Let's Have a Ball!

Anne Parks had a beach birthday party this weekend, and I'll share photos soon. For the invitations to other kids, I wrote the info on a beach ball and put it in an envelope with the instructions, "Blow me up!" But for everyone else, I wanted a picture of Anne Parks to put on a paper invitation. After filling up my memory card with trial pics, we finally got it right. This is just a small selection of our many attempts.

If only she didn't look so suspicious.
This didn't work.
Static!too close
Finally! Pretty cute, huh?

Our Friend Soapy

Okay, her name's actually Sophie, but Anne Parks called her "Soapy". Katie and her daughter Sophie came to visit, and we had a wonderful time. They really had fun together even though they are almost a year apart. When we rode in the car, they held hands the entire time. They were so sweet!

We can't wait for Sophie and Katie to visit us again!

NYC

My brother, his girlfriend Morgan, and I went to NYC last weekend. It was sort of a senior trip for them, so I guess that makes me the chaperone. We stayed with my dear friends Jessi and Creighton (Actually, we didn't stay WITH Creighton, he stayed with friends to make room for us in the apartment.) It was Morgan's first time to fly, it turned out to be the worst flight I've ever been on. We go just outside of New York and thunderstorms forced us to go back and land in Richmond! What should have been a 2 hour flight turned into a 5 hour flight with no food! Morgan was a trooper though, and hopped back on the plane without complaint when we headed home. If it had been my first time flying, I probably would have taken the train! Once we arrived, the weather was beautiful and not too hot like it has been here.

Jessi and Creighton's fancy new apartment is in Brooklyn near the Brooklyn Bridge.
This is a telescope that allows you to see to London. I tried to take a picture of the Brits staring back at us, but only snapped myself with the camera, Andrew, and Morgan (on the right). People were using white boards to write messages to London. It was all so silly, but it definitely put a smile on everyone's face.
Here we are...on top of the Empire State Building.
One night we ate dinner in Little Italy and got the royal treatment with our appetizer and dessert the house!
Jessi and Creighton's apartment has windows that jut out and allow for great views.

Toys R Us and Quinn's Party

Last weekend, we went to Toys R Us to pick out a birthday present for our friend Quinn. I was a little concerned about taking Anne Parks into a toy store because we've been having trouble in stores lately. Anne Parks has decided that she will NOT ride in a grocery cart and will climb out if put in one. She says, "I hold hands, Mama," and thinks she can walk around. As you can guess, the "holding hands' thing lasts for about 5 seconds. Then, she's off, and I'm chasing after her. So, I was pretty nervous about how she would behave in a store where even I get a little excited.
As we were driving to Toys R Us, I talked about where we were going and how important it was to be sweet. I told her that when we got there, I only wanted to see a sweet girl. I guess my little pep talked worked. As we were pulling up, she said, "I a sweet girl!"

This is her "sweet girl" look with hands on her chin. She rode in the buggy and was so sweet that she got to play in the little house.

Then we went to Quinn's birthday party and had a wonderful time.
Anne Parks' favorite part of the party was the big tractor out front.

Happy Birthday, Quinn!

Another Graduation

My brother isn't the only one to graduate lately. Jason and I just completed Financial Peace University. I'd been a Dave Ramsey fan for a while and was thrilled when Jason signed us up for FPU for my birthday. I learned so much! Dave's philosophy (don't spend money you don't have) is easy enough to understand and is pretty common sense, but in addition to avoiding debt, I learned a lot about taxes, insurance, and investing. Jason and I had a great time and recommend the class to anyone. If your interested, click here to see if there is a class in your area.

our graduation cake

a mosaic made from all of the credit cards that were cut up during the course of the class

The Godfather

Jason's friend, Blaine, and his wife, Bonnie, asked him to be godfather to their daughter, Reese. Jason was extremely honored. The christening was last week, and because neither one of us is Catholic, we really didn't know what to expect. The ceremony was sweet and a wonderful reminder of the responsibilities God gives to us as parents. Afterward, Bonnie and Blaine hosted a reception at their house. It was a great day, and, as you can see, Reese was just precious.

Elizabeth Reese Tyrone


Reese with her parents, Blaine and Bonnie,

and her godparents, Jenny and Jason



Anne Parks and Cousin Maggie

Class of 2008

When I graduated from high school, my little brother was finishing up the first grade . (The picture above was taken right around that time.) This year, it was his turn to graduate from high school. I have been a teary-eyed wreck! My "baby" has grown up!



Before he left for the graduation ceremony, Emily and I gave Andrew his gift. We filled a notebook with our advice for life after high school and gave him a bag filled with things he'd need in college from vitamins and a first aid kit to a Nerf football and a stack of DVDs.

reading our advice




Anne Parks looks on with interest

a "Bible-Verse-A-Day" jar that Emily made

Andrew's graduation was held at the church where both Emily and I were married.

Andrew with Mimi and Pawpaw

Ganne and me

AP and KK

Emily and Andrew
Anne Parks and Uncle Drew

A Busy Week

We have had a busy week! I've been getting ready for exams; we've been to two graduations and a christening, and my Dad is recovering from surgery. I have lots of pictures to share, and I'll post them throughout this week.

I'll start with Mother's Day. We celebrated at my mom's house with my mom and Ganne. My dad had had surgery for a ruptured disk in his neck two days before. (That's why he has on his pjs.)

Anne Parks, Tizzie, and Grandpa

Anne Parks showing her teeth
Anne Parks and Ganne

The Cabin

We spent last Sunday afternoon at the cabin to celebrate Cousin Kaitlyn's birthday. It was wonderful to spend time with family.

Jason, Allen, and Andrew did some fishing.

Uncle Drew and his favorite niece

I tried to show Anne Parks how much fun it is to swing in my lap, but she wanted to do it herself.

Anne Parks and Grandpa go for a ride
Happy Birthday, Kaitlyn!
Uncle Dan and Grandpa

Uh oh! Anne Parks finds a "slide"