HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!

Tomorrow is such a special day! My mom's birthday! Those of you who know my mom know that to her, her birthday is no-big-deal. Just another day. But to us, it's a day to celebrate the best mom in the world! A day to remind her how glad we are that she was born and that God gave her to us to be our mom. She is the most selfless person I know- always giving to others and never expecting anything in return. She puts everyone else's needs above her own. She adores her 7 grandchildren (including Julie and Tucker's baby, Ellis, who is due in December). She makes an effort to spend time with each child one-on-one. Mom, we love you so much! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

slow down!

I can't believe that my babies are 3 months old and 3 years old. I can't believe that I'm already back at work and just how little time I have now. I feel like all I do is run myself ragged all day. After dinner, I can hardly get up off of the couch to do anything! BUT I am so thankful for those few hours each afternoon with my girls! Yesterday, we had a photo session. Here are some pictures. Finley has already changed so much! She loves to "talk" and makes these funny, low-pitched howl-like sounds. She loves to hear herself! Today when I picked her up from school, she was laying on the floor "talking" to her friend Gabriel. Her teachers told me she had been rubbing his hair (which they thought was hysterical!). TOO CUTE! I'm so happy that SHE is happy there! Her teachers say that she is a great baby and that she doesn't ever cry. That's my sweet girl!

Gotta love the old Christmas bib of Addi's. I think it's time we buy some bibs!

Riley, Addi, Finley, and Reese (2nd cousins) had a play date with each other (and their grandmothers). Each set of girls' births are within weeks of each other. I hope they will always be close friends like their mommies have always been! (Reese was having a bottle so she didn't make it in this picture.)

War Eagle!

We had a wonderful time celebrating Braden's birthday in Auburn and also spending time at the lake. Here are some pictures from our fun, Labor Day weekend! (The picture below is a flashback to Addi's first trip to Auburn. I love the palm tree in her hair!)

riding in the boat

Finley's first boat ride- she loved it!

In fact, she really liked the life jacket! I think it felt like being in her wrap.

Eme took her first bath in the lake! We all have done this before since there is only one full bathroom. A little lake water never hurt!

Emily and Aunt Glenda joined us for the fun! As always, it was great spending time with them.

Addi and John had fun swimming together.

My sweet girls took a nap toward the end of the day in Auburn.

family photo!

Randy and Tucker went on Friday night to put the tents up for the tailgate and birthday party.

Braden was very surprised and had a wonderful birthday!

Finley was her happy self!

She loves when cousin Emily talks to her!

She also loves when Gigi holds her and talks to her!

The girls attempted to play Mickey Mouse Bingo that Aunt Glenda brought for them.

Sweet Patti gave Addi a monster book that is so cute! We read it many times at the lake.

We've been putting Finley in her Jump-a-roo at home so that she won't have to lie down all the time. She really seems to like it though we have to prop her bottom up with a blanket.