Summer fun with Charley

Grammie T and Charley spent a few days at our house this week - we had so much fun. Charley is such a delight and has so much personality!

I had to work, but Rich and Grammie T took the girls swimming one afternoon. Kalee is one lucky kiddo - her daddy has taken her to the pool at least 3 days a week this summer. She's got a "Florida" tan going on!The girls entertained us with their dancing skills. The first night Charley was at our house she and Kalee danced for almost 30 minutes. It was such a silly time!

Playing in the sprinkler!

Signs of Summer

Kalee really wants to camp out with Rich, but it has been H-O-T here, so she was thrilled when she saw the tent that daddy made for her in the living room!

Playing in the sprinkler...a summer favorite!

What a start to the summer!

We have had quite a busy start to the summer...and I am exhausted! I won't complain too much, because we have had a lot of fun, but I am ready to catch up on my sleep! This past weekend my cousin, Rebekah, got married. My bro and sis-in-law, along with my cousins and Uncle Joe and Aunt Cindy all came up to GA for the special day - I think this is the first time all the cousins have been together in one spot in a few years. We had a good time (although quick time) visiting - my favorite part of the day was this great pic that Chase took with me. Such a sweet boy!

The beautiful Bride!Grammie with all her grand and great-grand kids. Such a lucky lady! :)Rich and my gram... The new "OUTLAW" group - welcome to the family, Scott!

Kalee and Chase...being a little silly.Family, family! This pic is from Kalee's last day of 2nd grade. I CAN'T believe the school year is over already - and really can't believe she will be in 3rd grade next year. Life just isn't fair!Warming up for her last softball game. Kalee with her coaches, and team. Dickens Builders, 2010.Crystal and Charley came over for Kalee's last game and we decided to go strawberry picking afterwards. It was a lot of work to pick the strawberries this year - but they were good! Love the pictures of these 2 sweet girls together! For Kalee's first trip of the summer she went over to Aunt Crystal's for 5 days - and had a blast.Kalee and Charley with their 'silly bands'. Kalee may just have gotten Charley hooked on them. :)Rich golfed with my dad and a couple friends (Trey and Trace) in UGA's Fellowship for Christian Athletes Tournament. They didn't win, but they had fun. I asked Rich if he said "Go Gators" to UGA's head coach, Mark Richt (in the pic - center), but he didn't...scaredy cat! We headed to FL on Thurs, May 27th, for our vacation. We met my friend Alison and her kids for breakfast on Friday morning. Love my pic with Annabelle.

We were in FL at just the right time to be able to attend Andrew's Homecoming Celebration 2010. 2 years ago Andrew FINALLY came home from the hospital after spending the first 6 months of his life there. So glad they took such great care of him and so thankful that he is doing so well!!!

On Monday we went to a family picnic at Vince and Sue's. Kalee enjoyed spending a few hours with all her young cousins on Rich's side of the family!

We also spent a few days at Anthony's pool. Kalee had lots of fun playing with friends and cousins and I enjoyed relaxing in the Florida sun with my friend Alison!

We had a great time in FL, but left feeling like we didn't have enough time to visit with everyone...the point being that there is never enough time. We were there for 10 days, but I could have used a few more! Thanks to the Hanley's for housing us the entire time...10 days is a long time to crash at someone's house - thank goodness we're close like that! ha!

Kalee stayed in FL for a week after Rich and I came home - thanks Jessica, Vince & Sue! It got off to a rocky start (she freaked out in a big way when we left her - which is totally unlike her), but thankfully, Uncle Steve and Aunt Betsy came to the rescue and calmed her down. She had a great time playing with her cousins and I'm so glad she got to spend time with them!

The day we left to come home my Aunt Snooks (my dad's sister-in-law) passed away. She had been battling cancer for the past 6 months or so. I'm so glad we got to spend a few minutes with her while we were in FL. She was the GREATEST aunt...you always knew you were loved. I'll miss you much, Aunt Snooks!

Fun with Charley

Charley came to spend the weekend with us...just because...and we have had a great time! Kalee is such a great older cousin and has kept Charley entertained! The first night they took a bath together and played for almost an hour. There was water everywhere! It was so fun to hear them laughing and giggling. Last night they were in Kalee's room and were taking turns yelling/screaming - other then it being ridiculously loud, it was so cute to listen to! :)

Rich was laying on the floor and Charley went and found another pillow and layed it down right next to him, then she snuggled up to him. Too cute!Uncle Richie is the best uncle EVER! He brought this great toy home from a friends garage sale and Charley loves it. Every time we leave the house and come back she runs in and yells "the balls"!

I threw a bridal shower for my cousin Rebekah yesterday and the girls have had fun playing with the leftover balloons...what kids don't like balloons? I brought home some chicken salad for lunch and figured Charley would eat it right up...well, I was wrong! She very politely told me 'nooooo' after she spit out the first bite! I tried again, then tried a grape that was part of the salad...she perked up when I said grape, but quickly realized she didn't want it! So, I got up and made her a grilled cheese...no force feeding of my niece! :)

More Baseball pics...

LOVE her facial expressions! Concentrating on connecting with the ball!

Softball!

Softball has started! I forgot to take my camera to the game, but here are a couple pics that we snapped when we got home. Kalee is playing machine pitch softball this year and is having fun. The game was MUCH more exciting than games from the previous 2 years...very glad to leave t-ball behind!

Happy Birthday to Rich!

Rich turned 34 on the 18th...and Kalee made him a special present. She was so excited to make this picture note for her daddy - and I must admit, it was pretty stinkin' cute! We decided to eat at home and had yummy spaghetti and meatballs! Kalee and I also made a Lemon Meringue pie especially for Rich.

Grammie, Nana & Papa joined us for dinner

What I love most about this picture is that we managed to include the ridiculously HUGE container of parmesan cheese!A close up of her present to daddy. The pic was taken on the day of her first dr's appt - she was about 10 days old. It was a pretty special moment!

Pennsylvania SNOW!!!

We took a quick trip to PA a couple weeks ago - and we FINALLY timed it and had a lot of snow to play in! We also brought Charley Dae with us, as a suprise for Grammie T...and she was surprised! I have a video of it, but I can't upload it!

I LOVE this pic of these 2 girls...they had been playing in the hotel room right before this pic, but climbed on the bed to watch cartoons. Their faces just made me smile! Outside of the hotel - Kalee's first really good look at all the snow! She couldn't believe it and was SO excited!

Kalee has always been a great traveler and Charley was a dream, too! We had about 13 hours in the car and the girls played with barbies, read books and watched movies. It was a great trip.

Getting ready to go out and play in the snow for the first time. She fussed about all the layers we made her put on, but quickly realized why we made her do it! It was FREEZING - her words!

Aunt Liisa and Charley - waiting for Grammie T to arrive - or T as Charley called her!

Daddy and Uncle Mike built a snow fort for Kalee to play in - or for them to play in - either way, she thought it was great. :)

One last trip out in the snow - grandpa John went out and threw some snow balls with her!

We went snow tubing with all the fam. Grammie T stayed inside with Charley and Aaron, while Rich, Kalee, Mike, Liisa and I tubed. Charley and Aaron kept grammie entertained, for sure.

Taking a break - I love this pic, too. Charley was so cute as she dipped her chicken into the ketchup!

Aaron and Grammie T.

a sweet moment!

Kalee, taking a ride with Great-Grandpa LeMar, across the frozen pond and then up the mountain. I got to take a ride the day before and it was so beautiful. The snow just sparkled.

The snow baby!

Snow Angels! Kalee has waited a long time to make a real snow angel!

Walking back to the cabin. The ground was slippery where the tire tracks were and Charley kept walking in those tracks and falling. It was the cutest thing!

Warming up with Uncle Richie

Great-Grandpa LeMar with his grandkids

We had lunch at Uncle Dale and Aunt Sharon's house - it was so delicious. Sharon made 3 homemade soups, homemade bread, a huge salad and homemade apple pie.

Charley slept through most of the lunch - after a little snuggling time with Uncle Mikey.Aaron had a lot of fun playing with Kalee and Liisa and I had a lot of fun watching. He was such a little ham!

We stopped by grandpa John's house on our way out. Charley thinks he is just the best - it was too funny to watch!