A visit to Arkansas

We finally made it back to Arkansas to visit family. It's been 2 years (to some people that may not seem like it's a long time, but to us, it was!) since we last were there. I was pregnant with MC and we had such a horrendous time traveling with our two little ones, that we decided to take a break from the long 12 hour roadtrip. BUT, since our move to Clemson, we are actually a few hours closer! Thus, we made the trip out to visit Andy's whole family. And when I say WHOLE, I mean WHOLE...even his brother from Oklahoma came up! We hadn't seen Uncle Todd since Alley was 1 years old! It was a great weekend:)

Of course, the first thing we had to do was go get Opa some flowers and go for a visit. The girls have reallybeen asking a lot (and I mean A LOT) of questions about Andy's dad. Their conclusion...they miss Opa! They talk about it all.the.time. Randomly they will say, "mommy/daddy I miss Opa. Do you?". Now I met Andy right after his father past away, so I never met him either, but I feel like I know him and yes, I do miss him! I can see Bob in Andy as a father and in his love and dedication to his children. I feel like I know Bob from all the stories I've been told and that makes me miss the fact that I didn't get to meet him and thank him for raising a wonderful son who became a wonderful husband and dad. So Opa, thank you from the bottom of my heart! ALRIGHT, sorry to get all serious and weepy on yall...the girls loved going to visit Opa and talk about him. 

Alley putting her flowers on Opa's grave

cheeeese

MC, deciding she'd rather keep her flowers...

but why yes, I'd love for you to take my picture;)

explaining something super important and extremely intelligent to the girls...I mean, come on, I am ALWAYS a wealth of awesome knowledge...;)

all 3...of course they aren't looking. It wouldn't be a McPherson picture if they were all looking and making some sort of decent face;)

sweet Alley

MC getting caught placing rocks on Opa's grave...she thought they were better than her flowers...

Kendall climbing "on Opa"

run away, run as fast as you can;)

Kendall and MC wanting to both be held by Uncle Todd...Titus (Todd's little puppy) must have been around;)

Alley enjoying the hammock chair

Joy and little titus...he's such a cutie!

MC getting a ride from Uncle Todd

if they'd stay that small and that cute, I would totally get one;)

wook at him...so stinkin cute!

MC getting some guidance from Uncle Todd

Kendall in the spot she pretty much stayed in all weekend...Uncle Todd's arms. She LOVES Todd and became especially attached to him when Titus was around...that girl is scared of dogs!

Alley and titus going for a ride. So, Kendall attached herself to Todd and Alley attached herself to Joy this weekend. They have been telling me non-stop how much they miss Uncle todd/Joy and how they miss "nok-lahoma" and wish they could go be with Todd and Joy. It is hilarious how, in that short time period, those two became that attached:)

totally post card worthy...how darn cute is that!!

trying to help Kendall get over her fear...

nope, not gonna happen...he tried to lick her...bad dog;)

MC spent almost all her waking moments in this swing...hmmmm, maybe we should get one...

Joy and MC 

On Saturday, Andy's other brother (Brad) and his girls came up from Memphis so the WHOLE family could be together. It was so.much.fun. We all loved it so much, that we've been talking about getting the family together to go to the beach in Florida for a week next summer.

Avery and MC coloring and snuggling

dude, she is totally giving me the eye! I didn't mean to mess up your "fort playing" time...(back up slowly, while still smiling, then turn and run as fast as you can away! muahaha)

 We try to get a shot of G-ma and her grandkids each time we come...this time poor Alley was having an extremely bad moment...someone (cough cough) made her cry...

Alley, Joy and Titus

What a fun time was had by all! We can't wait until our next visit and hopefully it's at the BEACH!

A fast year

The school year flew by. I have no idea how Alley could have finished PK so fast...shouldn't it still be going on?? I do not believe I should be thinking about KG for Alley yet...I am in denial. Complete denial. Alley started PK in Farmville, with a fun and sweet teacher and class. She took our move in strides and easily fit into her new PK class and fell in love with her teacher! She made some great friends and just over all seemed to do so well. I felt extremely proud (not that I had ANYTHING to do with this) when the teacher told us she was an amazing student and she wished she could clone Alley and that Alley was the sweetest child to everyone. She always asked to help her teacher and others and genuinely had a serving heart. Oh my dear Alley! 

First day of PreSchool (Farmville, VA)

September 2012

Last day of PreSchool (Clemson, SC)

May 2013

I really look forward to seeing how Alley changes and develops as a person, student, daughter and friend over the next several years. Here's to many more years of first days and lasts!!

Whirl-wind trip

A few weekends ago, the girls and I took a "little" road trip to Virginia. Andy had to stay behind, due to work, so we made it a "girls weekend". It was a special weekend because we were getting to celebrate some fun events in the Alley family! We started the weekend with "convincing" John to read stories;) You can never, ever read too many stories! These girls will follow you with books asking you to read them...watch out, Kendall picks all the l-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ng ones;)

Uncle John, graciously, reading Kendall a long one;)

Little Miss Ants-in-her-pants, couldn't sit long and decided to rock in her rocking chair. Clearly she is disturbed that I am looking at her...

Since I ruined her moment in the chair, on to cleaning dishes!

Pause from "cleaning" (or dumping water on the floor...shhh, Mimi doesn't know;)...)

We had several little trips to the playground, church nursery to play and to the children's museum so Mimi could get ready for all the party's planned for the weekend. No pictures of those events because they were quick and my hands were full;)

Saturday morning, one of mom's dear friends hosted a beautiful bridal shower for Kim. It was so fun! Fun times had by all...we look like we're having fun, right?! ;)

three generations...it was so good to have Granny there...we miss her terribly now that we've moved!

The whole Alley-Noel girl clan (minus Jessica in WA...we MISS you Jess!), all because of Granny:)

A classic shot of the future Mrs. John Alley...uhh, did I really say that? No, he's not getting married...noooo...just teasing John! I totally don't see you as my baby brother (who I could convince to do and play ANYTHING) anymore...noooo;) Anyway, Kim, he's yours now...whew...;)

A little Sunday morning forced pics...Let's see, which was was crying before this, which one was telling me NO! and which one couldn't seem to pay attention...ready, go!

Sooo, Mimi gets the award of the year...she immediately took them for a walk!!

 I choose to believe it was because she was helping, not because she was embarassed that I was still in my jammies, no make-up, hair a mess and looking like I hadn't slept in weeks...no, not me;)

After church hugs and fun with Mimi...oh Kendall...;)

I realized recently that there are very few pictures of me with the kids...so, here we go...Me and the girls:)

A good-bye picture with John and Kim...they looooove John and Kim:)

I am very sad to say that I have no pictures of Kim's parents and the girls! Kim's parents flew in from Texas for the weekend so we could all meet them before the wedding. They were a HUGE hit with the girls! They got down on the floor and played with them, read them stories and just loved on them. Penney clan, we are very thankful you are going to be in our lives and thank you for loving our wild circus...are you SURE you want us in the wedding??!! ;)

Railroad Festival

A few weekends ago (I know, I'm late in posting!), our little town had a Railroad Festival. We decided to make a go at it since it was a weekend Andy was home (woo-hoo!) and we had nothing else planned:) It was a dreary, drizzly morning, so we kinda hoped the girls had forgotten about it...noooope! They were dead set on going, regardless of the rain. So, off we went. We really weren't sure what to expect, so it was a nice surprise to see "bouncy slides and houses". Of course, we hit up those first;)

Kendall on her initial decent

great dismount and ready for another slide;)

Contestant #2 ready for her turn

Looks like fun was had by all...except Miss Grump in the stroller who could not go on the slide because she was too little...not cool, not cool at all

Off to the bounce house where everyone could participate!!

MC was loving it, but also a little "nervous" about all the bouncing she was getting

After getting our wiggles out in the bouncy toys (or hyping up the kids!), we took a "spin" in the CAT bus. The girls love this bus and have asked many times when we were going to get to ride the bus...hmmm, I'm ignoring that request and re-direct their attention;)

I think they loved "driving" the bus...this should satisfy them for a spell...right?!

And off to bigger and better things....Fire Trucks! They LOVED "driving" the firetruck. 

Alley showing us how it's done;)

We also got to check out an old caboose. So of course we had to have a photo op;) Still working on getting everyone to look at the camera...this will be a life-long struggle I'm sure!

I thought they had re-stored the inside...NOPE! Needless to say, I stepped in for a second, then decided to wave from the outside;)

Aaaaaand, our favorite activity of the morning....playing with toy trains! Yes, my girls looove trains:)

It was a fun morning, and could possibly be a great festival when the rain stays away. We will have to check it out again next year:)