A Special Visit 7/22/07

We had a very special visit from my brother Patrick, his wife Kat, and their precious kids Eliana and Sammy. It has been many years since I have seen my brother and his family, because they have been teaching abroad in Paraguay for the past 7 years. They were visiting some friends in Maryland and on their back to Florida they came by to visit with us.

The kids had a blast playing together. I was even more excited to realize that my kids do look like me too.

It was truly wonderful to spend time with my brother and his family. I wish I could find better words to describe it then that, but the next best way is it meant the world to me. The only sad part was that the visit was so short. Hopefully we can make plans for a longer visit real soon. You guys are welcome to come visit anytime you want. (Eliana may have her bag already packed just waiting to come back :)!)

Uncle Patrick pushing Sammy and Casey
Sammy helping cut the grass (thanks I need all the help I can get : ) )
Eliana checking out the slide Casey posing
Aunt Kat helping everybody swing
Latest version of push ups (Eliana was getting in on the picture taking too)

What was the next marathon you needed help training for?

Shayne, Casey & Sam cruising in the escalade

Eliana showing girls can be cool in the Escalade too : )

Shayne's first lesson about "girl drivers"

Look how the cousins favor eachother

Sammy ready to ride

Shayne consoling Eliana that it was ok they had to leave. He told her she can come visit anytime she wants

Shayne's big hug bye

Casey had fun with Uncle Patrick

Patrick and I smile for a brother and sister moment aaawwww : )

Saying good-bye

The end of the kids vacation 7/21/07

The kiddos obviously so excited to be back with Mommy
Mckayla didn't want her picture with us
Mckayla with her Mommy
No Aunt Colleen don't leave
I promised to come visit soon and bring Uncle Matt to love on her too : )

Moments like this = priceless

Baby Mckayla 7/20/07

Mckayla
Mckayla laughing for Nana
Aunt Colleen gets to feed Mckayla

Don't tell Shayne I got his pillow

Help here comes crazy Casey

Shayne and Mckayla talking

Whatever they were talking about was sealed with a kiss from Shayne : )

My project

I did keep myself a little busy with a project while the kids were away. I changed out all the mulch around the trees and the garden in our yard to white rocks. It was diffently a little more work then I thought it was going to be. It was worth it and I think it looks nice. We are going to change it around the house too, but I think I'll wait until Matt is here to help :). Our house
My garden last year
Our house with the new rocks

Girls night 7/14/07

This was my girls night at the house while the kiddos were gone. I had a few friends from work over. We had fun.

Ginger, Sonya and Stacie in the pool
My double Jello shots
Candy drinking it up
Me after my makeover
Ginger after her makeover

Stacie after her makeover

Just the girls

Casey's Pictures

Here are Casey's 2 year old pictures.(ok maybe more like 2 1/2) They turned out so good that it was well worth the wait. I am sure Daddy's Darlin and Mommy's Princess will make you smile too! : )

What a big girl
I'm "2"
Daydreaming
Just relaxing

Precious

Pretty flower girl

100% Casey : )

Too cute!

Upated Mckayla pictures

I had to steal these pictures from Nana's camera to have some new pictures to share of baby Mckayla. I have been promised some better pictures soon. I may have to wait and get them myself though. She is still a cutie though : ) Mckayla's nap time
Mckayla is so cute in her 4th of July outfit