LAKE!! Again!

We went to the lake after Anna's dance recital and spent the night. We spent the entire day on Sunday on the water. Only in a weeks time, it's been so hot (and I love it) that it's warmed the water right up to mine and Hudson's preferred temp. After I initally got him in the water and he was ok with it. After watching the girls jump in off the boat over and over he decided he wanted to try it.

He's hooked on the lake! That's my boy!

I love the look he's giving Madelyn & Tatum here.

He then decided to jump off the side of the boat

After watching his sisters and cousin jump off the top platform on the back of the boat..

He decided he wanted to do the same..only he could take that step off so I threw him off helped him out a little

Amazingly enough..he wanted to do it again

We also rode the jet ski (Tatums pink and purple jet ski that my dad bought for her 9 years ago)

Hudson loved every minute of that too...yelling "Go faster daddy..FASTER!"

Anna did not yell go faster...she was yelling SLOW DOWN. She has too much of my mother in her..ha!

Hello summer...I love you and have missed you tremendously. Thank you for coming back into my life. The lake is so much fun (except for having to drag Hudson kicking and screaming out of the water).

We will back very soon to see you lake, especially if this little boy has anything to do with it. He comes home everyday and wants to put swim trunks on to "go to the lake and jump off the boat". Yep..we have us a little water bug. Thank GOD!

Dance recital 2011

Anna had her dance recital last Saturday. Her costume was so fitting and perfect for her. PINK, SPARKLY, SHINY.

As you see little girl loves performing. She loves the lights, being on stage, the praise of applause. Loves it. ALL of it. She is having the time of her life! Congratulations on your 6th year of dance. You make us so proud!

Look at how much fun she is having...

Anna is on the front 2nd from the left.

Anna is on front. 3rd from the right.


My niece Saydee rocked like 5 dances..I lost count

Two of the girls you see in the dances with Saydee...their mothers are no longer with us. One died when she was 2 weeks old from a blood clot and I'm sure how the other mom died.

During the dance recital I sneaked into Saydee's dressing room to get Anna ready. (They have better lighting. Shhh don't tell.) Anyway, these 2 girls broke my heart. They didn't have anyone putting their make up on or fixing their hair for them.

Nor did they have their mamas there waiting for them when they came off the stage to hug them and tell them how wonderful they did. It really broke my heart for these girls. I almost lost it when the owner of the studio came down and specifically found these 2 girls to have her picture made with them. On the DVD after the performances there is a slideshow of pictures with all of the little girls and their mothers. So the owner came to get a picture with them so they could be in the slide show. {tears} My sister did too..she taught both of these girls.

Back to Saydee before the tears begin again..I'm so proud of her. She does so much...travel softball, Jr. High Cheerleader and competitive dance team. and straight A's. This year she completed her 10th year of dance. Congratulations Saydee...we are so proud of you.

I swear my mom is happy to be there....I think she is experimenting with a new smile. One that doesn't make her look like she has slits for eyes. I will let her know that this smile isnt working for her. ha!

Proof that I really do exist.

I love these kids so much. (To my kids..quit breaking every damn thing..ok?)

 They all make me so proud with their accomplishments. I wish time would just slow down a little. I feel like my time with them is slipping through my fingers faster than sand does. I take such joy and pride in watching them do all their sports and extra curricular activities that I have no idea what I'll do when they're grown up and gone. I was a basket case crying when Shondra was announcing the seniors. I didn't know any of them..but I was crying for the mamas that spent the last 15 years driving them to dance, putting ribbons in their hair for practice and enjoying every minute of 15 recitals and it was over. It was all over for them. What are these mamas going to do now? {see..tears came anyway} Keep on dancing girls.. I love watching every minute of it.

Oh I almost forgot...

Congrats to the cutest mouse ever (I think she's a mouse..wouldn't you say that's a mouse costume?) Miss Raye on your 2nd year of dance.

You did such a great job! I know your mama and daddy and grandmas and grandfather are SO SO proud of you.

and thank you grandma Anita for telling me you read my blog..it's good knowing someone does. ha!

Cheer camp

Tatum went to cheer camp last week. It was everything I was hoping it would be and more. I think she enjoyed it too. I was THRILLED when I found out they were going to Alabama..I'm giddy that she had her picture made with Big Al even if it is against the ugliest background in history.

Here they are Tuesday night competing in the home pom routine. Who knew Tatum was the tallest on the squad?

Our girls competing their home pom routine


Here they are competing their extreme dance


I am so proud of our girls..they worked extremely hard. Congratulations on a job well done!

Sidenote:
Another mom and I went down and spent the night Thursday night to get the girls out of their room at 7:00am the next morning. This was the view from my hotel window.

Our hotel's room had a tarp over it. The columns were damaged and the sign was gone. The devastation in Tuscaloosa is absolutely heartbreaking.

Memorial Day

Saturday we headed up to the lake. Tatum went up the day before with KK. It was just the 4 of us. We hung out with some friends Saturday, didn't take 1 picture.. I KNOW!!

Sunday we took off and headed clear across the lake to hang out with our friends Joe & Hollie.

Hudson picked right back up from last year wanting to drive

The water was a little (a lot) too cold for me & Hudson.

We had a great time playing with Taylor, Skyler, Hollie & Joe.

 

So much that it wore us OUT! Can you believe Anna is SLEEPING?

Hudson passed out too! It was a very peaceful boat ride back!

I mean fell asleep with hand in the cheez-its!
 

When we got back to the house we were sitting on the front porch and I realized the light was perfect for pictures. I forced got the kids to stand the in front yard..I swear I did not pose them.

What are they both looking at?

The next morning we got up bright and early to pack up and go home. We really wanted to get back on the boat..but I had to get home to pack Tatum up for cheer camp! On Memorial day!

 

Then we whisked Tatum off to cheer camp til Friday.

Billy & I are off this week..so we've been doing a whole lot of nothing. Which is nice.

Hello summer, I'm so glad you are back. I've missed you.