Happy Birthday!!

This past weekend has been full of fun birthday parties. Friday night we headed to Onyx Gym for Kinsley's and Anna Beth's 4th Birthday party. As always everyone had a great time.

Sadly, the only picture I got of the birthday girls they were not smiling. I hope that they had a great birthday!

Saturday morning, we headed to Huntsville to Kendall's 3rd birthday.

What a great way to spend time with our friends.

Kiddie Carnival Fun

Last night we had a fun night playing at the Kiddie Carnival. Lots of our friends were there to play too.

Now I Know

How to write my ABC's.

Earlier this week, I worked in my classroom getting it set up early so I will not have to worry about it closer to time. Katie Lee and Mother went too. Mother was great help. Katie Lee had a ball. This was right her ally. She played school and sang all day long. She constantly gave out stickers and put kids in the time-out chair that she made. She also loved writing on the white board. She wrote the entire alphabet across my back board. I think getting to write on the big board made it more fun.

Splish Splash

How do you stay cool in 100 degree weather in Alabama in the summer? Play in a splash pad!! Wednesday we met up with some friends for water play and a picnic lunch. I was slightly worried when I pulled up and saw 3 bus loads of kids there to play too, but it worked out great and was never too crowded. The girls had a blast.

Outside Project #1

Last week, Donnie had the week off from UPS. He worked even harder at home working on the first flower bed. He is such a perfectionist when it comes to things like this and would not hire any help. I think that it turned out beautiful and I am very proud of all that Donnie did.

We spent a couple days locating all of the plants that we needed. Thanks to Carol Barron for helping me know what plants we needed. Donnie then spent a couple days getting all the wild grass that had grown up in the flowerbed, then he had to move in several loads of dirt, level the bed, and add all the nutritious soil.

Before pictures:

Finally it was time to begin planting. He dug all of those big holes with post hole diggers. I think my arms would have just fallen off especially with those 3 large trees. He did get help moving those because they were so heavy.
During:

Finally he added mulch and the project was finished. He planted about 65 things. I think it turned out great. Maybe when we get to do the rest of the yard, I will be able to help out more.
Final:

Time for Dessert

For dessert on Saturday, I made Not Yo' Mamas Banana Pudding. It is a wonderful light and refreshing summer dessert.

image from PaulaDeen.com

How to make this:

1 12-ounce container frozen whipped topping thawed, or equal amount sweetened whip
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
2 cup milk
1 5-ounce box instant French vanilla pudding
6-8 bananas, sliced
2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies

Directions

Line the bottom of a 13x9x2-inch dish with 1 bag of cookies and layer bananas on top.

In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend well using a handheld electric mixer. Using another bowl, combine the cream cheese and condensed milk together and mix until smooth. Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and stir until well blended. Pour the mixture over the cookies and bananas and cover with the remaining cookies. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

What a Lunch!!

Yesterday, I hosted a lunch for my mother's sisters and my cousins. Everyone was asked to bring a favorite salad. It was wonderful. The food and the company was great!!

I forgot to get a picture of the table before we all served ourselves, but it looked delicious. This is a picture of our plates.

The girls enjoyed a picnic. They also made some crafts which they loved.
They also tried to play outside but it was just too hot.
The little ones had a good time, too. Here is Langdon, almost 4 months, who has learned that he loves his fingers.
Baby Harper did not miss a beat even if she is only 5 weeks.
I couldn't pass up a picture of these two in there coordinating outfits.

Did You Know

Today is Chocolate Day!! What a great excuse to eat chocolate. In honor, I made Gooey Double Chocolate Brownies.

I made it super easy. Use one packet of fudge brownies.

9 Dove candies
Ready to bake
Enjoy it while it is still warm with vanilla bean ice cream.

Hope you have a sweet day!

4th of July Fun

This weekend has been full of lots of fun for our family.


Saturday afternoon, Donnie hung his new swing from the old shade tree. This will provide us lots of fun times.
Sunday night after church, we headed over to Glenda's, one of my SSM sisters and co-worker), for a 3rd of July party. This is the 20th year this family has had this huge celebration. I was amazed at the amount of people there. They had a great band, lots of good food, and family fun.
Katie Lee truly enjoyed herself and made some new friends.
The ice cream man also stopped by. This was her first trip to the ice cream truck.
The band had lots of entertainment for the young at heart too. Like the Hokey Pokey
and the Chicken Dance which she is a pro at both.
We left and the party was still going strong, but we had another visit to make at the Goodin's.
A heavy game of Rook was being played. Blood pressure had to be checked. HA

Monday was a lazy day by the pool. This is the life!!
Monday night, we had supper at Mother and Daddy's house. Mother had the table all decorated pretty.
Katie Lee sporting her dessert. Star-shaped marshmallows on a stick.
About dark, we headed to town to watch the fireworks.
Our little family.
These two little ones looked adorable in their red, white, and blue.

Baby Helums Update

I am 17 weeks!


Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 17 Weeks
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 4 lbs by my scales at home which I weigh weekly. At the Dr's office, they said I gained 5 lbs
Maternity Clothes: Not yet, but I think it will be coming soon. My big dresses have become my best friends.
Gender: We will find out next doctors visit!!
Movement: I don't think so
Sleep: I'm sleeping pretty good!
What I miss: Nothing really - maybe sleeping on my stomach?
Cravings: nothing
Symptoms: heartburn--hopefully that will get better with new meds today
Best Moment this week: Doctor's visit yesterday and hearing the heartbeat. 160!