A STAR IS BORN!

This past weekend Ella Grace had her very first dance recital! She looked beautiful! She has enjoyed taking dance this past year and loved twirling around in front of the big mirrors and watching herself! We got to buy tutus, ballet shoes, and tap shoes! We have had the best time and can't wait until next year! Here are a few pictures from her dance recital!

She got lots of pink flowers!!!

Our little Broadway Star!

Mommy and Ella Bella!

Thank you to our family for coming to see Ella Grace shine! We were so excited you all were able to be there for the BIG occasion! This is only the beginning of many more dance recitals, so get ready!

Farewell Paci!!!

My paci, my friend!

Ahhhh! She is asleep in the car!!! No sister fights! This is great!

The day Lucy got her paci from Aunt Kasie, Wylie, and Charlie

Chillin in the car!

Goodbye Paci! Well for those of you don't know, Lucy Anne not once took a pacifier when she was a baby! However, after Charlie and Wylie were born she quickly became a fan of all their infant toys including the paci! With a little encouragement from Aunt Kasie Lucy was addicted to her new paci within a few hours! Kasie is not the only culprit! Being since neither of the girls took a paci when they were babies, I found some sort of cuteness in Lucy's new playfriend! Jay and I quickly found that the paci would stop the crying and the tantrums that Lucy would throw in the car! The paci was quickly everyones best friend around here! As time passed, the paci was part of our family! We never went anywhere without the paci! Lucy Anne started preschool this past year and I was a little nervous about her being in a new environment and needing her "comfort" away from Mommy and Daddy (her paci). If I took the girls to school, I would always tuck Lucy's paci in her bookbag for her and tell her teachers it was in there if she needed it! Jay, being the brave one, would leave paci in the car for her! Then I quickly found out that Lucy didn't ask for her paci at school like she does at home. However, as soon as Lucy saw me after school, she immediately was asking for the paci before we could even get in the car! Then I knew she didn't need it! She just loved to he held by Mommy or Daddy with all her friends in hand (the babies, blankie, and paci). A comfort thing!

Anyway, Lucy was constantly misplacing her paci at home. She could never remember where she left it and it became a huge problem. She loved to throw it down and Jay and I would have to search all over for it! Fun games for Mom and Dad right! So last week during one of her two year old tantrums (because she couldn't find the paci) I decided today is the day! Today is the day paci will not be found! I told her paci went bye-bye! I held her in my arms as she cried, which surprisingly only lasted a few short minutes! She even let out a few laughs when I told her paci went bye bye! I was shocked! But that was that! Afer paci went bye bye, we went to the zoo. She asked for it a few times in the car and would just whimper when I told her paci went bye-bye!

Then it happened! An extra paci stash was found in a drawer by big sister Ella Grace! Ella said , "look Mom paci didn't go bye-bye" and she gave it sister Lu! I quickly had to make paci go bye bye all over again! It has been about a week now without the paci and I must say Lucy has done exceptionally well, even at bedtime!

So, Farewell Paci! Goodbye to our car ride and bedtime friend! We will miss you and cherish the times we had together! Charlie and Wylie thanks for sharing, but don't try to tempt me when you see me! I know you will, but I'll be brave! Let's hope when cousin #3 arrives any day now Lucy won't go backwards!! Up next is potty training for Lucy! Keep you all posted on her many accomplishments!

Our trip to Disney on Ice!!

Two weeks ago we got a special treat from Gran Sandy and that was tickets to our annual trip to Disney on Ice! Lots of exciting events come to the Carolina Coliseum and this is one of our favorites! Last year Jay and I took Ella Grace to Disney Princess on Ice and this year Lucy Lu was able to join in on the fun with us! I had more fun watching Ella and Lucy's expressions than anything else that night! Complete Amazement is the only way I can possibly describe their reactions! The pictures speak for themselves! Seeing the world through the eyes of a child is
refreshing and fun! It makes me cherish and thankful for every moment I have! And yes, in the above picture Jay and I did purchase not one, but two lovely "gold" chain aerial necklaces! Lovely right? This is Ella's precious treasure!!! Lucy had tangled hers all up by the time we got home!

Hello all my disney princess friends! I love you, I love you, I love you!

It wouldn't be Disney On Ice without a light up toy to twirl in the air when the lights go off! Thank you Gran Sandy!

Oh Cinderella you are so beautiful!

Ella Grace posing with Aerial's dress on the "Red Carpet!"

Us with Belle's Dress again on the Red Carpet!

Before the show! Of course Aerial had to go with us!

Sister Hugs for Aerial!

We can't wait to see all of our disney friends again! If anyone ever wants to join us at the show
or the Circus we are frequent attenders to all of the many attractions Columbia offers! Until next year!

Uncle Jeffery's Graduation!

This weekend we celbrated Uncle Jeffery's Gradaution from the Citadel! We are so proud of Jeffery and had such a good time with our family and friends! We went to Jefferys last parade,
watched him graduate, played on the beach,, and went fishing!



The long Grey Line 2009!



Jeffery's home for the past four years!!

Ella Grace and Lucy at the parade! Ella Grace is just so terribly exhausted!

But that didn't last long. Leave it to Ella Grace and Lucy to dance in the "meadow" (the parade deck)

Dancing, Dancing, Dancing!

We can dress up in anything! Even Uncle Jefferys funny hat!

Congrats Jeff! You are a wonderful brother and a great uncle! We love you!

LUCY ANNE!! So precious in every way! Lucy has the most precious little heart and soul! She adores her big sister and is always a step behind Ella Grace. Whatever Ella does, Lucy does too! She plays dress up with Ella and even attempts to skate in Ella's princess skates! Lucy loves babies! You rarely see her without a baby in hand. At the Easter Egg hunt she managed to stuff her baby and blankie in her basket and still had room for eggs and chocolate! At my mom's house she found a Baby Jesus in a manager and walks around the house with Baby Jesus in her hand. If she happens to drop Baby Jesus she gets very upset. I think we can all learn a great deal from these small precious actions! She adores Baby Jesus so much that my mom gave her own Baby Jesus in a Manager for her Birthday!! She gently holds Jesus in her hand as she walks around the house! She loves Charlie and Wylie and their paci's!! Even though she is 2, she loves to be held and will say countless times throughout the day "Hold You." Lucy loves doggies and loves to play. Unlike Ella Grace, Lucy will not be still for you to read one page of a book to her. She loves "snacks!" If we give her ice cream for a treat she will give us a hug on our leg because she gets soo excited! Lucy reminds me everyday of how to love! The love she has for Jay, me, Ella, her babies, and her entire family is outstanding! I love her with my whole heart!



I am Two!!

Note the baby in her Easter Basket!!

Thanks Charlie for the Paci!!