1 1/2 years old!!!

Today Lydia turns a YEAR and a HALF!!!! WOW!!! Where has the time gone? She is becoming so independent as she grows. She is talking a lot and into everything. She loves Elmo, Barney, books and puzzles. She loves being outside, going to the park, swinging, walking/running and playing. She continues to be our bundle of JOY! Check out the October '07 and October '08 pictures to see how she has changed and grown!

Oh and a bonus picture: I have to share a cute picture of Lydia with Audrey and Zoe- I see some pianists in our future!!

Jackson Orchard Fun with Friends and Family

There are so many wonderful things about Fall. This is my favorite season! I love visiting the pumpkin patches and orchards and being outside. Melissa planned a fun day for Lydia's buddies at Jackson's orchard this month. We had a fun time with our buddies and were very glad Lydia's cousins, Jameson and Ally could join us!

Chattanooga Trip

Nana and Papa took us to a Chattanooga for a couple of days during Josh's fall break. This was a great trip for Lydia (and us) because we got to go to the excellent Creative Discovery Museum and the cool Tennessee Aquarium. Check out the links to these places for a fun getaway idea for the family. There was so much to do and the museum had a whole area targeted for toddlers. We spent a long time at these places and Lydia was very engaged (as much as a toddler can be that is). There are several attractions in Chattanooga that I wasn't aware of and can see us going back in the future. If you haven't been there, try it out sometime! We had a great time! Enjoy the slide show:

Georgetown Visit

The last weekend of September, we traveled up to Georgetown to be with our good buddies and visit our favorite Orchard: Evans' Orchard. This was an orchard that Josh and I both had taken many school trips to, so it was extra special to take Lydia. There were many different slides of all sizes, playground areas, camel rides, horse rides, petting farm, tractor trike course, pumpkins, hay castle, corn maze, dirt mounds to climb with ropes, apple pies, apple slushies, and tractor rides through the orchard. Two of my best buddies who were on my first grade team (bottom row) Missie and Laura came with their little boys. Lydia loved seeing them- each of these three kiddos are exactly 6 months apart- talk about something in the water at our school- we were "maternity leave central." Also we were glad to see Anna Pryor and her new baby brother, Collin (top row). My best bud Courtney just had Collin a couple of weeks ago and I was so excited to meet him! We even got to go to the "Festival of the Horse" which is held in downtown Georgetown. Our old church had a booth set up and we got to see lots of our church friends. The sweet twins are Jason and Evan. My friend Erica (to the right of me) is doing a great job as a mommy of twins. Her sister Kristen (to the left of me) is getting married in July and Lydia is going to be her flower girl. We are so excited. It is going to a beautiful wedding. We had a great trip and always look forward to going back!

The World Race- Pray for Jeff!

Our very good friend Jeff has just arrived in Manilla, Phillipines to begin his year long mission trip with the WORLD RACE. He will travel to a different country each month to help those who are lost spiritually and in need physically. We could not be more proud of Jeff and know with confidence that the Lord has sent him on this year long journey. Please make a note somewhere to remember Jeff daily in your prayers as he needs strength to endure such a change of lifestyle and the knowledge to help reach out to those who need to know Christ through him. You can click below to read more about his journey (which has just begun this week) and to keep in contact with him. Also I will have a link for him on my sidebar of my blog!

www.jeffmitchell.theworldrace.org

Hanging with my Grandmothers

Sending a big kiss to you today:
 

Lydia spent some quality time with her grandmothers this week-
Her and Grandmommie stayed in a hotel (with Mommy) in Louisville where Grandmommie had a conference to attend. We loved the pool and breakfast buffet! The mall was a fun getaway too!
 
Nana showed Lydia a fun time on the mall carousel- she had to ride it again and again!!
 
 

Play Date!

Top: Lydia & Zoe Zoe
Bottom: Bray Bray and Audrey (she really wanted to continue playing)

Lydia mastering the steps to the slide!

Brayden ready for some action!

Audrey getting tickled!

Zoe getting ready to slide down the big slide.

Lydia resting on Tonya!

Miles and Lydia playing a debut!

Audrey and Lydia- Two sweet ladybugs!

Just a Rockin' in the nursery.

At Grandmommie and Granddaddy's, playdates are always fun with her five cousins.

Since I haven't blogged in awhile, I am posting some fairly new pics of Lydia and her best buds! Most of these pictures are copied from other friends. I have such talented photographer friends, that I just had to blog some of their pics! Also, my camera's battery died today as I began taking pictures at the park. (Thanks to Heather for some great action photos of our angels)

Lydia just loves playing with her buddies. They are so sweet. Today I even caught her and a buddy holding hands. Her friend helped pick her up and they walked through the playground hand and hand. I, too, am extremely fortunate to have friends that help me up and are always at hand reach if I need them! As cheesy as that may sound, I am really thankful for my friends and today I have seemed to reflect on my blessings more than usual! I am thankful for my 16 1/2 month old who always makes me smile with her sweet smile and funny chuckles. She is continuing to grow so fast and become more and more independent. Also, I am thankful for my hard working husband who works two jobs so I can stay at home with our little sweetheart.

Maybe this weather makes me sappy today, but whatever it is, I know it is important to take time and count your blessings each day! And by the way, I am so ready for fall! I have loved this cool weather day!