Dance Recital

"Another Wonderful Year" of dance has once again come to a close and last weekend the girls were able to show off everything they've worked so hard on this year!

They love everything about this night.....dressing up, make up, dancing, their biggest fans out in the audience watching intently while grinning from ear to ear, getting flowers....it's a night all about them! *i'd be lying if i didn't add in that they HATE the curling of hair(!) but love the end result*

in their 2nd year they dance to a song called "Daddy's Little Girl"......it's a tear jerker but somehow this feisty blondie still made us laugh

Kayden's Jazz performance: "Disney Medley"

a really fun song for her

"Oh let's all dance like a daisy".......

"a daisy".....

"a bright yellow *or pink(!)* daisy"......

they always perform 1 big number in which multiple classes are involved, this year was the "Jungle Book" and Kayden's class were the elephants

we should have tried a picture at the beginning!

Kayden's teacher who she adores

a few of their fans!

the end of the year comes with a little sigh of relief as we ALL enjoy a small break for the summer! but they are always excited when August roles around again and it's time to dust of the ballet, jazz, and tap shoes!

Summer Livin'

This is where we spend most summer days....unless thunderstorms arrive

it's hours of fun

with resting in between and picnics on the grass

and this is what keeps our bellies sustained after those hours and hours spent in the sun having fun

roasted/grilled fresh local veggies with drippingly sweet fruit

we LOVE summer!

Train Depot "I do's"

We atteneded another "I DO" ceremony Friday night and decided the kids would have some fun coming along to this one! *some you just know aren't kid friendly and not worth the fight of forcing them to sit still and zip their lips* Don't you think, though, that they didn't put up and fight of NOT WANTING TO GO!!

It was at a really unique venue.....an old train depot! Great character to the place and I love those kinds of settings!

The girls grabbed a bite of food......enough to give them the boost of energy needed to dance the night away The lights were dimmed.....flashes of various colors popped on and off making it EVEN better
Lemonade was served and gulped by the cup fulls
The candy table in the middle of the depot made the night even sweeter.....
running to grab a sugar boost in between songs
and then back to twirling and whirling in a sea of bubble heaven
........ and cute shoes
........and I should add that I had 2 girls who practically cried the whole way home cause they DIDN'T want to leave! Somehow mom's know best *most of the time*.

Chattanooga

This city of ours that we love

which provides a Sunday market free of charge to meander through at your own leisure

or dance cause you just can't be still through great music

or get your turn at being the "LEAD DRUMMER"

or find steps upon steps with water cascading

to run up and down or jump up and down or just sit

or find yourself at the bottom to swim around a wading area

or walk down, hand in hand with your daddy, to the riverfront to see shooting water and eagles (or blue heron.....but i like to think emery saw an eagle!!!)

or see interesting art on walls while laughing with AND at your kids for brushing up on their face making skills

OR painted meters scattered throughout downtown......not the kind to pay for parking but the kind which gives ALL proceeds to our homeless people

and none of the above cost me a single penny! just a fun Sunday afternoon with these happy/content girls......even though it was pouring down rain!

just a few more reasons why we have NO intentions of leaving this city!

Memorial Day

Typically long holiday weekends are about catching up on house work, laundry, sleep, laundry, yard work and laundry. We had planned on going camping. The rain threatened to put up a fight. We let the rain win.

My sister came in to town instead and it always gives us an excuse to lounge more......take evening walks...eat lots of yummy food.....jump rope....color....sit on the back porch at moms and catch up on life while the kids play in the water (oh and mom is slaving inside making us MORE food....I promise we do exercise!).....bike......walk around the market and buy fresh veggies and fruit to be devoured quickly.....lay in the grass......baseball watchin' of the 3 oldest kids. You get the idea, my house is a wreck but man is my belly and heart are full and happy!!

you know a day is not complete without this

shadows of some walkers

kids camera playing

nature

especially in the summa time

we never leave with empty baskets

of local yumminess

and alien balloons hitching free rides on backs

sister lovin'

market art

asiago cheese shredded over sweet onions and grilled in the oven....you'll fight over them I PROMISE!!

always new things to learn......EVERYDAY

these girls LOVE some baseball

It was hard to go back to work Tuesday morning I tell you.....so hard