Betty Crocker

Christmas Cookie Fun

Squeeze It

Spread It
Taste It

Sprinkle It

Flaunt It

New Year's Slumber Party

Happy New Year!!!!

Olivia started this new year off right with a Slumber Party with her Godsister, Kristina. When we called Kristina's mom to ask if she could sleep over, we weren't shocked that Kristina had already packed her bag and was anticipating our invitation.

After having Pizza, the girls headed for the table to make friendship bracelets....and necklaces...and earrings! This bead set was a steal at Target, and the girls LOVED it. Kristina, having the big heart that she does, not only helped Olivia along but also made bracelets for her sister and her sister's best friend. She's always thinking of others.



Here's Olivia hard at work on her bracelet. You can see she's already wearing her first masterpiece. I remember this time last year giving Olivia beads to make a necklace and she didn't have the coordination to thread the beads. But as you can see, now she's a pro. Maybe she'll grow up to design jewelry for Tiffany's!!! (Remember sweethear, Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend!)

Kristina models her beautiful necklace as well. She did an amazing job. I was actually shocked at her craftsmanship. But then again, this kid has always been very crafty! Notice that the girls are wearing their Robes. Hannah Tanna for Olivia and Camp Rock for Kristina. They are too cute!!!

And what slumber party would be complete without pedicures. The girls got new pedis complete with flower stickers on the big toes and a glittery top-coat. (Kristina has her Mama's feet, Olivia has her Daddy's.)

As the night wound down, the girls decided to read. Snuggled on their sleeping bags, Kristina read Olivia The Lorax. I was shocked that Kristina could pronounce some of those words. They often stump me!!!

And like all girls, they pretend to be asleep when Mommy comes in to check on them. Olivia's hidden smile gives it all away!

These godsisters had a great time at their first sleepover in 2009. From our family to yours, we hope that your new year will be blessed beyond measure!!!

2009 Blogger Buddy Get Together

Wow! I haven't had that many comments to a post since I got prego with Zachary!!! I'm glad you all like the idea, but since there are several people who can't make it on Saturday, we've had a suggestion to do it early next year, say MLK weekend. I'm not sure how many people travel during that weekend, but we'll try to set a date so that most people can attend.

I think that most of you were okay with the inflatable playground idea. A few of us have been to one in Buford that was great. How is that location for the group - I don't know where all of you live?

Also, if anyone who's interested will email me, I'll send out an E-Vite and we can suggest/vote on dates that way.

My email is bethanyg@delaneyinc.com (gosh I hope it's okay that I just put that out there....)

Yeah, Ladies. I'm so excited that we're doing this. There are so many of you that I'd love to meet.

Blogger Buddy Get Together

It's been a while, there's lots to update, but I have to get this out before time passes us by.

Do you ever visit blogs and develop friendships, only to realize that you've never met half the people you're "friends" with? We talk to each other, encourage each other, pray for each other, and laugh with each other - but some of us have never met.

Ever wonder how Royal Family knows Evan's Life? Ever wonder how Mel's Haven and the Bresnan Family Blog came to know each other? Well, the answer is - we all knew someone who knew someone and we started peeking in on each other's lives....now it's time to meet our virtual friends face to face!!!

A few of us have been talking about a Blogger Buddy Get together. A date that we've picked is November 1st. I know it's a week from this Saturday, but it's a few weeks before the holidays begin and we'll all be tied up with Turkey and Stockings....so, let's see how many of us can get together next Saturday for the First Ever Blogger Buddy reunion.

If you are interested, leave a comment on my blog. We've had one person volunteer their house, and one person suggest all of us pitching in to rent a party room at an Inflatables Playground. Both are great options, so share your thoughts and let us know if you're up for meeting on Saturday. Kids welcome! I'd bring both of mine!!! :)

Pass the blog on to everyone on your list....as I know my audience is dwindling because of the long absences.

Slashin' Good Time

We had a Splashin' Good Time at the new Aquatic Center in Gainesville. We packed the kids up Sunday night for a trip to the neighborhood pool. Sunscreen on, kids in the car, we're on our way....only to find our pool closed due to contamination. Well, what do you do with 3 kids screaming "Pool, pool, pool!!"???? You find an alternative.

Melanie remembered a new Aquatic Center that opened this past weekend. Only 18 minutes away, $4 admission for me and Josh, and we had ourselves a splashin' good time.

Daddy with the kiddos!!!

Zach actually liked the water falling on him until the very last time That time he got some water in his nose and was DONE, but up until then, he like it....surprisingly!

This was the main attraction for us. This part of the pool was waist deep for Olivia, so she could do whatever she wanted without her floaties. Here's Morgan tyring to get out of the way, and if you look closely, that's Olivia entering the water - Spread Eagle!!! I was shocked, but she LOVED it. Sometimes she would land on her feet, sometimes on her rear, but she never got scared and kept going back for more. I think we'll be doing swimming lessons here this spring!!!

There was another pool that had this river with a current. We popped the kids in life vests and let them go with the flow....pun intended.

And here's my Little Man. He loved it just as much as the girls. The fountain was the favorite for him. He literally attacked the water...the cutest thing I've ever seen. He and Daddy even went down the water slide!!! Such a big boy!

So, I highly recommend this place if any of you live in the area. It's called the Frances Meadows Aquatic Center and it's open year round (outside stuff only for 2 more weeks).

Hope everyone had a fantastic Labor Day. Tomorrow is Olivia's first day of school...so we'll be posting more tomorrow! Wish us luck!!!!

Happy Birthday, Mel Mel

Happy Birthday to my favorite cousin and my oldest friend!!!!

Yes, Ladies, today is Melanie's birthday. I won't say how young she is b/c my birthday is soon approaching and I wouldn't want her to return the favor, but today is her special day!!! Melanie is my absolute oldest friend....probably because she's my cousin and I've known her since....well since I was born.

Most of my fondest childhood memories involve Mel Mel. When I went to her house as a kid, we'd always pretend like we were long lost sisters that just stumbled upon one another and then became the best of friends. And she had the first huge slumber party that I ever attended, where we played "Girl Talk" all night long....yeah, you gals remember what I'm talking about, right!!!

Melanie was there for me on that dreaded "First Day of High School" where she sought me out at lunch time to make sure that I didn't have to eat alone. She drug me along with her older friends... and we both had our first and only experience with the "Athens night life" together...though she was of age, I was not and we both tasted beer for the first time and agreed - it SUCKS!!!!! We'll stick to Mountain Dew!!!!!

Melanie has been present for all of my major life events. My wedding day, the birth of my children, and she was right beside me day that I accepted Jesus Christ into my life! How can you go through so much with someone and really find the words to express how much they mean to you???? I dont' think you can, so I'll just have to say:

I love you, Melanie Kate Gravitt. God definitely must have "spent a little more time on you"! You're one of my best friends, and I love you so much. I hope that you have a wonderful birthday (even though it's almost over), and I can't wait for us to have a Mommy n' Me Birthday Celebration!!!!

Love you, Girl!!!!

We Interrupt This Regularly Scheduled Blog...

...to bring you a break from our long vacation post.....

Yeah, it took me so long to do the first few days...I just stopped. I will finish...for the sake of my online memory log, but I wanted to post some pics I've taken recently.

A few weeks ago I took the kiddos to the mall for a leisurely stroll. The kids did so great. The boys were in the stroller and the girls held hands and we window shopped at the hippest stores...Claire's, American Girl, Disney Store, and of course we played on the indoor play ground. Afterwards, we hit the food court for a quick snack...French Fries!!!! North Point Mall has these cool new tables for the kiddos. Aren't they so cute!!!!! (Who says 4 kids are too much to handle???)

After we returned from Vacation, we didn't really do anything exciting for the 4th of July. But we did go shopping to hit some sales with Daddy. And of course, the kids had to ride the carousel. (And no, we're not mall rats...it's just one of the only places I actually think to take out my camera.)

A couple of weeks ago, Jennica and I had dinner with one of our dearest friends. MANDY!!! We hadn't seen her in a year, (since Zachary was born, who was actually born on Mandy's birthday!!), so it was nice to see her and catch up. The three of us can always pick up right where we left off...even if it's been months since we talked. It's so amazing how true friendship can withstand time! I love you, Mandy, and we can't wait to see you soon. Good luck this week at your new school. We're thinking about you!!!!

Today we had a great day at church. Ms. April, our Children's Director, threw a Birthday Party for all of the children in the Children's Ministry. Complete with Ice cream, face painting, tattoos, a bounce house, and tons of fun music. I had my class (2 1/2 through 3) and they all loved it. Olivia was moving and grooving to the Camp Rock songs!!!

Here are Olivia and Zachary enjoying apples on the front porch. They are such sweethearts, and really have started playing so well...but we do have our share of fights. Today, Zachary kept hitting Olivia, and he had to have his first time out(s). Olivia must have been amused that her little brother was finally experiencing this Toddler Torture, so she kept tattle-tailing all afternoon. Finally, in my most loving (read: frustrated) mommy voice, I told her that I didn't want to hear any more tattle-tailing. She proceeded to march right over to her brother and say, "See Zachary, no more tattle-tailing or Mommy's going to put you back in time out!!!" I guess I'll have to sit her down and explain what tattle-tailing is.....

And my baby...who's not a baby any more. He's just growing up so fast. He's saying MaMa, DaDa, No, Night Night, That, More, and Bye-Bye. Night-Night is my absolute favorite thing to hear him say. He's just so precious when he's getting ready for bed!!!

Josh was out of town this whole weekend, so my good friend, Amy, came to keep us company yesterday. She and I had a great time catching up and playing with the kids. Olivia just loved Amy. She woke up yesterday and said, "When is Amy coming to play at my house???" Then last night, she said God Bless Amy before she even blessed me!!! And....she wanted Amy to help her get her Smiley Faces last night....I told Amy, that somehow she had really won Olivia over, because NO ONE does Smiley Faces for Olivia other than Mommy!!! We love you, Amy, and had a GREAT time yesterday. Can't wait to get together again!!!!!

Lastly, my neice and nephey start Kindergarden tommorrow!! Oh, I can't believe they are already going to school. It seems like just yesterday that we welcomed them into the world. And, their little bro is starting Pre-K....so it'll be a busy morning in the Gravitt household tomorrow. Good Luck, Hailee and Dakota!!! We know you'll love "Big School" and can't wait to hear all about it!!!!

To everyone out there tuning in to our blog, we pray God's Blessings on each of you!!!! Have a great week!!!!!