moments

 (typical breakfast)

 We've been having some STORMS in East TN recently.... lots of basement flooding, but we're grateful for the rain that so many need!

 Lily is really into her baby dolls right now!  Grandma has gotten Lily some great dolls and Granny has made some beautiful and creative outfits to fit them.  This makes for hours and hours of fun - wardrobe changes and tucking them in for naps, etc. 

 I don't think there is anything sweeter than seeing my child play with the children of my best friends.  It's like that connection that we have always shared was passed down in our children...

 Lily, showing Meemaw her "foot bracelet" (for some reason, she did not like the term "anklet").

 and sharing her balloons. 

 

 Here is Lily with Aunt Martha, Kelsey, and Mary!  We were so fortunate to be able to cross paths with them on I-75! 

 

  Our Porch Party reunion with her friends Wiley, Bryant, Mercury, Ezekiel, and Samson.  I love seeing kids play in the backyard.   Lily missed out on the picture below, but it was such a fun evening with our favorite families!

Lily's IL Heaven

Sorry for the delay in posting - blogger has not been allowing me to publish! ....anyways, We had a great time in IL! As you can see from Lily's expressions, she was in HEAVEN the whole time with all the attention! She definitely has a special relationship with Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Jonah. I didn't take many pictures, but here a few fun ones.

We got to see Granny and Gramps for a few hours too!

Paradise, IL

We had a GREAT time in IL! The weather was beautiful and rest (for Jeremy and I) was abundant! Here is a hodgepodge of pictures from our time there. (They are completely out of order.)

As you can see, Lily was a HAPPY kiddo there. She pretty much ruled Grandma and Grandpa's house :)

Grandpa put up a PINK swing for Lily - she was in heaven.

We went on lots of walks around the yard, down the road, and through the fields.

Walking with Lily's beloved "Gwanma" through a soybean field.

Playing in "Gwanpa's garden"...

....and checking her shoes to see if they got dirty.

Entertaining us after dinner

wearing her (placemat) crown

If only someone had clocked how many hours Grandma spent reading to Lily (and playing!)...thank you Grandma!

Grandpa pushing Lily on her swing

At the Rochester 4th of July carnival. Lily spent the evening speechless and clinging to us. She's not so much a crowd kid, yet.

At the Capitol in Springfield to celebrate the 4th!

Watching the Rochester parade with Dada

Lily was not a fan of the loud fire trucks

She loved all the kids walking around

These little girls were so sweet and helped Lily get some of the candy that was being tossed

silly face

Playing outside in the sprinkler/fun park

We hung out downtown one night and listened to a U2 cover band. Lily had a blast playing with Uncle Jonah and Kelsi. (Excuse the strange pictures - I was expirementing with my camera settings.)

Playing with Grandma's "Happy Thoughts"

Easting dinner with Grandpa Kenny and Grandma Judy

Walking with Grandma and Uncle Jonah

Playing with Granny Creating brilliant sidewalk art with grandma and granny

Playing at the most phenomenal playground I have ever seen...

with new friend, Victoria!

looking at tadpoles in the backyard