Time for a check up!

The doc is in!!!  After asking Olivia what she wanted to be for Halloween numerous times, it was decided that she would be doc.  I kept thinking she would change her mind, but nope, Doc it is!!  I am a bit partial, but I think she makes a pretty stinkin' cute Doc McStuffins!!

Fall is almost here!

Saturday the high for the day was low 70's and a lot of sunshine.  Could we even ask for a nicer day?!?!  We headed to the park for a picnic breakfast and then walked followed by some play time. 

Birthday care package

I am not sure that Easton received his package in time for his birthday, but he was thought of nonstop nonetheless.

 We had a simple celebration this year since we are waiting to travel.  No big party like last year, but a celebration here just us.  We are hoping that we go soon, but we aren't sure as there are a lot of steps still to go.  If it is near Christmas, we gotta save every.single.penny!  Hello international travel during the holidays!

Friday night on the 13th, we celebrated Easton.  It was the 14th in Korea, his actual birthday so we lit 2 candles and sang happy birthday.  Olivia tried to blow the smoke to Korea for him, but I am not so sure it got there this time....she was nervous about blowing out the candles with the ice cream already on top. 

 

And what kind of present do you get a child who isn't home yet??  He gets....drumroll......a mattress and box springs!!!  Don't knock it, he's gonna need it, right?!?!  

Happy Birthday Buppy!

Is it possible to love someone more than I love my dad?  I don't think so!  He is such an important figure in my life and I love watching him with my child.  They are two of a kind!  She gives it right back to him when he dishes it out.  I never imagined that he would be so crazy about her, or vise versa but they are great buddies.
Saturday we celebrated dad's birthday, and Olivia proudly made him a card and delivered it to him.  John brought home some of my dad's favorites....fried pies!  I made him two homemade meringue pies (yes, I can cook) and mom cooked  a great dinner.  Leslie, Annelyn, Adeline and Moose all came up and we had a great evening.  The worst part of our day was that UT lost, but other than that, it was a great day!  Dad got to ride his motorcycle, and the weather could not have been better.  The girls played and had a lot of fun together.  I think I have decided....I have the BEST family ever!  I am truly grateful.  What a gift! 

School playgrounds

There are few people in this world, as I am still learning, that I know love me for me no matter what.

 

The Jenkins' family is one of those families.  It doesn't matter if they are packing to move at 3:00 a.m. in a chilly garage and need more boxes, having a yard sale that we don't decide on definitively until midnight the night before, or just texting each other at 2:30 or 3:00 in the morning to see if the other one is up.....I know that she (and the whole family) are there if needed.  I love Traci and her 4 sweet kids and her wonderful husband.  They are a God fearing, loving family that I am blessed beyond measure to have come across in my life.  I am sure many people could say these things about Traci.  Her spirit explodes with kindness and I am quite sure she has the ability to make everyone feel loved.

 Even though she has moved an hour away, we find great ways to meet up and hang out for much needed friend time.  This school playground was a perfect spot for a CFA picnic lunch and friend time a few weeks ago.

 

 

Gymnastics

Finally, we went!  We have talked and talked about going, but lets be honest, we are busy!  It is hard to commit to even 30 min. outside of the normal day.  I know, ridiculous!  So, we decided our best bet would be Saturday mornings when Miss Olivia is fresh for the day.  By 4:30 or 5 in the afternoon she is done.  For a kid who is already shy and stubborn, all of that does not equal a good time had by all.  We all went for the first lesson because she will be more likely to do it if her daddy is there.  He had a great lesson! ;)  She had a decent first lesson.  She participated after 15 or so minutes and with that, John had to do the circuit with her.  This class is labeled as the 'shy' class when I called about beginning classes.  I am hopeful that she gets more confident each time and is excited to go soon.  At the end they had streamers that they were waving and when they were done, her teacher said just wad it up and throw it in the middle.  Bless her!  Wad it up???  Have you lost your mind?!?!  Not my child.  She preceded to fold her piece and when it wasn't right, she opened it up and folded it again.  She stopped in between and ran over and said, "Her told me to wad it up and throw it.  I fold it though."  I hate we don't have more pictures, but we were just trying to get through the lesson.  I snapped these once she was being more independent. 

 

When I asked her later in the day about what her favorite part was, she held up her hand.  Yep, she liked the stamp the best!  (You can barely see it here.)

Lazy Sunday

We are at Mammy and Buppy's house this weekend dog sitting while they headed to Knoxville for the UT game.

We were heading to church, but Nana called this morning needing John to help move some things so Olivia and I are here enjoying hanging out together. So far we have made pumpkin bread, played the cabbage patch game (multiple times), and are currently playing in the water table.

 

 

 These are the days I hope I never forget.