Omigod You Guys!

Last weekend my sweet hubby took me on a short romantic getaway to the faraway and exotic city of Nashville, Tennessee. It actually was exotic to us because we drove for 3 hours and didn't listen to anyone crying or the constant chatter that has taken over Olivia's body. We went to see Legally Blonde the Musical (courtesy of Michael's sweet mama and daddy). We didn't get there until almost showtime because we spent the morning doing a little furniture browsing. And we had no idea that the show wouldn't be over until 11:30 Nashville time (past midnight to our poor old bodies) so we just ended up ordering room service late that night. But the point is we had fun and enjoyed our getaway, as brief as it was...

I remember seeing an episode of Tyra Banks where she showed you how to take a picture of yourself without looking like a complete moron...obviously, I should have paid better attention.

Omigod you guys!

What We've Been Up To...

Life definitely hasn't slowed down at all here at the Claunch house since school ended and summer began. In fact, we've been so busy I haven't even had my camera most places.

Here is my best effort at a Father's Day pic...yes, out of about 20, this is the best. Is it just me, or do planned photos just not work?

Olivia went to her friend Molly's birthday party at Premier where we take gymnastics. She really enjoyed having total freedom on all the equipment!
The group pic at Molly's birthday
My sisters and I went on a girls only Christmas trip to Pigeon Forge. This was the only Santa I could get Olivia close to. We stayed at the Christmas Inn there where at 9pm Santa Claus gathers around the fireplace and sings carols...very cute. You know, if it was December. Instead we were at the pool gearing Olivia up for swim lessons to begin.

We have been in swim every day this week. I don't have any pics. Why?? Because I get the joy of being in the pool with her every morning!! The upside--my little darling is a swimmer! She may not win any Olympic medals anytime soon, but by golly, she will get to the wall of the pool!

We're taking her to my sister's pool tomorrow, so I will try and get some pics then.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the best daddy in the whole world. Michael was born to be a daddy and he is the best daddy to our little girls that I could ever have imagined. They are so lucky to have him. All of us are, he works so hard to make us happy! He knows exactly when to be sweet and take care of them and when to be rough and tough with them. We love you so much Daddy!

Daddy with Olivia
Daddy seeing Ana Blair for the first time
Snoozing with Ana Blair
Dancing with Olivia

My Baby is Missing

And this is what I have found in her place...a grown child! This stranger crawls, feeds herself and when she wants my attention grabs my pant leg and says, "Mama."

So you see I have a major problem...if any of you have seen my tiny infant child, please return her to me as soon as possible!

Creative Discovery Museum

Monday we loaded up the car and headed to Chattanooga to spend the day with Wendy, Lexy and Lilah at the Creative Discovery Museum. We had never been there before and Olivia had so much fun! Nana was nice enough to offer to take care of Ana Blair so I could help Wendy with Lilah. The joke was on Nana though because Lilah slept almost the whole day!

They look like they're in a cage in this one and sometimes I think that's where these two belong! They do, and always have fed off of each other and just crack up over the crazy things they do! Dr. Olivia about to give Ms. Wendy her physical
Olivia jumped on this first thing and was ready to start swinging. I explained to her that it was a pulley and she was supposed to use the rope to pull herself to the top. Her upper body strength must be better than mine, because she actually did it! I was able to do it too, but it was a little harder for me!!
Then the girls decided it was much more fun like this!


Thanks girls! Can't wait to see you again! Seems like we see you more now than when you lived in Knoxville! We are getting so spoiled!

Rocking Song

I don't know if any of you know this song...but I actually heard this at a youth event when I was in high school. I loved this song then and could not imagine how I would feel when I held my own sweet girl. And as all of you mamas out there know, this song kind of hits a button inside of us...This song is so special to me and as I fed Ana Blair her last bottle the other night and searched for the words to this in my head I thought about all the wonderful mothers that have shaped my life, most of you included...so I hope you turn up your speakers and enjoy and know that I am thinking of you wonderful mothers who have inspired me...

Princess Party

On Sunday we had Olivia's birthday party with her friends at the Groovy Pad. She had a princess party, and it turned out really cute! The girls had SUCH a good time! They got fancy princess "updos" with glitter, make up and a manicure. Even the kids with older siblings got in on the fun and got their hair and make up done too! Olivia was very adamant that she only wanted girls at her party--except Carson (and she gave approval for his brother too). I really worried about how they would do at the princess party, but even the boys loved it! They spiked up his hair and sprayed color in it and gave them tattoos. We had such a good time and I am so happy we decided to do the party there, kind of at the last minute.

Olivia with the Whitehead family, she loves them so much. I think she wishes they would take her in!
Olivia and Carson
This picture alarms me, I have never seen my child hugging on a boy--and he looks like he's enjoying it too. Add this picture to the fact that his birthday gift to her (technically from the whole family) was a silky princess nightgown--I'm a little scared to see what the future holds for these two!
Olivia and Caroline
Olivia and Micah--is it me or do these two look like professional posers?

Olivia and Kilah

Olivia with her BFF Katherine

Olivia and Molly

Olivia with Lexy--Lexy really does love her. I could go back and find pics of them less than a year old with Olivia choking her like this!
The girls getting all dolled up

Sweet sisters, Ana Blair is very into kissing right now

Enjoying some QT with Nana

Olivia dueling with the boys

Ana Blair enjoyed the party too!

Bubbles

Cupcake time!

They had so much fun!

4 year stats: 35 lbs. 41 in tall

Ballerina Girl

On Satuday night Olivia had her first "big girl" dance recital. When I say big girl, I mean it. You would not believe all the rules and regulations that were stated in the 30 page handout given to me...everything from picture by picture instructions on how to achieve the classical ballet bun, the no-underwear rule and make-up instructions (medium-base, blush, eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner and red lips). Add these things to the 30 minute drive downtown that I had to do 3 times this week for rehearsals and you have one stressed out mama.

Needless to say, she loved it. She was an iris from Alice in Wonderland--and shock of shocks, she danced. She didn't stand there, she didn't hold onto her ear the whole time. She danced.

When I took this pic, I looked at it on my camera screen and almost cried. I see my tiny baby turning into a big girl.

Lipstick, her favorite part. I have to say, lipstick was and still is my favorite part of make-up
So happy when she saw her reflection
I love this kid

I just think this pic is cute. I wish that was me she was running to, but alas, I hold the camera as usual...its my sister

With her BEAUTIFUL flowers Ms. Hollie made for her, she loved them!

Proud mommy and daddy

Memorial Day

On Memorial Day we decided to pack up and head to Spring City for some free food and more importantly, free babysitting! It was a nice, quiet, relaxing day...

Ana Blair relaxing in the swing

My daughter found and picked up a frog, that child is not afraid of any kind of animal or insect. I was terrified she was going to throw it on me, but trying not to show that I really don't like frogs because she was so brave!
Yes, she's always this crazy

Olivia, Poppy (her uncle) and Michael got in a water fight. She looks so serious in this picture, cracks me up

Right after Michael spit a mouthful of water in her face...

that's right, I said spit.

Ana Blair with Nana, or as Olivia says, her favorite friend

Someone is ready to be on the move