Tumble, Run, Jump, and Swing...

These 2 sweet girls started gymnastics this past week, and had the best time.  I was so proud of them for just jumping in doing everything their teacher Miss Molly told them to.  The only downer was that Molly was very sad that she wasn't able to go to the class as well.  Stinks that she isn't 3 yet, but when she does hopefully there will be an opening.

 

See she is a monkey...

These 2 had a pretty good time watching their sisters during gymnastics...

Update on Renae...

I keep forgetting to give an update on my friend Renae that broke her elbow...it turns out she did have to have surgery this past Tuesday.  She goes back for post op on Mon, and then should be back to normal as she can be for the time being.  I love Renae to death, and I was very fearful that this would change our Race Date that we have every year!  Isn't that so nice of me to only be concerned with the race...not really, I was very concerned about here.  None the less, the race is still on...I know you all were worried.  Anyway, thanks to those who prayed for her, please continue to think and pray for her as she continues to heal.

Just in the spirit of our upcoming race in a few weeks...this is from last year at Talledega!  Get ready Atlanta, we will be hitting you by storm in a few weeks!

MDO...Round 2

This girl has gotten so big over the last few months.  I get more and more amazed how every day when I look at her she is not my baby anymore.  She is growing into such a big girl, and I am loving every minute of it.  She started back to school today in the same MDO program that she was in last year.  Since her birthday is in Sept, she misses being able to start 3 yr old PreK, but that is ok.  We LOVE her teacher Mrs. Weida, and Molly will now be the big girl in class and can "help" Mrs. Weida.

 

I love that she is getting bigger, but sad at the same time.  This is my baby and she doesn't seem so "baby" like anymore.  I do however, love that she still loves to cuddle with me.  That is my very favorite part...

 

Here she is...about to walk out the door!

 And of course we need a silly face...

 Very different from last year, she wouldn't let me take a picture of her and Mrs. Weida until the end of the year last year...

 Here they are at the end of last year...so much change in just 3 months...

New Pool Toy...

So this week Nana Flynt unveiled a new pool toy she found at Academy...and it was a BIG hit.  Ashley and Russ are in town this week, so we have enjoyed not only eating with them almost every night but playing in the pool.  The kids at first were very hesitant with the new toy, but then figured out how to bounce each other off.  Then it became really fun for them. 

 

Here are the big kids...not sure where Holt went.

Then the younger ones got a turn..even Molly and Paisley who thought it was hilarious.  And if you see Amber, this is how they got from side to side.  Ashley and me took turns pushing them back to Amber.  

The best was when Russ decided to jump on it (fully clothed mind you) and ride it across the pool.  It was hiliarous and I am so sad I didn't catch it on camera/video.

 

You can tell we have a great time hanging out together, and you never know what will happen when you get all of us together.

 

Love family time!

Magan's Last Day...

For the past 8 years or so, I have seen Magan grow to this beautiful young lady.  Her dad is the music minister at our church, and she just like her dad has an amazing voice.  We were so fortunate to have her take over babysitting the girls (and Carter when out of school) in January of this year.  What a blessing she has been to me and especially my kids.  If I have heard it once I have heard it a thousand times...my Sweet Magan is coming or when is she back from vacation, etc.  She has sung, taught them cheers, danced, colored, played, taken them to park, swim, library...so many things.  She has given of herself for my 4 rotten kids, and I think she loves them just as much as the love her.  The hardest thing for me when I decided to go back to work, was how are my kids going to do?  And let me tell you, they haven't missed out on anything!  I feel comfortable leaving them everyday because of the sweet, godly young women we have had babysit them. 

 

Through Magan, they have also had a chance to meet Boaz...her boyfriend who is in the military.  I love that they are learning about what he does and what he is doing for our country.  They even got to talk to him most days she was here.  And let me tell you even when Magan was on mission trip, vacation or whatever, we prayed for her and Boaz every night.  These girls and Carter love her so much. 

 

Sadly, she is leaving on Thursday for SBU in Bolivar, MO, so her last day with us was today.  She ended up bringing her sister Hannah with her and they took the kids to Chuck E Cheese.  I tell you she does not disappoint.  They love that place and were so excited that they got to spend their last day with her there.  I know they kids will miss her so much, and I will miss her too.  I can't say enough about her, but have no fear we have already secured her for next summer or anytime she comes into town and wants to stop by!

 

Their last photos together this summer...

Just some of the past silly pics they have taken...

And what would a Magan post be without Boaz...

We sure do love you Magan, and wish you nothing but the best with your freshman year of college...don't forget us!

Once in 8 years...

Just for the record, we have lived in this house 8 years (or will be in Sept) and I have never seen a snake in my house!  So, yesterday we came home from church and the girls went to take their normal afternoon naps, I was watching the Nascar race (again typical), and Chris and Carter were headed to Nana Flynts to mow.  Well, I heard Kennedy yelling for me from the bathroom, so I headed that way as she was probably needing help wiping.  When I got in there she said very calmly...there is a snake in the bathroom.  I said WHAT!!!! and thought she was kidding.  Kidding she was NOT!!!  There was a snake in the bathroom.  So many things start running through my head...where is Chris, I need my phone, is it poisonous, how on EARTH did it get in there?!?!?!  Many, many questions. 

 

None the less, I wiped Kennedy got her off the potty and told her to go back to her bed.  I did not take my eyes off of this snake, as it was not going anywhere else in my house.  I ran and got some tongs to kill the snake you see, and as I went down to get it, it slithered away behind the toilet...by this time Chris was on his way home, and I was just again waiting and watching making sure it didn't move. 

 

Creepy.....

 My hero came home and had his tools ready and waiting...

 Normally, I don't freak out with snakes, especially if they are outside in God's creation, but I do care if they are in my house and get creeped out then.  I did make Chris KILL this snake, it found its way in once I am sure it can do it again! 

Thank goodness Kennedy didn't freak out, I mean really it seemed more scared of us then she was of it.  She freaks out with dogs and cats, but not with snakes, I will NEVER understand that.  

A Shopping Surprise...

Much to our surprise yesterday when we were out for our Family Shopping trip we found our 2 summer babysitters out shopping as well.  It was so funny to see the kids faces as these 2 girls walk in with their friends and families.  I honestly think they love our kids as much as our kids love them.  These 2 young ladies are some of the best I know...

 

Magan is holding Molly and Kennedy, and "Big" Molly (that's what the kids call her) is holding Bailey!

We have been so blessed by these two ladies...