney with us. This adventure was Sydney free:) ... Thanks to mom and dad! It was so much fun. I didn't take many pictures but the snapshots I got were from our "Awesome Off." As we learned that weekend from the Millers, an "Awesome Off" is where each couple teams up against the other couples in random events such as paper airplanes, water balloon toss, rock skipping, corn hole, catch phrase, trying to whistle while eating crackers, and these;

nut spitting

grape toss (We came in 2nd overall)

Lions and tigers and bears! Oh my!

Sydney and I have been blessed to be a part of a play group through church since she was only a few months old. We've enjoyed many play dates with our friends at the nursery at church, various parks around town, Sara's pool (Thank you!!), and the ZOO!! Today was an adventure at the zoo. We had perfect weather, and the animals seemed to be the most active and visible as I've ever seen them. I don't think the zoo is something only the kiddos enjoy. We enjoy it too!! The picture below was one of the neatest things I've witnessed in a while. This baby gorilla is George, and is just over a year old. He was playing right up next to the window, and is tiny! This is him nursing in his momma's open and loving arms! So neat!! I could have watched him all afternoon.

Sydney enjoyed the animals.....for about 10 seconds per animal, then she was ready to move on. This truck though was definitely a hit! She fought me when it was time to get out. She loved it.

Sydney and Carter crusin' together with Miss Sara as their chaperone.

With our friends Katie and Collin.

Sydney and Bishop explored together in the indoor kids play area. If you haven't been to the zoo, this area alone is worth a trip. It is full of different stations for the kids to learn through hands on fun, such as a play grocery store, kitchen, hardware store, tunnel, dress up area, and even smaller animals like frogs, rats, rabbits...to look at as they play.Very cool place!

Telling Aunt KK bye, TWINS, and a Trip to Montgomery!

Katie made the trek back to LU to start her junior year. Where did the summer go?!We sure are going to miss her. We love you and are praying for you.

Great time with Natalie, Lincoln, and precious Emory and Isaiah.

They are such dolls, and are getting so big!! Drew had the magical touch with Isaiah.

Sydney and her new friends. She looks like a giant:)

Over the weekend I finally got to meet baby Nolan!! Hannah and Jeremy are dear friends of ours that live in Montgomery. Hannah and I grew up together, went to college together, and now get to share in the journey of motherhood together. What a blessing!! Jessica and Sara also made the trip to meet this new sweet miracle. Lots of laughter, good eatin', and great conversation made for a wonderful trip! Drew and Sydney want to meet Nolan next time, which better be pretty soon!!

Hannah and Nolan

New Babies!!

Congratulations to Joel and Emily on their new baby girl Josie, to Seth and Katie and their sweet baby Emery, and to Michael and Stephanie, whose bundle of joy Carter arrived earlier today. It is such a blessing to see these miracles from the Lord. What a mighty God we serve!

Some days it feels like yesterday Sydney was born, and other days it feels like she's always been part of our family. We are thankful for her and the gift she is. She blesses us daily with her unconditional love, laughter, and smiles. She even blesses us on days like today where she is sick with a little cold, and overall pretty grumpy:) I think she may be getting some new teeth, which usually goes hand in hand with a red bottom around here. Poor thing!

At the moment she is being pretty sweet. As I'm typing this, she wandered off into her room to read books. I just checked on her, and she's sitting on the floor with books all around her just talking up a storm. The only word I can understand coming from her room is "hello"....Yesterday and today one of her favorite words has been "dilia," which means LYDIA!! Lyd's here with her family for a visit so they've had some good time together.

Good Time with Gramps

Sydney's finally got enough hair for a bow!! We've waited 18months for this!!

Beautiful Utah

Syd, Drew, and I just got back from a long, wonderful vacation in Utah. After a trip out there we always come home feeling rejuvenated and reminded of God's power and love. His creation there is utterly breathtaking, and it never gets old. From the beautiful mountains, to the bodies of water, it's a taste of heaven on earth. We are thankful to be able to go there and cherish every minute of it.
We were blessed to have Matt and Gabby and Michael and Emily join us for part of the trip. We enjoyed our visit with them so much. Syd loved getting to spend such good time with her uncles -- thanks Uncle Matt and Uncle Michael for teaching her her latest, hippest dance move. I wish we'd gotten it on tape! Thanks again for coming yall!!

The gang enjoying the sunset before a bonfire

The second part of the trip my mom met us out there. We are always blessed by time with her. Not only is she a ton of fun, she's also an example to me. She is constantly looking for ways to serve others. Sydney sure loves her Grammie (she calls her mammie). Thank you mom!!!

Taking a breather during a bike ride

Good times in the hammock

Hiking part of the way to Mt. Timpanogas Cave

We laughed the second half of our trip at one of Sydney's newest words....Ohgooguy....any guesses as to what she means when she says this?! She repeatedly said this word, so we knew she wasn't just jibber jabbering. It really meant something. We finally figured out she meant MOTORCYCLE...there are lots of them in Utah and she never missed one going by. Mom thinks we need to get her ears checked:)

Kentucky and Father's Day

A shout out to Hannah and Jeremy Vest who welcomed Nolan Robert into their family June 17th! We can't wait to meet him. Congrats to big brother Titan. If he's feeling neglected and needs to talk things through with Millie and Flash, he can give them a call!

We were finally able to make a trip to Sturgis/Morganfield, KY this weekend to meet Caleb Thomas Hagan born to Keely and John Tom Hagan on May 6th. He is such a sweet baby boy...I just couldn't get enough of him. We sure enjoyed our visit there (as we always do!) and of course it seemed way too short. We enjoyed some good cooking thanks to Keely and John Tom, fun times in the swimming pool, a special rose bud ceremony in honor of Caleb at their church, and lots and lots of catching up. I am so blessed by and thankful for our friendship. Here are some pics of our fabulous weekend. I already can't wait to see Keely, JT, and K-LOVE again soon! Love you guys!

Caleb

Happy Father's Day!! I am so thankful for the dads in my life. My dad holds such a special place in my heart. I can't begin to describe how much he means to me. I love you dad.

It has been such a gift to watch Drew be a daddy to Sydney. She loves him so much...I can't tell you how many times she says "daddy" throughout the day while he's at work. There is nothing he doesn't do as her daddy, and best of all he is teaching her what it means to love God, and to pray to Him. She has just started saying Amen after prayers. She is also a good present giver....she thought of her Mommy too with her gift. She gave Drew (and I) tickets to the Keith Urban concert...you better believe! Thanks Syd!

Oldie but goodie