Baby Tristan

 Tonight we had dinner with my cousin David, his wife Julie and her son Garrett.

We got to meet their baby boy Tristan for the first time.

The girls loved getting to hold him.

Great Grandma with her newest great grandson.

Deployment Take Two

After a two month delay, Clay's deployment is back on.  

He is spending a few days in Alaska before reaching his final destination.  Thank you to everyone for your continued prayers during this deployment.  At this point, we do not know how long he will be gone.    

Hotel Pool Day

We spent today relaxing at the hotel pool.

The girls loved the pirate ship at the kiddie pool.

They even got to play chess and putt-putt golf with Granddaddy.

Sea World

We drove to Orlando to stay a few days at the Double Tree by Hilton.  

The girls were excited to go to Sea World!

It was very HOT, so everyone enjoyed cooling off and...

watching some shows.

My mermaids found their mer"man."

They loved seeing all of the animals.

The girls were so brave and rode several roller coasters.  

Madison loved getting to see a one month old dolphin.

Jocelyn couldn't pick a favorite.  

She loved everything at Sea World!

Sunset

 Tonight we went out to the beach to enjoy the sunset.

Cassie in the waves.

Ginger and Cassie walking in the water.

Madison and Jocelyn strolling the beach at sunset.

Beach Day!

Today we went to the beach!

The girls took a walk down the beach to see the sand elephant.

Sand Elephant!

They also saw a sand dolphin.

Cassie made her own sandcastle.

The girls enjoyed decorating and playing with the sandcastle.  

Visiting with Great Grandma

My half-sister and her family are here visiting this week.  Today we spent the day with Great Grandma.

Cassie, Ballard, Great Grandma, Sylina, and Ginger 

Cassie, Great Grandma, Sylina and Ginger

Great Grandma and her oldest Great Granddaughters

 Cassie and Great Grandma

Great Grandma and Ginger

Jocelyn Fishing!

Granddaddy took the girls down to the little pond behind the house to go fishing this morning.  Madison didn't last long because she got bit by an ant.  Jocelyn had fun though and caught lots of little fish.  She wanted to touch every fish she caught.  

Birthday Package from Grandma Cathy!

The girls were thrilled to see a birthday package at the door today from Grandma Cathy.  

They can't wait to start using their new activity books.

Jocelyn got a special surprise.  

Grandma Cathy made her a beautiful baby book.  

Jocelyn will treasure this scrapbook forever.  

She absolutely LOVED seeing her baby pictures.  

Sand Dollar Art

Granddaddy brought home lots of sand dollars that he found sitting in a garage of a house he was about to demo.  The girls had so much fun painting them and making sand dollar art.  

Jocelyn's 6th Birthday!

Happy 6th Birthday Jocelyn!

We missed having Daddy here to celebrate Jocelyn's birthday, but are so proud of how hard he works to support our family and serve our country.  We love you and miss you very much, Daddy!

Jocelyn enjoyed her birthday breakfast in bed.  She requested powered sugar donuts and chocolate milk.  While she was eating breakfast in bed, she asked me what time of day she was born.

I had a picture of the birth announcement that said she was born at 10:54, but it didn't say if it was a.m. or p.m., so I emailed Grandma Cathy to find out exactly what time Jocelyn was born.  We are so grateful that we can contact her whenever a question comes up.  

Jocelyn was thrilled to read the following email from Grandma Cathy...

Her birthday started on July 8th at about 11:30 p.m. Keisha was having contractions so she and Brittani and I, got dressed then headed to the hospital.  It was a clear and beautiful night and the moon was full, so we decided that Jocelyn would be our little moon dancer and we sang, "what a wonderful night for a moon dance", on the way there.  But Jocelyn decided she was going to come with the morning sunshine instead and was born at 10:54 a.m.  She then became our little Sun Dancer.  I watched as they delivered her and I went with her to the nursery while they tended to Keisha.  She was perfect and so beautiful.  God had truly created another little miracle.  

Thank you for giving her all the extra hugs and kisses but mostly for loving her as you do.  

Grandma Cathy

Jocelyn is officially 6 years old at 10:54 a.m.!

The girls spent the morning doing crafts.

We just finished reading Stuart Little yesterday, so today we had a special picnic lunch and watched the movie Stuart Little on the iPad.  

Jocelyn loved seeing that so many ocean friends came to her Pool Party!

Time for some WATER BALLOONS!

We had fun tossing the water balloons and having a water balloon fight.  

 Madison got her sister an underwater camera to use at the Pool Party. 

 We are so happy that Uncle Kyle came to the Pool Party!

Jocelyn can't wait to open her gift from Uncle Kyle.

She got a Barbie and pony from Uncle Kyle.

Time for a Tropical Smoothie break.

The girls love the little umbrellas in their drinks.

Jocelyn got a sweet card from Great Grandma.

Jocelyn loved all of her gifts from Nana and Pop.  She got a new Barbie, the Mermaid Tale 2 DVD, two new books, an American Girl swimsuit, a little ladybug bag and lip gloss.

Jocelyn got a Target gift card from Mimi and...

a Target gift card from Uncle Guy, Aunt Nelda, Mia and Blayke.  

Jocelyn is looking forward to her Target shopping spree.

Mamaw and Papaw came over and gave Jocelyn a beach felt board for her birthday.

Jocelyn was excited to Skype with Daddy on her new Tablet that Mommy and Daddy got her for her birthday.  

Jocelyn's Pool Party Birthday Cupcakes!

Granddaddy got a little creative decorating his cupcakes.  ;)

 I kept it simple with a Teddy Bear laying under a beach umbrella.

The Birthday Girl!

Jocelyn's 6th Birthday!