around gatlinburg

While we were in Gatlinburg we did a little sightseeing. It's a great little tourist town with a ton of shops, mostly candy and treats. The girls found lollipops.

Morgan decided to just sit down in a store and eat hers.

Then she decided that she wanted to try on some sunglasses. Every time I took a pair out of her hands and turned my back to put them on the shelf she had another pair pulled out. She like cheesing for the camera. I feel sorry for the person trying those on after her. She was a mess.

We stopped for a picture with the bears. Addison actually let me take a picture of her. The other is courtesy of Addison, our budding photographer.

Another decent family picture courtesy of a stranger walking by. If I could I would attach sunglasses to this post so you don't go blind from looking at my glowing legs.

I tried to justify all of the crap I ate by walking. I don't think the formula worked out in my favor though.

special occasions

Yesterday was our anniversary. Michael has been putting up with my shenanigans for six years. I'm not sure how he does it sometimes. There's a lot of female drama in our house.

This was taken about a month after we were married at a little family party to celebrate our wedding. We started planning this big wedding and then nixed the whole thing and got married on a cruise. Just us and 20 close family members and friends. It turned out to be perfect.

Today is my mom's birthday. It's a special one since she's turning 60. So this weekend we're having a big bash to celebrate it, Morgan's birthday, Mother's Day, and whatever else we can think of. Happy Birthday mom!

my hat

We were leaving the beach and she wanted to wear my hat. Everything about her is me. I love it!

And I'm terrified at the same time.

a not so bright idea

Let me tell you a little story.

Once there was a mom and dad named Schmichael and Schmerika. They had this brilliant idea to take their two young children, who love the outdoors, on a small hike up a mountain. The walkway was wide and paved and the girls would love hiking to the top.

That morning they woke up and realized that the high temperature for the day was only supposed to be 68 degrees. They dressed their children in cotton pants, tshirts and sweaters since this was the warmest thing they had. Well, almost both of them. Schmaddison decided that she would not be cold and didn't want to wear pants. Bermuda shorts it was.

So they drive up to the park near the top of the mountain. They park. The thermometer in the car shows it being 54 degrees outside. As Schmichael and Schmerika get out, dressed in shorts and tshirts, the park ranger advises them that it is 46 degrees at the top with winds of 20 mph. No problem. They got this.

They head off and up. Schmichael carrying Schmaddison, her legs wrapped in a baby blanket, and Schmerika carrying Schmorgan, also wrapped in a blanket. Good thing one parent remembered a hoodie for herself. People looked at them like they were nuts. Both carrying children up an incline with shorts and tshirts on. One person commented on how red Schmerika's legs looked. It wasn't sunburn. Just good old cold.

Okay, okay. So that was us. Morgan liked picking the dandelions along the way.

The views were pretty if you could get past the cold.

Poor Addison was so miserable at the top. I think we lasted all of two minutes up there. Her favorite place was the gift shop back at the bottom. It had heat and cool stuffed animals. She wanted to take pictures again and this is what she got.

Next time we'll be a little more prepared.

they can play nice

Actually, more times than not. Like this day in the kitchen.

Or this day at their cousin's baseball game.

Or when hanging out with Pappaw and Bella.

I have a feeling that they're only going to grow closer as they get older.

two years old

Dear Morgan,

I remember two years ago when I woke up early and headed to the hospital. Everything went so fast. Surgery was scheduled for 7 a.m. and at 7:49 a.m. you were born. You were so tiny compared to your sister. All I wanted to do was hold you and cuddle you. When you woke up this past Sunday morning I wanted to do the same thing. You wanted no part of it. You ran straight for the streamers and balloons and sung the cutest version of Happy Birthday to yourself. When I asked you how old you were you told me two, but you haven't mastered the fingers yet. Your mouth was saying two, but your hands were showing five.

We had a little get together with the neighbors again. Have I mentioned that we love the neighbors? This weekend I said their names and you went running to the back door and looked over to see if they were there. We went swimming for awhile so you could practice your kicks. Swimming lessons would be a thing of the past if you would kick your feet better. We're working on it though. Hopefully by the time you read this you are swimming like a fish. Then it was time for dinner and cake. Ah, the cake. You would probably eat sugar and sweets all day if I let you. You're always asking me for candy and cookies. You can down a juice box in less than a minute. But because I care so much about you and those pearly whites of yours, it's only allowed in moderation. But birthday's don't count.

You were so funny when we sang Happy Birthday to you. Your eyes crossed and you started to stare at all of us. I've never seen that look on your face before. It was probably a mix of confusion and embarassement. Whatever it was, it was hilarious. You're lacking some power in your blow, but that didn't matter. Your big sister was happy to step in and help. Addison even showed you how to lick the icing off the candle. She's really proud that you are her little sister.

We've found that you have a temper. Sometimes you like to hit your sister for no good reason. When we tell you that it's not nice to hit you run to her with hugs and kisses and tell her sorry. It makes me smile to see you so sweet, although I do wish that you wouldn't hit in the first place. You've gotten better. Either that or we just don't witness it as much. Your lucky that Addison doesn't hit back. You've also mastered the middle of the floor tantrum. You know the one where you lay with your face planted in the floor and just scream. It doesn't happen often, but when it does it truly is a work of art.

I can't get over your hair.  People comment all the time about how blonde it is. It really is white. I wish it would stay like that forever, but I don't think it's in the cards. Right now you have four dark hairs on your head. They stick out like sore thumbs in that sea of white. I monitor them and haven't seen any new ones in awhile. Maybe that's a good sign. You still have not had a haircut. It's so long and curls so much in the back that I can't bring myself to cut it. Daddy loves it because he can just put it in a ponytail. I guess there really is no rush.

Sunday was Mother's Day as well. It was such a special day for me. Don't get me wrong. The gifts were nice, but the sweet kisses and extra big hugs that I got all day were super special. You give the best hugs. Just recently you've become really attached to me. You've always wanted daddy to put you to bed, but now you come looking for me. You love books and always have a stack for me to read. I read you a couple and then rock you while I sing you songs. Hush Little Baby has always been your favorite. Sometimes you'll rub my arm or pat my back while we're rocking.

I love that you still love to dance. Any time you hear music you stop and dance. It could be the middle of the grocery store, in the car or at church. I can clap my hands and make up a song and you will still dance to it. It makes me smile every time. Recently you've started singing songs. I listened to you sing Itsy Bitsy Spider for 45 minutes the other day. I like how you sometimes don't know where the end is and keep going in a continuous loop.

Mommy and daddy probably won't be having more babies. I sometimes think about that when it's just me and you alone, rocking at night. I cherish each moment I have with you and your sister. But when milestones come and go I get a little emotional. You really are the baby and in my eyes always will be.

I love you sweetheart!
Mommy

bald river falls

We took the girls to see their first waterfall. We hiked to the top of the falls and had a little picnic lunch. Actually, if I remember correctly, only Michael and I ate. The girls ate like birds all week.

This was at the top. We even let Addison put her feet in, but she proclaimed that it was too cold.

Addison loves taking pictures with my camera. It's so funny to watch. The thing is huge and she can barely hold it. Since it's a SLR you actually have to look through the view finder to take a picture. Every once in awhile we actually get some good ones. Other than Michael mid sentence.

Some biker dude offered to take our picture. A lot of people don't know how to use my camera so it's hard to get a good one. This one didn't turn out too bad.

We're always in the mountains around Christmas and it's just too cold to get out and do anything. It was fun to do some exploring and introduce the girls to some new things.

happy mother's day

Happy Mother's Day to me. I've been blessed with two pretty incredible girls. This was us at lunch today celebrating Mother's Day and Morgan's birthday.

Me, mom and Morgan soon after she was born. Happy Mother's Day mommy. I love you so much.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. Hope you enjoy those extra hugs and kisses today.

birthdays

We had a little birthday party planned for the girls and their cousin Hannah after Easter dinner. That morning Addison and Morgan helped ice the cupcakes. Michael's mom put them in aprons and they both looked so cute and serious.

Then it turned into a game of who can eat the most icing. Morgan won.

Addison won the contest for the most sprinkles on a cupcake. I turned my back and she dumped the entire container out.

The birthday girls.

And then I ate cake for most of the day. And the day after that. Thanks girls for being born.

easter morning

The Easter bunny came and at first they forgot. Well, Michael forgot. They ate their breakfast and then went searching for their baskets.

I don't know where Addison got it from, maybe school, but all weekend she was running around yelling "Hallelujah" and "Praise the Lord". We talked about Easter and how Jesus rose from the tomb and I actually think she gets some of it. Watching her little mind work is so cute. For once she was excited about wearing her pretty new dress and her sweater. She hates sweaters and jackets. But excitement about picture taking? Not so much. She did smile though. More than I can say for Morgan.

Doesn't Morgan looked thrilled? These were taken on the steps of church, right after the service.

Then we went home and tried to get a family shot in front of the house. Michael's brother was doing the best he could. It went something like this.

This was the best we got. Squinty eyes and all.

One last try.

Hope you all had a fantastic Easter!