Happy Birthday Boots!

On August 5th, Darren's grandad Boots celebrated his 90th birthday. To honor this special occasion, there was a birthday reception held at Pyburn just for Boots on Sunday, August 7th. These are my sweet babies before the party.

Cowboy Isaac

Miss Lady Bug

Uncle Derek, Mimi, and Daddy

Somehow, I managed to miss getting a picture of the birthday fella and for that, I could just kick myself. Boots has seen a lot in all his years and I'm thankful to have heard many of his stories and tales. I hope Isaac and Layla can remember him when they are older. One thing is for sure....he sure loves his great-grandbabies and they love him too. Happy Birthday Boots!

July '11

July sure got here in a hurry! Miss Layla started off the month with a bang. She has been pulling up on stuff for quite some time now, but finally, on July 1st, she took her first assisted steps! She walked behind a push toy at Mimi and PawPaw's house so we knew it wouldn't be long. Sure enough, on July 10th (her Papa's birthday) Layla took 3 steps all by herself! I can't believe how fast my baby has grown and to think her first birthday is just right around the corner makes me just want to cry!

Although she definitely looks a lot like her big brother, she is definitely her own little person. I can't wait to see what kind of child she grows to be and to see how she and her brother grow together.

Here are just some pictures of my sweet babies from throughout the month.....

Vacation 2011

We took our first official family vacation this year. Darren planned a last minute trip to the beach and it was wonderful. The only down side was that we had to leave a member behind. After much thought, we decided not to take Layla with us. Since she was only 10 months, we knew the ride down there would be rough on her so we came up with an alternate plan. Since Grandma wasn't working and was free, she came to our house to get Layla on June 20th. She stayed the night and then she and Layla took off to Carthage around lunch time. I only worked a half a day and once I got home and changed, we hit the road! Mimi and PawPaw came with us and we drove down to Mobile to stay the night. The next morning, we got up and toured the USS Alabama battleship. Isaac loved seeing the big ship!

After touring the ship, we drove on over to Orange Beach. We arrived at our condo and changed and Isaac was ready to hit the beach! This was his first time to ever see the ocean and he was just amazed at how big it was!

Since it was late when we got there, we didn't stay at the beach too long. We went up and showered and got ready to go out and find some good food to eat!

The second day, Isaac wanted to hit the pool. The ocean had been choppy and rough and since he had been knocked down several times by the waves, he decided the pool was a bit safer. This was fine by me......I was just happy to be out in the sun!

As you can see, Isaac tans pretty easily. This was just after the first day!

This was the view from our condo's balcony.....

We headed home from the beach on Saturday, the 25th. We made a pit stop at the famous Lambert's Cafe to eat before we left. The wait was pretty long, but the food was definitely worth the wait. Good stuff!! Then it was time to hit the road. We hated to leave, but we were all tired and ready to be home. Most of all, we missed our girl! Grandma kept her at her house Saturday so we could get home, unpack, and rest. She brought her home to us on Sunday and boy, were we all glad to see her! Grandma said they had a ball together and she was so glad to have some special time with Layla. She stayed the night on Sunday and then headed back to Carthage when she got up Monday morning. Next year, we are hopeful to have another beach vacation and Miss Layla will definitely be included!

June '11

June was the start of a busy summer for us all. With Layla pulling up on things, she is constantly into things and it's usually something her brother doesn't want her to get into! Early this month, she started something new that her Mommy did not like at all. At bedtime, she did not want me to rock her. When she was done with her bottle, she was ready to be put in her crib. Well, I was not happy about this and cried many tears wondering what I had done to make my baby not want me to rock her. Thankfully, it was just a phase and we are happily back to rocking at night. This Mommy was not ready to give up that part of her yet, especially knowing she is my last one!

I've told several people many times about what a temper Layla has and some say it's just the drama queen girl in her, but others don't believe that such a sweet little girl could ever have a temper. Darren says she gets it from me, I'm not so sure sometimes. Either way, these are some shots that show my little girl very unhappy with her Mama because I wouldn't let her play with a ceramic coaster. (I know, I'm such a mean ole Mommy!)

Layla playing with boys at Mimi's house

If you look closely in this picture, I think you can see her 2nd tooth, which came through on June 7th.

Layla also had her 9 month photo shoot this month which went really well and the photos were great. Also, remember the bike that Isaac got for his birthday?? Well, he decided the next weekend that he was ready for the training wheels to come off so Daddy took them off and he just started riding that bike like he had been doing it forever!

We also planned a last minute vacation in June, but that's a whole other post all to itself!

Lastly, Layla had her 9 month check up on June 30th. All was well with the little lady. She weighed 22 pounds 9 ounces and was 29 inches long. This visit we excaped without shots, but the next visit we won't be as lucky. I'm just thankful for two healthy and happy kiddos. They are my world and I love them and their Daddy more than they know!

Happy Birthday Isaac!

On June 3rd, our big boy Isaac turned 4. Hard to believe 4 years have already passed by and I know they are just going to go by faster and faster as he gets older. Papa and Hope came down Friday night to spend the night and stay for Isaac's party. We had the party on Saturday at the part at Pickwick again. Grandma and Moms came up for the party and stayed the night and Papa and Hope went home after the party. Isaac got lots of nice things from his friends and enjoyed playing with them. HOT doesn't even begin to describe how it felt at the park, but we managed to get through. 

Isaac's Cars cake 

Birthday Boy!

Isaac and his best bud Maddox

Emma, Ellie, Isaac, and Maddox

Layla hanging out in the shade

Isaac's new bike

Both of my little ones were sacked out once we got home from the party!!