Beach Preview

We went to the beach for Memorial Day weekend and it was wonderful! One night before dinner we took the most beautiful pictures of my little ones! I LOVE THEM! Be ready for a picture post with LOTS of pictures to come soon! We also celebrated Travis's birthday. I'll update ASAP!

Anything Goes

The theme of the recital was "Anything Goes" featuring songs about boats, planes, and trains...a perfect trio for my boy! He loved the songs and was quite excited about the scenery.

USS Massey!

Aunt Lu Lu

With his friend Keegan having lots of fun on the set!



Big boat!

Its hard to believe how much this sweet boy has grown since his first recital, when he was backstage with me in a hotsling.

Baby girl wore her cute sailor dress to match the girl's costumes for the opening number.



Gee with the babes



Oh look at Hun!

A bit overwhelmed on stage...with Anna!



Each year just prior to the recital all of the dancers make a circle on stage, share encouraging words, close eyes and squeeze hands all around the circle. Then "The Greatest Love of All" plays, then the "Space Odessey," and the curtain begins to open. Wow...in a short time my little girl will join the circle!

My Little Dancer

The 52 Annual Massey School of Dance recital was so fun...as it always is to me. I couldn't resist dressing up my little dancer (tu tu cute with tap shoes!). She was a bit nervous about all of the excitement, lights, girls, and music, but overall she loved it. She was especially excited in the dressing room!

Dancer Jammies!



Look at my ballet feet!



LOVE IT!

Happy Mother's Day

Today marks the "last" of the "first" holidays without our sweet Grandma Juel. It was the first time mom would wear a white rose. Although she was not here on Earth, Grandma is with us always. She is in the red rose bush where we pick our corsage, she is the blue bird that flies all over mom's yard, she is in the songs we sing at church, she is in baby Juel's cheeks stuffed full of dinner, she is in Tyson's sweet voice when he tells Uncle Mike Grandma Juel is in heaven with Jesus, she is in nearly all of my happiest memories! Our preacher's sermon today talked of a mom's legacy and that it should be written in the pages of the Bible. Hers certainly is. He told of Jochebed, Moses's mother, who was clever and loved him as full as a mother could. This was one of my favorite stories when I was a little girl, as I pictured Moses's sister placing him in a basket for Pharoh's daughter to find. Now as a mom it pierces my heart...to just imagine that his mother loved him so much that she was willing to first hide him and then give him away. Can you imagine? But in taking this risk, through her trust in God, he became MOSES! What a powerful lesson to me as I am seeking to guide my own children. This past week Tyson pulled out his CD player and put in a copy of Grandma's sweet funeral. Mom and I just loved listening to in again, singing along with the music and shedding tears because we miss her. But, we are also so very thankful that she has been with Jesus since the very moment she took her last Earthly breath. Today was not a sad day. We were so happy that we had a grand'mother' like her. She, like Jochebed,left a legacy of love and creativity; she was willing to take risks to allow her children to grow as God planned, not as she planned; she demonstrated nurture, and above all of trust in God. I hope that I can follow in her footsteps.

Family

Brother and Sister

White rose for his mom...I wish I could have known her!

My sweet boy (wearing his rose for me!)

My favorite two girls!

Sweet happy girl!

Tyson was so excited that Michael was at his church! Last night when we were saying prayers I told him Uncle Mike would come to church. This morning he was screaming "My Uncle Mike is coming to my church. I love Jesus and Uncle Mike does too!" (Happy mommy moment!)

Michael dressed Tyson and helped get Juel dressed too (cute)!

Putting on her socks and shoes!

 

Sweet babies!

After church we went to Aunt Pat's house for a cookout.

Fun playing with daddy and Uncle Mike



Fishing in the pool



Who is this baby Grandma Raye is holding (Baby Alice)

This picture is so funny to me!

Grandma Raye is so special. She loves babies so much and we all love her so much! She was so happy this afternoon with all the great-grandbabies.

 Baby Girl!

 Oooh this water is cold Mommy!



Aunt Pat gets Tyson wild as can be! By the end he was soaking wet...then naked in the pool!

Party Time!

Lots of pictures from the party...

Mom made this cute Minnie dress!

And Tyson's birthday shirt!

And Mommy's shirt...just kidding!

Check out mom's Mickey bandana!

Amber and the kids!

They are growing up so much!

Our sweet neighbors and friends from church, the Turners

Aunt Barbara and Uncle Myron...I love them so much!

Crystal was in Vegas, but because "Emerson" was the only person Tyson would say he wanted at his party, their sweet grandma Nancy brought her and Michell!

Pat Pat, Anna(ie) and Terry came too!

Uncle Mike (thankfully wearing a party hat!)

Grandma Raye with the newest addition to the Strickland family, baby Alice!

I loved that Allison dressed her in a Mickey onesie! It was her first birthday party!

The new parents...doing a great job!

Proud Daddy!

Daddy grilling "hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dogs!!!

Fun in the gator!

Hey Lu



Friends Beverly and Hunter Martin

Playing in the jump house

Sweet Mitchell

Cake Time~~~

Yes he did!

Present Time!!

 Uncle Davin and his little baby grandaughter...so proud!!

 Alice wore a party hat! Whew!

 Party in the jump house!

 Let me try!

 Oh boy!

I'm out of here!

 After party with Uncle Mike!

 Post party fun!

And look at what he is still holding onto the next morning! Sometimes crazy is worth it! Happy Birthday my sweet sweet boy!