Dear Bryn,
This picture isn't very good but this is Scotty (2nd Grade) and Bryn (middle school) on their first day of school. Scotlyn was extremely excited and Bryn was extremely nervous. By the end of the day they both had a great time and were less worried. I'm so proud of them for being so brave!
Nashville has a baseball team called The Nashville Sounds. Jared took the girls and Bryn's friend, Carly, to a game last week. They had a cool experience with a homerun ball landing right in front of them as they were in the parking lot getting ready to leave. They brought it to Coco for good luck!
Exhibit A. Flarping for personal enjoyment.
Exhibit B. Finger position when flarping.
Exhibit C. Demonstrating the loudest impact by putting your arm way up and then flarping.
Jared has a hard time letting go of his little girls. Usually 4 years-old is when he gives up on the no cutting of the hair string. Today, all the girls got their haircut for school but the most noticeable change was of little Coco that must have lost at least 6 inches. We all love it on her and thinks it fits her personality. As long as she still feels like a princess. . .and believe me--she DOES! 
My girls donning their "doctor" look after the delivery of the baby.
My little Cokie-relly
Okay, Jared took this one because he said the girls should have pictures of me in case something ever happens to me. He knows I HATE getting my picture taken, but I didn't even know he was doing it.
The girls learning to soothe the baby by feeding with bottles. 
The girls went to a big sister class today and it was FANTASTIC!! It was the most thorough, pleasant, uplifting, relaxing time! My girls are much more confident in their big sister skills! They especially liked the milk and cookies and the goody bags. This little baby is going to be one lucky sista to have all of her big sisters doting on her! 
Jared, Scotty, and Bryn getting schooled by pops.
Coco doing a happy dance after we freaked out over her hole-in-one!
Coco and Scotty talking trash to each other.
Scotlyn and her friend, J, who helped her (and who Scotlyn paid as her "employee")
I'm exhausted--I just finished putting some dimples on my baby's knees and bum. Phew! Tomorrow--maybe a little more work on the lung project?
Last week Jared and I went to a Celtic Woman concert. They sounded like angels and the acoustics were incredible! They have had 5 concerts here in Nashville recently and I think it would be a great city to call their home away from home. Afterall, country music has it's roots in Celtic/Irish music. I highly recommend seeing these lovely ladies if you ever get the chance.
We are trying out the whole square foot gardening concept. It seems to be working well and rapidly! The girls planted seeds and they are excited to see their efforts have not been in vain! It's looking good!
A few weeks ago Coco had pneumonia. We thought we had treated it and that she was all better. About a week after she was done taking her medicine she started having the same symptoms--lethargic, fever, coughing, etc. So, I took her to the doctor and she was treated again with breathing treatments. We were sent home with a nebulizer and medicine. The mask is a purple dragon which is really cool to Coco. When she breathes the albuterol smoke puffs out the sides of her dragon mask. Hopefully, we will be done with treatments this Sunday. She isn't thinking it's so fun anymore.
Last week we visited Bowling Green, KY to tour the Corvette Museum. Jared was like a kid in a candy store! I am grateful that I got to see what a little boy would have been like in that place! FUN TIMES!
Scotlyn was filling Coco in on the art of "meditation and yoga". It was very funny listening to Scotlyn explain to Coco how to hold her hands and hum. Hmmmmmmm. . .
Bryn and Scotlyn were invited to a birthday party at Pump It Up where there is a rock wall to climb on. On other occasions Scotlyn has been so close to the top but looked down and never made it. She mustered all of her enthusiasm to get to her goal of the top and she succeeded! Bryn also made it to the top! Good job girls!
Bryn "graduated" from 5th grade and will now be moving on to middle school. At the graduation ceremony she won several awards (whole year will no demerits, Social Studies award, Reading & English Award). I am so proud of my Brynny! She is going to begin middle school in August and has been quite nervous about it. She will rock it! (Sorry this picture is so blurry--it was taken from far away).
Happy. . .angelic maybe? Even a little smile?
GRUMPY. . .crying, whining. Can't wait!
There, now. . .all better. Now let me sleep and stop taking pictures of me. 
A courageous, young prince rode in on a valiant steed, (that broke down on the way to the temple that morning) to join himself for eternity to a damsel in diSTRESS (who isn't on their wedding day). During their engagement he battled and slayed her dragons (cold feet, mood swings, etc.) and still willingly made it to a beautiful room in the tallest tower of the Manti Temple. That day, she wore a long, silk dress and today, despite new dragons to battle (wrinkles, gray hair, and no son as an heir to his porcelain throne) for their 12th anniversary (the linen and silk anniversary) she will wear something silky for him, too. . .silk long-johns and socks, of course. And, they will continue to fill pages of their storybook as they live happily ever. . .
One of the projects I sent to my nephew, Jimmy, for his upcoming wedding. I thought I took a picture of the other thing but I didn't. Bummer. It was my favorite new craft I've been learning how to do. Well, have a jolly day (that's what Jimmy would say)!
Here are some gifts I made for several people in the last few weeks. Have I ever mentioned how much I love the look of typography--letters, numbers, etc? If not, I'm mentioning it now. In fact, I'm in the process of working on a project for my house that will have more of this. Lots of new projects for me to get ready for Baby Girl #4 (like adding her to stitcheries, chalkboards, etc.). Pictures to follow in the next few months. . .
Sister Smith's parents came to pick her up from the mission. I was so lucky to be on her list of people she wanted to visit before she left for California. In this picture she is holding the Tennessee Titans cup that she autographed for us (she always used the same cup when she came over to our house). We love her and miss her and hope she visits us again someday! We always have facebook, but even that doesn't meet my expectations (that one's for you, Emerald).
The other day Scotlyn wanted to craft so I gave her my paper, scissors, tape and glue and let her have at it while I finished the laundry. She told me she was going to make a purse. I thought it would be a cut-out in the shape of a purse. Oh no. Not Scotty. She made this thing detailed with pockets on the side and everything. When I was her age I did the same type of thing. I made a filing cabinet out of construction paper with drawers that opened and all. I have never showed her any of this--it's just innate. I love that we have that in common!
We all spent the morning of Jared and Coco's birthday at Chuck-E-Cheese. I think Jared had more fun than anyone. Afterall, it's the place where a kid can be a kid! 
