Totally Tinsley

I thought I would dedicate a post to Tinsley. I love her cheesy grin and her "strong" Tinsley face. I love the ways she sings and dances along with her big sister. I love the way she snuggles after getting out of the bath (and lots of other times---she's my snuggler). I love the sound of her sweet little voice and the way her mouth curves when she says "uh-oh." I love that she looks just like her daddy but with blond hair. I can't believe she is almost 18 months old---the time is going way too fast. She has to fight for herself a lot these days, but thankfully, she has a lot of fight in her :-) God has blessed us beyond belief, and we are enjoying every minute of our time together with our healthy, happy girls.

I had the best day with you today

Briley, Tinsley and I went to Birmingham this past weekend so I could take Briley to see Taylor Swift in concert and make a quick girl's trip with my best friends (Chad's mom and dad graciously agreed to keep B and T for me---THANK YOU SO MUCH). It was a great weekend, and I am blessed to have been able to go.

Briley and I "Taylored" up in our dresses and boots! That is Tinsley throwing a fit in the bottom left corner of the picture.
Showing off her cowgirl style!!!
After she got her Fearless Tour t-shirt. She had to put it on immediately over her dress ... and wear it the next day to Abby's ... and wear it to school on Tuesday (before I had the chance to wash it).

Kellie Pickler singing. She was really good!

This is the band Gloriana--really good also. They came and sat out in the hallway of the arena before Taylor's set. We went through and got their autographs (not that we are all that familiar with them). Yes, the one girl has on a crazy mustache.

Taylor's mom and dad coming in before she started singing. We were on the front row of our floor section so they walked right past us. We went over and talked to her later during the show---very sweet.

Taylor doing her signature hair toss and rocking the sparkly guitar. Briley told me "she's a hair tosser."

Up close and personal on the back end stage. We had the inside scoop on Taylor coming to play at the back of the floor section half way through the show. We were right on the front!

Taylor going by and saying hello to everyone after playing songs in the back of the arena floor. Briley was on the front, but everyone started pushing and Taylor didn't see her.

Singing "Love Story."

Briley was sooooo tired because she didn't take a nap when we got to B'ham on Friday. We drove in early and had talked about the fact that she really needed one because we would be out late. There was just too much excitement over getting to Nana and Papa's that she couldn't rest. She was begging me to leave before Taylor even came out. She literally fell asleep for about 10 minutes or so during Taylor's performance. I was disappointed for her that she was so tired and couldn't get the full effect of seeing one of her favorite singers. She did have a great time despite being sleepy. Of course she got her second wind on the way home that night :-)

Another picture of Taylor rocking the house. The arena was SOLD OUT! Hard to believe that she is only 19---very talented girl. I hope Briley will look back one day and think "I had the best day with you today" ... I know I sure did! (this is a reference to the Taylor song that is playing on the blog--she wrote it for her mom, sniff sniff)

And last but certainly not least ... me and my BFF Marcy! It was supposed to be a girl's trip to the beach with all our good friends, but it didn't end up working out that way. Marcy and I have known each other since the 3rd grade, and I'm so blessed by God to have her in my life. Thanks for always being there for me!!! We had a wonderful weekend in Birmingham. Her hubby took the kids to his parents' house so we could have some time to visit (THANK YOU, TRE!!!). We shopped and ate and talked---all the things that girls LOVE to do!!! I was also able to sneak in my two favorite desserts of all time while I was there---O'Carr's cheesecake and Tavern's brownie. I think I gained 5 pounds, but it was worth it :-)

One down ... how many more to go???

I made a last minute decision to buy $20 nosebleed tickets for Sugarland and Keith Urban who performed last night (Friday the 28th). I was going to take a friend, but no one was able to go. Therefore, I decided to take my country music loving eldest daughter (she is a big Sugarland fan). It was a really great concert, and a wonderful opportunity to break in our new cowgirl boots. I think Briley enjoyed the show as much as I did even though we didn't make it all the way through Keith. The night was just a small taste of what Taylor will be like in two weeks, and I cannot wait!!!

You're so funny ...

This was on the way home from Hilton Head a few weeks ago. Two girls having fun together in the car ... they were probably just delirious from riding!

Pool/lake day

We went to my sister's on Saturday for a wonderful day that started at the pool and ended at the lake! Thank you, Shenoa and Pat for inviting us to tag along.

Lunch by the pool. Getting her hair wet.

Landen jumping off the upper deck!

Testing out the water with Daddy.

Palmer waiting for a boat ride.

Jumping in!

Best buds on the lake :-)

Enjoying the day!

Everyone on the tube ... Briley loved it!

Eating dinner at Planet Wings located at Black Oak Marina in Jeff City. I had no idea this was there!

Discussing dinner - ha ha!

Mommy moments

I got an email from my mother-in-law regarding my blog. She said she enjoys seeing those special moments that often only a mom gets to see. I had never really thought of it this way, but it is so true. When you are with them 24/7, you get to experience all of those little things (some are really great and some not so much) that others just can't comprehend, even daddy. I'm not saying that you miss out on your child's life if you work. I'm just saying that for those of us who are fortunate enough to stay home with our children all or some of the time, we need to savor every mommy moment God gives us. Thanks, Rita, for giving me a new perspective on my blessed time at home with the girls.

Anything you can do, I can do ...

I know they shouldn't be on the table, but they were having so much fun ...
(mute the music at the bottom so you can hear their "singing")



Still at it!
Eating lunch at the pool-last day for our public pool is Sunday :-( .
Cuddling on the couch-this doesn't happen often.

Eating breakfast with big sister-she had to sit on her knees too.