Summer sisters

Two peas in a pod playing together....

If only I could get them both to smile for the camera (and look at the camera) at the same time!

I love this one b/c it is Rhodes' constant face at our house - admiring/checking out what Big sis is doing....

We had a fun week this week - Ali went to her first camp! It was a little nursery camp at our church, Tuesday-Friday from 9-12. Ali loved going and seeing all of her little friends every day and Rhodes and I had fun getting a little one on one time (I feel so guilty b/c we never get it) and running errands just the two of us.

I am having so much fun these days watching these two play together and laugh together. Rhodes literally laughs any time Ali pays attention to her. It is the sweetest thing. Now that Rhodes is a crawling machine and loves to pull up, I am really starting to see their personalities come out together and it reminds me of how my mom used to talk about how I would terrorize Ty growing up. Ali is definitely the Miss Priss and likes to be the center of attention and Rhodes is Miss laid back/instigator and she completely adores her big sister! If ever I say, "Oh look at Rhodes, she's crying/clapping/fell down/fill in the blank", Ali will immediately respond "Look Mom, I'm crying/clapping/fell down/etc, too!". All of a sudden, Ali prefers to play with Rhodes' toys over hers and will happily push Rhodes to the side so she can play with them. (although she would never want to hurt her sister) Rhodes, in turn, cracks up as Ali gives her a little nudge, elbow, pushes her over, etc. (as I see it all go down and jump up to help Rhodes, only to catch her cracking up as she gets tossed around instead of crying!) Rhodes now also loves to play with anything and everything her sister touches and it drives Ali crazy! I hear Ali going "No, Rhodes!" or "Mama, Rhodes is playing with MY toy !!" from the other room as she tries to play with something Ali is playing with, and again, Rhodes cackles!! Little instigator. These are just funny little things, but they are also so very sweet to eachother. If Ali starts crying or gets her feelings hurt about something, Rhodes will start to cry too for her sister and immediately stop when Ali does. Melts my heart. If Rhodes wakes up from a nap and starts to cry in her crib, I sometimes find out she is awake b/c Ali will say "Mama, I need to go check on Rhodes" as she runs into her room. These are precious little moments and I am loving watching their little relationship form as they play together. I love these two for their opposite personalities and their sweet demeanors. Ali told me today, as she drank her milk "to make her bigger" that I also need to drink milk to get bigger b/c I was WAY too little. Way to win over points with your Mama, Ali! I pray that these two will grow up to be the best of friends and always love, protect, care and want to be with eachother as much as they do today!!

PJ sisters playing with Rhodes' new favorite toy - and Ali's too! (as long as Rhodes wants to play with it, that is!) Rhodes loves to stand now using her very muscular thighs!

First day of camp for our big girl!

Rhodes getting to play with her toy all alone for a little bit!

Happy Friday!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all of the Dads in our lives!! Ali and Rhodes love their daddy with all their heart and think he is the greatest daddy in the whole wide world! (Reminds me of how much I love my own dad and am grateful for him!!) Thank you daddy for all of your hugs, love, silliness and fun we have with you!! We knew from day one that you were the best dad we could ever ask for!

Ryan becoming a Dad - holding brand new baby Ali 11/8/06
Being silly with newborn Ali

Becoming a father of two - with brand new baby Rhodes 10/2/08
Bonding with newborn baby Rhodes
Our first picture of Ryan with both of his baby girls!

We love you, Ryan!! Happy 3rd Father's Day!

Feeling hot, hot, hot!

Man, it is hot out there! And, it's not even officially summer yet!! There will probably be a lot of pictures like these the next few months.... We are LOVING the pool and there every chance we get!!

Ali ready to hit the pool!

Rhodes and Papa relaxing in the pool - she LOVES splashing in the water!

I had to get a picture of this little bit pulling up and ready for a bath! Love her!

Fun with friends!

I love these pictures above!! Three little amigos! Our little family feels so blessed for Ali & Rhodes to have such fun little friends since zero, but even more blessed that we love their whole families. It is always such a treat to get together with close friends like the Holles & Tidwells - we not only always have fun hanging out with their parents, but the kids love being together, wear eachother out and play so well together! (and give their parents lots of time to talk as they entertain eachother!) We are so grateful for such fun friends!!!

I have been bad about taking pictures of anything lately so had my camera out finally last night to catch some pictures of everyone....


The daddies and their littlest babies. We can't wait for baby Brittain to get here to even out the group!
Rhodes and her friend, Beau!

These three...
Ali and Bennett in deep conversation

Mayor-etta

It's official! My dad is running for Mayor. Let the campaigning begin! I feel like I have heard my dad talk about his desire/dream to run for mayor for as long as I can remember and we are so excited for him. His love for the city of Marietta is strong and (if elected) I know he will serve the city well - we are so proud of him & behind him 100%!

http://www.mdjonline.com/content/index/showcontentitem/area/1/section/15/item/134829.html

My girls

I love these two little girls with all my heart!

Having fun playing in the kitchen - Ali is telling me which box I need to get in here. (notice she has already put Rhodes in her designated box (lid - or as Ali calls it "lib) behind her.)

Big blue eyes!
Sweet girls in a box - who knew how much fun a few boxes could be!


Hey sister!
Sweet Ali
A shot of all 3 babies... (Baxter sneaking in the background)

8 Months - where did my baby go?

This past week (Tuesday), Rhodes turned 8 whopping months! It was a whirlwind week filled with playdates, pool time and just staying busy! I am amazed at what big changes Rhodes went through just in the past week. The day she turned 8 months, she started crawling. We are still working on it and she is not a complete "crawler" yet, but she will crawl a little bit before getting tired and crashing. She also started pulling up and loves trying to be a big girl and standing briefly. One major transition this week was that her babbling turned from squeals to lots of "da da" or "ba ba" and I love it!! She is talking up a storm. Now, if only I could get her to say the most important word - Mama! :) She is waving and clapping now too! We made the transition finally from the carrier in the car to a big girl seat - so now the girls are in matching car seats. (Except Rhodes faces backwards) We are starting more foods too (more pick up foods like cheese, pieces of bagels, yogurt bites, puffs, etc) and I am slowly weaning her to the bottle/formula. It is all so fun, but also makes me so sad to face the fact that my little baby is growing up before my eyes. :( I am going to keep babying her and holding her as long as I can!


The girls - I could not get either one of them to participate and smile for the camera!

Ali will be 31 months tomorrow. She is growing up soo fast! Lately, she has not been wanting to pose for pictures for me (she likes to show her independence quite often!), but I got her to pose for this one by telling her Bennett would get to see it on his computer! :) We had a playdate with Bennett and Beau one day this past week and it was so fun - those two are two little peas in a pod. When we were saying goodbye, Ali & Bennett hugged goodbye and Jill and I were talking and looked down to see them both puckered up and then go in for a kiss! It was too cute!

Year 30

It's official - as of yesterday, I am officially in my 30th year of life! I will turn 30 in one more year!! I think growing up, I thought the age of 30 was OLD - funny how that perception changes. I now feel 29 years young - sometimes I feel like a 20 year old stuck in a "mom of 2" body - and loving it! Anyway, I hope to make this 30th year the best year yet - I'm trying to come up with some goals to achieve by the time I turn 30. A whole year of possibilities! In the meantime, I wanted to write down my favorite memories of this year's big 2-9 celebration.

-Celebrating on the square listening to the Beatles cover band (The Return) with the city of Marietta's 175th birthday celebration on Friday.

-Walking to the Farmers Market on the square the next morning and back with Ryan and the girls.

-Taking a 2 hour nap!

-Waking up to notice my husband was missing - turns out he was out getting my extremely dirty car cleaned/detailed (he found a present in there for a newborn that is about to now turn two - I am a mess!) He also took my car to get emissions done while out - too bad my car failed the Emissions test. This is my 3rd Jeep (2nd Jeep Grand Cherokee) and I have had so much trouble with it - it's only 8 years old - isn't that early to fail emissions??

-Going to celebrate Ali & Rhodes' friends' birthdays at the pool with the fam

-Rushing home to find a limo waiting outside of our house - fun surprise!

-Fancy date night with Ryan - much needed and so much fun!

-Coming home to find Ali still awake - running to greet us on the front stoop and yelling "It's your birthday, Mama!!"

-Going to wake Ali up on my birthday and being greeted by "Happy birthday Mama!!"

-Spending the day at the pool with the girls & family

-Spending the afternoon/dinner with my family

It was a fantastic weekend and my family & friends made me feel extra special - I do not want to forget a moment. Of course, ever since Ryan and I have been married, I have woken up most mornings to "Birthday" - by the Beatles and this year the tradition continues... I am excited for what this next year will bring! 30 does not scare me! :)