Cubbies

At the beginning of August, the kids at church were promoted to their next Sunday School classes. Hailey is now a preschooler at church and no longer in the nursery. She is loving being a big girl and loves all of her new teachers and friends. She never cries or even turns back when we leave her, she is growing up! I am also very excited that Hailey began the Awana program this year. She is in the Cubbies and had her first meeting last night. She loved it! She already learned and recited her first Bible verse I John 4:10 "God loved us and sent His Son." I am so excited for her to learn more about Jesus and His love for her as well as memorize Scripture. We are just so thankful that God led us to our church and they have such as strong children's ministry.

Where Has The Time Gone?

Kaitlyn is now 6 months old! Here is a video of her making some of her new noises. She is such a content little baby. She loves to just lay on the floor, roll around, and play with her toys or watch her sister play. She is eating some solids, but isn't very interested in trying new foods. Her favorite food so far, is bananas. She likes to swing in the baby swing at the park and go for rides in her stroller.

Busy Month

We have had quite a busy month! For starters, Steve got a new job here in Atlanta with another airline. He has been in training for 6 weeks and starts working this week. He is so excited about this step up and we are SO very proud of him!

In the beginning of July, we were able to travel to Tennessee for a family reunion for my Dad's family. I had not been since I was a kid, so it was nice to go and see some familiar people and places. My parents, my brother Chris and his family, my Grandma, my Uncle Harold and Aunt Renee, my Aunt Sherry, and my cousin Shannon and her family all made the trip as well. It was a lot of fun and I was glad I was able to go.

My parents came down for a visit last weekend. It was a lot of fun. We went to the park and had a picnic one day, we went to an amusement park with them, and we just had lots of fun with them.

I have taken very few pictures from the past month, but here are a couple.

We Love the Summer!

Family Time in Ohio

This past weekend, we were able to go to Ohio for a few days to spend some more time with family. Hailey loved spending time with some of her cousins and even got to go to Logan and Ali's birthday party! She also loved fishing in the pond and playing on the beach when we went up to the lake for a day. We had fun playing games with the adults and being able to visit with family.

Our trip home was eventful also. Due to canceled flights, we ended up flying to D.C. and waiting there for a few hours until we could catch a flight back to Atlanta. The girls were as good as could be expected, but were EXHAUSTED by the time we got home. It does take a lot to entertain and keep quiet two girls in airports and airplanes full of grumpy people, and be flexible when things don't go as planned for us. That being said, I would not trade in any of that. We are blessed to live so far from from our family, yet we get to see them so much. We want our girls to know their Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts, and Cousins and be able to have a relationship with them. Family is important to us.

Hailey playing on the beach

Kaitlyn and Aunt MegHailey ane Grandpa Mott

Uncle Dave reading to Hailey Hailey and Nathan

Hailey and Ali
Hailey and Logan

Hailey with Uncle John and Logan

Hailey and her Daddy

Proud of the fish she caught

Grandpa and Hailey

Grandma and Kaitlyn

Camping

Last weekend, the four of us went camping. We went to a state park in the mountains. It was so much fun and one of the best times we have had as a family. Both girls did wonderful, they slept great and we did not have any problems. Hailey loved swimming in the lake and going on "nature walks" around the park. It was nice to have a few days together with no cell phones, internet, or tv. We plan on going camping more often now that we know it can be done, even with a baby.

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a great Memorial Day weekend together. We had beautiful (and HOT) weather here and we enjoyed most of the weekend outside. We cooked out at the park twice, went on walks, played on the playground, and played in the baby pool on our back patio. It was a very fun weekend!

May

Our Little Hailey has become quite the social butterfly. She has always loved the company of other kids, but recently she has become very interested in actually playing with the kids. The other day, some kids knocked on our door and said, "can your little girl come outside to play?" Very sweet. It's so refreshing to watch her play with kids and hear her carry on conversations with them. It is one thing for Mommy and Daddy to be able to understand her, but it's even better when children her age can understand her. She has just finished up her speech therapy for the school year and will pick it back up in August. She loves her teacher there and I see quite and improvement in her speech. Kaitlyn is now 3 1/2 months old. She is growing like a weed! She has the chubby cheeks that tend to run in the family. She is cooing, laughing, and developing her own little personality. We recently moved her out of our room and the girls now share a room. Hailey loves having Kaitlyn in her room at night.

Mother's Day and Kaitlyn's Baby Dedication

I had such a great Mother's Day! Not only did I get to celebrate it with Steve and the girls, but my parents were also in town, so I got to be with my Mom on Mother's Day too! It was such a special day.

Mother's Day morning was Kaitlyn's baby dedication at church. We were among seven other families who dedicated their children. With God's help we want to raise our girls the way that God tells us to and we pray that they both will choose to follow Christ.

After church, we came home and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon. Hailey and Steve made me a "teddy bear cake." This was what Hailey told Steve that she wanted to get me for Mother's Day, so Steve made it happen...such a good Daddy and great husband! The cake was delicious. I also got a shirt with the girl's picture on it that was adorable. It was the perfect day!