A Little of This, A Little of That

Here's what we've been up to this week:

We did the Moms & Tots exercise class along with gymnastics class this week, but I didn't get pictures at either event. We also hung out with Hannah and Heather and ended up at Bruster's for a girls' night ice cream run.

Josh hanging out with his milk drunk happy baby girl. 

He likes to point out that she doesn't have a neck. But look at those cheeks & lips! 

Tillman started swim lessons this week. The first lesson was more of an acclimation, get comfortable with the water. This week's lesson is supposed to be more instructional. 

Working on kicking her legs. 

I dunked her against her will. She was absolutely not a fan of that. 

We kept the water theme with this miniature pool. It's much smaller than I had envisioned it, but we still had fun & everybody ended up wet. 

We found an earthworm and Tillman made friends with it.

She kept saying it tickled.

Carter getting big and using the Bumbo.

KC & Joe Joe came into town for the weekend. We had a good visit and did as much as we could with all the rain. We went out and about in Easley Saturday and ended up at Bruster's in the evening.

Eating time.

Josh with DeAndre Branch. (former Clemson player, now plays in the NFL.)

He was signing autographs at Sam's Club.

I love this picture. 

As I dropped Carter off in the nursery this morning at church, a sweet lady commented that she looked like a baby doll. I think she's just gorgeous. 

Funny face, but wanted to show the whole dress. 

Now that we're 3 months old, McKinley and I finally figured out how to use this thing.

Carter actually seemed to like it and now I hope to get some use out of it. 

 I love it. Happy milk baby! 

Life's tough. 

Mom pointed it out, but her hair is starting to look more and more red. I can't wait to see what a beautiful girl she becomes. 

McKinley, Carter, and I came home from Target to this: 

Tillman and Josh were building a road and running her cars down it. (she had just started to destroy it)

Notice she is wearing a Dora backpack with books in it the whole time. 

Who wants to help clean this mess?? 

Well, that is a quick summary of this past week up until today. This week looks to be busy with plenty of opportunities for some good pictures. Check back in soon. :) 

3 Months & More

Little Sister Carter is little no more! Today marks Carter's 3 month birthday. She is getting so big; everybody's first remark is always about her cute, chubby cheeks. She's such a sweet baby and is smiling, talking, drooling, and blowing bubbles more and more each day. We love you, Baby Carter!

blowing bubbles

Beautiful!! 

My beautiful baby girls. So much to be proud of and thankful for.

And the bond continues to grow stronger. 

This is how Tillman and Hadley react after not seeing each other for a week and randomly running into each other in Wal-Mart well past both of their bedtimes. :) Poor Braden. 

Big girl waiting with me at Carter's appt.

My chubby whubby in her 4th of July outfit. 

Using Mickey to get in a good tummy time workout session.

Sparklers with Nolan. 

Hand on the hip. 

Somebody didn't listen when Tyler said not to touch the black part. Poor girl has 5 blisters on her hand now. 

Back at it with a bag of ice in hand. 

Tyler reading a Highlights magazine to Tillman & Nolan. It was sweet.

Tillman having a hayday with all her new books Daddy brought home.

We sleep with our arms swaddled out now! Yay!! 

This never gets old. 

Excited to get back to exercise class!

Reading, one of our favorite past times. 

This is just too cute. Daddy and his big girls. 

Pigeon Forge 2013

The last week in June my family and I traveled to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for our annual "Franks Family Reunion."  Last year we went to the Outer Banks for a week, so we decided to do the opposite of beach life and spend a week in the "mountains" this year. We had a great time together as usual! And we've already got summer '14 plans in the making. :)

Just hanging out with my girls. Morning time is good for snuggle time. 

Carter getting in some quality tummy time before getting in the car to ride to PF.

Love these girls!

Josh and I thought it would be fun/neat to stop at the Bush's Baked Bean factory for lunch and a quick museum tour. This is on the way to the house in PF if you take some back roads. We had seen it in past trips to PF, but never took the time to stop.

Enjoying lunch outside on the patio. 

Coloring her picture of the Duke, the dog.

Carter, doing her thing. 

This is inside the museum. It's the biggest can of baked beans I've ever seen. 

And sadly, this is our first picture of our family of 4 outside of the hospital. 

Our family weighs 347,904 beans!! 

Our home for the week, thanks to some very dear friends!

Back porch view

and another

Ready for the week

Mom and Dad spending some time with their girls, Chiefa included.

Dad and Tillman showing off their hiking boots. 

 Josh hiking Laurel Falls Trail with his sidekick on his back.

Laurel Falls Trail - Carter was there, but not photoed. 

Closer up

Big Dep, Little Dep, and Tillman 

The Falls

The whole gang on the trail 

Back at home after the hike, Chiefa is relaxing.

Danica and her baby. 

Relaxing, alone! :) 

... and then I got some company. 

You know you're on vacation when... 

Mom & Danica cheesing in the kitchen. 

Tony feeding Carter, using the bib he gave her. 

Little Sister is not little anymore. :) 

Daddy and Carter going for a "run"

Sweet girl 

Mom just couldn't get enough "Carter time" in . 

This is what Josh does at the outlets to pass the time while I feed Carter. Bless him.

Chiefy Beefy

Just hanging out. 

Buddies. T is way more obsessed with Beef than Beef is with her. Beef is obsessed with Carter. 

Play / exercise time

Sidewalk chalk. Josh convinced Tillman to do a little doodle on the tire of Tony and Danica's rental car. 

Real smart. 

The Apple Barn for breakfast. Apple everything. 

Good morning, PF. 

They even gave Carter her own apple julep. 

I got the easy job at the aquarium, walk around and take pictures. The guys got the kids. 

Dad and Tillman at the touch tank

Standing in a fish tank 

Reaching out to the octopus. 

I got a turn with Carter :) 

Lunch at Wendy's after the aquarium in Gatlinburg after avoiding the torrential downpour.

Mom got Carter a Virginia Tech bib while she was out shopping. Lovely :) 

No caption needed!! :) :) :) 

Big Dep & Little Dep with their favorite girls. 

Mom and T tackling early morning hair woes and picking out a ponytail holder. 

This is as much as she was allowed to "get in." 

Family picnic 

Dad and T sharing some yogurt.

Carter, doing her usual.

A little soccer after eating.

I love this one.

Mom and Tillman prepping sausage bundles for breakfast.

Dollywood, here we come!!

Tillman's first ride ever! I was a nervous wreck. This is a pretty big ride for the time ever. 

She was a champ, loved every minute of it, and got off wanting more. 

The ducks.

The bees. These were fun b/c they went high up in the air. 

The pigs. Pretty mediocre. 

The teacup. 

Dumbo. She wanted to stay high up the whole time. 

Her first official rollercoaster with Danica. I think they were in the orange car.

The pirate water ride. Tony and I were the smart ones here. We stayed dry. 

Tony teasing Mom, Tillman, and Danica after soaking/squirting them with water. 

Tillman's first words to me when she got off the boat, "We got soaked and wet!" 

Excitement before the bubble show.

T getting excited and popping a gazillion bubbles. 

Yes, those are all bubbles. It was a pretty cool show. 

Carter all dressed up for dinner, compliments of Tony and Danica. 

Big Dep and his little girls. 

T blowing kisses with Daddy at dinner.

The Knoxville Zoo.Here's my little monkey. 

This guy just got a fresh haircut. 

Sleeping Beauty.

Mom and Tillman rode a camel!!! 

Elephants. 

Lions.

Mom on "Carter duty." She loves it. 

I love this. Two little monkeys. 

Tillman's first carousel ride. She had 3 that day. 

Brushing the sheep's wool. 

Feeding some birds. I forget what type of birds they were, but they had a funny name. 

Josh attracted a few more. 

 This wraps up the major parts of our Pigeon Forge Franks Family Reunion Vacation 2013. (Wow, that's a long title.) We had a great time and loved being able to spend so much time together. It's always a good time when you get family together. Love you guys!!