First Day of School

 

First Day :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I had to include an extra of Tay, 'cuz I just love it . . .
 

 

 

 We're easing in to our school year, but so far, so good!
How about y'all?
 

 

 

 

Beach Trip

We got to spend a little time at the beach last month, and it was just the getaway we needed.

Jeremy gets away to go hunting.
The girls and I get away for outings fairly frequently.
But we rarely get out all six together.
Those moments are treasured, indeed.

I could spend every weekend at the beach, I think.
I just love it.

I love the walk to the sand . . .
Watching the girls' anticipation.
 

I don't much love rolling around in the sand, the way the girls do.
But, to each his own, I say!

 

 

Little Miss Mermaid.
 

 

 

And I LOVE, love, love, evening strolls along the boardwalk.

 

Yep, I think it's my favorite place to be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wedding Stories

 Okay, this has been the busiest summer ever.
Hands down.

But I think we're getting close to being able to catch our breath.
Whew!
 

So.  I think I mentioned before, my nephew recently got married!

And while that makes me feel old, it also makes me feel happy.

Because he and his new wife are the sweetest, most fun and loving couple I know.

I was asked to take pictures, and was completely happy to do it.
But before anyone asks, no, I will not be adding "wedding photographer" to my resume ;)
I'm just not cut out for it.
I think it takes a very special kind of person {and a very special kind of gear, lol!}.

Alrighty, I'm going to let the pictures do the talking, as usual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 It was a beautiful day.
A beautiful wedding.
A beautiful couple.
A beautiful celebration! 

 

 

 

♥ Happy 11th Birthday, Sierra Elizabeth ♥

 Happy Birthday, to my sweet, oldest baby girl ~ Sierra Elizabeth.

So.  I have a rough time whenever any of my babies turn a whole year older,
but I think it's harder with Sierra.  She's my first baby girl. 
My baby who made me a Mama. 
We have so so many memories together.

Miss Sierra Elizabeth . . .
You are eleven years old today.
Sigh.

 

You are turning into such a mature and lovely young lady.
Of course, part of being so mature at such a young age means that you
often have to deal with things that are beyond your years. 
It amazes me what you pick up on sometimes.
You are so perceptive, and a bit of a worrier {like your Mama}.
 

I truly can count on you for anything.
You are the most organized eleven year old I have ever encountered.
I always chuckle that you will run a mighty tight ship when you get older.
You expect a lot out of others.
And you can be pretty discouraged when they don't live up to your expectations.
I know someone else who has trouble with that {cough.ME.cough}.
But I think that's because you are so giving of your time, and you care so much . . .
you are disappointed when others don't return your same passion.

 

 

You are a GIRLY girl. 
You and I have very much the same taste in . . . everything.
We both choose classy over trendy.
You are very feminine.
But you also love to have fun.
In some ways you are far more adventurous than I ever was.
But you like to stick pretty close to home.
And I love that you love to spend time outdoors with your Daddy.
He loves it too :)

 

You love to dance, and you are so graceful.
I just love watching you onstage.
 

 

 

 You are growing into such a beautiful young lady.
Inside and out.
Love you bigger than the sky, sweet girl!
Happy Birthday!!!

 

  

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Annual Trip to Oaks Amusement Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Puppies ♥

Oh these new little puppies are keeping us busy!

But they are so sweet.

And Mama Kate is perfect.

She's a hunting dog, and as such, not very laid back.
I'm going to be honest, I was a little nervous as to what kind of Mama she was going to be.
But she has been absolutely wonderful.
So attentive and protective.
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Nope.  It doesn't get much cuter!!

 

 

 

Puppy Love ♥

 

Miss Kate had her puppers today . . .

 

 

 

 And we're pretty much in LOVE ♥
 

 

 

 

 So, it finally occurred to me that I left y'all hanging regarding the "Big. Exciting. News."

I honestly didn't mean to do that.
It's just that I'm pretty much the world's worst blogger these days.
And I think I've finally figured out why . . .
{Ya know besides the fact that I am trying to raise four children, take care of them and my husband, squeeze in the basics, like laundry and general house chores, etc. etc.}
. . . other social media is SO MUCH EASIER.
I'm still not the greatest with Facebook, but oh my lands, Instagram is so easy peasy!
I love it.
And blogging . . . it just takes so much more time.
And I'm short on that most days.

Anyway . . .
On to the news.
While a new baby would be super exciting, I'm sorry to say that is not the exciting announcement.
We are, however, expecting puppies!
Words cannot describe how excited the girls are.
And I have to admit I'm pretty excited too.

Snuggly wuggly pups are in our very near future.
Stay tuned :)

And because I can't leave you without a picture . . . 

 

 

Sigh ♥ I love these girls.
 

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Camping, iPhone Style