Fourth of July Parade at Church

Our church had a little Independence Day parade for the kids the Wednesday before the 4th. The little kids got to basically take a hay ride and the other classes walked and waved flags. Mia enjoyed the hay ride but had to sit in her teacher's lap because she didn't like the hay touching her legs! Here are some pictures from the parade:

Mia and her teacher Mrs. Jenn

Waiting for parade to start

Start of the parade

Riding Bikes

Mia and Daddy have been enjoying riding their bikes together in the evenings. The only thing is that now Mia thinks it's part of her routine and wants to do it every night no matter what time we get home. I'm just glad Daddy's bike is finally getting some use!

Beach Trip

We just got back from a great trip to Myrtle Beach! Daddy had to be there for a conference for work, so Mia and I went along for a little vacation. The conference was at the Marriott Grande Dunes Resort. When Daddy went to make reservations, they were all booked, so we stayed at the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes, which was on the marina just about 2 minutes from the other hotel. The cool thing is that they had a shuttle service or parking at the main resort so we could use either hotel. Mia loved our hotel because our deck overlooked the marina and waterway, and she loved watching all the boats come in and out.

We got there Thursday afternoon and got checked in and then went for dinner at an outdoor restaurant at the marina. Then Daddy went to a meeting and Mia and I hit the beach for a little while. After Daddy's meeting, we spent some time at the pool and then headed back to our hotel.

Friday Daddy had a meeting in the morning and then he played golf. I don't know how much fun it was since it was about 95 degrees and he teed off at 1pm! But I think it made it more fun that his team won second place and he won closest to the pin. Mia and I went to the pool at our hotel that morning and then went back to the room for lunch. Our deck overlooked hole number 9 of the golf course, so we were able to see Daddy play that hole and get some pictures. Friday night we took Mia to Broadway so she could ride the "wild cars," her favorite thing to do at the beach. It rained a little while we were there, but not enough that we had to leave.

Saturday, Daddy had meetings until noon and then we headed to the beach and then the pool. Mia loved the ocean! She even wanted Daddy to take her out to the deeper part. That night, we joined him for a dinner reception. We had a new first while we were there. Mia had to go potty, where she wants to go by herself now. I was in the stall next to her and she says (where everyone could hear): "I'm not wearing any underwear." I asked her why she wasn't wearing any underwear and she just said, "I forgot." As everyone else is snickering in the bathroom, I asked her if she was at least wearing her bloomers that went with her dress and she said yes, so I was happy about that. Guess we'll have to start checking her for underwear now!

Sunday we packed up and headed home. I had to be back to sing with our choir in a musical with Charles Billingsley. We got back around 3pm and I had to be there at 4:45 pm. I managed to stand the whole 1.5 hours of the musical. I thought I did pretty well for being 36.5 weeks pregnant. And we were glad that Mollie didn't come while we were at the beach!

Daddy hitting the ball.

The resort where the conference was held.

Baby Showers

We have been blessed to have two baby showers for Mollie. The first was given by our Sunday school class for the church. Our friend Robin hosted at her house and it was so much fun! Mia wanted to go, but soon became disinterested when she saw some of her older friends. She played upstairs the rest of the shower and I had to go get her when it was time to go home! They were so sweet because they made a big card for us and Mollie. I just love those girls. They are 9-10 years old and take such good care of Mia and she loves them too.

We got some really nice gifts at the shower. Mollie has gotten so many clothes! It works out since we didn't have any newborn summer clothes. At least she'll get to wear some of her own clothes before she has to wear hand-me-downs! We also got some really cute white bloomers with her name embroidered on one and "Go Pack" embroidered on the other. Some other friends gave us a little wooden thing that plays music that they got when they were in Italy. We also got a lot of necessities like diapers, wipes, baby wash, etc. and gift cards.

The second shower was at my sister's house for family and a few close friends. It was really nice and we got to see some friends we haven't seen in a while. We got a lot more nice gifts like a video monitor, clothes for Mollie, diapers, wipes, gift card etc. I think we are all set! Mia was excited because she even got some gifts!

The shower for church. I am 33 weeks pregnant here.

Opening gifts with some help from the girls.

Mia checking out a little doll that prays.

Some of our pregnant friends from church. Heather-due in January, Reese-due in September (but they just moved to Charlotte), Lou-due in November, Me-due in July, and Jessica-due in December.

Me, Deanna, Ann, and Sabrina. We are all part of the New and Expecting Mothers Ministry at church.

Aunt Jen, Me, Memaw.

Getting ready for shower to start at Aunt Jen's.

Yummy Food!

Mia with one of her gifts. She was very excited since baby dolls are her favorite.

Me and Carrie. I am 35 weeks pregnant here.

Cassy, Me, and Jen. I went to college with them and lived with them for a year after we graduated.

Mackenzie, Aunt Nancy, Me, Grandma.

Memaw, Me, Grandma.

Mommy and Mia.

Aunt Sissy, Me, Kristin, Brad, and Colin.

Aunt Jen, Me, Wendy.

Getting Ready for Mollie

We have been working on Mollie's room lately. Hopefully we will have some completed pictures soon. We're almost done! It's going to look a lot like Mia's nursery did since we're using the same bedding. Mia was a big girl and helped with the painting. She's very excited about having a baby sister!

Helping Daddy paint

This is how we told our family that we are expecting. We had a choir Christmas musical one Sunday night (I was 8 weeks), and we gave them these ornaments after the musical. Mia has made them an ornament every year, so we told them she wanted to give it to them early this year. I think everyone was pretty surprised!

No More Paci!

After 3 1/2 years, we decided it was time for Mia to get rid of her paci (with the help of the dentist who said it was messing up her teeth). She was starting to get really dependent on it, and wanted it all the time. All the other attempts to take it away had failed, so we were really worried about how we were going to do it. Well, we went with the bribery technique. The first day that she went without her paci, we went for ice cream. The next day she got lip gloss. We told her if she went all week without it, then she would have a special day where she could go and pick out a toy. She wanted to fly her paci away....she wanted to tie it to balloons and send it to heaven so God could give it to a baby that needed it. Minus two little meltdowns at naptime, she did great! We couldn't believe that she went from having it alot, to not at all, so we were pleasantly surprised. She flew it away and has been fine ever since. Thank God for that!

There it goes! We were surprised it took 4 mylar balloons to fly it away!

"Bye Bye Paci!"

And this is what she chose for not having her paci anymore....

First Year of Preschool is Over

Well, Mia finished her first year of preschool....she did really great and always enjoyed going. Her class was called the "bears," so she is excited that she will be a "frog" next year. On the last day of school, we went to the park with all her classmates and had lunch and they all played together. Since preschool was at our church and we still go on Wednesdays and Sundays, she hasn't seemed to miss it too much. Here are some pictures from the year:

Mia learned the Pledge of Allegiance at preschool this year. This was taken back in December 2009. Check it out:

At their Easter program. She really came out of her shell this year.

Her class singing their songs at the Parent Tea on the next to last day of school.

Disney

In May, we were able to take a trip to Florida to visit family and go to Disney. It was a long drive, but Mia did great the whole time. The first two days we stayed on the Disney property and went to Magic Kingdom, which we all loved. Then we drove to Daddy's aunt and uncle's house in New Port Richey and stayed a day with them. Then we drove to Daddy's grandparents' house in Lady Lake and visited with them. It was a great trip! All of you know that we are expecting baby girl "Mollie Grey" on July 22, so Mommy was 29 weeks pregnant on this trip. Mia says her favorite part was the "roller coaster," aka Goofy's Barnstormer and the "elephants," Dumbo. She also loved getting her picture taken with the princesses and Mickey and Minnie. Actually, I think she loved it all!

Watching the show when we first got there

Cinderella

In front of the carousel that we rode numerous times

Our favorite picture! Daddy worked hard for that one!

On Mickey's mailbox in front of his house

Saying goodbye to Minnie and "Minnie's Daddy"

At Great Uncle Terry and Great Aunt Donna's

At Great Grandma and Great Grandpa's