Elsie's Minnie Party

On Sunday, July 8th, we had Elsie's Minnie Mouse themed party for her 2nd birthday. I felt a bit guilty that I didn't do as big of a party that we usually do for the kids, but since Vada was only two weeks at the time I just didn't have the time (and energy!) to get it all together. Thankfully my parents have the perfect party backyard that we are always able to use, so that way at least I didn't have to stress too much about having to get things ready here.  Even though it wasn't as "big" as usual, we still were able to celebrate her with a lot of our family and friends, and most importantly, Elsie had a wonderful time and would excitedly tell everyone, "It's my birthday!"
Here are some memories from her day!

Her banner I made (I was really excited when I found a free download of Disney font!)

  

The food table, Minnie Rice Krispie Treats, & Ice Cream Toppings

Elsie with her Minnie Cake

Elsie's cake her daddy made- great job, Eric!

Elsie loved when everyone was singing "Happy Birthday" to her, and she even helped them sing!

               Blowing out her candles!                                                 This girl loves some cake!

Decorations, Presents, & Icees

Present Time!

                                                  Elsie instantly wanted to put on her new Minnie undies!

Our family at Elsie's party!

Elsie wanted to take a dip in the pool (in her new Minnie undies, of course) after her party, so Jackson, Ansley, Abigail, Amelia, and Aunt Tiffy all joined her!

I had crocheted Vada a Minnie skirt and hat to wear at Elsie's party, and then it was so stinkin' hot that she wasn't able to wear it there. By the time the party was over, it had cooled down a little so we could put it on her and snap a couple of pictures.

Thanks to everyone that came out to help us celebrate our sweet little Elsie Miles! She had a wonderful time and has loved playing with all of her new Minnie toys!

 Elsie and some of her new birthday toys!



Happy 8 years, emc!!

Today, July 10, 2012, Eric and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary! 

Eric woke me up with a kiss and told me "Happy Anniversary," with his coffee in his hand and ready to leave for work, while I, still half asleep with a swaddled baby snuggled up in my left arm, gave him a kiss back and responded with "Happy Anniversary, babe!" So romantic. . . aren't we! :)
We were able to go to a nice dinner, at one of my favorite places, Casa Rustica, while my mom kept the 3 oldest kids.
 I still thank God every day for creating the perfect man for me, and for giving us our 4 amazing blessings. I was looking through some pics of us on our past anniversaries, and thought I would post them here as well!

First Anniversary- we went to Williamsburg, Va to Bush Gardens & Water Country, USA



2nd Anniversary- we rented a cabin in Gatlinburg and spent our time away by hiking (where we walked right up on some bears on a trail in Cades Cove), went to Dixie Stampede, to Dollywood & Splash Country.

3rd Anniversary- We had a new baby (Jackson was 1 1/2 months old) so we just went out to eat with baby in tow! :)

4th Anniversary- With a 13 1/5 month old and being 8 months pregnant with Ansley, we just went out to eat for dinner.

The night before our 5th anniversary, Eric and I ran The Bear up Grandfather Mountain. I tried (and part of the time really wanted him to! ha) to get him to go ahead and run at his pace and not hold back staying with me. It was a fun, (and tough!) race.

5th Anniversary- We went to Suba's for dinner, and then to Barter Theatre to watch The Wizard of Oz

6th Anniversary- I had delivered Elsie at 9:05pm the night before, so we were still in the hospital for this anniversary!



7th Anniversary- We spent the day tubing down the New River with our family, and went out to dinner that night, just the two of us.

8th Anniversary- We went out to dinner, with our baby Vada who turned 3 weeks old today!

 Happy 8th Anniversary babe... I love you!

 

2004

2012

Elsie is Two!

Two years ago today, on July 9th, 2010 at 9:05 pm, our third little blessing, Elsie Miles Clifton, was born- (only 7 days past her due date)!

Elsie Miles at the hospital

Being introduced to her big brother and sister!

My sweet baby girl

In the past two years she has provided us with so many precious moments, memories, and lots of laughter! She has gone from being the perfect little baby that never cried, slept through the night at just a few days old, and always smiling, to our adorable, feisty, sassy and hilarious daughter. She keeps us entertained daily with the stuff that she says and does, and when she is around you can be certain that you will not be bored!
We spent Elsie's big day celebrating her and doing what she wanted to do. She started the day with snuggling her two new Minnie Mouses she got for her birthday while watching Yo Gabba Gabba, ate some birthday pancakes, played outside all day, and then had some pizza (one of her favorites!).

 Snugglin' up with her Minnies with watching Yo Gabba Gabba!

Birthday Pancakes!

At two years old Elsie loves Minnie Mouse, singing, dancing, playing with her Barbies and baby dolls, watching Yo Gabba Gabba, playing outside, giving hugs and the girl loves to eat.  Her brother and sisters are her best friends, and she especially loves to pick on them as often as possible (she gets this honest from her Papaw Fred's side of the family!).  

Elsie and her best friends! :)

One of my favorite parts of every single day is at night after we say our prayers she always says, "I wanna rock you mama," and so I rock my baby girl in the rocking chair in her room while she holds her blankie and cuddles up to me. She, (like all children), is growing way too fast so I will take full advantage of my time rocking her as long as she will let me.  Because. . . at one moment you have this:

then you blink and they are one:

and the next thing you know they are TWO years old!

Happy birthday, sweet little Els! We love and are so proud of you!

A couple of videos on Elsie's birthday!

 

 

Happy 4th of July!

Our 4th of July was spent like most of our summer days, playing in the backyard in the pool, on the swingset, riding tricycles, drawing with some sidewalk chalk, etc. because Eric had to work the late shift at work (10:30-7:30).  We did go to the Bethel Blast late that afternoon, our 3rd year going, and had a great time as usual! If you've never been to the Bethel Blast, you should definitely try to make it next year. It is incredible! Bethel Baptist Church puts on the event and offers food (delicious bbq, beans, baked potatoes, rolls, watermelon, and more!), entertainment, and the best firework show I've ever seen.... all for free! Eric was able to get there around 8:30, so we were able so snap a quick family picture before it got too dark:

4th of July, 2012

Jackson enjoyed playing, walking around, and just hanging out:

Ansley stayed busy playing and dancing, and of course wanted to show off her patriotic fingernails:

Elsie was most excited when she found a pile of dirt to play in (no surprise there!):

Vada Belle spent the majority of her first 4th of July snoozing away. What else would you expect a 15 day old to do?  :)

We hope all of you were able to have a wonderful 4th of July as well!

Here is a short clip of the firework show at the Bethel Blast (which lasted a total of 27 minutes!):

Jackson reading to the new baby!

(I forgot to post this video in the Vada Belle post!)

When I was packing the kids a backpack with some books, coloring books, snacks, etc. to help entertain them while at the hospital, Jackson ran and grabbed a book to put in there. He said he wanted to read it to the baby when he or she gets here. As soon as he met Vada Belle and had a chance to hold her, he passed her over to Ansley Kate while he got the book, "The New Baby" out, and read it to her. Precious.

Also, anyone that knows Jackson really well knows how lately he has been obsessed with trying to beatbox lately (and crazy it drives me!). When Vada was just a couple hours old she started doing this, and I told Eric that she heard Jackson the entire time she was in the womb and now we have another beatboxer on our hands!