Savannah

For my mom's 70th birthday, my sister and I planned a trip for all three of us to Savannah. We tried to plan it BEFORE the birth of John Houston, so that keeping my girls wouldn't be a problem while I was gone, and also because I wanted to be here to see his arrival. With plane tickets purchased and reservations made for months, I got the call from Kim the day before we left that she was being induced the next morning. It was so frustrating, but luckily I have some wonderful friends (and family :) who stepped up and took my girls for me and allowed us to have a wonderful time. We ate a LOT of great food, took in all the beautiful historic sights, and just enjoyed being together.

My sweet sister and mother

One of the beautiful squares

One of the only pictures with all 3 of us--the poor valet took 3. In the first one, I am making this stupid face, telling him to hold the button down, in the second, my mom's eyes were closed, and in the third, my sister is making a funny face. So, I am taking one for the team and posting the ugly shot of myself.

The line outside Paula Deen's restaurant starts lining up at 7:30 in the morning. No thanks.

And, need I say more?

The Mercer house--from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

John Houston

The girls have a new baby cousin! John Houston arrived early on September 23rd, just after I boarded a plane and flew to Savannah to celebrate my mom's birthday. I was so sad to miss his arrival, but I know we'll have plenty of time to see the little guy :) He's a cutie and the girls are crazy about him.

Hollis is a proud big brother!

Camping

Our class at church went camping this September at the most beautiful campground I have ever been to. It was planned on a weekend when Jon had to work, but I still wanted to take the girls. My friend Julie's husband had to be out of town that weekend also, so we took our girls and shared a campground. It was so much fun--I can't wait to go next year. I didn't get many pictures--I was a little shorthanded keeping up with 2 kids beside a lake without a daddy ;-)

Mamie had to bring her horses, of course

Swimming in the lake



The only thing I hate about camping...the laundry aftermath.

kindergarten!!

My big girl started kindergarten this year. It was very hard for me to believe that she was old enough to go, but she was dying to start school. She has loved every second of it.

Lilly and Mrs. Austin

Walking in on the first day with her new tote bag :)