Baby Shower

Raleigh and I made the trip to Rome for my college roommate, Amanda's baby shower.  We had a lot of fun seeing all the adorable baby gifts that Amanda received.  Raleigh's most enjoyable moment was the cheese straws.  She was a little spoiled by Coo who kept finding cheese straws for her along with some sweet tea!  It was great to see everyone again.  Can't wait to meet Emma Kate!

The two mama's:  Amanda (Emma Kate) and Lori (Tucker...due a month later)

The Shorter gang:  Amanda, Coo, Lori, and Me

Enjoying the first round of cheese straws

More cheese straws!

Mommy, can I have some more?

Swim Lessons

We signed Raleigh up for swim lessons at the YMCA.  She was in a parent assist class that met three times a week for two weeks.  She learned some of the basics to swimming...blowing bubbles, kicking, moving arms, jumping in, and going under.  She did a great job and hopefully she'll have a love for the water.  By the last lesson she was jumping in without holding our hands.  We were very proud of her progress and hope to continue it on vacation!

Daddy blowing bubbles

Raleigh blowing bubbles

Pool Time

Raleigh and I went with our neighbor Jennifer and her daughter Lauren to the Collins Hill pool to swim one afternoon.  It was quite crowded, but they still had a great time enjoying the coolness of the water.  Hopefully we can return in August when it's not as crowded!

Ready to go!

Taking a break in the shade!

Lauren & Raleigh

Happy Father's Day!

Raleigh has the greatest father!  Jason has been a wonderful father to her from the minute she was born.  He never complained about changing diapers, waking up with her at night, or any of the other tasks that were not fun.  Jason is so wonderful with her...he makes her laugh and always brings fun into our family.  Raleigh is not the only lucky one to have him as a father, I'm very grateful to have Jason as a husband!  

Jason and I are also very blessed to have wonderful fathers.  They have been there for us in any time of need and always cared for us.  We are so thankful to have had their support throughout our lives.  We celebrated the day with both of our fathers and Nore.  Unfortunately we do not have any pictures of Raleigh with Granddaddy Jack on Father's Day.  Raleigh wished all of them a "Happy Daddy's Day!"

I love my daddy!

Giving Papa his gift

Kiss from Papa

Giving Nore his card

Nore, what is it?

Is this for me?

Wait...Papa took it all out!

Jake: August 4, 2005-June 20, 2009

June 20, 2009 was a very sad day for us.  Jake, our sweet dog, was put to sleep.  :(  Before Jake turned a year old, he had both hips replaced.  He did well with them for about two years.  In June 2008, he had an infection in the right hip.  The only option then was to have the hip removed.  He was never back to a normal, healthy dog, but he would play and was happy.  In May 2009, he developed another infection in the bone that was really bad.  He got to the point that he wouldn't eat so we had to take him to the vet and have an IV put in him.  He overcame the infection and we brought him home.  We have a feeling that even then he was not feeling well.  He never pulled out any toys and would occasionally howl which was very unusual for him.  Friday, June 19, he began limping really bad and by the 20th he could hardly walk.  We felt that the only thing left to do was to have him put to sleep.  He was in pain and was never going to be healed completely.  It was a very difficult decision to make, but we know that ultimately he's better off.  

While we were at the vet's office, Raleigh was so sweet!  She would pet Jake and love on him.  She even started blowing him kisses!  It was really sad when we got back in the car and she kept calling his name.  We are very thankful for the time that we had Jake in our lives.  He was always into something...eating my lesson plans, towels, washcloths, bike socks or gloves, diapers, etc.  You name it, he probably ate it!  Jake would eat washcloths so much that he recognized the hydrogen peroxide bottle when we brought it out!  Jake became very fearful of snakes or anything that resembled a snake!  The summer of 2007 he was bit in the nose by a Copperhead snake that was in our driveway!  Luckily his nose was tough and he didn't have a strong reaction.  Despite all the trouble he got in to, he was our "first child" as we waited on a baby to come into our lives, he loved us unconditionally, and he was a gentle, loving dog to Raleigh.  We couldn't have chosen another one any sweeter than him!

Chillin' in the stroller!

Raleigh thought that she was small enough to fit in her doll's stroller!  Well, luckily she didn't break it as she proceeded to sit in it!  Here she is just hanging out!

Raleigh also sported her Marine shirt very proudly.  We had to take this picture and send it to Uncle Scott!

Sweet friends!

My great friend Lou Ellen and her daughter Kensley came to Georgia for several weeks this summer.  It's been such a joy to spend time with them this summer and to allow Kensley and Raleigh to play!  One evening Grandma, Raleigh, and I went to see Jo Ann, Lou Ellen, and Kensley.  Raleigh and Kensley took off playing together as if they see each other every day...too bad they live so far away from each other. :(  It was adorable to see these two girls interact and play with each other.  They both have extraordinary personalities and they let them shine!  We all thought it was so cute how they held hands as they walked to the house together.  When playing, it was fun to see them imitate each other and help each other out.  We all got so tickled at the two of them chasing each other around the house.  Unfortunately the night had to come to an end and they had to say goodbye, but they had the best time with each other.  Hopefully they will develop a wonderful friendship that will last many years just as Lou Ellen and I have despite the distance between them.