Ballet Recital

The girls had a lot of fun doing ballet this year.  Here are some pictures of them at the recital.  They were so cute and did a great job performing!  I'm really glad we did it.








Twirling and playing before the performance.




Nan-Naw got to come watch!


The girls and their sweet friend, Darby.

Surfside Beach

We went on a weekend beach trip to Surfside Beach, SC in April.  Here are lots of pictures from our trip.


We were so excited to get out on the beach!


This is Lera's first time in the ocean.  There was pure JOY on her face the whole time.  Even though the water was cold, she ran right in and rolled around and had a blast.




Baywatch!


Chess also LOVED it!








I love all these photos so much.  I'm so glad I could capture these moments.


After about 20 minutes, Lera needed to be warmed up.


Chess wanted to try out the snorkel, but it didn't work out very well.










On our way to dinner at about 6:00, Lera fell asleep in the car.  She was out so hard that she did not wake up in the restaurant, on the way back, or that night in the hotel.  She slept straight through till morning!


I got my yummy crab legs - 1.5 lbs and I ate every one!  So full afterwards.


The next day we went to the pier.






The girls played a few games.


Then we went on a little marsh walk.


Thanks for taking a picture of us, Chess!




Back to the room for lunch.




Into the waves with Daddy.




Warming up with Momma.






Ahhhhhh!!!!


Ice creams after dinner.


Last night to sleep in the hotel.


Checking everything out in the morning.


Walking on the beach and collecting shells.




Taking a dip in the hot tub before packing up and heading home.


Good-bye pelicans!  Time to drive home!

Chess's 5th Birthday Party

We had a "Garden Party" for Chess's birthday.  This was the first year she had friends come to her party.  So we had family and friends and a really fun time!


Chess requested strawberry cake with a strawberry on top.


Later she said she wanted mint cupcakes.  Luckily, we had enough people at her party that she could have both!


I had fun turning our garage into party central.


Excited for her birthday party!


The first thing we did was painting flower pots.


My amazing cousins helped A LOT during the party.


It was a chilly but sunny morning.


Here is the face-painting and tattoo station.


Chess had Layne paint a pink flower on her cheek.


Bailey helped with the "Pin the Bee on the Flower" game I made.


Waiting in line.  Halle is putting the blindfold on.


Lera's turn.


Evie won the game, so she had her picture taken (with the birthday girl).


Next the kids got to put soil into their pots and plant some flower seeds of their choice.


The seeds are all set to grow!


I made a ribbon-pull pinata that I was quite proud of.  Here is the link for it.


Will's turn.


After the candy was spilled (with Jared's help getting it out), it was cake time!


Mom helped cut the cake.  Both cake and cupcakes were yummy, if I do say so myself.


Lera enjoyed hers.


Chess and her friends eating.


Present time!


Chess was really happy with all her presents.


Thank you, everyone, for the gifts!


This picture is funny because it looks like Layne has ransacked the entire place.  He was worn out from helping and playing with the kids!


Momma and Daddy with the birthday girl.


I put on my grumpy face to match the rest of their expressions.


Playing with her presents after most of the guests left.


What awesome gifts!


Out to dinner to end this busy day.


And last, but not least, Chess was taking pictures of her toys.  She loves them all!