Callaway Gardens

The girls and I were able to visit Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA on December 21st, the Tuesday before Christmas. Our sweet friends from church, Dick and Pat Sampson, have a season pass, and invited us to spend the day with them. Everything was decorated so pretty, and we were able to see some of the "Fantasy in Lights" and visit Santa's Village. It was a wonderful day!

The Butterfly Center

Laney's not sure what to think about the butterfly on her shirt!

Showing off their souvenir butterflies

Feeding the ducks

Winter Berry Tree

Mr. Dick and Mrs. Pat

Outside the chapel

Gingerbread Village

Joe, Stacy and Avery gave the girls a Gingerbread Village and they had a blast putting it together! I thought they did a great job, and I loved displaying it in the kitchen. Not only was it festive, but it smelled good too!

Christmas in Rome, GA

We spent the Sunday before Christmas in Rome, GA visiting with May-May and Paw-Paw, and Joe and Julie and their families. For some reason, I only took a few pictures. The girls always enjoy playing with their cousins, and of course, May-May and Paw-Paw. Although, it was a quick visit, we had a wonderful time!

Marlee feeding baby Megan

Who wants to read the Christmas story?

We'll all take turns!

Aubrey, Luke and May-May

Laney Beth

Waiting patiently for her turn to open a present

New Landscaping

We recently replaced the shrubs in the front of the house. The old boxwoods that were there were pretty much dead or dying. The lack of rain this Summer really took a toll on them. They looked awful! So, we had them pulled up and replaced with azaleas, camellias,gardenias, hydrangeas, and holly ferns. There are also hosta and day lillies that will bloom in the Spring and Summer. These pictures don't quite reflect the finished picture, but you can kind of get the idea. The landscapers re-shaped the flower bed by rearranging the rocks, and then finished with fresh mulch and pine straw. The end result is much better, and I am already enjoying it so much! I can't wait until Spring when it will be in full bloom.

Before:


After:

Back to School

The girls were very excited to start back to school today. We have had a great summer, but they were all ready to get into the swing of things. Unfortunately, Marlee called me at 12:30 and wanted me to check her out because she had a bad stomach ache. She came home and laid on the couch for a couple of hours and is now doing much better. Not sure what that was about, but she assures me that she loves school and can't wait to go back tomorrow. We are looking forward to a great year!

Shelby at Open House

7th Grade!!

4th Grade!!


Kindergarten!! (Again)We decided to let Laney go to Kind. again since she won't be 6 until August 16th.


Aubrey misses her girls when they are away.

Best Friends

Laney and her sweet teacher, Ms. Young

Laney's fun classroom

Marlee's Masterpiece

Marlee was invited to a birthday party at Sips and Strokes and painted this canvas. I thought she did a great job! We bought a black frame for it and it is now displayed above her bed in her room. She is definitely a talented artist!

Orange Beach 2010

We had a wonderful vacation June 8th - 12th in Orange Beach, AL. We stayed at Phoenix on the Bay in a condo with Joe, Stacy, and Avery. Julie and her family, along with Mom and Dad, stayed in a different room. We decided to stay on the bay since we were concerned about the oil spill. The kids all enjoyed the water slide, lazy river, and pool. They didn't really seem to miss the beach much. We all had a great time!