Glenda & The Girls

Glenda, Brooke, and Cara came to visit us for a couple of days. We decided to take the girls down to Splash Island for the afternoon. Ash had to walk around with me to check things out, at first, but then she was ready to explore on her own.

I LOOOOOVVVVVEEEE this place!

Wooooo Whooooooo!Ashlyn is not old (or tall) enough to go down the slides on her own, so Cara took her down....many times! :)

Ashlyn, Brooke & Cara

Yea! We love the water!

Later, we decided to head down to the Memorial Park and Pier. We were there in time to catch the sunset. It was beautiful!

We found them!!! The park has a memorial statue and the sidewalks are lined with bricks that have been printed with the names of residents that have served our country during the time of war. Rick and Popa each have a brick (next to each other), which we are very proud to go see. I think it is so awesome that Rick and I got married here, Ashlyn was born here, we went to the grand opening of the park, and will always be able to go back...a very special place that will always have family memories!

The bricks have not been completed, but we wanted a picture anyways! Here is Popa's Korean War brick and Rick's Operation Enduring Freedom & Operation Iraqi Freedom brick. Yea!!!

Heading down the pier on the Wando River...Brooke kept reassuring me that she was fine pushing Ash & that she could see where they were going. I am still not completely convinced! Ha
After checking out the view, an ice cream break, and a small incident that lead to a change of clothes (Thank God we had some in the car!), we ended the visit with a stop on the play ground.

The swings have ALWAYS been Ash's favorite.

Cara and Brooke enjoyed getting dizzy in the swirling seats...I felt sick just watching!

Ashlyn was not too sure about the swirling seats, so we decided to hang out and blow some bubbles!

4th of July!

The 4th of July ...let's see, the weekend was long, busy, and loads of FUN! It all started on Friday...our GA family came into town and we were off...to see and do everything we could possibly fit into three days. Friday afternoon we headed to Palmetto Islands County Park to hit the slides and fountains at the toddler pool. Nana, Uncle Matthew & Jordan, Shannon, Bryan, and Aidan joined us. Some others folks disappeared...yep, you know it, they went shopping!

Ashlyn & Aidan checking out the pool & crowd before deciding to join in on the excitement.

After the water park, we went to Nana and Papa's for a Lowcountry Boil...Yum, Yum, Yummy!

We hung out for a bit & then we all went to check out the new Memorial Park and fishing pier down by the bridge. It was gorgeous!

The morning of the 4th, we were all brave enough to head to the Isle of Palms and hit the beach for the day. Traffic and parking....not too bad. Thanks to Mr. Sowell (he headed out there bright and early with the tents) we had a great spot and plenty of room for the whole family.

The beach is huge...I want to see it ALL...run,run,run!
We really do feed Ashlyn at home, I promise!

Sandcastle time!

I wonder how tall we can build our fortress?

"All of this 4th of July celebrating stuff sure makes me sleepy!!!" After spending the day at the beach, we headed back to Nana's for BBQ, etc. It was a wonderful time. Ashlyn had red, white, and blue beads for everyone to wear. After dinner, she entertained us while we waited for the fireworks show to begin. I am still trying to figure out where in the world she gets her dance moves...

We had the perfect view from Nana & Popa's neighbor. The fireworks were beautiful I was

SO glad that Ashlyn was not afraid of the noise. I think she enjoyed the evening...I did not let her hold any sparklers though. Maybe next year. She did like watching everyone else play. She and Aidan had glow in the dark bracelets and swords.

Watching the fireworks...it was a great night...all we needed was Rick!!!

I kept thinking about Ash's first 4th of July...we were at Fripp Island last year & she was only two and a half months old. Rick held her for the entire show...she SLEPT through it all!

The party was not over yet! On Sunday, we had breakfast with everyone & then we headed to the Children's Museum for a couple of hours. Well, Shannon & Aidan and Ashlyn & I did, anyway. The other ladies in the family took advantage of being downtown and hit the market for some last minute shopping.

Uncle Matt's Visit

Matthew didn't get to come home for Father's Day weekend, so he came down later that week. Rick had Friday off from work, so we decided to take Ashlyn out on the boat for her second trip. Since she didn't get to swim on her first outing, we decided it would be the perfect day....

Which button makes this baby GO?

"Hey guys...What happens if you pull up the anchor?" I'm just askin' for future references... Maybe sooner than later...Hahahahaha

Go Uncle Matt! Yea!!!

Uhhh..."Uncle Matt, maybe you should go first! I'll watch...Are you really going to drop me???"

Off the side of the boat & hanging out with Dad! We let her keep her "ga ga" at first. I think it made things seem less frightening. What a great afternoon!

Mommy, Daddy & Ash swimming in the Wando. After a few minutes, Ash was used to the water & having fun. No one ever mentioned it was like 35 feet deep! Sometimes we just don't talk about everything!

Father's Day!

This year we were very excited to have Rick home for Father's Day! (Last year, for his 1st Father's Day, we had to take him to the airport first thing in the morning, as he had to head to Ohio for training for his new job) We were so extremely excited, that we woke him up bright and early to give him his cards and presents!!! Did someone forget to remind us that Rick is NOT a morning person??? Actually, he surprised us, as he was in a great mood & smiled all morning :)

We went to church & Nana and Popa were there. Ash went to the Toddler class & they said she was perfect!!! I always worry that she is going to cry...

Popa, Daddy & Me

Catch me if you can! Ash is walking everywhere now. It is all she wants to do...I am getting quite the workout trying to keep up with her.

After church, we went to meet Mimi and Papa for lunch at McAlister's Deli. It was great to get to celebrate the day with both sets of Grandparents!

After lunch, we went home and took a nap! Around 5:00 pm, Ash and I went to pick up Popa and Nana. Popa didn't know where we were going. We took him to the boat landing, where Rick was waiting. We had the boat all packed and ready to take him for a surprise ride ,and to go to dinner over on James Island at the Crab House. We were pretty excited about the evening because we were celebrating Father's Day, and it was going to be Ashlyn's first time in the boat!At Remley's Point just before our journey.

Life jacket...check!

Sun glasses...check!

Sun screen...check!

Juice and snacks...check!

Let's get this show on the road! I am READY for my first boat ride!!!

Ashlyn found a new favorite food! Crab dip of all things!!! (I knew she was going to be a true Carolina girl! Ha ha) We couldn't feed it to her fast enough. She would scrape all the dip off of her cracker & then give us the cracker back. It was hilarious!

Nana, Ash & Mommy after dinner. We had a great afternoon & it was time to cruise back to the dock. We took a detour through the Charleston Harbor so we could look at the big boats & then we went past Rainbow Row and the Yorktown. It was the perfect trip for Ashlyn's first time out in the boat & we were happy to share the afternoon with Nana and Papa. It made the day extra special

Proof that Ashlyn can still fall asleep ANYWHERE!!!

Ash might be growing like a weed, but one thing has not changed since she was a tiny baby... her sleepy time with her daddy! Every night she likes to sit with Rick and drink her milk. They watch TV...sometimes she falls asleep and sometimes she just sits until we put her in the crib. Either way, she loves her Daddy time!

Nana's Pool

Nana, Rick, Ash & I have hit the pool several times this summer. Here are some highlights from our adventures!

Chillaxin' at da pool!

Snack time with Mommy!

Swimming with Daddy

Nana + boat = FUN!!!

Playing with my shadow?

Peek A Booo! I see Y O U !!!

This afternoon Ash and I met up with Brittany & Lincoln. We headed over to Five Loaves for lunch & then we took the kids to the Museum. Our plan was to stay "till the kids cry", which surprisingly was a couple of hours, even though they were both nap-less! It was a great time, as usual!!! We are really going to miss the Taylors when they move to Birmingham in two weeks! :(

School Dayz!

Summer school...

So, we have a new adventure in our summer plans! I have been interested in getting involved with our church's Learning Center. They have a school for children ages 1 to Kindergarten. I was talking to a friend about my idea & she suggested that I start out as a sub, so that's what I did this past semester. Then, in May, she called & asked if I would be interested in filling in two days a week at her church for the summer. I decided to give it a go, as I found out that Ashlyn would be able to attend & would be in MY class!!!

So, here she is on her first day, at snack time, with her new buddies at her table! She did very well & I am happy to announce that I did not cry even once, as I watched my BIG girl learn how to keep up with the class. (I won't tell you how many times I had to breathe slowly! Ha ha)

If all goes well, we might take on the school year...we'll keep you posted!