Hello Out There!

Blogging has taken a backseat to grad school and end of the year hoopla at work. Only 4 more days until summer vacation! I can hardly wait! I don't know how much of a vacation it will be with grad school, but at least I can slow down! Even though life can get busy, stressful, and hectic, it's nice to look back on all the wonderful memories we've made over the past 2 weeks! Colin and Mary made a trip to the South Land. They decided to spoil Baker and surprise her with her 1st kitchen. The box should have said, "A lot of assembly required!" It took over 2 hours and I'm sure Colin's perfectionism added 30 minutes. It was fun to catch up and just be together.

Baker went right to "work". Uncle Nick gave her a few pointers.

Yum! Yum! Baker's first dish was complete! She decided Uncle Colin and Aunt Mary should get 1st dibs on her meal. Baker plays with her kitchen every day!

Happy Birthday Nick! He's excited, not just because it's his 19th birthday, but because he no longer has to borrow our skillet to cook for his friends.

Lacy thinks I overreact! It's the little things like lotion and hand sanitizer that make mom happy! Happy late Mother's Day! You're truly the best! We love you!

We joined Clemson United Methodist Church. We're excited about this new journey in our lives: it starts in a couple of weeks, with teaching bible school! I'm a little nervous because I'm a very stern teacher at work and bible school is a whole other world!

Baker's 1st soccer lesson. She has a lot to learn from her Uncle Colin. He played soccer at Anderson University.

My partner in crime, Sheri, and I hosted a bridal shower for our friend Janae. She's leaving us to go back to WV! We're so happy for her, but very upset she's leaving! The only thing she requested was to have every one's address, phone number, email, etc. We mailed a card with all the information on it, along with the invitation. Each guest brought it with them to the shower and placed it in this bowl. On the back of the card, they shared their favorite memory they had of Janae. We also typed up the recipes from the shower and made them into a book. We used the invitation as the cover.

Sheri is my kindergarten assistant, or more like my life saver. I couldn't teach without her! I did my student teaching with Janae and we've been great friends since. That was almost 8 years ago! After student teaching, I ended up teaching next door to her and she's been guiding me ever since! She has a lot of patience!

Mother's Day!

I believe the best gift on Mother's Day is being given the gift to be a mother! I am truly thankful for that opportunity to raise such a precious little girl! People weren't kidding when they said it's the toughest and most rewarding job. I really think that managing 21 kindergarten students is 10 times easier than raising a kid. Oh..I do hope Baker turns out ok! :)

I can't wait to wake Baker up each morning. She is the best part of my day!

Her Future's so Bright, She Has to Wear Shades!

Check out the bow! The purpose of her bows is to prove she's a girl, not to hold back hair. Oh yes!! People still ask us if she's a girl! I'm like..do you dress your little boy in pink dresses? Come on people!

Since I started grad school, Baker has had even more "Baker/Daddy" time. They spend a lot of time outside. This is Baker's normal "after daycare attire", swimsuit, baseball cap (like daddy), a bop-bop (still working on getting rid of that thing), and sunscreen. She is such a daddy's girl! When I ask her to give me a kiss, she points and shakes her finger at me and says "No! No! No!". She runs to Lacy and showers him with kisses!

Fun in the Sun!

Every experience with Baker is a moment I treasure. Something as simple as the playing with the water hose can be so much fun. Opps! Water feels funny going up the nose.
Yeah! "Juice!" Juice is what Baker screams as the water pours from the hose or falls from the sky! Yes! Rain is "juice!"

Oh..how did that happen?

Ahh! This feels much better!

Social Butterfly!

Wow! April is almost over and it's been filled visiting with family and friends. Baker enjoyed visiting her Aunt Emily. She was visiting from Asheville. I told Baker she could still love Aunt Emily, even though she's going to become a Gamecock this fall.



BeBe and Grandan made a trip to Seneca to babysit (spoil) Baker and Kota while Lacy and I made a trip to Hilton Head for the Heritage.

Being social includes socializing with the animals! She loves Gigi's cats. (Popi doesn't claim the cats)

Baker was showing a little attitude with her Godparents, Len and Nicole.

Baker didn't know what to think of baby Grayson. Len and Nicole are foster parents and it was our first time meeting, 4 month old, Grayson. He is such a sweetheart, but Baker was not very happy that another child was getting attention.

Baker went to her cousin, Jackson's, 1st birthday party. She loved seeing her Granny, cousins and eating cake!

Baker and Emma finally had a play-date! They had so much fun eating a Happy Meal, playing with bubbles, and going on a wagon ride around the neighborhood.

Grandma and Grandpa made a visit to Seneca to spend some time with Baker. She was not in the mood for taking pictures.

Pure Happiness!

To say that Baker loves animals would truly be an understatement. She was in heaven when we visited Lacy's dad, Grandy.
I wish I would've recorded her squeal when she found the box of 8 kittens.

There was no hesitation. She quickly picked up any kitten that didn't get away from her.
I encourage her to enjoy every moment because we were not taking one home. Kota would love to have one for a snack.

Poor Tigger! He's such a good sport.

Easter!

This was our 1st holiday celebration at home as a family. We usually are out of town visiting family, but we figured it was time to start a few of our own family traditions.

(I guess this means I'm growing up?)It was fun playing the Easter Bunny! (Can you tell the Easter Bunny is addicted to children's books?) She even left Lacy a basket! Pistachios and Reese's Eggs..his favorite.
Of course Baker went to the food 1st!

This is Baker's pitiful, helpless, could you please open this, look!

Oh..how adorable that big head would look with a beautiful bow on it. Maybe next Easter!

This is Lacy's favorite picture. It looks like they're telling each other some good stories!

Love Kota! He is always watching over (or should I say under?) her!