Summer is Coming to an End...

As summer draws to an end, Jamie and I took one last opportunity to do something special with the kiddos that is not as easy to do while they are in school. He and the boys along with PaPaw went to dinner and then a Birmingham Barons baseball game. As many of you know Luke is really into baseball right now so he was super excited! The pitching coach even brought him over a baseball before the game started and now it is his most prized possession. Jamie was good enough to remember to take some pictures so I will share a few of those.

Luke showing off his baseball.

Luke and Papaw

Taking it all in...

While the boys took in a little baseball, Jill, Nanny and I went to see Ramona and Beezus! I don't know who was more excited about this, me or Jill! The movie was the BEST and will certainly be one that we add to our home collection! After the movie we hit Hobby Lobby and picked up a little fabric and then on to dinner at Zaxbys. It was so good to have some girl time and Jill and I really enjoyed getting to spend some time with Nanny! Unfortunately, Mom forgot a camera and didn't take a single picture so there are not any pictures from our outing. Don't worry though, tomorrow is the first day of school and rest assured there will be pictures to share tomorrow! Kindergarten and Middle school - not sure if I am ready for this! All prayers will be greatly appreciated, for my children, for me, and for their teachers! Until tomorrow!

Happy Birthday Nanny!

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Nanny! Happy Birthday to you...and many more!!!

Today is Nanny's birthday and we would like to all wish her a VERY happy birthday! We know you are having a blast at "The World's Longest Yard Sale!" Jamie says to pick out something really nice and we will reimburse you for it...he is so thoughtful! Really though, when you get home we will take you out for a yummy dinner! We love you bunches and think you are just the BEST!

Aunt Leesa's Gets Married

As many of you know this weekend was a big weekend for our family as Aunt Leesa got married! What a beautiful bride she was and what a beautiful wedding! And I must say what an adorable flower girl, ring bearer and scripture reader...ok, I know I am partial! Much to my and Jamie's relief (and I am sure Leesa and Aaron too) the little ones behaved themselves very well while on stage. We were most concerned about Luke, who is the little comedian in our family and loves to be the center of attention. But all the prayers (and promises for surprises) worked and he did wonderfully!

The festivities began for us on Friday as we loaded up and headed to God's country - Tuscaloosa. We met Nanny, PaPaw and Leesa at the church (Northwood Hills Baptist Church) so that I could help with decorations and then Jamie and the kiddos headed to Aunt Leesa's for a little playtime at the pool. My assignment was flowers and I had a blast! I think I may have found a new hobby so if anyone needs any floral arranging and wants to keep things simple, just let me know!

Nanny and PaPaw pitch in and help to trim the stems and remove the leaves and thorns.

Leesa was able to pause for a minute and get a quick picture with us before rehersal began.

I am truly blessed with not only a great Mom but a great Mom-in-law as well! I love you, Nanny!
Eli was the scripture reader for the ceremony and did a perfect job. What a sweet little man!

Jill was a beautiful flower girl! She did a perfect job sprinkling the isle with her flower petals and then stood perfectly still on stage!

And last but not least, ring bearer Luke! We are so proud of how well behaved he was! And for his "prize" from Mom & Dad, he chose a police car!

Another treat for the weekend was that we got to spend some time with Uncle John! It was so good to see him! He is only home for a few more days and we hope to get a little more time in with him before he heads to Washington, D.C.

John, you are in our thoughts and prayers daily and we love you more than you will ever know! May God bless and protect you as you serve our country!

The Alexander crew (minus Leesa and Aaron).

Making the way for the bride!

Here comes the bride...

Giving her away...


We were so glad to be a part of this day! May God bless your marriage Leesa and Aaron! We promise to pray for you and encourage you, laugh with you and cry with you, support you and love you!

Beach Fun!

What a wonderful week we had! Destin was beautiful - no oil to be found! And my kiddos LOVE the beach!!! This was only Luke's second trip to the beach and his first, he was only 10 months old so he doesn't remember it at all. He fell in love with the beach on this trip! We built sand castles, caught minnows and sea creatures, swam and ate lots of "shark food" as Luke calls it! God has blessed me with a wonderfully amazing family and wonderful friends too! We were able to vacation this year with the Daughtrys and we haven't done this since Eli was a toddler. Jamie and Brandon are childhood friends, college roomies, and all around "best buds!" Fortunatley for me Brandon married an amazing woman who has become one of my dearest friends - Shannon! They have two beautiful children who my children adore - Katie and Barrett! I hope you enjoy the pics from our week.

Little sister & Big brother
My beautiful little princess...
and me.

Luke - the third child, and comedian of the family!

Sometimes, you might even think they get along...

"Little Lukey"

Oops - Mom forgot to remove the sunglasses!

"The sun is too bright!"

The whole gang of kiddos!

The day we got there the weather was a little threatening but we couldn't resist a little time in the waves.

Bailey's Birthday Party

Now you may be wondering who in the world Bailey is...well, Bailey is Jill's American Girl doll. Sunday morning Jill decided that Bailey needed a birthday party. So we began to plan and by Sunday evening, we had invitations passed out to a couple of Jill's neighborhood friends who of course, also have American Girl dolls. Monday morning we had to make a quick run to the store to buy cupcakes and birthday day supplies, i.e., plates, cups, napkins, and balloons. The girls and their dolls enjoyed a menu of homemade pizza, chips, grapes with fruit dip and lemonade. Eli and Luke were also great sports and attended the party as well - but that probably comes as no surprise, there was food involved so naturally, they were there!

Bailey with all her birthday goodies.


The girls and their dolls, Kelsey & Chrissa, Jill & Bailey, Carsyn & Bella, and Kayla & Kit.

The girls did a fashion show with their dolls.

Thank you to our friends for coming and celebrating with Jill & Bailey. Jill LOVES the gifts you brought and we are so thankful for friends like you!!!

XLR8 2010!!!

This past week our church had XLR8 Sports camp and it was a BLAST! This is the second year our church has offered this program and my prayer is that we will have it for years and years to come. Infinity Sports puts on the camp and they bring a staff of college students to conduct the camp. The children, grades 1 -6 chose two sports to participate in each day and they also attend worship, track times, Bible study, as well as enjoying lunch and snack time. The camp is Monday through Friday from 9 to 4 and by the end of the week you are exhausted but so sad to see the week come to an end! I was blessed to be able to work as a volunteer for the entire week and am so thankful that I was able to share this with some of my favorite children - Liberty Baptist kiddos ROCK!!!

Eli's two sports for the week were flag football and baseball. He really enjoyed the opportunity to do some different sports. His small group leader was Coach Jeff and he was AWESOME!! We had several children in our small group (5th grade Orange Crushers) accept Christ as their Savior and truly, that is what the week is ALL about! I was one of the adult volunteers for this group as these are the children I teach in Sunday school and have for the past two years. I LOVE each and everyone of these kids and am so proud of them!

The Sport that I worked with may come as no surprise to most of you - cheerleading and gymnastics. Above are the 3rd - 6th grade girls practicing the dance routine they learned for the week.

Eli practicing his throw!
Worship Time with Ms. Kathy!

Our fearless leader Mrs. Laura - you are a blessing to me and my children!!! We love you!!!

Jill's First Fish

Today after church Jamie took the kiddos across the street to the neighborhood lake for a little fishing. Jill has been begging to go and today was her first official trip and after this...
I think she is hooked!!! (No pun intended.) And Donna, before you comment on the outfit, she dressed herself :-)