degray

The girls and I have spent some time at Lake DeGray lately. They have loved swimming there. I was sort of surprised because when we were in the Gulf last summer they didn't care to get into the water much. When we got to the lake they ran in and kept going. I had to tell them to stop going out so far. I think the big difference is the waves. We have had to limit how long we stayed out because of the heat.

I love my gorgeous girls.

she did it again

Olivia and I went to the McCain Mall on July 11th so that I could get my wedding bands cleaned.

The lady in the jewelry store kept pulling out these huge diamonds for me to look at and try on (of course).

Olivia kept nagging the entire time about how she wanted her ears pierced. She had mentioned several times lately that she wanted it done. I reminded her every time that it hurts. She had her ears pierced when she was younger and she told her daycare teacher that they hurt. So the teacher took them out and she wouldn't let us put them back in. The holes grew up and now she has decided that she wants to wear cute little earrings.

I asked her over and over while we walked around the mall if she was sure.

And she insisted that she was.

She got in the ear piercing chair and picked out pink diamond flower earrings.

She watched the lady as she cleaned Olivia's ears and marked the spots for the holes.

The lady pierced her right ear first and she let out a little yelp and teared up.

She calmed pretty quickly.

I then explained that the lady had to do her other ear and she began to inch away as the ear piercing gun came closer to her ear. When the second one was done, she sobbed loudly and layed her head on me. I felt horrible for her! I tried to tell her!!

Then the lady pulled out the sucker bowl, and it was all good.

She was a happy kiddo as she walked around the mall with her ear cleaning solution in an

"I got my ears pierced" bag.

She has done really well with them so far.

She still tugs at her ears when she's sleepy and I try to get her to keep her hands off of them.

She's proud of them and asks every day when she can switch them out.

She has no concept of time so "eight weeks" means she is going to ask every day.

family reunion

We had a great time at our annual 4th of July reunion.

There were quiet a few people missing this year but we had good visits with those that attended

a suite night

Olivia's "bed" at the Embassy Suites.

She fit perfectly..

..in the entertainment center.

She loved it! It was a special treat to sleep under the tv.

And for reminder purposes..

this was her back in 2009.

It seems she has always had a love for curling up in confined spaces.

We set the timer for a family photo before we hit the pool.

I sprained my foot the morning before this and was in a boot. So I did a lot of hobbling around and watching everyone else play.

We spent the night Saturday night in Hot Springs and then got up Sunday morning to see our families for church.

My family has a family reunion every year on the 4th of July and you can look forward to seeing my handsome extended family in the next blog post. :)

the 4th

I think this photo deserves a blog post of its own.

This is not our entire family by any means, but it is a nice chunk of us.

I had two photos of this pose but this one was the best of the two.

Everyone is smiling and facing the camera.

The only thing is... I have no idea who the child front and center is.

Oh well, he must be in the family tree somewhere. :)

Arkadelphia Ascent Event

The girls and I went to an event in Arkadelphia at the Ascent building there a few weeks ago. We had a good time but it was hot.

We got to see Karen & Sharon and show our support for the company.

They had a good turn out!

I'm playing catch up on the blog. I try to do extra when the internet and blogger site are cooperating with uploading pictures.