Pool Day at Mama's house

So, I know today is overcast and rainy but yesterday was warm and beautiful.  I invited Meridith and her kiddos over as well as Edith and Sam and it was so much fun!  I wish I could have talked more with Edith and Meridith more but when the kiddos are this young, mamas typically play referee instead of talking with the other Mamas.  One of my favorite moments was when I was about to take a picture it reminded me of my Mama.  I have this old picture of my mama with several other mamas sitting around talking with one another while watching all of the little children played.  It was so wonderful to see that Mamas love to together and hang out while their kiddos play no matter what decade they are living in.

This is the shot that reminded me of my Mama.  I sure do miss my Mama.  It was really nice to know that I am doing the same things that she did when she was my age.  I do not know why but it warms my heart.  

Check out Sam flying off our water slide feature!  Oh...and do not forget the sound effects of "I am SuperMan!"

All the kiddos taking turns down the slide.  Lauren was the most careful of them all!

Isn't she so cute!  I love this tutu bathing suit I got at Target.

I love this shot...Kiddos and pool time go together like cookies and cold milk! 

I am so looking forward to summer time!

Hey Mama...take a picture of us!

So yesterday was Mama's day and I had a wonderful Mama's Day weekend.  My sweet husband gave me 5 hours of alone time on Saturday which I used to shopping for dresses.  Just as a side note...my girls will only wear dresses and seeing them in these cute sundresses that Grandma Bonnie keeps finding at garage sales has me wanting some dresses for myself.  It was so nice to have so much alone time.  I came home to such cute cards the girls made for me.  I should have taken a picture of the cards but I wanted not put any pressure on myself for pictures and really just enjoy the moment.  After church, it was so hot that I knew it was time to air up the summer pool.  The water so very cold but that did not stop the girls getting in the pool.  The part that floored me was when Audrey said...Hey Mama...take a picture.  Seriously...what a wonderful Mama's Day I was having!

This is a full shot of our summer pool.  It was called a "Party Pool" because it has cup holders.  Who knew that cup holders is all that is required to have a pool party!  Yes that is our slide that we just hang over the side of the pool.  It adds an water slide option for the kiddos.

I know they look a little silly but they were screaming "cheeeeeseee" for the camera.

Audrey still so excited that she is 4 years old!

Lauren showing me she is 1 year old.  She is one smart cookie! 

Lauren was so excited about the pool!  

Audrey posing for the camera.  She was VERY excited about the pool being open for business!

Now we are looking forward to having kiddos over to play.  I love summer time!

Sam's Baseball Game

The other day my friend Edith asked me to take pictures of her son's baseball game.  It was a beautiful day and I was excited about the opportunity to practice.  I have to admit it was a bit challenging to try to get shots through a fence.  But honestly, I kinda liked the  look of the shots with the fence in the foreground.  Take a look...

Here is Bryan with Sam as he is about to hit the ball.  Notice the fence element.  It kinda gives you feel of being in the bleachers.

Here is Lauren giving me the Paci-Cheese!  I love the shadow of Kris and I above her head.  

Audrey is such a bad influence....Edith is telling Sam that he had to get back to the dugout because the game is not over yet.  

Sam bent over in the typical baseball stance.

The line of "Good Job"

Fearless Team!  Love this shot!

Kris getting some Lauren love!  

Mama Day Love

I know there are so many more crafty people out there.  I feel like I feel short on the whole crafty Mama role.  But, I will say that I can duplicate/copy somebody's craft idea all day long.  I do not know if that makes me a bad person or not but it definitely makes it easier to get a project going.  Well, I have loads of Mom/Grandma cards to do this time of year and I love Hallmark cards.  They are great, but I love the look and feel of hand made cards.  So, I invited my two great friends over with their kiddos to have a Mama Day Card making extravaganza.  I bought a bunch of stickers...well because kiddos love stickers.  This combined with construction paper, beautiful day, and kiddos loving on their loved ones all comes together as Mama Day Love!

The boy table.  Phoenix and Sam comparing notes on how they are going to do their Mother's Day Cards.  They did such a great job.  

Sam telling me that he loves his Mimi.  Just so you know that I printed each of the kiddos pictures to put on the back of their cards that they will give/send out to their Grandmas.  

Paige telling me about her love for her Grandmas.

Audrey as she is making her Grandma Bonnie's card.

Lauren saying Cheeeeeese.  She is so cooperative when the camera is out.

Phoenix making his special card full of stickers.  It was beautiful.

Here each of the kiddos had to tell me about each of the cards and tell me why they love whom ever they made a card for.  Let me tell you...kiddos remember toys!  They love the toys and good dinners!  

This was a great project to hear what the kiddos love and how they are always so willing to love on family.  Their love is quiet magical!  Thanks kiddos for a great play date!

Easter Review

Easter review...wait...wasn't that over a week ago?  Yes, it was and yes I am just now have some time to post some pics.  It has been quiet hectic around the household.  I do not know why because there is nothing to report.  For some reason computer time has been an elusive luxury!  So, below are loads of pictures from that weekend.  I hope you all enjoy!

My cool friend Edith had a HUGE Easter Egg hunt that we were invited to and it was so much fun.  Here you can see Audrey and her friend are waiting at the gate for the egg hunt to begin.  You can feel the anticipation in the air!

I love this shot!  I did do a heavy vignette on the shot to highlight Audrey reaching down for an egg as the races began in the egg hunt.  

Another shot of the egg hunt.  Do you see all of the eggs on the ground?  It was so beautiful!

This is Lauren looking for her Mama.  She really did not get into the Easter Egg Hunt business.

Here is the best shot I could get of Audrey and all of her finds.  Needless to say, we were having one of those days with PhotoMama!  

I love this shot.  Lauren finding candy inside the egg.  It is the simple things in life that makes this life so sweet!

Here Lauren had just ate a whole donut hole and does she look like she is satisfied?  This girl loves donut holes. 

Audrey as she is coloring eggs at our friend Ashley's house.  She looks so grown up here!  

This shot is too precious.  I am so thankful that our girls work and play so well together.

Here is a group shot of our friend Ashley and her little baby that Audrey is holding, then myself, Lauren, Kara and her handsome son, Jax.  

OK...so here is another Easter Egg Hunt at Auntie Kara's house.  I love how the kiddos are scoping out there approach to get the most eggs possible.  

And they are off...notice in the background how Lauren is not interested.  She doesn't even want her easter basket.

I love this picture of Jax.  He wanted to show his Mom and Dad each egg he found regardless of the egg that is front of him.  Needless to say, Audrey found most of the eggs.  

This shot is awesome!  I love how Jax makes egg hunting look like so much fun!

This action shot cracks me up.  This is how the egg hunt went down.  Jax is carefully finding eggs while Audrey is using her speed to get as many eggs as possible.  I guess that Easter Egg hunt from the day before gave her too much experience...hehehe

This is a great shot of Jax as well.  He did so good and he is so handsome!

Here is what Lauren was doing while the kiddos searched for eggs.  I think she was really enjoying herself.  I think Kris was enjoying hanging out with her as well.

Who would not be jealous of this backyard?  

Audrey just smashed a confetti egg on Kris's head.  I am really looking forward to the girls being older and everyone getting in on the fun!  I love confetti egg fights!

OK Now, we are at my God-Parents house and yes, we are decorating Easter Eggs again.  Look we have a lot of friends and family and wanted to share the events with everyone!

I LOVE this shot!  Steve is such a wonderful Pappa-O.  The girls love him so and so do I.

GrandDawn is spectacular as well.  She is the most loving and patient woman I know.

Here are the eggs that the girls, GrandDawn and Pappa-O colored.  Aren't they so beautiful?

Here Audrey is telling me which one is her favorite.  

So, here is the beautiful family shot...minus this Mama.  Well, someone has to take the pictures!  

I love this shot!  Look at Audrey's tongue.  I swear that girl makes it so hard on this Mama. 

This shot is so sweet.  Lauren really wanted to give her Pappa-O a kiss and everyone turns to see.  I LOVE the love in this shot!

Well, I know it is a lot of pictures but it was a great weekend.  I love my family and friends and so very thankful for all of the time we got to spend with everyone.  I am already looking forward to seeing you again real soon!

Everyone else....have a great day!