Fun in Pawley's Island

Our little bathing beauty!

Splashing around with cousin Ben

Picnics on the beach are the best!

Making a "Sand Angel!"

Lauren learns to write her name in the sand for the first time!

Lauren loves to play with Penny (the dog) and Tandy (Mary's doll)
Showing some love for marine life!

Lauren loved playing with the seaweed!

Lauren wanted to be a mermaid! So, we buried her

in the sand and gave her a mermaid tail!
Lauren with her "Auntie" Mary.

We made our annual visit to Aunt Mary and Uncle Jeff this summer in Pawley's Island, SC. It is such a gorgeous place that Philip and I would love to live there some day! We had fun playing on the beach every single day during our trip. This was a relaxing vacation. We didn't do a lot of shopping this time, because we have pretty much visited everywhere there. Instead, we wanted to take it easy, because we knew that our upcoming Disney World trip (over fall break) would be very hectic.

Summer is a time for...

Picnics in the park with my mommy!

Dollywood!

Jeep rides!

fun in the creek, mud and all!

playgrounds!

bubbles!

cooling off in my little pool in our yard!

watermelons!

Cades Cove!

caring for my babydolls!

fun at the lake...with family and friends!

* Aren't Ladybug and "Dia" too cute? *

I am SO FAR BEHIND in blogging!

Well, I originally started this blog on Valentines day with every intention of keeping up with it when something interesting happened. However, at the time, I didn't know how to "shrink" my digital pictures to fit onto blogs or emails. Well, now Philip has shown me how to do this! I thought that I would finally get started on the blog. I am going to "backtrack" throughout the year and post some pics of holidays or major events. I hope that everyone enjoys it.

Sorry this is sooooo late!

Easter with our Friends

The day before Easter, we hosted a lovely, yet cold, cookout at our home. We invited friends and their families. Our friends Jennifer and Jeff (from GA) were able to come with their 3 beautful childen, Maddie, Mitch, and Mya. Teresa and Marc were there with their son, Drew. Brooke, Joy, and John also came as well! ( Jenna couldn't come-we missed her!) Lauren had such a great time playing, hunting eggs in the backyard, and dying eggs with her friends. We should do this every year. The girls especially loved making Joy's easter purse craft. She is so "Martha Stewart!" I love all of my friends. We are truely blessed!

Easter at Clover Hill Presbyterian

I grew up attending Clover Hill Presbyterian Church. My father and his father before him grew up there as well. It has always been a tradition at Clover Hill to have an EARLY sunrise service each Easter Morning. I know that it is difficult for Lauren to wake up so early, get dressed up, and manage to stay awake and be somewhat cheerful. However, I have always been amazed at how she manages to pull it off each year. I just love the opportunity to dress her up, especially in my favorite boutique brand: Strasburg! This year, she wore a gorgeous, mint green smocked dress. I am addicted to smocking!

Holley's family

Lauren with Mommy & Daddy

Lauren's Easter basket

Beautiful smocking! The pics don't do this dress justice!

Easter Egg Hunt 2007

Porter Egg Hunt 2005- 18 months old

Porter egg Hunt 2006- 2 1/2 years old

2007- age 3 1/2

I can't believe that Lauren is celebrating her 4th easter! This year, she really enjoyed hunting for eggs at my school's annual kindergarten egg hunt. It has been a tradition since she was 18 months old to come to Porter Elementary's Kindergarten Egg Hunt. My mom picks Lauren up from day care and drives her to Porter, where she hunts for eggs in the designated "little kid area." Afterwards, she enjoys our class party and spends the afternoon at school with me! This is the 3rd year for this tradition, and it really hit home with me this year that Lauren will soon be one of those kindergarten children hunting eggs on the playground. I have attached pics of Lauren from the each of the 3 years that she has attended our egg hunt. Can you believe how much my baby has grown?

The Easter Bunny visited Paradise Hills Drive again this year and left Lauren a basket filled with goodies on the front porch. We were lucky enough to visit with him and pose for a picture before his busy day. Poor Lauren was so tired from waking up so early on easter morning, (we have a 7:00 am sunrise church service) but nothing wakes you up more then a basket overflowing with toys and candy, candy, candy!!!