CAN'T. STOP. THINKING. ABOUT. THEM

Does anyone else see something they just HAVE TO HAVE and can't get their mind off of it?> Well, it happens to me often. For example, when Emory was born, I thought there was NO way to leave the house with two kids without a $200 Sit 'N Stand Stroller from One Step Ahead. Bryan kept telling me that we didn't need one and I would never use it. I could not stop thinking about it, so he finally let me get it. Turns out, he was right and I never used it. Luckily, we found someone on graigslist who bought it for close to what we paid for it. Anyway, this time I have found a pair of boots that I am DREAMING about! I mean they are GOOD LOOKIN and I just can't get my mind off of them!~ I'm really glad Bryan just rolls his eyes and agrees that I DO need them (I know he's just saying that to get me to shut up and I'm okay with that!) Here they are.....

While we were at the mall getting the boots, Richard Joseph was offering 'free' haircuts for a donation to the United Way. CC needed a school haircut, so we took advantage! I knew the boot trip was meant to be!

CC made this a while ago!!! Doesn't this make you smile! I'm her hero and I'm skinny!!!

This picture is of Emory at the beginning of the summer. We were at Yankee Pizza with our friends, the Ashford's (Assbirds to CC:):). Their little boy Brannen is a little monkey and can climb on anything. Emory kept watching him and wanted to climb on the light post too! So, we let her!!! (we are RIGHT next to her, so don't worry Mimi and Gran!!!- I would have NEVER let CC hang from a light post...guess it's a second child thing!)

our weekend

was very relaxing and laid back.....just what we needed!

Bryan was reading CC a book on the floor. Emory saw them and pushed her way onto Christian's lap!
Emory laughing at her silly hair!

The Scroggins and Meacham's came over Saturday night for dinner (The Scroggins weren't there yet). All the girls were so excited to see each other...even the little ones were squealing when they saw their friends!

We, of course, had a dance party and the mommies joined in this time (glad there are no pics of that b/c I'm sure we looked silly!). I hope the girls remember that when they are older...we had so much fun!

This 'going to bed' only lasted 5 minutes!

Future Gold Medalist!

How cute are these two?! and look at the little sisters in the background! We pretty make a scene every Wednesday b/c all 4 of them get so excited to see each other. I have made the mistake of mentioning to CC that Sohpia and Ava are coming over this weekend. She hasn't stopped asking WHEN are they coming?... ARe they coming NOW?... How many more days?... Mommy I want them to stay forever....etc, etc,

And Sophia said it best when she came in singing to her mom at 6:00 AM "I'm ready to go to Christian's house, the mommies will drink wine, we'll play and watch movies?!!!

These two little stinkers run around like crazy girls the whole time! Right here they are sitting if front of the door while Emory is playing with someone's shoes.

She's a pro at the balance beam.....even the high one!

CC in action!!!!

busy busy bees (and a little story)

Claire, Alex Grace, and CC

Oh.....this party was CC's HEAVEN....she loved every second of the dressing up, make-over, manicure, fashion show, and princess crowning.

CC and the birthday girl, Claire


Poor CC at Cooper's 3rd bday train party. She woke up the night before not feeling well but woke up fine. Then on the drive to the party, she started complaining that she was freezing. She was so cold that I ended up turning the air off and suffered. We got there and she was burning up and saying her throat hurt. Long story short...she pitched a huge fit b/c we were going to have to leave Cooper's party but ended up leaving w/o a fight. I'm thankful that all this didn't happen at the princess party from last weekend. Ended up just being a fever virus and she was better by Sunday.


We've had busy weekends lately. Last weekend we had Claire's 4th bday at Sweet 'N Sassy and Cooper's 3rd bday at the train station. Friday we went to Sumo where they cook in front of you- the girls LOVED it!!! I thought Emory was going to jump on the table to eat all the rice and CC ordered steak and ate all of it! Sunday my parents came up to keep the girls on Monday b/c their school was closed (thanks mom and dad!). Gran, CC, and I went to get a mani/pedi where CC had her first spa pedicure. she like it so much she almost fell asleep! Then I met a group of friends at lunch to catch up. One of which was Mandy who is a travel nurse and is currently in DC. It was good to see her and made me realize how much I miss her....it's been way too long.
I forgot my camera for most of my outings, but I will leave you with this story.....
When I was about CC's age, I loved to watch E.T. It was on the T.V. the other day and ever since CC has been obsessed too! Well, this morning she was in the room with Bryan and my mom. Out of the blue she said "SHUT UP PENIS BREATH"....guess where she learned it.....E.T!!!!!!!!!!!!

The way I like it!!

1. I promise, we DO listen to nursery rhymes and kid music too!!!

2. The girls DO NOT play with any of that mess in the background....not one thing! Maybe I should clean/organize it, huh?!!

3. look at the picture of my Gran on the left side of the video...isn't she beautiful!

4. ignore me

new normal

Look at CC in her new 'big girl' car seat- only strapped in my a seat belt!!!. It makes me extremely nervous, but she meets all the requirements......still I'm not sure if I like it!
Emory in Daddy's car

My friend, Denise, said she uses these with her little girl and helps cut down on the drama in the morning about what to wear (who knew it started so early!!!) So, I decided to buy them. I LOVE THEM!!! CC and I spend Sunday night picking out what she was going to wear and we are set for the entire week. All I have to do is grab there clothes from each day- no stressing out or drama about what we are wearing!

I also started e-mealz . I have heard about it from a few people and my friend, Angela, who is also a teacher said she just started it and loved it. So, I'm giving it a try....it's only $15 for 3 months. It gives you different meal plan options- we chose low fat meals from Wal-mart for 2 (we're hoping there is enough food left over for the girls!!). So it gives us recipes for 5 meals with a list of the food, prices, and which aisle to find it on at Wal-mart. For one week, all the ingredients for the 5 meals is $42! Not bad......hopefully I'll follow it!



this has nothing to do with this post, but I think they are cute. Last summer I bought a sand footprint kit thinking I just used what was inside to do their feet. Well, turns out I had do it at the beach. So we did them this year. Aren't they cute?! I plan to buy shadow boxes and hang them in their rooms. All it is is white plaster that you can buy at a craft store. you do a footprint in the sand, poor the mix. wait a certain amount of time. then place it in the sand for a little while to get the sand look. They would make precious gifts. I saved the instructions, so if I can remember I want to do them for end of the year gifts for the girls' classes.








So, after 15 fun months of being home with Emory and CC, I have headed back to work. My first day back was Aug. 9th and the kiddos came Aug. 12th. So far, so good! Bryan is taking the girls on the way to work, which they love riding in Daddy's car. I do hate being away from my girls for 8 hours a day and it's awfully quiet on the car ride in the mornings. But they love their school and so do I! We all 3 get so excited (actually make a little bit of a scene) when we see each other in the afternoons. Emory will immediately jump in my arms and wave and say "BYE" to her teachers. We hug and hug and kiss and kiss like crazy. CC comes running and squealing to me every day! I LOVE IT! We play NON-STOP when we get home b/c Emory is now going to bed at 6:15 and Christian at 7:30!
My sweet friend, Kelley, made us a wonderful dinner on my first day with students and my hubby sent me flowers on the first day! This is going to be a very interesting school year for me----I might have to use my saying from my college days (321,123,......!) quite often, but I know I'm gonna love everyone of my students like my own.
now.....only 178 more to go!!!

The Griswolds go to Gatlinburg!!!

We met my family that lives in northern Kentucky in Gatlinburg for a long weekend vacation- 19 of us!!!!. My Kentucky family is wild, crazy, and absolutely so much fun to be around. We crammed a lot into 3 days.....saw Santa, celebrated birthdays, rode go carts, shopped 'til we dropped, drank and ate way too much, and laughed until our side hurt!