Birthday Festivities

Birthdays just aren't quite the same the older that you get; however, in the mind of a 3-year-old a birthday means two things - PARTY and PRESENTS!! In an attempt to join in Kamdyn's excitement for Richard's birthday, we baked and decorated a cake for him. We made cards for him. We made a delicious breakfast in bed of cinnamon rolls for him and, shortly after, HE wanted to know where his presents were.

In only two short hours, Kamdyn managed to have a sugary cinnamon roll followed by lots of icing from the birthday cake. (Poor planning on my part, I guess!) Needless to say, she and her Daddy were happy.

After we finished what we considered to be "the party," Kamdyn said, "What else is for the party? Do you have jumping castle or something for your party, Daddy?" We didn't have a jumping castle, but we did go on an enjoyable boat ride instead.

Happy Birthday, Daddy! WE LOVE YOU!

While attempting to make the cake, Kamdyn wanted to eat all of the batter rather than actually bake it!


Adding Sprinkles! I tried these new food coloring markers for writing on the cake. They worked okay and definitely did better than me attempting to actually write with frosting in a tube or zip lock bag!


Putting ALL of the sprinkles right in the middle!


Blowing out the candles! They did this at least 20 times. I had to keep relighting them while they laughed themselves silly trying different ways/noises to blow them out. Like Father like Daughter....


Sweet!


Helping Daddy open his card from her.


Daddy's new fertilizer spreader! I don't know....that's what he asked for!


The overly decorated cake! I guess you can never have enough sprinkles especially right in the middle!


Kamdyn eating the frosting ONLY!


Fishing on our boat ride!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Thank you for always loving me, Daddy!



Happy Birthday from your little Sweet Pea!

Suzanne's Rehearsal

Friday night was Suzanne's rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. We had such a great time. I was honored to be asked to be in her wedding. Kamdyn had a great time playing with Suzanne's nieces, Bailey and Taylor. Suzanne's sister, Mandy, adopted both of them from Guatemala. They are precious!! Bailey was a perfect flower girl. Kamdyn got to see exactly what to do when walking down the aisle. :)

The wedding was BEAUTIFUL!! I'll post pictures later. I didn't get to take very many so I will have to get some photos from some other people who actually took some good ones.


Me and Suzanne at the rehearsal dinner. We were so HOT!! By that, I mean temperature hot!! :) Please don't confuse my meaning! It was over 100 degrees that night.


Bailey and Dawson practicing walking down the aisle. They were so cute and did a great job on the actual wedding day!


Taylor, Bailey, and Kamdyn posing for a picture!


Bailey and Kamdyn were "loving" each other!


I can't explain how precious Taylor is! I could just squeeze her little cheeks right now!

Happy Birthday to Ana Blake!

Ana Blake had a John Deere party this year. She turned 13th which is so hard to believe. She acts much older than she is. Kamdyn loves Ana Blake to pieces and was so excited to go to her John Deere swimming party. Kamdyn had a blast swimming with the big girls! A thunderstorm forced all of us to our cars because the party was at Ana Blake's aunt and uncle's house who were out of town. We couldn't get in the house and had to run for cover in our cars. After the drama, the girls were able to swim again, but then we were attacked by biting ants that were falling from the trees. As they were cutting the cake and singing Happy Birthday to Ana Blake, Kamdyn announces, "This was the best birthday party EVER!" I thought that was so sweet considering the prior circumstances with the thunderstorm and the ants. Kamdyn is such a sweetie and had such a good time! Thank you for inviting, Ana Blake. Happy Birthday! We love you!

My little Country Girl!




Swimming with the Big Girls!

First Visit to the Dentist

We finally took Kamdyn to the dentist. Her pediatrician kept telling us that she was fine, but I felt like 3 years old was the "magic" number. So, I made Kamdyn an appointment and off we went last Thursday. I had to prepare Kamdyn for what I thought they would do. Luckily, Kamdyn went with me on my last trip to the dentist so she had a good idea as to what to expect. She did GREAT! She was a little timid with all of the instruments especially the one that sucks the water out of your mouth. It made a weird noise and she WOULD NOT let the hygienist use that on her. The hygienist had to wipe everything out Kamdyn's mouth instead. Kamdyn loved the fact that they had toys to play with to keep her entertained. She didn't LOVE the nasty taste of the fluoride, but she loved getting the golden coin at the end of her visit so she could spend it on a PRIZE. She got a fancy bouncy ball. I was so proud of my big girl!


Leaning back in the chair like a big girl!


Drawing a picture on the Sponge Bob etch-a-sketch. I thought she would have a hard time returning this, but she willingly gave it back. :)

Happy Birthday to Paden

Kamdyn and I went to Paden's Princess Party last Tuesday night. It was hot, as you can see from the pictures, but for some reason children are immune to the heat. The children jumped and jumped and did not want to go inside even for cake and ice cream. I don't get it?? Her princess cake was DELICIOUS!!

Kamdyn had a great time and we're so glad that Kamdyn and Paden became friends through their dance class this year! Happy 4th Birthday, Paden!


Paden and Kamdyn jumping.


Kamdyn taking a little break. I LOVE this picture of her!


Sweaty Kamdyn waiting on Paden to blow out the birthday candles!


Sweet Paden and her princess cake.

SCARY!!

As we were leaving our neighborhood en route to Atlanta, this is what we found! Our neighbor, the smart man that he is, was sitting in his truck pointing to the alligator when we went by. I saw the alligator and told Richard to stop. Richard slams the car in park and moves quickly toward the alligator. Yes, I have a very intelligent husband most of the time. I guess he thought that since he was an official boar hunter that he should be able to handle an alligator, too! I guess he forgot that he was unarmed at the time! We had the camera and you can see how up close and personal he got to the alligator. As for me, I stayed in the car!!

It's hard to believe all of the wildlife that we encounter on a daily basis considering that we are less than a mile from downtown Augusta. Needless to say, I feel like we live in the wilderness. The other day I was watering my flowers on the deck and looked down to see an armadillo nonchalantly walking across our back yard. I wonder at what point I should be scared to even walk out into my own yard???

Good Times with Great Friends

We had such a fun-filled, yet busy, weekend.

On Friday night I enjoyed a bachelorette party for one of my bestest friends, Suzanne. I am honored to be a bridesmaid in her wedding next weekend. She is going to be a beautiful bride.

Loralee, Suzanne, Denise, and Me
Loralee is our awesome Jazzercise instructor!


We traveled to Atlanta on Saturday morning to partake in a wedding fiesta for Matthew and Holly. We had such a great time and are blessed to have such a great group of friends. We love you guys!

A Fiesta for Matthew and Holly!


A Family Photo - Matthew, Holly, Me, and Richard


The Girls - Allison, Me, Holly, and Carrie


Carrie and Omar


Shannon and Allison


Aunt Kathy and Uncle Jim


Me and Richard (aka The Boar Hunter)


Carrie and Potter


Happy Birthday to Potter! He turned 31 on Saturday.


Richard and Potter dominating Beer Pong. They weren't too bad for two old folks!


ALL of the girls at the party.



Yes, I know that this blog was technically created for Kamdyn; however, I like to view it as our family blog. She'll be happy to look back one day to see what her Mommy and Daddy looked like when they were "young!" Speaking of Kamdyn she enjoyed four fun filled days of her own at Nanny and Pop Pop's. Nanny took her to The Greenville Zoo on Saturday, but forgot the camera. Otherwise, I would have plenty to post on her adventures as well.

After the Show

Kamdyn holding her roses from Jacob and Georgia.


Jacob and Kamdyn ran straight to the playset


Our sweet ballerina


Opening her gift from Ana Blake



Ana Blake giving Kamdyn a gift.


Pop Pop trying to tell Kamdyn bye.


Jacob discovering the 4 wheeler


Kamdyn telling Georgia "bye."


Jacob taking a ride on the 4wheeler.