Life Lately

You know how you just get so behind on something that the longer it goes on the less you want to catch up on it and then it just makes it worse. That’s how I have been with blogging! The task seemed daunting to catch up which is silly because it’s MY blog. But alas, I’m back. You’re welcome, Michelle! :) 

Life over here is good. 

Philip made it back from Africa and we were all so happy to have him home. He wrote a journal about it he will hopefully be posting here soon. 

Parker has started to love rock climbing and is working hard at getting better. He joined a league and really seems to enjoy it. 

Ainsley is getting better and better in gymnastics . Her season is about to wrap up, she has state competition next weekend. She has gained a lot of confidence, enjoys it, and is making friends. 

We are really proud of her. 

We squeezed in some fun when she had a meet in Pigeon Forge. 

We rented a cabin and mom and dad met us there. 

The cabin was great, Ainsley had a really good meet, and then we spent the rest of the day at Magic Works or “the upside down house”. It was awesome! We even left there, walked over to Hard Rock Cafe for dinner, and went back after dinner (admission all day!). 

The next morning we met up with some girls on Ainsley's team and went indoor snow tubing which the kids loved. 

Here are a few other pics to just catch us up to date : 

Ainsley is TEN

How is my tiny little girl that I feel like was just in my belly, in double digits?! 

Ten just seems so old. Which therefore makes me old, so this one hit hard all around. 

She of course wanted doughnuts for her birthday breakfast. And wanted doughnuts to take to school to her friends. Waking up on her birthday was different this year, as Philip was in Africa and it felt weird not having him here. But this pretty lady picked out an outfit she wanted to wear to school, and asked for a room makeover as her gift. 

That night she wanted hibachi for dinner. Mom, Dad, Matt and his family met us there to celebrate. We were under strict instruction not to tell them it was her birthday. She did not want the drum, singing, attention of any kind. 


We came back to our house for homemade cookies and cream ice cream. 

I don't know what I was thinking, but that weekend I let her invite 5 girls over for a party. So 5 4th grade girls were dropped off at my house and I loaded them and Parker up and took them to the trampoline park to celebrate. I quickly called in reinforcements and Mom and Dad met me there to help me pick up pizza and drive back home. 





These girls had so much fun jumping and playing and being wild. 


We all survived and she had a great birthday. Philip was able to text her on her birthday which she loved. She had been asking to get her ears pierced but Philip wanted to be there for that, so she patiently waited until he got back before getting to get them pierced. We went to Tattoo Charlies and they did an amazing job! 

So, now we have a 10 year old. with a grown up looking room, that she loves to spend time in by herself with the door closed. and earrings. that she takes care of all by herself every day. 
I'm not ready for this.