Myrtle Beach Family Reunion!

(For Blurp Book sake I downloaded them individually instead of a slideshow, hence; the million pictures. Thanks Gio for burning them to a DVD for me!)

First of all, the girls and I had a blast! We wish John could have come and we missed him, but work was crazy so maybe next year! Also thank you Grandpa and Grandma Shill, Grandpa and Grandma Heiner, and the entire Sharp family for taking care of us and making our trip so much fun.

It was so fun to hang out with little Alessandra for the first time. Isn't she gorgeous?

Hailey and Kate were thrilled to learn they had another set of Grandparents! Great Grandpa and Grandma Shill opened up their house to us and made us feel so at home. We didn't want for any food or entertainment. Everything was taken care of! Grandma Shill makes a mean banana cream pie...my favorite! So, can we plan on visiting again???


Grandpa and Grandma Shill's beautiful home. Thanks Becca and Rachel for modeling for me!!

One of my favorite things on the trip was when Mattney played his banjo and the kids danced. Mattney also whipped out his guitar and we sang fun kids' songs. To top it off Grandpa set up his slide projector and we watched slides from way back when my John was a baby! It was so fun!

Eating yummy hush puppies, fish, and shrimp!! Hailey really bonded with Mattney on this trip. Thanks for putting up with her Mattney!

The family that had to endure endless temper tantrums in the car from the Heiner girls. Thank you driving us everywhere Sharp family!

This is one of my favorite pictures. The beach was the best part for the kids.

Yes, this picture is staged. Most of the time they were fighting but ain' it cute anyway?

Kate stole Alessandra's boppy almost the whole time. Looks like a must purchase for the next baby....no I'm not pregnant.

I finally got a picture of Lucy!

Kate learned to jump to me and Hailey started swimming on her own (with her life jacket on).

It takes a good daddy to let us leave for 10 days! Love you babe!

The Dixie Stampede was so fun. I took 3 benedryl tablets and puffed my inhaler (allergic to horses) and I was fine.

One Clean Room....Or So It May Seem

Today Hailey wanted to play house in her room. I said that was great but maybe should should clean her "house" (her room) so we could have a tea party. She thought that was great so she went in her room alone and shut the door.
She then yelled, "I'm ready, come over!"
I knocked on her door, and when she opened it I saw this. (look at the photos above) Pretty clean right? I didn't get a before the mess photo but it was bad because she dumped out all of her dress up clothes. I praised her and told her what a good job she had done cleaning up "her house".
Well I opened her closet and found this.......


The cutest part was right after I opened the closet door (adorned in her Cinderella dress no less) she said, "You're the wicked stepmother, so tell me I made a big mess and that I need to clean it up!"
I told her I couldn't get mad at her for trying so hard to clean her room. Plus, how could a smile like this NOT melt your heart!

First Dance Class

By the way, Hailey and Gracie had a blast at their first day of dance!

A Day that will Live in Infamy...

Hailey's First Dance Class

To say that Hailey loves to dance would be a huge understatement. This girl eats drinks and breathes anything to do with dancing. Hailey's usual attire consists of a leotard, ballet shoes and tights. I'm not kidding, if we have to go anywhere I have to fight her to put on normal clothes. (normal clothes to her is always a skirt, she will not where pants to save her life). The second we walk in the door from running errands I begin to see a trail of clothing and in minutes she is in a dance outfit. She sleeps in her dance outfits most of the time because I just don't have enough energy at the end of the day to make her do otherwise.
It was fun showing Hailey a few ballet moves, (first and fifth positions). She has caught on quickly and enjoys showing people what she can do. I have yet to have a day go by where she didn't say to me, "Mommy, I will go to ballet class, on the bus, and you stay here alone."
My sweet little baby is growing up too fast. It will be fun to see if she enjoys dance class as much as she loves dancing in the living room! I guess we will see.

Hailey showing off her skills....(first position, for those of you who dance)

Hailey was so excited to pack her dance bag. She has been carrying it around for days!