It's Mule Day ya'll!

We were in C-town at the crack of dawn on Saturday. My hair (and Riley's)...yes I do that on occasion... had not been flat ironed, I had not been caffeinated and the kids had not eaten when we arrived. Thanks to the Jones' hospitality we took care of most of that and headed down to the big ole' pancake breakfast. It was a first for us. Actually, the whole day was a first for us. Jeremy normally rides in the parade but didn't this year. After the pancakes we parked it on the grass and waited for the parade of the mules! Friends, Houston and McKennon

Check out those J*hn Deere boots!

Riley and I were kind of matching with denim dresses and boots. I wonder how long she will play along? I think that Endsley looks like Jeremy in this picture and I never think that.

"Misskennon", as Riley calls her, passed out on Leigh.

I told Brent I would post this for Ann. I mean, really...you know you want one!

This was the first of the shoulder rides for Brent. Houston followed and I think his shoulders were screaming shortly after.

The Grand Marshall was Miss Naomi. The woman looks phenomenal for her age. Really.

Waving at the people in the parade.

I just had to post this. There was actually a girl posed as Daisy on the General Lee. The best part about this was that the guy in the passenger seat would reach up and grab her hand so that she could hold on while they white smoked it. All the while she maintained that perfect pose. It was definitely a highlight for me.

Clapping for the mules. She kept saying that she wanted to ride one.

Pop Pop owns a funeral home and has something for the Harley lovers. Want to ride to the grave in style? Well, here's the ride for you! Nonna spotted this gem on the T*day show and the rest is history.

Pop Pop and his peeps

We may have to make an appearance in this next year. Poor Ron was all by himself with the grandkids.

I love the sense of community and the tradition of this day.

11 months 6 days

I can't believe this little pumpkin will be 1 year old next month! When Riley turned one I felt like she had been around forever. Not this time. She still feels so new to me. Maybe it's because she is so petite?! Being little doesn't stop her. She is walking everywhere. She can now go from squatting to standing and then take off walking/toddling. She loves to play with anything that is not a toy. The toilet is still a fave. I have to keep the doors to the bathrooms shut. Any drawer that she can open and pull everything out of, the garbage bags in the pantry. Basically, if she is on the floor my eyes have to be on her. She isn't the best car rider. I think she will be much happier when we turn her around. When we ask her for a kiss she will lean in with an open mouth. I have tried to get a pic, but she is too fast! I have cut her bottles down to two a day. She is still eating stage two and three foods, but will eat anything off my plate. I have also tried the graduate meals. She loves to feed herself and babbles constantly. I believe she is beginning to know that we are "mama" and "Dada." She says "ma-ma" to me all the time. The other night when she was on the changing table she looked at Jeremy and said "da-da" over and over. The little toot is walking everywhere because she is trying to keep up with this one! She absolutely loves her. Riley is like a little mother to her. She tells me what she "wants" or "needs" all the time. When Endsley is getting into something she isn't supposed to, Riley will say to her, "no mam."

Another month gone. I might cry when she turns one. Lets hope I can keep it together! Love you sweet girl!

Easter fun!

We had a super busy Easter weekend. We started off with another super cute play date hosted by Kelly. I was disappointed when I realized I did not photograph the turkey and cheese sandwiches that were in the shape of a bunny. Blogger would not let me move this pic of Endsley, but here she is during the egg hunt. This is her first Easter! Will and Riley jumping on the trampoline. Those were some black little piggies afterwards.

Riley and Eliza enjoying their lunch.

Poor little Endsley took a spill but I wanted her in the group shot, so she had to cry for a sec. It didn't kill her.

The little hostess, Lyla and Riley hunting eggs

This was all the hunting Endsley did. Love those little feet crossed.

Riley wasn't on her game during the hunt. You would have thought the poor child was playing a sport the way I was coaching her. I'm scared to watch video from the weekend for fear of listening to my voice. Although I don't have video of this particular hunt.

We headed up to my aunts on Saturday for more egg hunting and yum-o food!

This is my cousins child. He and Endsley were born two weeks apart. He's a precious little peanut. I've been drawn to the baby boys lately when I usually am not. Maybe I need one?!

Riley had lots of fun blowing bubbles

Playing with Kell Ann. They were two peas in a pod.

Hunting eggs. She walked by at least ten eggs before finally picking this one up. Still not sure about putting it in her bucket.

We took a group pic of the kids and these two wanted nothing to do with it.

Some sisterly love

Riley and Endsley with Drew. Endsley still not having it.

The only thing Endsley cared about on Easter morning was the bag of candy corn from Riley's basket. It brought her great joy!

I love their sleepy little faces.

Family shots

After church we went to Jeremy's aunts. All the little hunters getting ready to go!

Girlfriend knew what she was doing this time. Look at that basket!

She did have a coach that wasn't trying to take pics or video. He wanted the candy too!

Sister with her one egg once again.

The girls and their baskets from Nonna

and from Cece.

Now someone please get all this candy out of my pantry. I can't keep my sticky fingers out of it!

More soccer

So, I have some catching up to do. But before I get to all the Easter biz, I had to document a soccer game from a week and a half ago.

First, there is no shortage of attention for Endsley with the grandparents. I think she has them wrapped.
O.k, so here is my little soccer player. In this pic she's doing what she is supposed to. You know...not running after the ball...just following the coach around the field. I have decided that soccer is more of a social event for the two of us. She gets to see her friends and I get to see mine. It's all good. If anything it gets her a little exercise, which makes for a good nap time! Now here she is waving like a little beauty queen. Seriously, she ran the field waving the entire game. Coach Wes said that the highlight of the game for him was watching her wave at us.

She has no idea where she is going. Just concentrating on those hands in the air.

This made for lots of laughs especially with the grandparents.

A beautiful day!

Yesterday, after I picked Riley up from school we headed straight to the park! The weather couldn't have been any better. I couldn't wait to soak up some of this sunshine. This was Endsley's first "official" trip. She went when she was tiny and in the sling, so this was a new experience. She loved the swing! Especially swinging with her big sister.

Loving the slide!

Endsley wasn't so sure about the mulch. She wanted to eat it.

Climbing the rock wall was a first for Riley. She did it over and over and over!

We stayed at the park for two hours and then headed home for more play time in the driveway.

Endsley loves riding in this with Riley. I strap her in and she is good to go!

Sisterly love

As I was walking out of the park with my two little lovelies, I couldn't help but think about how blessed I am. I have two perfect little girls and I couldn't be happier. Thank you Lord for blessing me with these sweet angels!

"You like carrots?"

Riley playing in the cabinet while I am cooking dinner. Her conversation to her soccer ball and cinderella ball... "You like carrots? You like broccoli? You like mushrooms? O.k, I'll get you some mushrooms." The next thing I see is her little hand pop out of the bottom of the cabinet, pretending to grab mushrooms.

Love that little girl!