The First Pitch

Anyone who knows Parker well, understands when I say that he can truly be the world's best salesman.. I'm not kidding! I've heard from so many that he is either going to end up in sales when he's older, or a lawyer!  It's always fun to think about my kids and what lies ahead for them... but it's even better to see their talents right now and watch them shine.  :) 

Lakeland Elementary was having their Entertainment Book Fundraiser and the top seller got to throw out the first pitch at the Redbirds game!  That was all Parker needed to hear to motivate him!  He came home... ran out the door to start selling- got on the phone- and sent out emails!  And guess what... He won! He sold 42 books!!  He also won a tour of the Redbird's stadium by being one of the first to sell 10 books.  I love how motivated this child can get!  It's like he gets a fire under him and there's no stopping him!  Love it!  Such a fun memory for him... but also for Manley and me! 

The BIG MOMENT!! 

He sure did a great job!

After the tour of the Redbirds Stadium...

picture on the field...

the other winner for selling the first 10 books...

our neighbor Drew! 

The day of the first pitch! 

I don't know who was more excited...

ALL smiles!!

Enjoying fun times with family...

with a special cousin, Andrew, 

who came to watch Parker's big moment...

you know I am going to get a picture with my little man!

With a special guy... Lance Lynn! 

A former Ole Miss Rebel who now plays for the Redbirds! 

He made sure to give Parker a pat on the back!

Another Bird Day!

I swear I think the Memphis Zoo is getting better and BETTER every year!  This year they opened the Teton Trek Exhibit with the Brown Bears... they have the Northwest Passage with the Polar Bears... and even more to come!  Every Summer through Labor Day, they have the Birds Exhibit.  I am not a bird person at all... but I love this exhibit.  The kids love it too!  :)  It's definitely one of my favorites and I could stay in there for hours!  (Maybe it's one of my favorites because I come home with such cute pictures of my babies... Ha!!  If you know me well enough- you know that I am always up for some good photo sessions and these always make me smile!)

Hello Pencils... Hello Books...

Wow!  Another summer is gone and another school year is in session.  Where does the time go?  I swear every time I turn around, I feel another year has passed!  We sure had a great summer, and we are sad it see it go.  Good bye to pool days that turn into cook outs, staying out until it gets dark to catch lightning bugs, and having sleep overs on week nights... Hello to schedules, bedtimes, and homework!  I can't believe another school year has arrived.  I officially have a 4th Grader... a 1st Grader... and a PK3 child!!!  Parker has Mrs. Hynes this year.  She's a new teacher to Lakeland and we've heard wonderful things about her!  Ava has Mrs. Stevens.  She seems very sweet and Ava is so excited because her sweet friend Riley is in her class this year.  Riley and Ava went to MDO together at Trinity Baptist, and I am wonderful friends with her mom Lisa-so I think we were ALL very excited to be in the same class this year!  And Lily started at Immanuel Lutheran this year.  This is where I went to school from Kindergarten through Eighth Grade.  So many of the same faces are still there... and it feels like home.  Lily has Mrs. Brenda this year and it is so funny because I also had Mrs. Brenda when I went there.  Crazy I know!  I don't think she's changed at all since I've had her and I know Lily is in wonderful, caring hands!!! :)  It's going to be a great school year!!

On Lily's first day!  :)

I think it's safe to say... she's happy!

Such a big girl and SO excited about her new school!

Goodness... she's getting so big!

Not my "Little Man" any more... Growing up so fast!

My sweet Ava... all smiles and READY to go!

Ready to make the walk... but not ready to see them go!

Dad and his crew!  :) 

In case I fail to mention... Manley is such a GREAT daddy!  We are all blessed to have him!

Here's hoping for a great 2010-2011 School Year!!!!

Fun with Friends

I love all the fun things that go on during the summer time... pool days, summer concerts, patio dinners, and NO schedules of any kind!  Only time spent with our favorite people!

So many fun memories made during the summer time!

With my sweetie

fun time with neighbors

Botanic Gardens

Lisa and Michael

Beth and Chad

special friends!

Cook outs with the best of friends...

Ava and Brittain

Lily and Brittain

Ava and Isabella

Forever Friends!!!

Ava and her sweet friend Lindsey!  :)

I'm sure Parker will kill me one day for these next pictures... but I couldn't resist! 

It only shows what a FUN big brother he is!

Letting the girls dress him up and making it fun in the process!

Seriously... he is going to forever resent me for posting these pictures!!

ONE of my all time FAVORITES!!!

So many FUN times had by all! 

I LOVE the summer time... my only complaint is that it goes by too fast!!!!

Hot Fun in the Summertime!

I love the Summer!  I love that my kids are out of school... I love being schedule free...  I love being able to spend so much time with my parents, sisters, nieces, and nephews.  I can do without all the heat and humidity that Memphis has to offer... but I would never change the fact that my family is only a short car ride away!  So many fun memories made that I will remember forever!! 

 At Mom and Dad's on the 4th... E's Birthday!!

My favorite reasons to smile!

Kelsey and Ava

Lily Bug minus something big... her floaties! 

Something new she learned this year... swimming with NO floats!

With my Parker playing Beach Golf

Our competition... Zach and Joey

one of my MOST favorite pictures!  Lily and Matthew

Ava getting ready to dive... something she learned new this summer.

Lily and her constant companion

Parker, Blake and Zach taking a break from swimming



Sneaky Lily

One of my most favorite things about Lily Kathryn Douglas is that you NEVER know what to expect!  Yes, this will also probably be the reason my hair turns gray by 40, but most of the time it makes me smile!  Tonight when Manley and I were cooking dinner, we found a little surprise hiding in the laundry room.  Manley went to put up something in the fridge and he found Lily sneaking one of her most favorite ice cream bars!  Without a second thought, I walked and got my camera.  Yes, I was probably teaching her if you sneak ice cream, your parents will laugh and take your picture!  But it was too funny and something I will always remember!  Like I said... You never know what to expect with my Lily girl!

Just realized she got caught... but didn't even stop eating to act surprised!

This is the moment where she realizes she will probably be able to get away

with so much more in her lifetime!

Her sweet brown eyes often help get her out of trouble!  Ha!