Ahoy!

School Picture Day

Can't wait to see how Vi's school pictures turn out this year!  She felt special in her uniform and looks like such a big girl these days.

End of summer wrap up

One of the last swim days of the summer, warming up in the sun

Vi's "selfie" (to use a recently added word to the dictionary)

Spending the night on a boat, the Delta Queen!

Looking beautiful for Sunday School and church

I love my cousin!  Our eyes and our outfits match.

Playing "orphan" once again.  This time we found Lou Lou stranded on her pirate ship with her crew (which she referred to as her "ship team" and I had no idea what she was talking about for a while) where she has been living for 82 years.  She has had to sleep in the dirt and eat fish steaks every day.  She really wants to take a bath and find a mommy and daddy.  So we loaded her up and brought her home with us.  We even had this princess bike just waiting around for the perfect little girl.  This has been a true, made-up story courtesy of Vi's imagination :)

Last summer weekend in the Smokies...

 ...and a trip to Dollywood!

Happy 5th Birthday Vi!

Vi finally turned 5 this month!  She has been talking about turning 5 for a really long time, so it was a big event at our house.  The day before her birthday, she received a few cards in the mail and a new book from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.  She loves receiving mail, so it was a huge surprise to have multiple items in the mailbox just for her when we got home from school the day before her big day.

Happy Birthday Morning (before school).  She looks tired but she was very peppy and excited.

She immediately ripped off her school clothes and wanted to open presents as soon as dad came home from work on her birthday.  Dad surprised her with tickets to Disney on Ice!  But the Candy Land game was a hit, too.

The day of Vi's big Rapunzel Party.  Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!

Vi and Daddy

Vi, Mommy, & Lily.  Mom organized everything, but it was really Daddy along with friends and grandparents that got everything set up for the party, monitored kids, helped with food and gifts, etc. this year.  THANK YOU!

The awesome Rapunzel tower cake and cupcakes made by Grandma

This was one of the only still, in focus shots I got at the actual party.  Most of them were of fuzzy bodies zooming past me or coming down a slide.  Thanks to everyone who attended - she had a great birthday!

Big School Debut

We have been very busy in August and September adjusting to our new school schedule.  Vi's school day is a little bit longer, but that hasn't seemed to bother this energy-filled gal.  The year started with the Backpack Blessings ceremony at our church.

Vi has settled right into her new classroom.  It is super cool, and there is a second level "home living" play area on top of this little reading nook.  Of course, we had to get a first day of school picture with Vi's new teacher.

We visited many schools in our area and luckily, it is clear that we made the right choice for Vi.  It is a little bit of a drive from our house, but has been worth the extra few minutes in the car.  She comes home singing a new song and telling us new "facts" each day.  We are thankful to have found her home for the year.

There are lots of opportunities for the little kids to get involved at school.  Vi has enjoyed collecting Box Tops for the big competition mainly because the class who turns in the most gets to have an ice cream party.

We hope that everyone has a great 2013-2014 academic year!

Sprinkles for Lily

Lily's sprinkle felt more like a full on shower.  We had such a great luncheon at my favorite restaurant, Tomato Head.  The strawberry filling in this cake was to die for, too!

Our very generous friends and family included Vi and "sprinkled" her with a few treats.  It really should've been Vi's sprinkle and Lily's shower.

Super sweet aunts that prove having a sister is a blessing!  I did not get an individual shot, but Aunt Janice came all the way from Virginia to be at the shower, too.

 Lily's (and Vi's) fan club.  I was so happy to see family, family friends, high school friends, and college friends.  It's always nice to have an excuse to get together with everyone.  Vi seemed stunned that all of these people she normally sees in isolated places were in the same restaurant!  She loved it!

Congratulations Grandma and Mamaw on gaining (soon) another grandchild!

I have the best friends in the world.  They are both busy, working moms and it meant so much to me that they organized the sprinkle (and worked in my favorite restaurant).  The centerpieces were lilies (how thoughtful!) and mason jars filled with Hershey's hugs and kisses.  Every detail was perfect.  Thank you Rebecca and Cathy - we love you!

Family Pictures

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