Supper Club

We had our first "Supper Club" on Monday night! It is so funny to me b/c I've heard my parents generation talk about having supper clubs for years but never thought I'd be in one! lol! Someone suggested we start one after we had so much fun at a "thank you for helping us move party" that Ashley and Wes hosted. We all agreed that we would love to make it a weekly...or at least monthly event! This week, Robin and Jeff were our gracious hosts. It was the first time I had gotten to see their beautiful new home. It is absolutely gorgeous! I loved everything about it...they have done an amazing job. We had really good food and even better fellowship! I am so grateful to count these friends among my many blessings!

Finally...everyone is smiling, eyes open and in forcus! h/h

These 3 are hilarious!

Can you tell we were having fun?
Ashley B is the only one who succeeded in capturing the "Charlie's Angels" look!

Laney and Anna Kate were more than willing to pose for their own funny picture!

Wes, Ashley, Mason, Brad, Robin and Jeff
Stormy, Me and Ashley B
*Stormy's hubby, Tony, had to work late and missed getting in the pic. :(

Swimming Success!

I am thrilled to write this post! I'm so proud of Anna Kate! She is making incredible strides in the pool. She has been taking swimming lessons for two weeks and has gone from floaties and a life vest and refusing to put her face in the water...to the video I've posted below. Now, she is absolutely loving every minute of being in the pool! The videos below are of her swimming to Mason and then of her with her swimming instructor. :)

Puddleducks & Boom Boom Lights

Here are a few more pictures from this past weekend with Hudson and Melissa's family. I took these on Sat evening. The kids LOVED the time they got to spend in the pool. AK is taking swimming lessons this year and has been making progress, but Maxwell may have helped her even more than her instructor! He convinced her (w/ the help of Melissa) to go completely underwater so that she could wave to him. Ever since then, I'm thrilled to report that she's gone underwater on a daily basis!

The remaining pics are of the kiddos playing with sparklers. Anna Kate has always called fireworks, "boom boom lights". That has stuck and I anticipate that being what Grace calls them as well. :)

Maxwell and AK waving to each other under the water!

Olivia

Maxwell

Grace was happier to be on the side "observing"

Papoo launching Maxwell

Nana also gave AK lots of encouragement!
She was the only one that AK would jump to!

This is the first year she wasn't too scared to hold one!

Maxwell and Olivia with their sparklers

CH-E-E-SE!!

They're Here! They're Here!

The Pope crew from Georgia are in town for the 4th and Anna Kate could not be more excited! We've had a great few days with them. I'm so thankful that my girls have cousins so close to their age that they can grow up with. The bonds between them only get tighter as the years go by. We've enjoyed lots of swimming, really yummy meals and lots of Wii time! lol We've had a great visit but we've missed the White clan and Em and Adam. We know it won't be long til we're all together at the beach! Yeah!
Today was also my neice Abigail's first birthday. We were excited to get to be at her party. She's such a cutie pie!
We hope everyone had a happy and safe 4th of July! God has truly blessed our nation. :)

Flag cake the kids and I made

Olivia and Maxwell were really good helpers!

Little Miss 4th of July! :)

A very quick, sweet smile.

Grace really likes Olivia...you can tell she has experience being a big helper with babies!

The beautiful birthday girl, Abigail Grace

Mmm...yummy cake!

Swim time!
Grace loves her new float!

Anna Kate is getting better at it...

It's hard to catch all these little tadpoles in one frame!

Always the daddy's girl...

Texas-Sized Fun!

We spent the past several days in Longview, enjoying some great times with Emily and Adam. The girls had SO much fun! I can't even begin to tell you how much they (we) enjoyed the visit. Em even hosted a small belated bday party for Anna Kate and Grace on Thursday night...complete with an ice cream cake from Shake's (YUM!!). We all had a great time and I can't thank Em and Adam enough for all they did for us. We love you guys and can't wait to come back soon to meet Abbott!! It won't be long...3 weeks and counting!! :)

Her bday Care Bear from Emmy & Adam...she loves it!

I snapped this of AK while she was coloring...she looks so grown up!

Monkeying with Em at Texas Roadhouse

AK was loving having them all to herself!

Me and my wonderful hubby :)

Family pic time!

Uncle Adam with AK and Grace...he is THE best!

Mason with his girls on Father's Day.
I am so incredibly blessed that God gave me this man for my husband and for the father of my children. He is the most giving, most patient, most supportive man on this earth and I have no idea where the girls and I would be without him. He is amazing with them and they love him unconditionally. There is nothing he won't do for them. He gives them his time, which to me (and to them) is the greatest gift of all. We LOVE him SO much!

Build-A-Bear Fun!

Anna Kate got a gift certificate to Build-A-Bear from our friends, the Bolin's. She was SO excited! She's always begged to make one and we've just never gotten around to letting her do it. It was definitely a memorable experience. She loved every second of it! I'm sure this will be the first of many trips that we will be making in the future. Special thanks to Ashley M for going with me to Monroe and helping with the girls, also to the Bolin's and Robinson's for the gift certificate and bday money. Anna Kate thoroughly enjoyed spending every dime you guys gave her!! Here are a few pics of her special day. :)

She knew immediately that she wanted to make Hello Kitty

She thought it was SO neat to "stuff" her!

Grace wasn't nearly as impressed...

The finished product! Hello Kitty looks cute as can be!
Thanks to Ashley M, Grace didn't leave empty handed. She bought her the precious little lamb, which she loves!

Princess Party Pics!

Here are some of the rest of the pictures from Grace's first birthday "princess" themed party. I had intended to get these posted earlier but at least I'm finally getting them on here! She had a great time and we really enjoyed celebrating her special milestone with so many loved ones. :)

Sweet Sisters, morning of Grace's bday

Grace strutting her stuff in her super cute outfit (tks Paula!)

Posing with her wonderful great grandparents, Memaw and Deda

My dad, Grace and her other great grandmother, my amazing Mamaw

My Aunt Theresa and Uncle Jimmy made it for the party!

Anna Kate looked so big and so pretty

Grace taking a quick pic with daddy

The beautiful princess cakes...they were perfect!

Grace's gift from Mason and I...she loves it!

AK helped open all Grace's presents

She seemed especially impressed with this doll that my cousin gave to her

Anna Kate and Julia enjoyed the black icing! lol

Grace and I with my loving grandparents, Mamaw and Pa

Last pic of the day, she had played hard and was ready for a bottle and bed. :)