May 28, 2012: Memorial Day Weekend

We had a great, low-key long weekend with the whole family.  Rach and the kids were still in town, and Alex and Tippy as well.  On Friday morning, Mal, Rach and I took the kids to the zoo...

It was great weather and even though we were literally the first people in the zoo, all the animals were up and out!  And we got up close and personal with a lot of them...

The kids really enjoyed the day together...

Too-matchy...they might live a few hundred miles apart but these cousins (and their Mallie) have similar taste :)

Arghhh, too old...looking way too old!

Friday night we did some playing, swimming, and grilling...

Pink ladies in the pool :)

The boys grilling in the "man area"...I was allowed back for photography purposes only...

Saturday and Sunday, it was more of the same!  (The girls also got in some mani/pedis and shopping)

Pizza and movie night...

Recently the media room has only been for screening Disney it seems like...

Memorial day can be summed up by swimming and smoking (meat that is!)...oh and Nicky B having a little toddy by the pool :)

Between catching kids jumping off the side and passing Liam swimming under water to and from the steps (okay and some laying out!), I didn't take many pics outside that day.  But I did catch Brynnie skinny dippin' that afternoon...she is def another water baby!

With so many in town and too much technology in one house, this picture was inevitable...yes they are all playing "when I grow up" on ipads :)

 But I'm happy to report that they were much too busy with forts, band sessions, puzzles, (and swimming) to stay on the ipad for very long...

 Great day with family, so fun to all be together!  After the kids went down, we had lots of fun card games and talks around the kitchen table.  So blessed today and always to be part of this Renfro-Barker-Smith-Lingerfelt family :)

 Linds and JE came out for the pool party and smoked ribs...and brought her famous deviled eggs!

 Love watching these little girls grow up together :)

Of course special thanks to our favorite solider Capt. David Cameron Smith III and his amazing wife and kids for their selfless service every day for this country.  We continue to be so proud!

May 24, 2012: Endings and Beginnings

Last week was filled with two big endings.  First, one of Liam's best buddies moved away.  We played with Davey weekly and spent a few holidays with his family.  We were so sad to see them go.  The boys in our playgroup have been friends since....(18 mo old)

to almost 4 years old!  We weren't very good at helping Davey pack, but we did go say goodbye one last time.  

The kids academic year also ended, with a big concert by the primary students!  Liam had a very excited audience...

Walking in with his class...I love these pics because he is "holding a bubble in his mouth." This is what he (and classmates) are told to do when the teachers are trying to get them quiet.  He takes this quite seriously as you can tell :)

His class...

He was very animated with his songs...

So proud after he was done!

Liam's teachers Ms. Dharini and Ms. Vita

Liam sang one song in particular that was really sweet, here's just one verse:
"If you find my little finger prints all over the bedroom wall,
If you want to yell a bit because they're even in the hall,
Well I know it's hard to believe,
but once you were a kid like me,
and one day I'm gonna grow up,
so remember me when I am small."

Luckily there are lots more exciting beginnings right now.  As you noticed in the pictures above, the beginning of the Smith's visit was last weekend as well.  They landed just in time to rush right over to Liam's school to see him sing.  We have been playing a lot and the 4 kids are getting along well...well at least like siblings :)

It's also the beginning of baseball season, and all the kids had a great time at the RR game...

Love, love, love!

Liam was so excited to meet the dancers that night...soooo excited :)

It's the beginning of summer and swimming!  Liam and Pres have started another round of swim lessons this year...

And they are getting in lots of practice time at Mallie/Dallie's pool...

It's the beginning of the crazy hot summer heat.  Our morning at the park with the Sheehans lasted about 30 minutes...

Just love this picture.  Can't believe how old Bryn looks, or how cute her expression is now that she feels "in" with "the boys" (as she calls Liam and Pres).  I think this is just the beginning of this little threesome of best buddies...

well make that a foursome!  Cause Brynnie is OBSESSED with "baby dapid" and loves to play with him...

Eagerly awaiting his kiss...or rather slobber :)