Mother's Day 2014

Mother's Day was a great day.  Honestly, my family is so good to me...it is always on wonderful day!  The girls made me several hand made arts and crafts projects.  Lauren even gave me $10 of her OWN money from her allowance so I could buy whatever I wanted.  She is such a sweet, kind, giving little girl.  

Lauren also made me a beautiful bracelet at Girl Scout camp this Spring that she gave to me!  

Addison colored my SEVERAL pictures that she had drawn.  She also made me a book mark from computer class...

and a hand print picture!  

Lauren drew this lovely picture of me at school!  

Then we headed to church and down to the Plaza to enjoy brunch at Tom Fooleries.  The girls were about over me trying to get a great picture of the three of us...but I actually love Lauren's crazy face! 

Brunch was awesome.  The girls loved the chocolate covered strawberries...and well just the plain chocolate! 

Seriously, this girl can look beautiful anywhere!  

We snapped a few more pictures and then headed out for some shopping! 

We hit the candy store and that was it!  The girls loved it!  

I am still waiting on my Mother's Day gift from Mark...if everything works out I will let you know!  Stay tuned! 

Watch Week At Dance

was probably 2 or 3 weeks ago??? I really can't even remember the exact date.  But, as always I snapped away tons of pictures and wanted to get them up here on the blog to remember!  

Addison has really enjoyed dance this year and has learned so much!  

Although, she has told me a few times now that does wants to be a cheerleader next year.  So, when it comes time to figure out activities for next year, we will see what she wants!

I captured many pictures of her tongue stuck out.  She is really concentrating here! 

Mark spend the first 30 minutes in Lauren's class room while I was in Addison's room...then we switched.  

I am so impressed with Lauren.  She has really grown to love dance this year.  She is focused, practices hard each week, know the names of most of her dance steps/moves, and really likes her teacher.  

Look at that focus....she loves it! 

Her recital dance is a jazz dance.  Jazz is a little more "risky" and fun!  We have recorded the dance so Lauren can practice over and over again.  

Stay tuned for more dance pictures as performances at Lee's Summit Downtown Days and Recital are coming up! 

Lauren's 1st Communion

Lauren's 1st Communion was this weekend.  She worked hard over the last several months attending classes, studying and preparing for this event.  

She looked gorgeous and Mark and I were so proud of her.

She didn't want anything fancy done to her hair.  She didn't want anything fancy in her hair.  

She really didn't even want to wear the dressy white shoes...but I told her no flip flops for church.  

I snapped several pictures before the ceremony started.  

Lauren was about over it!  

Saturday we attended a retreat.  We practiced for the big event and made this banner for Lauren's pew.  A lot of Mark's family was able to come down to celebrate and my family was also there to celebrate the big day! 

Addison fell asleep in Mark's arms shortly after church started...poor thing was so tired after staying up late with Lauren and Emma the night before! 

I snapped this picture of Lauren and her friend Brooke during the group picture.  

This is only about half of the group of kids.  The second group will go next weekend, and a Spanish Mass will be the next weekend.  So many kids taking first Communion this year. 

Rae Ann entertained Addison while we were waiting for the ceremony to start.  It was so great having family down for the weekend.  It made it a lot of fun.  

Father Tom and Lauren.  

Afterwards we headed home for a celebration.  Lauren was so ready to get her beautiful white dress off.  I asked for one last picture with the cake before getting changed.  

We enjoyed cake, punch, sandwiches, fruit and veges.  It was a great celebration.  

Lauren received a Rosary from Grandma Harding and a prayer book.  

A picture frame from Aunt Chris and Uncle Jeff.  

A cross from us...as well as a journal and a book Mark.  Gramps and Nana got her a bible box.  Mama got her a cross, and Aunt Jen got her a gift certificate.  

Here is this crazy girl about to smash her face into the cake.  I have no idea why, but she is obsessed with it.  I love her smile here...she is up to no good.  It was a great weekend and wonderful celebration for Lauren.  Way to go Lauren.  We are so proud of you! 

Wordless Wednesday

Easter Weekend

This was a gorgeous Easter Weekend!  We spent Saturday at the Kite Festival in Lee's Summit.  We have gone 3 years in a row now and it is so much fun.  

This year, we finally brought our own kites to fly as well.  

 It was such a windy day, that is was pretty easy to fly our kite!

We grabbed Subway and enjoyed a picnic lunch.

Lauren participated in the candy drop and brought back tons of candy for her and Addison.

Mark bought 2 funnel cakes because he thought we needed 2????  Oh my, both of us felt sick that afternoon after finishing both of them!

Both girls looked gorgeous Easter morning.  

They were both very cooperative and patient as I snapped away! 

After a while I got some great smiles. 

Lauren did an amazing job getting this picture! 

Addison felt like leopard needed to be in several of the pictures. 

After church we headed to Gramps and Nana's house.  We enjoyed a wonderful meal and an Easter egg hunt.  

Nana had cream soda for the girls, so they toasted a few times. 

Sophie tried her best to keep up with the big kids. 

The best part is definitely going through all the eggs. 

Then we tried very hard to get some pictures of the grand kids.