Branson Trip

This weekend we went to Branson and stayed with Grant's parents at the Hilton Convention Center Hotel. This was a last minute trip, but we had a lot of fun! Branson has really changed from when I use to go with my grandparents years ago. Grant and I have gone several times since we've been married to shop! Now that they have Branson Landing it is even nicer to go there.

Some of these picts are looking funky on here! Sorry-don't know what happened!

On Friday when we got there, Grant, Addison, and I hung out at Branson Landon and did some shopping. Gaywyn and Gary had a dinner to go to but first they went with us to the Bass Pro Shop to see the huge aquarium. G Dad then gave Addison some money so shopping we went!



There is a fire and water show every hour on the hour that was fun to watch! We ate Mexican food and sat outside on the patio. The weather was perfect.

On Saturday morning, Gary had to go to meetings, but Gaywyn, Grant, Addison and I went and rode on the Branson Scenic Railroad.

On Friday we found a pirate ship play area. Addison had fun playing here and so we went back on Saturday night.

We did a lot of shopping on Friday, but then on Saturday, Addison, Gaywyn and Gary napped while Grant and I went to the outlet mall. I bought some jeans (yay!) and grant got some shirts. I then had to buy Addison a couple of more outfits.

Some of the new clothes. Grammy bought the purple and navy outfit for Addison. We tried to get comfy pieces for school. I was really pleased with our purchases. Addison is set- please help remind me I said this. She does not need any more clothes! The light blue outfit is from Strasburg. I love their stuff, but Grant says it looks like something they would wear on Little House on the Prairie. I found this outfit and just thought it was too sweet. She will be able to wear it next year, too!

We had a fun trip but it is always nice to come home.


And when we got home, I was reminded why 3-year olds still need mommy to dress them...

Styling!

Life's Best Moments

I came home from Wal-Mart today and found this...




Grant was craving something sweet on Friday night. He had to run to Best Buy and then he picked up this...

Addison picked out a pink bear, then wanted the Mermaid outfit. Carla the Mermaid looks like this...

On Thursday morning we looked out our window and saw this...

10 bucks!


It is the little things in life that make it all worth it!

You Be the Puppy...

and I will be the Mommy. Now get down and walk like this. Not like a Mommy, like a puppy! Get down puppy!

Oh the games we play! Thank goodness we have no neighbors to catch us in action, a rug in the living room to protect my knees, and a vivid imagination- I guess! HA!!

Birthday Parties!

We have had several parties this summer! Addison really enjoys birthday parties now and will "bake" cakes at home and sing Happy Birthday to various people. This past Saturday was Noah's birthday party. Holly and I were 3 weeks apart in our pregnancies and our babies were born 3 weeks apart, both early. It has been wonderful to have Holly to talk to and share things with, and of course worry with! Everyone needs a friend that you can share your craziness with! Noah's party was at the Jump!Zone. We had a blast!

A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated Gracie's birthday at Pink Bliss. This was so up Addison's alley!

Gracie is the one next to Addison

Makeup, glitter, feathers, tu-tus, necklaces...it just doesn't get any better!

Road Trip!

This past weekend, Addison and I went with my parents and Kane to Monroe, LA for my mom's side family reunion. We went in my dad's truck, but mom sat in the back with the kiddos and I finished the last book in the Twilight series!
Addison and Kane did really well on the 3 1/2 hour trip! We stopped in Prescott to leave my car at Grant's grandparents house and didn't stop again until we got to the Hotel!

I decided to stay in on Friday night with Addison and Kane and just order a pizza. I took fresh veges and mom brought homemade ranch dressing from Uncle Buddy's Restaurant so we had a great meal!

Addison had fun playing hide-n-seek with my Aunt Susan!

Dad enjoyed this time with his grand kids. This was the first time Kane had been on a trip without his parents and he did great! He did try to trick his mom on Friday night and told her to come get him. I had a hard time convincing Anna that he really was fine and was having a great time. There was an indoor and outdoor pool, pool tables, shuffle board, and an arcade.

Kane wasn't into Addison's version of Ping Pong but he tried to play her way some! I was so proud of myself for remembering to take my battery charger for my camera! Sure enough, on Saturday my battery went dead! I got out the charger only to realize it was the wrong one! UGH! I missed some other good shots! We had a good time and were glad we went! I hadn't seen some of the family in at least 5 years so it was nice to catch up! We were ready to get home and see Daddy though!

Day in the Life of a 3 year old!

On Addison's Birthday, I took off work so I could spend the day with her. She decided she wanted to go to Magic Springs to celebrate. Anna and Kane met us there, and we had a blast. I thought I would share what you are up to my big girl now that you are 3!
You love to have your picture made. We took this before we left for Magic Springs. You can dress and undress yourself with occasional help. You are doing a pretty good job putting your shoes on right, but still need reminders! You definitely have an opinion on what you wear. You prefer dresses that twirl!

You have pretty much given up your nap- except when we are going to Magic Springs and you fall to sleep about 5 minutes b/f we get there! You sleep good at night, but sometimes wake up and come in our bedroom, and sometimes you have night terrors. These were real bad when you first stopped napping. I read that night terrors are worse when you are over tired. Thank goodness this is better! You average 10 1/2 hours of sleep at night, but sometimes will sleep up to 12! You are usually asleep by 8 and will wake around 6:30.

You love hats and bows and will pick out bows that match your outfit. You are really into things matching. You are even particular about what shoes you wear! They have to match! You like all things girly! Pretty dresses, jewelry and make up! You are good about waiting your turn and sharing. You are pretty patient, even for a 3 year old. You like watching others, so standing in line isn't a big deal for you!

You love being with your family. You adore Kane! He is so good with you, but has to be reminded that I am your mommy and he doesn't have to watch your every move! You have enjoyed having your grandmothers here with you each week, and will miss that time with them I'm sure! You like to talk to your family on the phone and you can really tell them about your day now! You took swimming lessons this summer, and now you love to swim! You like to go under the water, will stay longer than I want you to sometimes! You love the slides at Magic Springs, and love to go night-night in the water (floating on your back)!

You are still a good eater! You will eat pretty much whatever I cook! You love your vegetables and fruit! You love ranch dressing, which helps the vegetables taste even better! Your favorite foods are probably strawberry pop tarts, chicken nuggets, grapes, any vege as long as you can "dip" it, and ice cream.

You are talking sooo much and you have started making up stories...

Hey mom, the oder day I was running and I fell down and a biraffe (giraffe) put me in his mouth and then he swallow me and then he pooped me out and then he pooped on me!

You have hit the "WHY?" stage!!!

You love to watch Dora, The Little Einsteins, and your favorite movie is The Little Mermaid. You love books and puzzles. You love to sing and right now we sing In the Bulb (Hymn of Promise) every night at bedtime.

You are a very sweet and loving little girl! You are such a joy and make me and your daddy smile daily!

Mermaid Birthday Party!

Addison's 3rd Birthday Party

Little Mermaid Theme

We had Addison's birthday party at our house. She was so excited! This was the first year that she began to understand what a birthday party was, and she couldn't wait to open presents! I bought her this Mermaid costume several months ago and we gave it to her before the party. I let her change into it after the water play! Addison has started squishing up her face when she is cheesing for a picture!

Mommy's Little Mermaid!


Since it was going to be hot, we had the children wear their swimsuits and we had a slip-n-slide, water table, fishing game in large container of water, and a sprinkler to help keep them cool. There was also a starfish ring toss, sandbox, and the playground (as Addison calls her swing set) to keep them busy as well. We stayed outside about an hour then came inside. Some of the children changed clothes. We then had sugar cookies for them to decorate. Addison and I had made the cookies and then my mother-in-law iced them for us. There were seahorses, seashells, fish, and starfish shaped cookies. I think the kiddos really enjoyed this! We then cut the cake and sang happy birthday. We had hot dogs, goldfish crackers, cheese cubes, blueberries, chips, strawberries, and some dips. I had managed to misplace my camera so I didn't get a picture of the food. (these picts are from my MIL) I wish I had b/c I had really cute serving pieces: crab plate, seashell bowl, etc. For party favors, we gave a pair of sunglasses, a Mermaid stencil, and a fish ring pop wrapped in a blue cellophane bag placed inside a sand pail with a shovel.


Addison and her friend Ethan on the slip-n-slide!






Children playing!

Decorating the cookies! I bought green and pink shot glasses from the Dollar Tree and poured different toppings in them. They were the perfect size!

The cake table!

The cake! Addison said the cake was her favorite part of the party! My friend Bethany made the cake and did an awesome job!