Updates for May thru July 4th.... Summer Fun!

Greetings to all our family and friends! To say that Chandler and I are enjoying our first Summer together is an understatement. I've done my best to recap the last few months starting with our trip to Maine for the 4th of July and going back to Early May when I celebrated my first Mother's Day and lots of fun in between. Chandler is growing up right before my eyes. She continues to amaze me with her vocabulary and her singing is the best. She has a true love for music. Our trips to and from school each day are not complete without hearing Chan sing one of her many favorite nursery rhymes. (knowing the actual words is optional) This child has the most amazing spirit and while I know I am slightly biased, most people who meet even say the same. She continue to tackle each day like it's Christmas Eve. I am sooooo blessed! Thanks as always for following along on our journey.

For the 4th of July weekend, we flew to Maine for my cousin Michael's wedding. What a beautiful ceremony and reception. It was a wonderful celebration and reunion of our family. We're both very blessed to be part of this family.

My nephew Ethan and I in Portland, ME. He's such an amazing kid. Sweet, smart, cool, funny and super cute. Am I a proud Aunt, or what?

Aunt Susie and Michael dancing for the mother-son dance

Chandler playing some ball with Uncle Bob

and sharing snacks with Couisn Sara

Chandler and her Auntie Von taking a stroll around the reception

Uncle Jim gives the best helicopter rides. I remember taking a few several years ago!

Natalie and Chan watching the wedding ceremony

Ethan, Natalie and Von

Uncle Chris and Chan before she heads out to find more froggies

Steve, Aunt Susie, Uncle Jim, Aunt Ann and Joann afer the ceremony

What a beautiful setting for the wedding. The ran came and left quickly so the rest of the day was perfect.

Chandler keeping herself busy during the outdoor wedding ceremony

Me and my pretty girl

Steve, Sara, Aunt Susie and Uncle Jim watching the ceremony

Amber, Michael and the wedding party

Chandler just loves her cousins Ethan and Natalie. Before the wedding we drove over to a beautiful light house in Portland for photo opps

Channie the Chatterbox!

The evening before the wedding we went to Aunt Susies where the kids had a blast catching frogs in their pond and playing with the bunnies. Chandler is a real animal lover.

Grampi showing Chan the froggie he caught. Eww!

Happy 4th of July. Although she's never actually told me, I believe Channie really loves being an American!!

91.9 Faith Family and Friends Concert on 6/27/09. Chandler and her BFF Riley made their own box seats!

There's a reason this photo is blurred. The girls were having too much fun to stay still. In big crowds Chandler wears here monkey backpack/leash so we don't lose her. Riley loves holding it to be sure she doesn't get away! When the girls are together the sound of their giggles melts me.

Unble Chad took us for a boat ride last Sunday. It was a toasty 90+ day here in the Carolinas so the timing was just perfect. Love the glasses, Chad!

Now that was fun!

Chan even took a dip in Lake Wylie with Mama. She's so brave!

Too cute!

In Late June Chandler and I made a quick weekend trip to the beach. I bought special floaties, sand toys and bubbles but by far Chandler's favorite part of the trip was riding the rides at the outlet mall.

She truly loved this ride and even gave the doggie a kiss to show it.

"Cheese, Mama!"

"Uh oh, Mama!"

This picture says it all.... Chandler is not a fan of the sand. She said "Too messy, Mama!" While she loves swimming at the pool at home, the ocean terrified her. Maybe next year.

We were so fortunate to catch up with Jeanne and Riley while we were at the beach. Riley was like a fish and just loved everything about it. Chandler on the other hand, not so much.

A few of the battle wounds from Chandler's jump at school. The teacher called one day to say Chandler attempted to fly and jumped from the top of the slide into a pile of wood chips. Thankfully she just had a few scrapes that have healed perfectly. Whew! She sure does keep us hopping.

How fun is this? I had to work a few weekends in June so Nana came to watch Chandler. We walked over to Bruester's one evening for ice cream. No doubt about it, Chandler gets her sweet tooth from her mommy. And to watch her eat the cone is simply entertaining.

And there's more at the bottom? Cool!

Who cares about a few scrapes from her playground incident? Chandler sure doesn't.

Ah the good life!

Riley keeping tabs on Chandler again at the Pops in the Park Concert

Story time at Pops in the Park

















Party time! Chandler had a blast at her classmate Isabella's 2nd Birthday Party at Gymboree

All of the classes at Chandler's school move up in May so unfortunatley, she's no longer in the same class as Alex and Abby pictured here at Bella's party. The 3 were inseparable and just love each other to pieces. Each day when she would arrive to class they would come running with big hugs for her.


















Chandler helps Mama put together her new Fun Flow Sink. This is the best toy ever!

She just loves this toy. She'd play in it every day if she could.

I'm not sure this was intended to be a swim toy but what the heck, why not?!

Thanks Warren Kids for the great recommendation in this toy. We just love it.

Silly Chandler!























Chandler taking her first swim of the year. Kevin Prescott is such a great and patient friend to show Chan around his pool.

My trip to Minneapolis for work in May brought two extra special bonuses. 1) I got to have dinner with my dear friend Joni and her daughter Tori one night and 2) I finally go to meet Beth who also has a Yulin City baby. We met online the day I received Chandler's referral. She and her husband adopted Little Hope a year before I met Chandler. We've stayed in close touch since we first chatted a year ago but this was our first time meeting in person. We chatted for hours like we'd known each other for years. What a great lady that I'm so blessed to know.

As we were headed to NY to visit my friend Donna and her family, we were so thrilled to by chance meet up with her folks at the Charlotte Airport. On their way to the Bahamas, they had an unexpected layover in Charlotte at the gate just next to ours. It couldn't have worked better if we had planned it. What a nice surprise to see these dear friends we consider family.

Tom Warren swinging Chandler and the twins. Their yard is like Disney World!

Chandler and Cole giggling over some glow sticks

In Late May we flew to NY to visit my good friend from college, Donna Warren and family. Alexa is 5 and the twins Cole and Gracie are 2. They have more toys than our local Toys R Us so Chandler was pretty close to Heaven there. She just adored the kids and their toys too. We all had so much fun that weekend.

Chan and the Warren kiddos

Riley and Chandler giggling as Chandler tries to sway Riley to become a thumb sucker. They are so cute together.

Chan just cracks up her nana. Here they are Rivergate just after dinner.

Nana and Chan having a silly time

Can you tell that Chan just adores her cousin Natalie?


In May I had to travel to Minnesota for a week for work. Nana was so kind to come down to watch Chandler for me while I was away. They actually went to Raleigh and hung out with Auntie Von and Family for the week. Chan had such a blast.

I just love being Chandler's mommy!

Mother's Day 2009 at Baxter Village in Fort Mill, SC. I was able to spend my first mother's day with not only my special baby girl but with my own mother, sister and niece as well. What a special day!

Click-clack-moo... this one of Chan's favorite books. Thanks, Joni and Tori.