Big Girl, Naomi!

This picture pretty much sums up her excitement about riding a two-wheeler.  She asked Aaron to take off her training wheels the other night and go in the house.  She calls us out and is riding her bike.  What a big girl!  (Sniff, Sniff)

Spring is here!

 It's been warming up and we couldn't be happier.   

Our kids love looking at these trees with all of the beautiful blossoms.  Naomi has requested we move this one over to our property.  If only it was that easy...  We aren't sure why, but the previous owners must have cut down the  trees so we are lacking for shade in our yard.  Justin doesn't mind because it makes it easier to mow!

Turning {5}

 

This little girl has been dying to have her birthday for months.  Turning 5 is a big deal so we decided to take a few photos outside on a beautiful, sunny day.

 Naomi loves it when I curl her hair.  She is amazed that some people have curly hair all the time. :)

 She has been very into The Little Mermaid this year.

 Our cute fairy princess.

 

 Cake compliments of Elizabeth and her cake decorating skills.

 

Along with talking about turning five almost constantly, she was insistent she have a birthday party.  She loved having girl time with her cute friends.

I can't believe Naomi is five.  While it's fun to see all of the kids growing up and doing new things, I can't believe my little buddy will be in Kindergarten next year.  I'm going to miss the hugs and kisses I get from her at least a hundred times a day.

Happy Thanksgiving...

from our cute, little Indian!

A Trip to the Farm

Bruce played hookie last week and went to the pumpkin patch (without any pumpkins) with Naomi and I for her pre-school field trip.  Of course it was scheduled when we had unseasonably cold temperatures, but we still had a good time.

Farmer Bruce and Naomi the horse

The kids loved climbing on this play tractor.

Naomi and Bruce riding in Bessie the cow.  Was I ever glad Bruce was here for the fieldtrip at this point so I didn't have to ride with her!  It looked like a very bumpy ride.

We went on a hay ride through the corn fields and had to snuggle up to stay warm.  Happy fall y'all! 

Labor Day Weekend

 Friday night after work and school, we headed to Columbia, South Carolina.  We went to the temple to see our good friends, the Duludes sealed to their baby they adopted six months ago.  It was such a simple, but beautiful ceremony.  He is theirs forever.  What a lucky boy to have such wonderful parents.  Can you tell how much our kids love little Daxton?

Sunday night we had our friends, the Mowers, over for dinner.  They are moving this week to Florida for more schooling.  We are so, so sad!  These girls play together as often as possible.  

Naomi wasn't very cooperative with the pictures, but you can see they all have matching shirts on so they can remember each other.

Amber with her sweet kids, Parker, Kaylie, and Payce

Parker loves hanging out with Will and Bruce.  They are so cute with him (most of the time).  He calls them his boys.

We have spent all summer at the pool with the Mowers.  I guess it's only fitting that we were there today, the last day it's opened for the season and their last full day here.

Too many cute pictures...I know!

Payce is such a happy, little guy.  Our girls can't get enough of him!

{First Day of Preschool}

This week we had our last day of "first days" for this school year.  Naomi started preschool.  I didn't know if I should shout for joy or cry.  I think I did a little bit of both.  I'm looking forward to ten hours of week to get a few things done and be able to go to the store by myself, but man, it's so quiet!  I've had 14+ years of little ones with me everyday.  Naomi is my little buddy and the thought of her going all day to kindergarten next year just leaves me with an emptiness inside.  

Naomi and her teacher, Mrs. Penny.  Naomi was pretty hesitant to go to preschool, but as soon as we got there, she was so excited and keeps telling me she wants to go everyday.

When I came to pick her up, they were singing a song and Naomi was participating.  The tall blonde girl next to her has already become her friend.  They are the teacher's helpers and love to play together.  The older kids are all settled into their classes now and we seem to be off to a good year.  Expecting great things!

BFF's

Naomi became friends with this cute little girl pretty much our first week we moved to Tennessee.  They were in nursery together at church.  They have played together lots in the past few months, but Madalyn is moving this weekend.  This has really been Naomi's first friend that is her friend alone.  Most of the time she is tagging along with our Madelyn and whoever she is playing with.

 

A few days ago we went for open gym at a local gymnastics place.  These girls are so cute when they play together.  The good news is both sets of Madalyn's grandparents live here so we know she will be back for visits.

Cute girls!

Naomi is being so brave.  She even started jumping off the vault into the pit without me holding her hand.  It's so fun to see her coming out of her shell.

Madalyn's little sister is on Naomi's right and the other little girl is another of Naomi's good friends.  I don't think any of our kids have played with friends as much as Naomi.  With her being the only one at home this year, she gets really bored at home with just me.  It's nice for me too so that I can get stuff done!

Luck of the Irish

Today this leprechaun visited story time at the library.  The children loved finding the stuffed leprechaun she brought while the stories were being read and they REALLY loved the pot of gold (Rolo candies) she brought and shared at the end.  Naomi loves story time, especially when she can share it with her little buddy, Madalyn! 

Fabulous Four-Year Old

This little girl just celebrated her fourth birthday.  She has been so excited and has been asking everyday since Christmas if it's her birthday!  We had a crazy busy day on Monday so she opened a few gifts on Sunday night and then a couple more a couple days late.  It helped her enjoy her birthday even longer.

 Here she is blowing out her candles.  She was so gentle in blowing them out, I didn't know if she was ever going to finish.  What's more surprising was that Bruce let her do it and didn't just finish it off!

 

In the fall Naomi will begin pre-k.  The hours are much longer than any of our other kids attended at that age.  I'm so not ready to let her grow up, but she is so anxious to be just like her older brothers and sisters.  I get comments all the time when I bring her places with me because she is always so good.  She has sat through many PTO meetings, church meetings, etc, and she usually just sits and colors quietly.  I cannot say the same for her older siblings at this age.  I'm going to miss her next year!

Santa Claus is coming to town...

Naomi decided a few days ago she wanted to go visit Santa.  She has been very into Christmas and wanting to know how everything works this year.  My expectations were low that she would talk to him, much less sit on his lap.  To my surprise, she did both.  Granted, she didn't say much, but look at that smile!  She was so excited and as soon as we left insisted we return so that Madelyn could visit him.

"Marrying Kiss"

Naomi has been giving these kisses for several months now.  She calls them a "Marrying Kiss".  You can see from the picture that she puts everything she has into them.  I think I get about a dozen of them a day from her.

BFF's

Our boundaries changed for the congregation we attend at church at the beginning of the year. We were sad to no longer meet with some of our friends, but loved the opportunity to make new friends. Madelyn's first Sunday she came home talking about Piper and asking if she could play with her.
It's all history from there. They love playing together and Naomi loves playing with her younger sister, Odessa. This week they left for Arizona. I know our girls don't really understand what this means, but I'm sure I'll be asked more than once when they can have the Richardson's over again. We will miss them, but we're happy they will get to live closer to family again!

Is it summer yet?

I bought this swimsuit for Naomi today and she insisted she wear it the rest of the day!  I can't blame her because it was a warm 65 degrees outside.  If I looked this cute in a swimsuit, I might wear mine all day too...okay, maybe not!

Sad day!

This morning Naomi brought her bracelet into me. It had broken and she lost a few beads. She seemed almost lost because she has had this bracelet on since she was about three months old. The only time I've ever taken it off has been to lengthen it. I bought her a new one for Christmas, but it's a little too big on her. She wanted to call her dad right away and tell him the news. It looks like the wire just broke apart after more than three years of wear.

Here's our cute little Naomi at about four months old with her bracelet on. I've always been surprised that she was so good about leaving it on. Madelyn wore one too until she was a year old and she wouldn't leave it alone. It's almost like it's part of Naomi; she seemed so sad this morning.