Alexa's new do!

A few weeks ago I talked my sweet Alexa into cutting her hair.

Just for something new to do. I think she looks darling except she is

looking so mature now. Scary!!! Here she is showing of the new look.

Sweet Baby McKenna

Just a few random pictures for all those that have been asking

to see this sweet baby.

A face only a mother can love.

Doing what she does best.

McKenna has the best smiles except when I put the camera in front of her. She's still as cute as ever.

Having a bath in the sink. "Just relaxin' in the tub."

Better Late than never!

I know these are late but I had to put them on. The girls started school a few weeks late since we didn't know where we would be living. Here they are on their first day of school outside our apartment. Do they look excited or what? They were a little nervous but love it now and have already made many new friends (they must take after their daddy.)

Maya couldn't be left out of a photo shoot. She won't start school until next year.

Global Warming - What a JOKE!!!

WARNING: This is not for the liberal at heart.

So, I thought this whole blog idea would be great for journaling about our family and keep our friends and family up to date on us. I have just found a new reason why I need this blog. I had an encounter today with a "Granola" woman who is obviously way too brainwashed about global warming. I was so in shock by her boldness that I could hardly think straight. I didn't get to say what I wanted to say. I am so mad at myself that I didn't speak up to her that I have to post it on my blog to get my frustrations out. Here's what happened:

I took Maya and McKenna to the park today to play. We had about 1/2 hour before we had to pick up the girls from school. Instead of driving all the way back to our apartment to go up two flights of stairs with the girls and have to turn around I decided that we would just go wait at the school for them. Maya had brought a few books so I figured we were set. When I drove up, there were 3 or 4 other cars already there. Since we had just been at the park and the girls cheek's were flushed from the heat, not to mention it was just plain humid outside and we wanted to be comfortable, we left the car idling . After sitting reading to Maya for a while, more cars showed up behind us. Then it happened. A woman came up to my door and knocked on my window. Just a mom or grandma (not quite sure). She proceeded to tell me that the school was going to be sending notices around to let people know not to leave their cars idling while waiting for their kids in line because of Global warming and all. She said that she thought she'd just spread the word and let me know since I was the only one with my car idling. (She is such a good citizen. Blaggghhhh!!!) I think my jaw hit the floor. I didn't know what to say and just like that she was gone.

I am so annoyed at myself that I didn't say anything to her. What gives her the right to tell me that I can't idle my car. I'm the one that's paying for my gas, not her. I thought this was a free country. Since when do people tell you that you have to sit in a hot car with an infant and a toddler just to "protect the earth". If I were to have walked away with my car off and the kids in it, she would have probably called social services on me. But I guess it's ok as long as I am dying in the heat with them. These democrats are really getting on my nerves. I think I am more annoyed at myself that I didn't say anything. I wish I could do that conversation all over again. It is people like me that let this sort of stuff go on by not speaking out. Never again will I let that happen. The next person who even MENTIONS Global warming to me will probably be sorry because they will get a nice earful. I think on Monday I will be the first in line with my car idling and proud of it.

(Wow, I am feeling much better now. This writing your thoughts down stuff really makes you feel better and stronger. I can conquer the world now (especially if I keep my car running.)

OLD SALEM

After moving to North Carolina we discovered a fun place for the whole family - Old Salem. The girls love everything about it. Especially this fun bridge that takes you over to the Toy Museum and the Children's Museum.

Daddy and "Sweet Baby"
Can you say, "Cheese" - Y. This girl can't get enough of the camera.
As I am posting this Maya is dancing around singing, "I look fabulous."

Not one insecure bone in her body. Of course Alexa would NOT be caught in the dresses. This is her version of dress up. Some things never change.

Olivia - Can that smile get any bigger?

She still loves to be like her big sister.

Everything at the Children's Museum has to do with the time period of Old Salem -

Including this play house with the old bed that has ropes and straw for the mattress.

There is also a fun climbing "thing". (We don't know what it's called.)

Cute Livie on this great rocking horse.

If you will come and visit, the girls would love to take you there and show you around. We were lucky to have our fun cousins, Will, Hyde, and Ivy and Aunt Maren come up to visit Old Salem. I'm just not as good as Aunt Maren and didn't take pictures of the event. But if you would like to check out her blog, she has some posted. Thanks Aunt Maren for being so responsible.

"Oh! Sweet Baby"

Here are some pictures of our sweet baby, McKenna at 3 months old.

When we first got to our apartment in North Carolina, the port-a-crib was still with the movers. The first night she had to sleep in a drawer. She did great - slept the whole night through, as usual. This brings back so many memories because just about 9 years ago, Alexa had to do the same thing when we moved to Washington. Now they will have matching pictures. What fun.

"It's the NAKED baby." (insert Maya's voice here.)

The girls love when she's naked. They can't get over how soft her skin is.

After her baths and her diaper on they beg me to leave her like this. Maya walks around saying, "It's the Naked baby."

What a little sweetheart. We think we'll keep her.

What a genious. She is already standing. (Ok, just propped up in the corner.)

Technology is great. This picture was completely black. I think one of the girls took it. I just used our adobe program and lightened it up and here it is. Incredible. What a darling picture.

On the Road Again. . .

The trip to North Carolina was just too much for these sleepy heads.

Daddy and McKenna

(Don't worry grandma's, we weren't driving at the time.

We were stopped so McKenna could get a quick bite to eat.)

Do these girls look like they were ripped away from their homes and are homeless now? Boy are we lucky to have such sweet girls. We had to travel on Sunday and so we had our own Primary in the car. I did sharing time, thanks to Tim for downloading the scriptures on to his phone (the advantages of technology.) Then Alexa did a lesson. She taught the girls an Article of Faith. She did a great job because they all know it now. Then we sang as many primary songs as we could remember. It really turned out to be a great way to pass the time.

Just a few shots of beautiful North Carolina.

Saying Good Bye to Arkansas

(Razorback Style)

Our dear friends the Johnson's and their son "Baby Walker" came to say good bye and gave us these great Razorback noses. They love the Razorbacks and well, we don't. This is a tribute to them. We miss you and love you. Make sure you come and visit sometime. (Just don't come until we are out of this way to crowded apartment.)

We would like to say good bye to all our friends in AR. They have made us feel like family and we appreciate all the friendships that we made there. We will never forget you or the experiences we had there. We have learned important lessons from y'all. You have been great examples to us and we are richly blessed. We hope that someday our paths will cross again. Thank you for teaching, caring for and loving our children.

McKenna's Photo Shoot

August 5, 2007

(Blessing Day)

This dress (and blanket) were made by our wonderful Grandma Gibb.

She made it for Alexa and since I new how much work she put into it, I told her that if I ever had

another girl that we would just pass it on. Who knew that it would be worn 4 TIMES!!!

Now it is truly an heirloom. Unfortunately it has some nice yellow stains from

too many spitty babies. Don't look too close.

CHEESE!

And....We're Back!

Ok! So we've been out of the blogging life for a while now. In fact I can hardly remember how to do this - I am definitely no blogging expert like Jean.

We are finally back and hopefully can keep up.

We have just recently moved to NC.

Things went well with the move. It was just a trial to find a new home.

We are in temp. housing for now until our house is built. We can't wait to get in.

I hope with these posts I can catch everyone up to date.

So, here are some random pictures of our kids that I found that I couldn't resist posting. We don't know where these kids came from but they can be nuts sometimes.

Darling McKenna She has grown so much since this picture was taken.

I think this shot says it all.

Maya is such a good big sister. And doesn't she take a great picture. I think the camera loves her as much as she loves the camera.

4th of July

This is my favorite holiday in Arkansas. We have been able to celebrate in our own front yard. We had our "Holiday" friends come and enjoy the evening with us. Our holiday friends are those dear friends that have filled the void of our family for the holidays. We celebrated with The Bird's, Woffinden's, and Thompson's. We miss you all. I would have posted more pictures but I only have the ones that were e-mailed to me and I haven't figured how to get them from the e-mail to my blog. Any help would be appreciated.

The "Big" Day

In August Grandma and Grandpa came for the big day - McKenna's baby blessing. We were so excited for them to come and visit. It helped take our minds off our big move not to mention the help they gave us in getting ready. The packers came the day they left.

Three proud big sisters. (I really think Maya is just enjoying having her picture taken. Any chance she gets, she's taking a picture.)

Our dear friends in Cabot participated in the baby blessing. What a great group of guys not to mention that beautiful baby right in the middle.