Alyssa at Tracie's

After this summer is over, there will be some changes with our daycare.  Tracie has been our provider since Shay started daycare at 6 months old.  After this year, Tracie is transitioning to an infant/toddler only- a special license.  We were obviously bummed to hear this.   After making over 35 phone calls, and had a few interviews we found a new place!  Shay will go to Ms. Caryline's house (who was a preschool teacher and now runs a full time preschool out of her home) and Alyssa will stay at Tracie's for another year.  After next summer, Alyssa will join Shay and Ms. Caryline's house.  Whew.  Although the change will be hard, we had a "trial" period over the last couple of weeks, and it seemed to go just fine with Shay at Ms. Caryline's and Alyssa's at Tracie's.  One bonus- Tracie and Carylines houses are only a block apart.  The girls saw each other at the park a few times!

Our New House

Okay. this really isn't our house, its Papa Bills and Grandma Gingers house we will be staying at until our house is built.  We close on our home on Friday as well as buy our new lot.  Hopefully our new house will be done around the beginning of October.  Our new home will be...... about a block from our old one and will be just some adustments to our current floor plan!  Not original or unique, but I guess we know what we like :)

Mother's Day

The girls gave us one of the best presents every yesterday --- sleeping in till 9:30.  Amazing.  The whole family slept past 9am- this hasn't happened since the day we brought Alyssa home!  Each of the girls also made something for me- Shay had made an art picture using her hands as flower petals, and Alyssa made me a little pillow with her handprints on it.  I am so happy to be mom of these 2 precious girls!

Alyssa's Family Birthday Party

The weekend after her birthday, we had the family over to celebrate Alyssa turning 1- it was a big day.  Although she slept through the first half of the party, while everyone else was visiting and eating, Alyssa woke up for the best parts- eating cake and opening gifts.  We want to say "thanks" to all of our family that helped make this day special for the "baby" of our family!

 Getting ready to eat cake

 Dad, sister and cousins all helping with present opening

 Loving her new cars- they have been a hit toy since!

 Attempt at a family picture

 Adding the dog :)

Happy Birthday to You Alyssa!

Nashville, Atlanta and Old Friends.. All in 4 Days

Rachel headed out for a long weekend to Nashville and Atlanta to meet up with Andrea and Liz- a visit long overdo!  Brett, Shay and Alyssa stayed back and kept the house in order!
In Nashville we were able to listen to several up and coming bands along the main strip, eat at amazing restaurants (almost all our food was fabulous), visit the country music hall of fame, relax, and talk, talk and talk some more :)  After a couple days in Nashville we headed south to Andrea's home in Atlanta to hang out with her family and enjoy the warm weather.  It was a great trip- vacationing with girlfriends is so much fun!

 Country Music Hall of Fame

 Elvis's Gold Car

 Downtown Nashville

 Trying to Fit in with a Musically, Glamour Inspired Vest

 Liz Modeling an Interesting Purse...

Yes it is a handgun and bullets outlined in rhinestones

 Shockingly, these were not an oddity

  

 You have to get your picture with Elvis

 Enjoying the warm weather and Dogwood Festival in Atlanta with Liz's cousin Allison and Declan