Dot update

Grandma gets to go home today. Her white blood count is still high and is stumping the doctors at this point. She is still not in the clear and is being sent to a Hemotologist to check out her blood soon. Thank you for your prayers....keep 'em coming.

Grandma Dot

I have left the kids behind in SC with Stephen and made my way to Alabama to be with my grandma over the weekend. Please keep her in your prayers. Today she has been in the hospital one week. She originally went in and they found out she had pneumonia. That has been treated and cleared up, but there is something more going on. They ran more tests yesterday and we are waiting to hear those results. Just say a special prayer for her and the doctors/nurses who are treating her. The picture above is from a couple of years ago (I found it digging through my parents pics folder), but she is just as beautiful today!

Hello summer and hello heat.

Allie doesn't seem to mind playing outside in the smothering heat, but I'm not a fan if water is not in the equation. Yesterday I braved the heat from the safety of our shaded garage while the kids played on their ride toy of choice.


Gabe discovered our red Fred Flinstone car.

Outta my way people.

At one point Allie rammed him from behind on her scooter and he fell through.

Let me just add Allie had long forgotten this poor neglected toy. She had moved on to bigger and better princess scooters, Cinderella bike with training wheels, etc....

.....That was until Gabe showed interest in it.

Mr. Sandman

Stephen and I were enjoying a nice quiet dinner the other night with the kids playing safely outside in the sandbox. Stephen walked to the backdoor to do a quick check on the kids, and I hear a little chuckle under his breath.

We both proceeded outside to find Gabe like this. Allie had decided to dump sand all over him. (Actually, Stephen caught her in the act throwing a cup full of sand at his face).

Stephen took Allie inside for her appropriate punishment while I stayed back with Gabe to capture his new look.

Through the ordeal, he never fussed or cried and continued on with playing.

Well, hello sandy fingers...

You look tasty.

Editing

Above is SOOC.

I struggle editing photos. But, I need to since SOOC (straight out of camera) isn't always the picture I was hoping for. I have no idea what I am doing when I attempt to edit! With that said, here is a photo I took of Gabe at the pool this weekend. I downloaded a free trial of elements and messed around with it to get the above look. I really have been wanting Photoshop. But I've figured out that is because I can download actions....and with a hit of a button transform a picture. With elements you have to do a little more work, but I think eventually, the picture will get the same result.

Allie's crush

Meet C. He is a very funny 7 year old that lives in our neighborhood, and I think, Allie's first crush. I asked her if she had a crush on C, but her response, "No, i think he's silly". But, she is constantly asking about him and asking to go to his house to see if he can play.

Just look at the looks she gives him.

C cracked us up while he was over playing. Doing silly things like this.

Gabe's first set of bunny ears. (He also got moose eared too).

C is all boy and loves to pick bugs off of trees. Poor little Allie tries so hard to talk dolls and shoes with him, but C is just not interested.

They do both love to ride scooters, bikes and whatever this thing is called. They were so funny riding together barely fitting.

Come back soon C, we enjoyed your company!

Gabe's 1st haircut

We took Gabe to Jelly Beans yesterday for his 1st haircut. He did great. Only fussed once for a little bit until his daddy handed him a balloon.

How cute are these little cars the kids sit in while they get their haircut?

This was his reaction to the first snip. A little unsure, but he sat there like an old pro.

Really he stood the majority of the time.

Look how big he looks!!!!

Let's not forget BEFORE.

AFTER. Much better.

Having a little fun with the fun house mirror. I think the jelly bean employees thought we had lost our minds. I took 100 pictures while there. Seriously!

Morning Report

This is what our mornings look like around here. Drink of choice (well, milk for Gabe, he doesn't get a choice), puffs for Gabe, Special K for Allie (yes, out of all the sugary cereals out there, she asks for either Special K or Raisin Bran), lots of snuggly blankets, and the Disney channel.

Add in some pestering.

Make that a lot of pestering.

Don't worry mom, I'll get her back one of these days....

Why wait, I'll start today.

Have I mentioned lately how sweet these kids are?

Allie has really stepped up and is filling her big sister roll quite nicely. And, while Gabe may never admit it, I think he likes her picking on him.

On another note, Stephen made the mistake of sending me out shopping solo on Saturday. I had all the time I wanted. I think I walked up and down every aisle at Target...twice. We are working on 3 years of being in Greenville. Of those years our master bedroom hasn't changed. Nothing on the walls, no curtains, no rug, no art for the wall, no nothin'! SO....

Target inspired me. I found this great crisp white duvet with euro shams, gray coverlet with shams, and my pop of color pillow. It's a start. As you see, I have yet to pick out paint or do anything but put the bedding on. I'm thinking some sort of light gray wall with white silk curtains? I'm very well aware we have Goliath bedside table lamp competing with the David bedside table lamp. I also need help in that field. I'm thinking glass base with a white drum shade? Any designers out there?

This thing on??? I would love suggestions.

I have been wanting white bedding for some time, but kept talking myself out of it.


She is the reason why.

Susan Patton photography

I've said it before and I'll say it again....I have one incredibly talented mother in law. She took these of the kids a couple of weekends ago. If want to check out more of her work, her website is susanpattonphotography.com.

I am amazed how she got Allie to cooperate for pics. I don't even think chocolate bribery was used. Impressive Susan!

And this is Gabe post nap. Love the bedhead. This kid has so many different lengths going on with his hair....we need to pick one and go with it all over. Tomorrow is the day...chop chop for Gabe.

Sunday

Dad - I took this picture for you. Look familiar???

Black and White

Just wanted to share a few pics from the past couple of weeks. We got to spend a quick weekend with my parents and Stephen's parents in Alabama. I only wish we could all get together more often....