10APR11

The Atlanta temple has been going through renovations since before we got to GA. It's finally done and we got the chance to go with our ward to see it before it was re-dedicated. What a beautiful peaceful place to spend our Saturday with our friends. It was a nice day. After we went through we spent some time just sitting in the grass and taking pictures. Shomakers and McBrides! (Nic, Wylie, Alexis, and Ryan) It's fun to have boys around the same age as our girls.

My girls really enjoyed the temple. Alexis was slightly concerned that we weren't all wearing white but I was able to explain that was okay. :) Wylie and Lex.

Me and my girls.

Everyone from the ward that was able to go.

Ry and Nic (totally NOT posed.)

Ry loves holding hands!

08APR11

I have great neighbors here. It's great that we can just go outside and they have people to play with. When my next door neighbor asked who was up for a sidewalk chalk day we were in!!! I even left Lex outside when I came in for Ry's nap (and so I could clean a little bit!) The kids all had a blast and the moms got to hang out and talk. Thanks for the great idea Keri!

Ryan running to hug Joanna (she LOVES those neighbor girls!) Pow wow.

Lex and Makayla.

So fun!

Dillon, Ryan, and Alexis.

07APR11

Nate had to go to Atlanta for a few days for work so he made the drive down to Columbus just for the night so he could see us (okay maybe more so he could see Trav but he loves us girls too!) We had a blast going to dinner, playing games, and LAUGHING while texting back and forth with Cristine. It made us SOOO excited for July when the McGrewe's will be reunited for 10-12 days! :) Thanks for coming Nate and next time I promise to have chili cheese dip here waiting! :)

04APR11

Travis got a fluke day off today so we decided to spend the morning doing yard work (YUCK but at least it was nice out so the girls just played.) That afternoon he decided it was time for Lex to learn to ride a bike without training wheels. We headed on post to where the soccer fields are with both kids and our dog. There is a great park right by the soccer fields and a dog park right next to that so something for everyone! Trav kept Lex on the field so when she fell it would be softer and I walked Ryan and Tucker over to the park. Less than an hour later he told me to come over and watch (I'd been watching a little bit but trying to pay attention to Ryan and Tuck too.) My little girl was totally riding a bike! No training wheels! She was so proud and so was Trav. As soon as I got over he informed me we were going straight to DQ after that! She totally earned it. (And Travis was SO proud!) The video is not the best b/c it's with my cell but I got a GREAT video with our regular camera. This girl has always been so quick with the physical stuff!

Getting started. The push off.

Totally doing it on her own.

You could tell SHE was proud too.

04APR11

Oh how I love this man. I have to acknowledge the fact that I am guilty of being that mom and wife that puts her kids ahead of everything. I know this isn't always a bad thing but I do find that I have to be very careful to make sure that I put my husband first sometimes too. He is important too and I love him like crazy!! I am not eloquent in writing (oh how I wish I were!) But I do want Travis to know how much I love and appreciate him. He does SO much for us. I am so proud of all he has done being in the Army. I'm so glad he is the dad he is. Yesterday was Trav's thirtieth birthday. We are BOTH officially in our 30's. It's funny how old you think 30 is when you are 16 and then when you turn 30 you realize it's not so bad. I have now known Trav for officially half my life. We met when I was 15 although we weren't exactly friends. He actually came to my 16th birthday party with his girlfriend! :) I guess I grew on him. Yesterday he had a lot of homework to catch up on so we hung out at home (after the waffles and strawberries of course) and then ended the day with some family time, steak, potatoes, and asparagus and finished it off with some Spring Fruit Trifle (the man is NOT a cake or chocolate fan!) Happy Birthday babe. I love you!!!

03APR11

I figured I've posted the last few times about Lex so now I would show you the many poses of Ryan. She loves to be just like her big sister so when I put this outfit on her and thought she was just adorable I asked if she would smile for a picture and this is what I got! I also have to mention that I bought this shirt for Alexis when she was Ryan's age and Ryan was a baby and she had a matching shirt! Now she fits in this one and I just can't believe how big my kids are getting!! I absolutely love this girl! And now a shameless plug... My friend and neighbor Lori has started a shop on etsy. She has some adorable stuff (bags, shirts, aprons, kids placemats, etc.) She made this shirt for Ryan and I think it's ADORABLE! I also happen to know she just got a new embroidery machine so be on the look out for some great new additions!! Click here for her etsy shop and here for her FB page.

01APR11

Today was Field Day at Lexi's school and the theme was Boot Camp (SOOO cute but we ARE on an Army Post so I can't help but think why not Basic Training? :) ) They had the cutest little camo shirts and HUGE shout out to my neighbor Jennifer who made her daughter AND Alexis matching bows!!! She pulled it out after me joking about why didn't she make one for ALexis HAHA! Super sweet! I was able to go down there for about 3 hours while Ryan was at her school and it was a ton of fun to watch. Yes, there are tons of pics. It was just so cute! Once again the many poses of Alexis. She loves taking pics and then going back through and looking at them. I can't blame her she is adorable! :)

Kissy face?? This is her MEAN face!

Jumping rope.

They had an "obstacle course" bouncy house. So cool!

Alexis and her friend Cassidy.

They had to run up this hill and then roll down it.

She would roll a little ways down and then get up and re-position and start over.

Cat and mouse in the parachute.

Sand bags. Even though the little boy helping her is WAY bigger she was doing most of the pulling!

Tug of War with Makayla.

This was my FAVORITE event. 3 legged races with kindergarteners= HILARIOUS. I told them to put their arms around each other and ALexis was more than willing but he was NOT on board!

Fun great day!!!! On a side note: Alexis had her final cup stacking tournament on Wednesday (no pics...) She brought home 2 medals and I was able to ask her PE teacher today what they were for (she told me what she thought they were but didn't seem convinced!) She got first place for her age in "Cycle" (Recycle it's the longest one!) and third in 3-6-3. SO very proud of this little girl. She also was on honor roll this quarter again. Great great kid!!!