Kamdyn and friends!

I checked Kamdyn out of school early the Friday before Labor Day.  These two sweet girls walked her to the office.  Kamdyn is lucky to have found such sweet girls at Olive Chapel to be friends with!

Kamdyn, Sydney, and Abigail

Sweet Jillian

This sweet girl makes guest appearances on our blog mainly because she is precious, but also because her Mama sends me photos and videos of her from time to time.  Jillian is wearing a Clemson cheer leading outfit that was Kamdyn's years ago.  Then, it was Karcie.  Now, it's Jillian's!  That outfit has held up pretty well and this little sweetness just MAKES the outfit!

She's at it AGAIN!!

This girl seriously entertains me most every second of the day.  I had a dermatology appointment one day last week.  Since Richard is still working out of town, I had this girl in tow.  She kept me and those in the waiting room laughing!  I was worried that once I got into the examining room that she would continue her antics.  Luckily, she sat in the chair as still as a mouse.  The doctor commented on how good she was to only be three.  That is, until she yelled at him, "DON'T GIVE MY MAMA A SHOT!!"  We both made it through and I'm happy that this visit is behind me until next year. 

There is that doggone duck face again?!?!?

THIS girl!!

A lot of times, I simply have no words for this girl and her BIG personality!!  She put this purse on her shoulder along with the pink glasses and next came the sass.  When I got out the camera, she really started putting on a show...duck face and all.  I don't make this face.  I think it's ridiculous!  Apparently, the three year old thinks it's AWESOME!  And I think she's awesome.  So maybe I should start making more duck faces.

Painting Picassos

Campbell came over to play one afternoon and the girls wanted to paint.  So, off we went to the back porch so that everyone would have a seat and space.  The girls had a good time.  They got messy fingers, but they painted perfect masterpieces!

When Did This Happen?

I simply can't believe how grown-up and beautiful that Kamdyn is on the inside and out.  She makes me proud to be her Mom every single day.  My life wouldn't be the same without this precious angel that God sent my way.  She reminds me that having a kind and tender heart is way more important than some of the other tasks that I tend to put first.  She is the sweetest, most thoughtful, passionate, and genuine 8-year-old that I know.  Some Most days I think she teaches me more than I could ever teach her.  She is my little "old soul."  She is wise beyond her years.  If she could only see herself through my eyes, she would know just how special she is to me.  

Kamdyn Lucy, you are your Mama's heart and soul!

These photos were taken on school picture day.  She DID NOT want me to take her photo though!

Before school

Before school

After school

Lake Cake

We've gone to the lake nearly every weekend since it has been completely finished because we have a lot of work to do up there.  This particular weekend, the weather wasn't so great.  So, I took ingredients to bake a cake. The girls had a good time mixing, pouring, stirring, spreading, and eating!!  They designed the cake themselves.  Lots of bright frosting inside and out and topped with sprinkles.  It was delicious!

Whoever said you can't lick the bowl and egg beaters is crazy!!

It's the BEST part!!

The Night the A/C went OUT!!

Most everyone knows how hot-natured (sp?) I am!!  When the girls and I got  back from the pool one evening last week, I knew that the air was out as soon as I got half-way up the stairs.  UGH!!  Wouldn't you know that it was the hottest week of the summer.  It was too late that night to have someone come out so I had to make us all a bed on the first floor.  I am so thankful we have two units!!  Otherwise, we would have been at a hotel.  

The repairman came the next day around 4:30 (my time window was from 1:00-3:00) to tell me that the compressor was bad and had to be replaced, but he couldn't do it right then!  What?  What's the point of him coming out???  Anywho, it was another night on the floor!  

Richard was home on Friday and tried to track the repairman down to be sure that they could come on Friday to fix it.  He was supposed to be there again between 1:00-3:00, but we already knew better.  He arrived around 5:00 just as the biggest thunderstorm fell from the sky.  Guess what?  You can't fix a compressor in the rain, nor can you fix it when it's wet.  Can't get water/moisture in the system!!

We packed the car and headed to the lake where the A/C was nice and cool and we all had a real bed to sleep in.  We left the door unlocked for him to fix it the following Saturday while we were gone.  We left our neighbor, Colleen, on the look out should there be any issues with the repairman.  Luckily, when we came home on Sunday, we had A/C!!  Halleujah!  

The girls thought sleeping downstairs on mattresses was the coolest thing EVER!!

Kamdyn's air mattress bed.

Karcie's crib mattress.  We had to barricade her in so she didn't fall off the mattress in the office.

Snug as little bugs!!  :)

Tiny Dancer

Our Tiny Dancer is at it again.  This time she is taking dance at Holly Springs School of Dance.  Her first class was last week.  She refused to let me take a photo of her outside the studio.  This was the best that I could get.  They had 14 girls for the first class.  Thankfully, they thought it through and decided to split the class in half.  We go at a much better time now and there are only 7 girls in her class which is much easier for Ms. Scarlette to manage.  Karcie was a little shy the first day partly because there were so many kiddos and parents.  A lot of these were first children and had several family members with them to see their first day of dance.  I was solo and Karcie was overwhelmed with the chaos.  So was I!  

We look forward to a great year.  I can't wait to see our baby on stage for the recital in May!!

She has her back closest to the camera with the bun. Look at her sitting criss cross applesauce!!  I sure do love her!!

Time for a Check-up!

Karcie certainly loves Doc McStuffins right now.  She has the entire dress-up outfit and doctor kit.  The other morning, she got dressed in this and begged to wear it to Jazzercise.  Who am I to stop her?  The Dr. had patients to see at Jazzercise.  She sure makes a cute little Doc McStuffins!

Got Snackeez?

They need to only mention something that they would love to have when Georgia or Nanny are around.  Wouldn't you know that several days after Georgia and Nanny left that a HUGE package arrived in the mail for the girls!!  They got new embroidered towels for the lake house AND these awesome Snackeez cups!!  I have never seen such excitement from a cup.   They couldn't wait to fill them with their favorite drink and snack.  We take them with us almost every where that we go now.  Thank you, Georgia!!

Side Note:  Georgia also spoils me a bit, too.   She sent me a gorgeous embroidered shower curtain with an anchor and "The Terrys" on it along with a towel set with the same anchor.  I was a tad bit excited myself!  It looks great in our lake house guest bathroom.  Thanks, Georgia!!

Karcie in Watercolor

Ruthie had a photo of Kamdyn painted in watercolor when she was younger.  We've wanted one of Karcie to compliment our beautiful of Kamdyn for a while now.  Ruthie found a new artist to capture our precious Karcie and I couldn't be happier.  I can't wait for it to hang beside Kamdyn's in the hallway between their bedrooms.  Thank you, Ruthie!!  I love it!!

The beautiful watercolor.

The photo he used to replicate with watercolor.

Lake House Update

 We spent some time at the lake house this weekend trying to get some things done while we patiently  impatiently wait for the final inspection.  We put together the girls bunk beds, which they are huge fans of.  We put together the bed for the Master that used to be at Mama Lucy's house.  I am so thankful that we had a space to keep a good bit of her furniture.  We did a lot of work on the house.  I  cleaned.  Richard put things together and worked on the yard.  We took lots of boat rides.  We even took the boat to Clarksville, VA one afternoon to walk around that quaint little town and have lunch.  We also took the boat to a lake front playground for the girls to enjoy.  The weather was beautiful!  We used the binoculars or goggles, as Karcie called them, to bird watch.  Richard did a lot of fishing in the mornings.  The girls got to fish a little.  We enjoyed gorgeous sunsets from our back porch.  Mostly, we enjoyed some much needed family time without the normal hustle and bustle of life.  This lake house really is out in the middle of nowhere.  The closest grocery store is 20-25 minutes away.  There is no internet service out there and our phones barely work.  Best of all, I saw Richard in his happy place again.  I haven't really seen this side of him since we moved from the river in North Augusta.  I am so thankful that he is willing to sacrifice some of his wants for our family.  Apex and neighborhood life is perfect for our little family right now.  But, he craves waterfront with privacy.  I'm glad that we can now enjoy a little of both.   It's peaceful and I can't wait until we get to spend a lot more time there!  We certainly feel thankful for all of our many, many blessings!  We still have A LOT of work to do there, but it will get done in time.

This little dog appeared one day last week.  I'm not a dog person, in fact, none of us really are.  But, we secretly fell in love with this dog.  Sadly, it wasn't there the next day when we returned to the lake.  :(

All smiles a top her new bed!

"Helping" Daddy fix the dishwasher.

This is Karcie's favorite spot on the boat!

My big angel!

My gorgeous, mischievous little one.  

Up on the front of the boat aggravating her sister again!

The view from the master bedroom.

Master Bath

This room is just like our living area at the River.  It's basically the same size, maybe a little bigger.  Not sure what we will do on one side.  I'm hoping for a pool table.  

Back porch view

Kitchen

Front door and Mama Lucy's dining table. I think we will add a leaf to the table so that all 6 chairs can fit.

Guest Bath

Guest Bedroom.  You guys don't have to sleep with the deer and fish, I promise!

We decorated Kamdyn's rainbow loom with her name and flowers while we were there.

Absolutely Gorgeous!

Playground time!

Looking at the bird's nest on the power tower.

Karcie had to have the "goggles."

My pretty girl!  I can't believe how fast she is growing.

She was our captain for most of the boat rides.  Richard is such a good teacher!

We saw this at a store in Clarksville.  If I want to be visited, I guess I better find a good lake.

The itty bitty fish!

Catch of the Day

Little Sister wanted no part in the baby fish!

We all had to have our photo taken with this silly little fish. 

What our backyard looks like now.

Our inspiration for our future back yard at the lake.  Stay tuned.....

Karcie was so tired on this particular day.  She took over an hour nap right here in her fave spot!

Kamdyn played in the water while Karcie napped!

This sums up our time at the lake!  Can't wait to do it again.