New Ride(s)

For the past 6 months, our family has only had one car. While having only one car made going to the grocery store, running errands and getting out of the house a bit more challenging, it was surely not impossible. Due to my amazing husband, who often rearranged his work schedule, and my amazing friends, who constantly offered rides, Ava and I were able to get out of the house on a pretty regular basis.

Sure, I dreamed of the day that I could drive to Target on a whim, just because. But for some reason, I was under the impression that that day was a long way off. Until one day, about a month ago, I got a phone call from my wonderful husband. It went something like this:

Me: Hey

Matt: Are you opposed to early birthday presents?

Me: What?

Matt: Are you opposed to getting birthday presents early?

Me: What?

Matt: Well, go outside, because your present just pulled in the driveway.

Me: (Mouth wide open, tears streaming down my face and in complete amazement)

God has been so faithful to our family and I cannot express how thankful I am for all of His provisions. I also can't even begin to say how much I love my husband and how much I appreciate everything he did to completely surprise me with my new ride.

I am so proud to be a mini-van mom!

While we're on the topic of new rides, take a look at Ava's! If you know my daughter at all, then you know she is obsessed with driving. She will try to drive anything round... From doughnuts to smiley face stickers. Since Ava had a somewhat ridiculous amount of money and gift cards left over from her birthday and Christmas LAST year, she marched right into Toys R Us and purchased herself her very first car.

She is in love.

Pinteresting

-Back in May, I was told about this website, Pinterest.

-At first, I didn't quite understand the concept, and I didn't need another thing to suck time out of my life... so I never went to the website.

-Then, about 3 months ago, I had some time to spare, and I decided to give Pinterest a try.

-Fast forward to present time... I am hooked, addicted and pinning like a mad woman.

I quickly started to feel ridiculous... Pinning all of these adorable things and not making one attempt to re-create any of them. So, feeling inspired, Ava and I made the following to give Mimi, Poppy, Oma and Opa on Grandparent's Day. Ava is obsessed with butterflies, so I thought this craft would be the perfect way to let the grandparent's know how much they are loved.

As if Ava's footprints in butterfly form weren't cute enough, each canvas was wrapped with color coordinated, polka-dot ribbon.

Since my first Pinterest re-creation, I have attempted several more. Here are some of my favorites if you want to give any of them a try!

Crock Pot Chicken Santa Fe
Santa Fe Chicken Salad Wraps
Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings
Blackberry French Toast Casserole
4th of July Strawberries
Toilet Paper Pumpkins

Book Exchange

It goes a little something like this:

1) A friend sent me a Book Exchange invitation.

2) I sent one book to a specific person listed on said Book Exchange invitation.

3) I sent the same Book Exchange letter to 6 friends, and those friends each sent the Book Exchange letter to 6 other friends.

4) Ava eventually ends up with a ton of new books, sent to her from the friends of my friends.

5) Ava enjoys opening up new books in the mail as they arrive.

6) I enjoy reading something other than, "Go, Dog, Go!" for a change. :)

Thanks to everyone who has participated!

A Little H&H and R&R

For Labor Day weekend, our little family of three traveled to Hilton Head, SC to visit Matt's sister and her family.

We splashed in swimming pools.

Traveled down water slides.

Ate the world's largest pizza. (Compare the pizza in front of me to the regular sized pizza box on the stove behind me.)

And had the best time with the best cousins!

After spending several days in Hilton Head, Matt, Ava and I drove to Garden City Beach, SC where we spent a week resting and relaxing!

For the most part, our days looked something like this:

Go for an early morning ride in the stroller.

End up at Ava's favorite place. The Garden City Pier. Ava loved running around the beams and splashing in the waves.

And posing for a ridiculously adorable picture.

We enjoyed some Mommy/Daughter snuggle time.

After leaving the pier, and returning to our towels, it was time for a mid-morning snack... Diva style.

Followed by drawing butterflies in the sand.

And making wading pools with Daddy.

Daddy taught Ava how to make sand drip castles.

And Ava splashed in the Ocean.

Ava and I enjoyed playing right at the water's edge.

After playing hard on the beach every day, Ava LOVED taking outdoor showers.

And going for evening golf cart rides.

We enjoyed spending time together. Plain and simple.

Occasionally, we went out to dinner.

And enjoyed evening strolls on the beach.

During one such evening stroll, we found someone to take a family picture.

We also spent some time on top of the Garden City Pier... Where Ava got her groove on.

The following picture was taken LAST year during our 2010 family beach trip....

And this was taken just this past week. Wow. How time flies.

I wonder what next year's picture will look like?

Thank you, Brian and Jennifer, for letting us stay at your place. Thank you, Garden City Beach, for always recharging our batteries. Thank you, Lord, for the many blessings you have given our family!