Mommy is 30!

I could not have had a better birthday celebration! Rick, Ash, and I spent the weekend with family, which was perfect. It started with Terri and Bob having us over for dinner. Bob cooked my new FAVORITE meal...steak and pepper sandwiches. They are so YUMMY!!!

On Sunday, we went to lunch at the Noisy Oyster with the Collettes. (Our tradition since Dad and I have birthdays 24 hours apart)This year we decided to also go on a carriage tour since Dad has never done it before...YES, he has lived here 60+ years! We made it about half way before a rain storm hit. I was worried that our day was ruined, but we actually laughed so much & it turned out great!

Michael, Glenda, Me & Cara

Papa, Mimi, Brooke, Ash & Rick

Ash didn't mind the horses...from a distance!
On Monday(my actual birthday), Rick and Ash took me to a Riverdogs game. We had such a wonderful time. Ash enjoyed eating fruit snacks, cheerios, some of my hot dog, some of Rick's pizza, peanuts, and dipping dots! I thought she was going to get sick at any moment, but she never did!

Excited about the game!!! Lucky for us, we have several teams that can be referred to as "dawwwgs"! (Keeps things easy& we can practice throughout the year, yea!)

Ash loves to scream "Go dawwwwgs Go!"

Getting a little "sassy"...I think she was frustrated that I was taking so many pictures while she was trying to watch the game. (or eat, which ever! )

Gee little girl, where did you get those curls?

Ha ha! They left the peanuts unattended! What were they thinking, or were they?

I'm gonna' get a good one!

Are you supposed to eat the shells, too? Huh...don't mind if I do!

Hanging out and watching the game! Turning 30 wasn't too bad, esp. since I was able to spend the day with my two FAVORITE people!!! XOXOXOXOX

Edisto....

Walking with Mimi...making footprints in the sand...I have a picture just like this of Mom and I years ago!

I have to find the perfect place to build my castle....

Juice Break!
Here's the spot for my fortress!!!

The last week in July, Rick was working, so Ash and I decided to head to Edisto to visit Mimi and Papa. We stayed a couple of days, which was awesome because we got to visit with Mama and go to the beach. Mimi and I took Ash to the same place that I used to go as a child-down by the sound, where the water is very calm, the beach has tons of shells, and a small pool forms at low tide.It is the perfect place for little ones to play! Pretty cool spot, as I remember going there with Rick when we were young, as well as Rick & I taking Bono there for his first visit to the ocean when he was a puppy!

Ashlyn's 1st Visit & Tour of Daddy's C-17!

On the weekend of July 25th, Aunt Sissy, Uncle Curt, and Justin came to stay at Nana & Poppa's. We had dinner with them, hit the outlets, and Rick took us all out to see the C-17. It was awesome, as it was Ash's first tour!!!

Going upstairs to see Daddy's office!

"I do NOT want to sit here for a picture! There are too many things to see and touch...I must get to them...NOW!!!"

Dis, dis, and more dis!

Pressing Daddy's buttons...literally, for once! Ha ha ha

Checking out the Loadmaster's Station...and trying to get to Daddy's coke!

"So THIS is where Uncle Greg and Ms. Kristin both used to work...cool!"

Mommy & Ash having a fun time!

Peek-a-boo! "Daddy...how did you get up there?"

Ash getting her exercise...running back and forth on the plane. Actually, I think there was so much to see & she couldn't make up her mind where to stop, so she just did laps!


Ash checked out the plane from top to bottom and inside out.

Memorial Park with Daddy

Rick & Ashlyn by the fountain...one of my favorite pictures from this summer :)

Being silly with Mommy!

It seems like every time we head to the park & pier Ash's interests are different. Sometimes she loves the lights, sometimes the swings, sometimes the water fountain, but this time it was the field! She just wanted to run around and squeal!

Ash and I took Lauren back to Mimi's & then we headed to the park. Rick, Nana & Poppa met us there for a couple of hours. It was a great evening.

Yea!!! Lauren is here!!!

Lauren came to visit everyone for a few weeks (all the way from Seattle). She spent time with Mimi & Papa, Corey & Erin, the Fennessy's, and Rick, Ash & I. We had such a great time with her. We watched movies, went to the arcade at Black Beard's Cove, went shopping, and took the boat out for the afternoon. Lauren, Mimi, and Papa met us at the landing & we headed through the harbor from there. We cruised through to James Island & then over by John's Island, where we found the perfect tubing water. I think Lauren could have stayed out there for days! Mimi & Papa really enjoyed the view. We decided to leave Ash with Poppa Chadwick, as she is a busy bee these days & we wanted to be able to focus some time on Lauren :)

Lauren drove us around for a bit. She did great...we didn't even hit a sand bar!

Mimi and Papa Collette on their first boat ride in the Charleston Harbor...well, with us.

Lauren, Ash & Mommy enjoying watermelon on the back porch after dinner.

Ashlyn did not get to go out in the boat with us, so we let her play in the water when we got back to the house. She was fascinated by the idea of getting soaked while in her clothes and shoes. Who knew that "helping" clean the boat could ever be so much fun!!!

The Girls Are Back in Town!!!

Glenda, Brooke, and Cara came back to visit for a couple of days. We did some shopping, watched movies, and took the girls to the Children's Museum. It was a great time!

"I never knew indoor golf could be so much fun!"

(Uh oh! I see us trying to explain this in the future!)

Ash showed Cara around the market & explained that you could only have 6 items or less to hit the express lane...Hahaha

"The French Bread is the BEST, trust me...I get it every time!"

Ash and I hit the toddler room for a bit before joining the girls at the "Cafe"!

Order Ready...Cara and Brooke were the "servers" at the cafe. Glenda and Ashlyn enjoyed the "special"...burgers, peas, and chicken with OJ & chocolate milk! Yummy!!!

Water Park with Daddy!

Lunch Break...Ashlyn really likes to taste the food...everyone's food! I think the french fries are here all time favorite!

Look at me, Daddy!!!

Playing in the pool with Mommy

Rick was home and had the day off, so Ash and I took him to Splash Island for the afternoon. We have been there several times this summer, but this was Rick's first visit.