Easter time again!

What a busy weekend! First, we started out Saturday with the Easter Egg Hunt at church. Brian took the girls because I had a photo shoot that morning. I met up with them at the church just in time to see how many eggs they got, and to get lunch. Renea was there also with Sydney, Kenny and Caleb. We couldn't stay long because they all had dance practice at 11. Bella ended up getting an award for having the most eggs of a certain color in her age division--and won a huge egg of chocolate.

After dance, we had a little break before going to Emily's for egg dying and dinner. There were a few crafts for the kids and then she and I had a blast marble-painting the eggs. (notice I said SHE and I...ha!)

Easter lunch was the traditional spread at mom's the next day (ham, hashbrown casserole, deviled eggs, rolls, baked beans...). Luckily the weather was nice and the kids were able to hunt for eggs outdoors--YEA!

















After that, we got ready to leave and took all kids to their homes for rest time before planning to meet up again at Levy church for some promo pics...

Revolution Talent

Olivia competed in a new competition to the area, Revolution Talent on March 27. This was not one that the entire studio went to, but Renea had asked if I wanted the kids to take their duet and Liv her solo...and I figured why not...?

Olivia competed her solo in the White division (the middle division), and the duet in the blue division (the competetive level). Her solo won 1st place, and so did their duet. It wasn't a huge competition, but we were still SO thrilled!

Time for a BREAK!

Ever since we had planned on getting Olivia a second American Girl doll for her birthday, we talked about possibly going to an AG store during spring break so she could spend her birthday money (Dallas??). We ended up deciding on Atlanta, so we could spend time with family as well.

We left for Alpharetta on Saturday morning around 4 am. This was perfect, because we arrived about 2:30-3 pm at our hotel in GA. Lee met us there, and we went straight to the mall...go the AG store. Olivia was SO excited! Lee got her a few outfits for her AG dolls, and had each doll get her hair styled at the salon!








Grammy also got a Bitty Twin doll for Bella, with jammies, dress, and ballet dress. Talk about an excited 4 year old!




Then we had dinner at Ruby Tuesday's before going back to the hotel.

The next day, we went to have breakfast with Lee, Alan and Cheryl. Then, we drove to meet Cheryl's mom (She's a hoot!) on our way to Discover Mills Mall (because it was a rainy day), as well as Mall of Georgia.



Liv with one of the biggest, fattest cats EVER...he was SO sweet!!! She stayed on the bed the entire time we were at Cheryl's mom's house just petting him!


Of course, the AG dolls had to get dressed for the day as well...

And I just LOVE these shirts for the girls! They got them for Christmas...



Then on Monday, we drove to Atlantic Station to the IKEA... Whoo Hoo! I LOVE IKEA!






After spending hours there, we left and went back to the hotel. Alan and Cheryl called us later for dinner. We saw them again for lunch on Tuesday at Sweet Tomatoes. We got back early that evening to start packing up because we were leaving early again the next morning to head out on Wednesday...early!

It was a great trip!

Oh, and no trip to Grammy's would be complete without the ride on the carousel...

Eight Years Old?

Olivia had her 8th birthday on Saturday. Eight! Wow...time FLIES!

She had a slumber party with only a few friends (with Brian having his wisdom teeth out 2 days prior, we really had to limit the number of girls we invited. We chose 2 from dance, and 2 from school--then with our 2, we had 6 total.) One of the girls' moms emailed on Friday and said that Jenny was sick and could not come.

The plan was that Liv would leave before technique class so that she would be home in time for the party to start at 7. Valerie came with us at 6:30, and Isabelle came at 7. We talked with her dad while the girls ate dinner. When Julianne arrived around 7:15, we were about to have cake. I had gotten her came from a cake shop across the street from my school (delicious!!!).









After cake, Olivia opened gifts, and the girls got on their PJs for manicures. Then sleeping bags went down to watch Kit Kittredge (an American Girl movie). The girls did so well with Bella. I was afraid that she would get in the way, but she didn't at all! About 1/2 way through the movie, I had her go upstairs to our room (Ashley was staying over to help me with the party and she was going to stay in Bella's room).






In the morning, the girls all ate doughnuts while they waited for their parents to come get them. It was a fantastic sleep over! It honestly could NOT have gone better!



Then that evening, we had a family party for her. We finished the second half of her yummy cake, and she got presents all over again! Lucky kid...






Then on Sunday afternoon, we went to her favorite place for lunch, Cheeburger, Cheegurger! We enjoyed some delicious burgers and magnificent shakes! Super yum!