CRAY-ZEE

So, I've sat down several times over the last two weeks with a mission to blog...as evidenced by my last entry, I have been unsuccessful in my mission. So enough is enough. There's major pressure to blog in my little community of friends--all the cool moms are doing it, so I just must keep up! Now, I must recap too much time in too little space, so let's get started.

Our fourth of July was great! We had a day full of fun which, although we love having holidays that intersect with weekends, it was great to have a free day right in the middle of our hectic week. We started the day going to a town festival with blow-up slides, face painting, and live music. Not too long after arriving, we ran into a family from our Bible study group. We got some Italian ice, waiting in line about 15 minutes for a flower balloon that popped literally 3 minutes after we got it, then walked around a little more and made plans to go swimming with our friends after going home for a nap.

Celebrating our freedom!


Dancing along to the beach music of SeaCruise!


Our little mooch!


Brotherly/sisterly love--Connor and Calista


After eating lunch and catching a few zzz's, we went for a swim with the Williams' family, and then got ready for our final stop. Our friend, Stacey, is in a band that was playing at a cookout/party so we joined many other Florence residents to celebrate the holiday with some pond swimming, live music, hot dogs, and little girls running around having a blast just being together!

Heidi, the human jungle-gym!


This is what results when selfish Moms are desperate for a good picture.


More of sweet Abs!


Good weather, good friends, good food = great day!


The following weekend, we met Whitney and Chris and Mom and Dad at the beach. Cora got to join us as well which was so much fun for Olivia to get some one-on-one time with her best cousin friend. We had fun at the beach and hanging out at the pool and playing Catchphrase...I ate a little something that kept me feeling queasy most of the weekend, but we still managed to have a great time. Olivia truly loves spending time with her extended family.

Granna and Liv waiting for some delicious seafood for dinner.


Kissing cousins


Thank goodness for Daddy's ability to entertain.


Granna teaching Olivia how to shag.


Chris, Whit, Jeremy, and Courtney


Back from the beach, back to real life. We had a pretty crazy, busy week. Jeremy was slammed from a work standpoint and was working late most nights so we struggled for family time all week. But we did eat dinners together, Daddy was able to give his girl her nightly baths, and we tried a new local restaurant--Starfire Grill--to add to our restaurant repertoire. Olivia and I got to join all our favorite friends for a day at the Columbia Zoo on Thursday so that was a nice change of pace for our week. We met at Miss Jennie's early in the morning, loaded up the cars with plenty of snacks, sunscreen, and strollers, and headed out. The kids did so well and we all had such a fun time. Our Chick-Fil-A lunch was pretty chaotic with 9 incredibly exhausted kids--not to mention their 7 sweaty and spent Mommys, but nonetheless, we had a wonderful time.

The whole crew, minus me, the photographer.


Up close and personal with Mr. Giraffe


Tallon and Olivia doing some wild animal observation.


Makgill admiring the seal.


Lia and Abby having fun on Abby's first trip to the zoo.


Abby understandably questions Olivia's strange approach to sippy-cup etiquette.


The three amigos--Carlisle, Olivia, and Abby


Hot, sweet, sweaty Carlisle


Olivia's going for the hairbow while Abby's snagging her grapes.


A theme for the day was Olivia wanting all the other Mom's to hold her--sorry guys! She just loves you all!
Olivia and Aron


Olivia and "Becca"


Olivia and Jennie


Olivia and the fish


Tallon getting his late morning snack.


All the kids--minus Tallon--at the end of the morning, ready to go.


Whew! I'm tired after that recap. It's the weekend again now and we actually are in town with not a lot going on, and VERY thankful. We love going, going, going, but we love having time to just spend the three of us. After getting a babysitter last night, we had a much needed date night and then spent today at the pool, taking naps, and unwinding...next week isn't looking any slower than this last one. Olivia and I are off to High Point to visit my best friend from high school who's visiting from Michigan with her newest child whom I haven't yet met, and then we leave for our Girl's Weekend at the beach with the Causey girls...like I said, no rest for the weary! But it'll all be fun, so off we go. Florence friends, take care of Jeremy while we're gone!