my firstborn

I must apologize that I've been a bit MIA, but what better way to reenter into blogland than with a birthday post!?!

Yesterday, we got to celebrate Miss Kaelee Morgan.  She has had quite a year with student teaching in Hilton Head, SC, coaching cheerleading, working, & being a super-awesome big sister.  This next year promises to be just as full & exciting as she graduates in December.  By this time next year, we may very well be celebrating her birthday long distance style. *sniff*

But this year, we got to have dinner & family time together, which is a-okay with me!

I may or may not have used a garbage bag & plastic tablecloth leftover from a grad party as wrapping paper.  I'm just tacky cool like that.

Kaya & K'Tyo think birthdays are da bomb.  They worked all day long on cards that they then fold just so so that they can put some "goodies" inside.  It's truly a surprise to see what kind of treasures they find!

My ever practical daughter asked for a blender & crock pot for her apartment. 

Kemeri is not sure what to make of all this birthday fuss.  We've had 2 so far, & she hasn't been real interested.  Something tells me that when Kendi turns 2 in October, she may have a different take.  She did come over & try out spitting all over a corner of the dessert blowing out candles.

Kaelee Morgan, we love you & pray many blessings over this coming year!  Can't wait to see what God has in store for you!! XO

picture overload!

I know, finally, right?  Not sure how the days go by so quick, but here are the pictures we had taken while on vacation.  A lot of pictures.  I used to get so uptight about getting pictures with everybody smiling, looking in one direction...ha.  I actually love these pictures b/c it's where we're at right now.  We have one little one (Kemeri) that had never, ever seen the sand before, so she just wasn't real sure she thought much of it.  And Kendi's scowl in most of the pictures just makes me giggle.  She is not impressed with the person that has her "boo bunny", waving it around trying to get her to smile.  And of course, there's all the moments in between poses that we need to get our feet wet, play in the sand, or just silly around for a few.  It was all good. :o)

Quick story about the next picture...I cannot afford to buy outfits for everybody just for pictures, so we always try to utilize basics that we already have.  I did all the packing & made sure everybody had something, but had one of those "uh-oh" moments when we got to HHI.  Somehow, I left Kaya's white tank top behind (Joe:  "Gee, that's not like you."  Thanks, honey, I know...lol).  Anyway, there was no time to go to the store, so I started digging.  All I could find was her white tank top with a very sparkly hot pink heart on it, but it would have to do (again, I'm learning not to stress about it, but forget about it).  When we got the pictures back, the first thing Joe said was, "Look where Kaya is in this picture."  We literally grabbed hands for this picture, & there she is...with "the heart" right in the center of our family. :o)

Yep, we still kiss in front of the children, & they still react the same as they always have!