"The fundamental mission of motherhood now is the same as it always was: to nurture, protect, and instruct children, to create a home environment that enables them to learn and grow, to help them develop a heart for God and his purposes, and to send them out into the world prepared to live both fully and meaningfully."

-Sally Clarkson from the Mission of Motherhood

Monday, August 22, 2011

Double Trouble party

The weekend after we got home from Memphis, we had Clark's two year old party.  We had it together with Clark's little buddy, Griffin.  Those two are two peas in a pod. Cut from the same mold!  And now, looking back, if it wasn't for my dear sweet friend, Kimberly, his party would NOT have happened!  She is a saint!
She took care of EVERY detail...

I mean everything...
And of course it was the cutest party ever thanks to her!  We kept it really simple because both of us had so much going on (sorry, 2nd kid!) :). 
The older siblings had a great time swimming in the big pool.
While the littles played in pool tables and kiddie pools in the yard.  Here are our favorite 2 year old wondertwins--Liam and Cullen!
I think Ainsley and Clark are a good match.  She stood her ground with him!  :)

The birthday boys being sung to.  They are double trouble mEsSeS.  :)

Oops, sorry, Clarky, no cake.  Forgot you're not a big fan of ice cream!

We had a sundae bar!
Attempt #74 at a family pic.  I promise AM had a good time!

Kimberly and I with our littlest loves.  As much as they drive us mad, we cannot get enough of them.  :)

Love the Polnicks

Take a favor!

I can't forget to mention the generous Hillman family.  We had a last minute party location change, and they graciously offered their house.  Really, what giving people!  I cannot thank them enough. 
A happy happy day to celebrate our little man.  Here's to year 3!

Cathleen's wedding

My sweet cousin, Cathleen, got married mid-July, and we were so happy to be there to help celebrate!  Our four-pack arrived in the great city of Memphis on Thursday night, and the girls headed out Friday morning to the Bridesmaids luncheon.

Cathleen with some of her cousins...


Pretty maids all in a row...

"Look what I did, Mommy"
sigh.  Clark found Sissy's markers in the hotel room.  Thank GOODNESS they were washable.

That night we headed to the church for the rehearsal.  Father of the bride and bride practicing!

Flower girl practicing!
On the way to the rehearsal dinner, my cousin, Carrie, and I stopped by Mimi and Gramps' house in Germantown.  This was the house all of us cousins ran around in and made all our little memories in.  I love it!  (Luckily the homeowners were not there or I probably would have had the cops called on me for all the snooping around I was doing!)

Carrie and I shed many tears as we got out of our cars!  Many many happy memories of childhood.

Mailbox looked just the same as it always did!  I had that address memorized for as long as I could write.

Gramps always had roses growing here.

Mimi's deck---she always used to put bread crumbs out on those wooden rails for the birds.  And there used to be beautiful wind chimes hanging out there that Gramps gave to her.


And this Willow tree in the front used to be much bigger.  We used to swing on those long branches.
Then it was time for the rehearsal dinner.  Miss Priss was old enough to come.

Love when we get one of the two of us.  :)

Saturday we decided to spend our day strolling down memory lane in downtown Memphis.  This house "on Great Oaks" as Mimi always said, was where my Dad lived when he was in high school.  I think Mimi  always loved this house.
Then we ventured to the Peabody Hotel to see the famous ducks.  Here we are in position to see them.  This was right before Clark had a major meltdown!  boo!

The "Duckmaster" announcing the ducks' arrival.

All eyes on the elevator where they would soon pop out from...
And there they are!

They whizzed by us in a flash!


Headed straight for the fountain!

The boys were loving the duckies.


We had lunch at the Rendezvous---most famous Memphis BBQ pit.

Trinity Lutheran church---downtown--where Mimi and Gramps were married.
Pretty soon it was time to take pictures before the wedding!

The bride's immediate family

Flower girl is ready!

It's showtime!  She did a perfect job!!

No more pictures, Mommy.

Oh my goodness, there is too much cuteness in this picture.  :)

They're a married couple!  Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bowie!

And what about this cute family??  Love this shot!


Cousins messin around!
Had to document the reception site.. :)
First dance
The littles dancing with the parents of the bride. 
Loved the cake!! 
A beautiful bride, wedding, and weekend!