The Joint Birthday Party

I had decided to have Aylin and Hilton's birthday party together once I found out my due date was in July.  I tend to have problematic pregnancies and just thought it would be better to do a small scale party for both kiddos at the same time before I got too far along.  So we rented a park pavilion and were just going to let the kids play with their friends and have some cake and ice cream.  Unfortunately, I should have had the party 2-3 months ago because I got put on bed rest way too early - lol - then, as it has EVERY year on the day of Aylin's birthday party, it decided to rain :( But never fear, we had some friends come to the rescue.  My mom spent the night with us Friday night and iced the cakes and was there to help Bobby get the kids ready and to the party, the Risters' volunteered to host the party at their house for us b/c of the mud at the park and Shannon also Face Timed with me throughout the party so I could pretend to be there, Edy Cozort took pictures for me, and Suzanne Wofford took some videos at the party on our iPad.  Despite the last minute change of location and the fact that I wasn't able to really be there, I think everyone seemed to have a great time and although Hilton didn't care, Aylin got to have her party with her friends :)  We are so very thankful to all that could be there and especially those  who pulled extra duty for me :) Here are a few of my favorite shots from the party:

*Aylin Jewel*

*Hilton Isaiah*

*Group Shots*

Aylin Jewel's 5th Birthday Week

Our little girl is officially a whole hand, and she had an exciting birthday week!  It ended with her being  a flower girl in "her Cody and her Megan's" wedding today.  She just came home a few minutes ago and the very 1st thing she said to me was "At my wedding, momma, Cody and Megan kissed on the LIPS!"  She put so much emphasis on the word lips that I nearly teared up all over again, but this time from laughter.  I did not get to attend the wedding because of my high blood pressure and have teared up a few times over the last 2 days, but am so thankful that she still got to go and participate and that some super sweet people took pictures and videos for me.  Here are some of the pics I was sent today:

We try to do some fun things the week of her birthday, but because of my BP we didn't get to really GO anywhere.  We did go to Krispy Kreme one morning to get her free doughnut and to her "favorite" coffee place - LOL (FYI we never go there and she does not drink coffee)

We also had our family birthday dinner at Chik-fil-a and she got a NEW bike from Kiki, Papaw, Aunt J, Uncle Richard, Payton, and Macey.

And then on May 2nd, a day after her birthday, her new cousin, Ryder Elgin was born!  She was out of town so she actually hasn't met him yet, but Hilton liked him :)

I used this last picture as my FB profile pic this week showing some pics of AJ from birth-her birthday invitation picture:

Easter 2014

We love the Easter Bunny!

 We had our annual egg hunt with our church family, but I didn't get any pics because I was not feeling well and something weird was going on with my camera. 

 The EB always leaves a trail of eggs for the kids to follow down to their baskets :)

 Aylin was equally excited about every little thing she got!

 Hilton's favorite present was this little nerf gun, he runs around saying "pow" all the time.

The EB brought some big treats for Louie that he tried to eat through the wrapper instead of letting me open it first :)

April Awesomeness

These are what our days in April have looked like :) 

  We got a screen door and the box is STILL lying in my living room floor!  The kids LOVE it.  First we traced things on it, Hilton's favorite (bottom left pic in above pic) was when we traced his beloved PupPup :), it has been colored upon almost daily, it has been a ride, a tunnel, a blanket, a wrestling mat, you name it :) 

We play outside as much as possible, I do not know what I am going to do when I am 8 months pregnant and/or have a newborn and it is too hot to go outside…Hilton will drive me crazy banging on the door and windows to get out there.

Hilton got this sweet FREE hand-me-down 4 wheeler!  He is a little to short to reach the pedals but Aylin is enjoying it :)

 Louie loves to be out to and go with us to pick up Aylin from preschool, he does NOT like the tornado sirens though…he howls at them :)

Hilton was released from physical therapy!!  He will miss the fish tank :)

 He and I went to story time again :)

Some shots from Laney Claire's and Reed's 5th birthday parties:

 Family Matinee Movie Date:

We like to rock out in our house:

 Hilton's favorite spot to sit:

Aylin on the way to preschool and this cute little bunny she painted there :)

And finally, we are gearing up for a dual birthday party in about a month.  Aylin wants a pink and purple Sophia princess party and Hilton is all about the construction trucks right now :)  I tried to take some pics for their invitations today :)

AJ:

HI: