Looks can be deceiving...

I took this picture of Dylan last Sunday when we were walking out the door to go to a "Sip & See" baby shower for Katie & Baby Karlee. Doesn't she look sweet & innocent? Well, let me tell you, looks can be deceiving. I got Dylan ready to go 1st & it was past her nap time, so I put her on the couch to watch Dora while I finished getting ready. I was going through my routine as usual & when I turned off the hair dryer, I peeked in the living room....no Dylan. I went in her bedroom....no Dylan. I frantically ran in the kitchen....no Dylan. I yelled upstairs....no Dylan. Then it hit me!! I ran to the open dining room windows & yelled her name. She graciously answered, "Oh, hi mommy. I came outside in my party dress. I just playing sand table & mowing with my 'mawn' mower." Yep, you guessed it. She crawled out Meatball's doggy door in her "party dress". It literally scared me to death. Don't get me wrong, she isn't tall enough or able to open the gates & she could have only been out there 1-2 minutes top, BUT it was my most horrifying mommy experience yet. A thousand "what ifs" ran through my head, but after we had our talk about NEVER doing that again & thanking God she was safe, I had to laugh a little. She is a mess!

(Please, don't alert authorities. I realize this was a little "Britney Spears" but it was an isolated incident....I'm not unfit, I promise.)

Dylan's Bedroom Makeover--Project 1

In case you haven't heard me gloat & brag, I am on vacation ALL WEEK! Originally, we were going to take off & go to Atlanta, but we both decided we would just stay here & do much needed things around our house. Yesterday, we worked all day on Dylan's bedroom. We took down her crib, set up her "big girl" bed, moved furniture, cleaned out toys, touched up paint, etc, etc. Dylan was at school all day & then she went to Noni & Rudy's afterwards so she had a big surprise waiting on her last night...a new bedroom! She was very excited & even more excited to see that we went to Best Buy & bought her a new TV for her big girl room. We are weak!! Anyway, I am very pleased with her room. There is much less clutter (hopefully it will stay that way). It's amazing what putting a toy box in a closet will do for a room! My mom thinks "we" (she) can make her a headboard, so that's why she still doesn't have one. Hopefully we can tackle this project in the near future, right mom? :) Other than that, I still need to get her rug cleaned, hang some things back on the wall & update pictures in picture frames & then it will be complete.
I took some pictures before Dylan came home & a couple after. My battery died after I took the picture of her walking in her room. POOR PLANNING! Oh well! And for everyone wondering, did she sleep in her big girl bed all night? Yes she did, but Meatball & I joined her about 2 a.m. Baby steps... :)

Now we are off to the paint store for project 2....painting our bedroom! I'm pretty sure Ryan is ready for me to go back to work, but not me!! I love being off & I love feeling productive.

Sleeping peacefully...prior to 2 a.m.

The Monster Bash

On Saturday night, we went to Ms. Chris & Mr. Marty's annual Halloween party, or shall I say Father Marty & Sister Chris. We had a great time. It is so much fun to sit back & watch the kids on their own turf. They ran, laughed, & played for hours. They all have so much fun together!! The adults had fun too. Ryan & Josh Coonce won the pumpkin toss contest this year. That makes it 2 years in a row for Ryan. He's VERY proud of his title! We had a lot of good food & Mr. Marty gave the kids lots of candy. Between all of the candy & the many cups of "Mr. Marty's Magical Fruit Punch", I could NOT get Dylan to be still for pictures. Hopefully on Halloween night I will be more successful!

Ryan & I both love watching Dylan interact with Ms. Chris & Mr. Marty. She loves them so much...maybe a little too much! Just kidding!! We wouldn't have it any other way! We are so blessed to have them in our lives!

Thanks for everything you all do, Ms. Chris & Mr. Marty. You 2 are SO wonderful!!

Happy Birthday Kiki

On Thursday night, we went to eat at Marketplace with Kristi (Kiki) & David to celebrate Kristi's birthday. In case you didn't know, Dylan is obsessed with birthdays. She loves everything about them....cake, candles, hats, napkins, presents. Did I mention cake? We surprised Kristi with a cake from Confectionately Yours...strawberry with cream cheese icing. Yummy! The best part about a birthday at Market Place is they don't sing & act a fool when they bring the cake to your table. We all appreciated that!

Happy Birthday, Kiki. We love you!!

Halloweens Past...

It's only 3 days until Ms. Chris & Mr. Marty's annual Halloween party. We are getting so excited! For the past 2 years, I have dressed up with Dylan & I will do so again this year (well, that is if my costume gets here before then). Ryan, on the other hand, does not participate. He is anti-costume. He will attend the party, but he will go as "Ryan". I think it's fun & Dylan really loves it. She is very excited about Halloween this year! I will post pictures from the party on Sunday, but until then, here's a trip down "Halloween" Memory Lane...

2007

2006

2004

2005

(Halloween is definitely a time when Meatball is soooo thankful his sister came along!)

Poor Hogs...

Last night we went to Alan & Lynley's to watch the Razorback game. Dylan was so excited to go & "play with the boys". Dylan & Robinson played so hard. They had a great time. Thankfully, Dylan & I left before the game went south... POOR HOGS! She couldn't wait to get there!

Robinson & Dylan

I love this picture...Dylan, Tully, & Robinson

They loved filling the slide with rocks & then sliding into them. Sounds uncomfortable to me!

Dylan with her cousins, Robinson & Parker

Bubbly---Take One.....

Dylan's favorite song is & has been "Bubbly" by Colbie Caillat for as long as I can remember. She knows every word & it is SO cute to hear her sing it. She will sing it word for word, time after time, EXCEPT when I get the camera out. It literally drives me nuts!! I want to record it so badly. Well, after a long discussion, we decided that she would sing her favorite song to her "Bubba, Bubba Boo" aka Meatball. I was pumped! Finally, after months of trying, I was going to capture it on film.... Well, I should've known better. After about 5-10 words, she was distracted past the point of no return. Watch the video & you'll see! Maybe another night.... :(

Dylan & her "best friend, Bubba Bubba Boo"

Here's Dylan's "Bubbly" debut.... TAKE 1

(Thank God she had just gotten out of the bath!)

Our fishing trip...

Josh invited us to tag along to his pond for a fishing adventure. It was so much fun!! Dylan & Braxton had a ball...along with the rest of us. On the first cast, Dylan & I both caught a fish! I'm not saying they were big, but hey, they were fish! Ryan caught a monster catfish & I do mean monster! Mary had caught it earlier & told us about it, but it was hard to imagine (until we saw it for ourselves). I have never seen a catfish so big!! Ryan's line was only a 4 lb. line. He got it to the shore, but then he lost it. He was disappointed, but I'm pretty sure it could have swallowed his arm. Maybe it was a blessing!?! Everyone caught a lot of fish & had a wonderful time. It was a beautiful day to spend outside with great friends. Thanks for inviting us!

Dylan's 1st catch of the day

The Crew- Ryan, Alex, Mary, Dylan, Braxton, & Josh

The "dads" stayed very busy baiting lines & replacing hooks.

She's a natural! :)

Mommy trying to help...

I think this video is SOOO Cute.

National Fire Safety Week

This week is National Fire Safety Week. Dylan was excited to have her daddy, Stan, & Darrell bring Pumper 4 to her school yesterday. All of the kids got to sit in the firetruck & get their picture taken. They also got a junior firefighter badge & a coloring book. It sounds like everyone had a great time. Dylan wouldn't let daddy put her up in the truck, so Mr. Marty had to intervene. Once she got in there, she was all smiles. Oh, the things she will do for Ms. Chris & Mr. Marty!

Dylan & daddy
Anything you say, Mr. Marty :)

So brave...

Stan & Mr. Marty showing the kids the truck

Dylan & friends on the playground

Good night, sleep tight...

It's amazing to me that no matter how trying the day was, how many fits were thrown, or how many time outs were given, you just forget it all at bedtime. As soon as Dylan has her bath, I put her in her pajamas & we start doing her bedtime ritual, she once again becomes so angelic to me. What is it about a kid in their pj's that just melts your heart...?

Brushing her "cavity bugs"
Winding down to Blues Clues That hair...

Tea Time

This is too cute not to post! Last week, Dylan & her best buddy, Braxton Beshears, decided to have a tea party. They were served water & marshmallows & had a splendid time...

(Notice the napkins in their laps. They did that on their own. I love it!)

Planting Flowers....

Tonight, Dylan & I decided to try our hand at gardening. We planted some pansies. Granted, I am very inexperienced in this area, but I know that anything I do has to be better than what's going on in our flower beds now! Dylan was so excited initially, but that enthusiasm lasted about 10 minutes & then she was on to bigger & better things....bubbles & sidewalk "twalk". Before I knew it, she was inside watching Dora & coming to the open window every few minutes to give me words of encouragement. Only time will tell how & if our pansies will make it... We had fun though!

Happy Birthday Mimi

Today we went to Muskogee to celebrate Mimi's (Christy) birthday. We always have a great time when we get together. Dad & Memaw cooked a delicious lunch & we just sat around, watched football, visited, & let the kids play... Dylan & Bennett were VERY wild today! They went full throttle all day long. They have so much fun together!! In fact, they brought much entertainment to us all. Watching them play & hearing those deep belly laughs is therapy for everyone. Hailey was feeling a little under the weather so she was pretty low key, although she's always so excited to see Dylan...just not too excited to play with that pesty little brother! :)

Happy Birthday Christy! I hope you have a great week. We love you!

Hailey, Mimi, Dylan & Bennett...we have to keep a close eye on the little 2. They've been known to dig into a birthday cake when noone is looking!

Dylan instructing me exactly how to make her hopscotch!

Can't you just smell TROUBLE? They are the cutest cousins!

Sophie, Mimi, & Dylan