8, oh, so great!!!!!

Happy 8th Birthday Morgie!!!!

Today is Morgan's 8th Birthday. It's crazy to me how fast 8 years can go by. I guess this birthday seems so exciting because I have always told her that she could get her ears pierced when she turned 8. A year ago I almost gave in, but she definately wasn't ready and she told me she would rather wait. That's one of the best qualities about Morgan that I have always loved. There is no rushing her. She takes her time and when she is ready, she will do it. I guess it's true, you can't rush perfection!

She was really excited to go and have them pierced today. I was waiting for her to back out, but she was determined to do it. Unfortunately we had a bit of an audience, although, I think it helped her to not cry. There was a moment after the first ear that I thought she would cry for sure, but she wenced a bit and before she knew it, the second ear was done! She looks darling with them in and I'm glad we waited for 8.

After a quick shopping trip to spend a little of her birthday money, we came home for a little rest and to learn how to play her new DSi that Eric, Mem's, and I gave her. In the evening, Grandma and Gramdpa came out to help us celebrate with dinner and cake and to check out her new sparkly ears! It's been a fun and relaxing day and according to Morgan, the best Birthday ever! Happy Birthday, Baby, we love you!

vegas . . . here we come

It's been almost 3 years since my sister moved to Vegas, and this is the first time we have gone for a visit! We were so excited to see their home and take a little break from our unpredictable June weather. Even though the weather in Vegas was cooler than usual, it didn't stop us from SWIMMING the entire time! Oh, and a little usual site seeing and shopping (thanks Butlers for putting up with our touristing and showing us a good time).

Memphis was loving the frozen drinks by the pool!

We were able to steal George for the night and take him with us to dinner and the M&M factory! He is such a great cousin and both our girls completely adore him.

it's a pirate party - arrgh!

For Morgan's 8th Birthday Party, she finally let me talk her into doing a "pIrAtE pArTy". It was crazy trying to do her party the last day of school and a few days before leaving on vacation, but well worth it. Everything turned out really cute, even the huge pirate chest birthday cake I was determined to make. It lasted right up until the time we set it on the table. At least I was able to get a picture of it!

cali cousins

Last weekend, our cousins from California, Maddie and Riley, were here for a visit! It's been close to 4 years since we have seen them, so the girls were super excited to spend the weekend playing with them. They had tons of fun chasing one another around and playing with Grandma Sandy's toys! We were sad to say goodbye to them, since we're not sure when we will see them again. Hopefully it won't be another 4 years!

tooey's new summer do!

Tabbey looks so cute with her new hairdo!

a monkeys tea party

On Monday, Memphis was trying hard to entertain herself while Morgie was dealing with another bout of strep (no fail, she always gets sick during a holiday). While trying to stay close to Morg's, Mem's decided to throw a Tea Party in the hallway. She cracks me up with her "unique" ideas and once she gets something stuck in her head, there is no changing it. The party didn't last long before she was on to her next idea - the Calico Critters (or the Critter Co's as Morgan calls them). Her way of getting me to play with her is patting a space beside her and saying "pay wit me, mom - pay wit me". How can I resist?!

easter "tails"

For once, it didn't feel like we were in a rush to go places today. It was so nice to just hang at home for a little. We woke up pretty early (thanks to Morgan's Easter Eggcitement), but didn't wake Mem's until 8. She is so like me - don't wake the beast! I wasn't sure how much of the whole "egg hunt" she would get, but after watching Morgie, she picked up on it very quickly. The candy filled eggs were a slight distraction, yet, a huge incentive to find MORE! She had a full set of "chocolate whiskers" by the time our hunt was over.

Morgie was more excited about all of the fun stuff the "bunny" had left in her basket, not to mention the new Tennis Racket.

We headed to my parents in the late afternoon for good eats, another egg hunt, and a trip to the park to try out our tennis skills. I'm hoping this will be Morgie's "sport". I love playing tennis and am glad to have a new partner to play with!

It's been such a great day and so much fun watching the girls hunt for eggs. Mem's is a total crack up (literally, she broke so many eggs) and Morg's is so like me; a little slow at finding them, while her sis whizzes by with a full basket.

Even the kitties love Easter!