Sunshine and Summertime

I love the slower pace of life that summer brings.  It is nice to wake up some mornings and not have a plan for the day.  We still seem to keep busy :)  Here are just a few of the things we've been up to so far this summer:

Ice Cream for Dinner (Fro Yo if you want to be technical)

We tried out SweetFrog- YUM and $.39 an ounce!

Pool Playdates

Lizard on the fence at the pool

Storytime at the Library

Summer Weddings (Stephen's cousin got married)

Lily Kate's Mad dance skills :) to the Cupid Shuffle

The girls on the Time Out bench at Shuler's Bar-B-Q
 Aubrey kept going back

Father's Day Dinner

Yesterday, we got together with Stephen's whole family to eat dinner and celebrate Father's Day.  We met in Rock Hill (a central location for all of us) at McAllisters.

There was tons of cousin love going on.  

Lily Kate, Chloe and Pa

 This was Aubrey's first time to hold one of the babies.  She loved it, but at times it looked like she had the choke hold on poor Mercy.  Stephen closely monitored the interaction :)

Mercy, Aubrey and Stephen

Happy Father's Day to the World's Greatest Dad!

We love you, Daddy!  Thanks for all the sunggles.

For being silly!

For letting us "Watch Elmo" on your computer.

Taking us on fun family adventures!

Teaching us!

 and making every day special!

 Do it, Daddy!  Do it!  We love you! 

Happy Father's Day!

Graduation 2012

Friday night was the Resident Graduation.  It's always a fun night with dinner and dancing.  It is also hard to believe that in just two more weeks Stephen's residency is completed!!!  Woohoo!  He has worked so hard the past 8 years!

Dr. Caudle, Stephen & Meredith

The Peds girls

Serious faces on Nick & Stephen

Family Picture- with Uncle Paras and Aunt Shivani

Frugal Gal

Hi, My name is Tracie and I'm addicted to Goodwill.

A few months ago, our speaker at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) was Lynn Wooten.  She used to be a buyer in NYC and she came to share some fashion tips with us.  After she shared all kinds of great tips, she told us that all the clothes she had on stage came from a thrift shop.  I couldn't believe it.

I buy consignment clothes for my kids on a regular basis- so why couldn't I do it for myself?  I think I was just a little weirded out by the fact that someone else has worn it, but I got over that and now I'm an addict.  I've found some great name brand items: J. Crew, Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne- all for a fraction of the price.

I love love loved the dress Stephen bought me for last year's graduation, but we don't get dressed up that often and I haven't had an occasion to wear it since.  Because of that, I hated to spend a lot of money on one for this year's banquet.

Since I had this new addiction, I decided to go on a mission to find a dress for this years banquet.  Yep my couture dress was $5 at Goodwill!

I bought some accessories to spice it up (belt & bracelet from Versona, shoes from Marshalls).  I was super excited and I felt pretty too!

I also love Matthews Help Center on Ames St. in Matthews- it is really organized and they have great stuff.

The girls have adapted to my addiction, they love to go in the dressing rooms.  Aubrey always says "Mommy beautiful!"  This probably helps feed my addiction :)

Who needs Emoticons?

The girls trip me out with their facial expressions whenever I bust out the camera for a picture.  Here is the ever expressive Aubrey:

 And now Lily Kate:

Feel free to add your own captions :)

Brusha Brusha Brusha

The girls had their 6 month check up with Dr. Beth today.  I was a little nervous about how Aubrey would do.  She did really well last time, but she is just so active now, she hates to be still.

Waiting patiently in the lobby

Lily Kate did fabulous.  She chose watermelon toothpaste for her cleaning, followed all the hygienist's instructions and even let them take x-rays!

Star patient

Aubrey couldn't wait to get in the chair.  While they were taking LK's x-rays she got in the chair of the station next to Lily Kate's.  She was ready for Aubrey's turn!  She did great.  They were able to clean her teeth and checked everything out.

Watching Ratatouille

Both girls loved the experience.  I'm so thankful for a great (and kid friendly) dentist!

Lovin Summer

Saturday, we ate an early dinner at Cantina and decided to go walk around the fountains, they were setting up for the live music that night.  We didn't end up sticking around that long, but it was such a beautiful night, we all just enjoyed being outside.

Enjoying the fountains

My Big Girl

Aubrey has never met a stranger-
She helped herself to the seat this lady was saving

Happily Ever After

Nine years ago, I made the best decision I have ever made.  I married the handsome, hilarious, brilliant,  loving, quick-witted, servant of God, Stephen Renfrow.  I am so blessed to call this amazing man my husband.  Every day I wake up and think I am living a dream- but I really am married to the most wonderful man in the world!

May 31, 2003

Our Happily Ever After continues today...

May 31, 2012
9th Anniversary dinner- a sushi picnic on our living room floor
Photo Credit: Lily Kate

Great Grandparents

Stephen was off part of this week, so we decided to visit PapPap and Grandma in Fayetteville on Wednesday.  We really enjoyed their company and hospitality and I don't think we totally destroyed their house (although Aubrey did dump a basket of potpourri on the floor).

PapPap singing to Lily Kate

Aubrey's new soccer ball 

We went to MiCasita for dinner- YUM!

then Mellow Mango for dessert- LK trying to eat her gummy worms.

Aubrey's favorite thing at Grandma's house- a nativity table pyramid

I wouldn't let her touch it- so she kept asking me to blow it!

The girls and their great-grandparents

Grandma and PapPap