Playdate

We finally got to have a playdate with Kristen! She and her parents came over on Saturday. The girls had such a good time, and played together very nicely. There was hardly any arguing or fighting over toys. Jon and Kristen's daddy, Denard, played video games while Kisha and I visited and watched the girls. We all had a very relaxing evening. We definitely have to do this more often.

Kristen is such a ham!

Super fun week!

Last week was a fun, busy week. Jon's mom was down from Charlotte (sorry, no pics), and my sister's two middle boys spent the week with my parents. I stole them away for a couple of days. We were so glad to have the boys. We only wish Michael could have come. Maybe next summer, and then Katie will be old enough to stay too! Mackenzie loved her family-filled week. She alternated staying at 'Bama's house with 'Bama and Nanny Janet, and staying at Papaw Steve's house with Papaw, Nana, and the boys. (Mackenzie has started calling them "the boys" too!) We were glad to finally have her home, although she keeps asking to go see everyone every day.

We went to Chuck E. Cheese's one night. Mackenzie had only been one time, and that was 2 years ago. She had a blast!

Mackenzie, Stephen, Chris, and Papaw Steve

Whacking the letters!
Mackenzie loved this horse. I'm not sure how many times she rode, but after the first time I stopped worrying about her falling off. It really shook, and lifted up when it jumped. Maybe next time she's around a real horse she'll ride.
Stephen and Chris driving.
Papaw and Mackenzie shooting.

On Thursday we went out for breakfast at IHOP, then to the movies to see KungFu Panda. As you can see, all eyes were glued to the screen.

At the pool!

Stephen doing a jack- knife--sort of!

Mackenzie loved having the boys at the pool with her-although she wouldn't let Jon throw her in like the boys wanted.

Me and the rugrats!

Jon and the rugrats!

My little weirdo, wrapped in a towel in 90 degree weather.I swear Chris didn't know I was taking a picture!

Stephen and Mackenzie

Happy Birthday Katie!

Our niece Kaityn turned 2 on July 14. (I don't know how old that makes Michelle feel, but it makes me feel ancient! )We had a great time at her lakefront party.

Me and Aunt 'Chelle with our babies, with their babies.

Pretty princess cake
The girls actually played nicely.
Mackenzie took advantage of Katie eating cake and took a spin on the new bike.
Can you see how unhappy my little girl is? I hated to see her that way, but we were enforcing our rule about letting the birthday girl open her gifts without help from the peanut gallery. I can only hope she realizes that it's a two-way street--no one will horn in on her gift-opening next month!
The view from the sidelines.Chris, Michael, and Jon fishing.

Jon with all of Michelle & Eric's boys and Mackenzie.

(The birthday girl was fast asleep by this time!)

This is my pooped out child after we got home. It was a busy day, with 4 hours in the car, a fun party, fishing, and visiting with 'Bama 'Ceil. She was ready for bed.

A great 4th of July...and a great mini-vacation, too!

We had a great 4th! On Wednesday after I finished up at work, we took off for Charlotte to spend the weekend with Jon's family. We had such a great time, and hopefully we don't wait as long between trips next time!

Here's Mackenzie with her "ears" on. She was hilarious--every time something happened on her movie (she watched CARS mostly) she would yell as loud as she could!

Of course we had to stop at Crazy Steve's to get fireworks for my pyro. Little did I know that I have a

"pyro-in-training". She had a great time picking out sparklers, snakes, pop 'ems, and smoke bombs.

Mackenzie had to play the Wii with Aunt Beth and AJ.

Playing with Daddy. She gives such good kisses.

AJ's new neice, Abigail, joined us for 4th of July eve fun. Mackenzie loved being around her, and thought it was really neat that they share the same name.

Mackenzie could have cared less about the fireworks this year, but we thought they were pretty!
4th of July parade in downtown Nanny-ville. It was super hot. I was really glad that we were running late as usual--as we were walking up to find a spot, a little girl was having a heat stroke. She was fine, but I was so relieved that we wouldn't have to sit through the whole parade.
Fire trucks!
Glad to be out of the sun and on our way back to Nanny's!
After the parade, we hit the pool with Aunt Beth, AJ, his sister and her family, and some friends. Mackenzie hadn't been in a kiddie pool, so she enjoyed not having me right there.


Preston, PT, and Mackenzie (AJ's nephew and brother-in-law)
Mackenzie lighting up in honor of the 4th!

AJ and Mackenzie's friend Brooklyn were unfortunately too tall for this shot:-)

Mommy and Mackenzie

Since we saw such wonderful fireworks on the 3rd, we stayed at Nanny's house and enjoyed barbecue with lots of friends. Jon, AJ, and CJ (another friend) shot off fireworks for hours.