The life of a 9 month old

Evan has been having lots of fun since she's growing and becoming more mobile! She crawls (army style...so cute!) pulls up, and is cruising! I can't believe what a big girl she is! He's some pictures of what she's been up to.

First taste of an Oreo cookie!

Spending a few hours at work with mom. Destroyed my shred box!

Late afternoon nap at daycare. Chilled out! (note:this is one of her backup outfits...I did not send her to school in that) I think she's outgrown this bouncer...pushing it to it's limits! She has since moved up a class at daycare and she loves it! They go outside several times a day and she has more room to explore!

Watching Alabama football and looking quite adorable in her cheerleader outfit! Her dad has been waiting a long time for her to wear this.

Happy Birthday Chandler!

Happy 14th birthday Chandler!

Here are a few pictures for us to see how much you've grown in the last couple of years.

The first day of school this year, 8th grade. Taller than me and gaining fast on his dad!
Last summer during all-stars.

5th grade graduation (2 1/2 years ago ) Whew...I was a lot smaller then too. That diet is long overdue!

Chandler is a great kid and Richard and I are very proud of him. He is still taking guitar lessons and has learned a lot. He loves classic rock and listens to a lot of the same music that I listened to at his age. Weird! He loves Hudson and Evan and all his cousins and they love him too and look to up to him! He still plays baseball. He's very social and into something all the time but has great friends. I can't believe that now he can go to dances and youth conference and that this time next year, I will be taking him to get his learner's permit! Love you Chan! Happy Birthday!

Vacation part 2...Orange Beach

The kids and I left Calhoun, Georgia on Wednesday about lunch and headed to Orange Beach. It look us forever to get there. I missed a turn and it cost us over an hour. Considering I was traveling by myself with 3 kids, we did great. I was totally stressed out and my nerves were shot but we made it. Needless to say, we didn't do anything that night but check out the house and get settled. The great family that let us stay in their condo last year, let us stay in the house this year. It was beautiful and had a great neighborhood pool that we pretty much had to ourselves when we went. They have 5 children so everything was very kid friendly and they had plenty of toys and games. Thank you so much Sellers for your great generosity! We had a blast! Richard's parents came on Thursday afternoon and Richard got there late Thursday night. Richard's parents were at the World Series, too and his mom was a great help with Evan! Thanks Juanita! She's also spent the summer entertaining Hudson and has been a life saver! Enjoy pics of the beach trip!
Evan's first time on the beach. She didn't seem to mind the sand at all. I was worried about her getting it on her hands and then rubbing her eyes but she was okay. I didn't keep her out there long at all. We're more pool people.
The boys are getting so big and actually got along pretty well this trip.

How cute is her swimsuit?

She really starting trying to crawl but couldn't quite get it down. I love this skirt I got at the Children's Place Outlet for $2.99!

She was way excited when the waitress at Lambert's gave her this balloon!

The house backs up to Gulf State park and there was a pond behind the house and several little lakes in the neighborhood the boys fished in. Richard saw a baby alligator one day and we were warned about snakes by the owners but luckily we didn't see any of those!

Of course we did the putt-putt and go carts. Evan stayed with Me-maw while we did that. Richard and his dad did a great shrimp boil one night and we played lots of Uno. I love my family and vacations!

Vacation part 1...The World Series in Calhoun Georgia

Hudson's World Series was held in Calhoun, Georgia. That's about 45 miles north of Atlanta and 45 miles south of Chattanooga. It started on Thursday, July 16th with opening ceremonies at 5:30pm. Since Richard was the head coach of the team, he had to be there by 1 for meetings. So, he and Hudson and another dad and son left early Thursday morning. I worked til 12 and then me, Chandler, and Evan headed out. We didn't make opening ceremonies but I wasn't too upset about it because it's usually a big chaotic mess and a lot of standing around. So we headed straight to the hotel. The games started Friday morning with pool play over the weekend. We had 2 on Friday. We won the first one and it was a great game. We were behind the whole time but came back the last couple of innings and won it...it was great. The rest of the weekend didn't go so well for us. We lost the next game on Friday and the game on Saturday. After finding out how the rest of the games in our pool turned out, we realized we did not make it out of pool play to advance to the bracket to play for World Series Champs but that we could play in the consolation bracket. Everyone voted to stay and play ball. It was a single elimination bracket. The kids were excited to stay longer. I think Hudson cared more about staying so he could hang out with all his friends and swim at the hotel! The consolation bracket games started on Monday and we played 2 on Monday, 2 on Tuesday, and the championship game on Wednesday. We won! The team got a huge trophy and all the kids got trophies. They had a great time and I was so glad they could walk away winners. Hudson mostly played outfield but he had a few innings at catcher and first. Our team was so great with great parents and siblings. Chandler had a great time with all the other siblings and it was just a great trip. The weather was great as well! I don't know what was up but that week was so cool and wonderful! There was only 1 really hot day but it wasn't unbearable. That was such a blessing!
All the little sisters loved Evan and she had someone giving her attention all the time!

Evan's first time in the pool. She loved it!

Getting ready to go swimming and clapping. She had just really learned to do that! So cute!

One night we were able to go to a Rome Braves (minor league) game for really cheep. It was a lot of fun and once again, beautiful weather. We were in lawn seats in the outfield where they have picnic tables or you can just sit on the grass.

Evan and all her friends.

This little girl, Megan, adored Evan!

One night, us and 2 other families were also able to go to a Braves game in Atlanta. They played the Mets and won! We all had a great time! Evan can sleep through anything!

It was such a great experience and a blast! The kids and I left straight from Georgia on Wednesday and headed for the beach! Richard had to go back and work a day so he came really last Thursday night. So...part 2 of our vacation will be another post.

7 months and new tricks

Evan is 7 months old now. She laughs and smiles all the time! She sits up and leans forward and is in the beginning stages of trying to crawl. She babbles and loves to rock herself. As I am typing this, she is about the rock the exersaucer over! This weekend she starting clapping and if you say "yea" to her, she will clap. She is such a joy and such a sweet, sweet girl! She weighs 21 lbs and is off the charts. We call her our big giant baby!

The most beautiful eyes ever and such a sweet smile!

Waiting at the dr office for shots in her 4th of July outfit.

Another 4th of July outfit from Me-Maw.

Our whirlwind summer

These pictures are so out of order but this will be a recap of what we've been up to the last month or so. Richard is coaching the 6 year old Northport American all-star team. We won our district tournament, placed 2nd in the area (to the Northport Nationals) and tied for 5th in the state tournament. Later this week, we travel to Georgia for the World Series. The season has been a lot of fun. We have a really good group of kids and parents.

Richard and Hudson after the Area tournament. Hudson loves that his dad is the coach so he gets to take all the big team trophies home.

These next pictures are of Evan at 6 month old. She loves hats!

And her passy!

And her big brother!

Sleeping away. This was before someone showed me that this umbrella stroller would recline!

Hudson went to his friend, Anna's, bday party. He was the only boy there and loved it. Anna is on the left and that's Wiley on the right. Pimp at age 6!

Chandler's last tournament was a couple of weekends ago. I think he is enjoying a much needed break. I know I am! He's been busy this summer going to the lake, movies, swimming, and friend's houses.