who says a computer game is only for one?

Father's Day

After my sister & her family left, we spent the rest of Father's Day celebrating with more family.

Ryan opening up his card from the girls

Showing off his new ties

And the even more important bag of smarties.

Ryan's family came over f0r the evening and brought the kitties with them.

Olivia & Aunt Callie

Ava & her beloved "tiger"

Trying for a family shot

And no, the kitty didn't stay. . . to Ava's dismay. : )

Kate hanging out with the kitties

Our neighbor's dog came out to see what the big deal was about

Kate and Olivia got tired of all the fuss and moved on to more fun activities

game of bags anyone?

Olivia and tiger : )

at the risk of appearing contradictory

I read this post today . . .and agreed with it.

http://www.thefarmerswifetellsall.com/2011/06/rethinking-adoption-not-everyone-should.html

So we keep praying that those God's given a heart to adopt will adopt . . . and that God will keep using others in many other ways and for other great needs too.

and while we were in nashville

. . .the girls were at grandpa and grandma's having no fun at all.

really. They spent every moment waiting for us to come home. I mean, I'm sure they would have if they missed us.

Showing off the nightgowns we'd left as a surprise

Tormenting, I mean, loving, on the new kitties

My little girl and kitties truly equals love.

Let's just say the kitties loved Ava . . .and ran from Kate & Olivia : )

love it.

Thanks mom & dad for making it such a fun week for our girls!

cousins!

My sister and her family came and spent the saturday/sunday of Father's Day weekend with us. We haven't had the chance to see them much since their movie so it was so much fun getting to spend the time with them. My girls were thrilled with the chance to be with their cousins!

Auburn, Braden & Ava playing trains in Kate & Olivia's room

Kate & Brynne playing dress up in Ava's room

(why is your sister's room always more fun?!)

Ryan found this kit to "make your own worms"
It was serious work

Ahh, the little things that are fun . . .

Ava showing off her "worms"

(you can dye them with food coloring but we didn't have any)

Ready for church sunday morning

"silly face!"

Ryan and his girls

How thankful I am for his influence in their life!

There aren't many people Ava would rather play with than these two

sisters : ) (minus one of course)

After church I wanted to try for a family picture.

Bad timing. This is about as good as it got. Let's just say don't look for it on our christmas card this year : )

For some reason, this one was actually my "favorite." It's so real life it just makes me smile. Olivia obviously thinks she's getting her way about her space on the step and is quite happy about it. Kate is not. I'm intervening while Ryan and Ava are just waiting until I finally call it quits. : )

Can't wait to have you guys back!

my faithful helper

Snack time with friends

While I couldn't get our friend to peek at the camera, I thought it was way too cute how the girls set this up entirely themselves while playing one morning.

we love fun times with friends!