Aunty One-L Ties the Knot - Part 2 - Rehearsal Day

Pappy had told Ava the night before, that he wanted to go look for sea shells early the next morning.  She kept telling him that she wanted to go along and because she was sick, he told her he would take her IF she was awake when he was going.  So, she was really sick, but she slept in his bed so she wouldn't miss out.  He later said she was sooooo scared he wouldn't wake her up, that she slept all night with her leg and / or arm always touching him.  IF he moved, she would startle and wake up to see if he was leaving.  She didn't get much sleep for sure, but she DID end up waking up and getting to go with him.  She was glad she did too because as they were taking their stroll along the early morning beach. . . they found seashells and a small surprise.  They found a small fish that had washed up along with a wave and was stranded in the sand flopping around.  Ava was really worried and wanted to save the tiny fish so Pappy and her worked together to get the tiny fish back to the water and to let it be SET FREE.  This was the memory she and pappy made together that will last a life time. :)

 

Daddy made Sticky Buns for Christian this morning too, because it just so happened to be his BIRTHDAY!!!  Can't you just see the excitement on his little face?  He is ready to celebrate HIM. :) hahaha. He was very happy for the smallest things that day. :)  Then, I was off to meet the girls to start our setting up and organizing of the reception hall and just a girls day out to get ready. Below, here we are at the country club getting things lined up and as we were leaving, across the road at the intersection we were stopped, we look over and there is a real alligator, just strolling across the road.  He was taking his own time and it was amazing to see.  Just like it was NO BIG DEAL.  The day flew by and before long it was time to go and get ready for rehearsal.

As we were getting ready for rehearsal at our condo, the kids were really excited.  However, Micah had taken them out to the beach again that afternoon to occupy them, so they were very tired and had napped.  When I got there to start getting ready, Christian woke up and came out of the room crying. I asked why he was crying and he was upset because he thought that since he had slept, that meant his birthday was over.  He thought he had slept through the night and didn't realize he had only taken a nap.  He was sad that his birthday was over and he had not gotten a cake.  We had been telling him that his birthday present was the trip to the beach and yet he was still sad cause he wanted a cake. :)  I love him.  So sweet and sad.

Michele kept picking on me about making it to rehearsal on time, because I am always late.  She was picking on me, but we were there on time and she was late ;).  She looked gorgeous though and she was the bride so it was all good.  The rehearsal went good and was funny.  The Bishop was really fun to work with and we all got along great. Below are our rehearsal pics. 

After rehearsal went off without a hitch, it was time to head over to the Clam Bake For our Rehearsal dinner.  What an amazing event too!!! We all had so much fun. When we first arrived, we were ushered to an outside balcony that overlooked a gorgeous swampy area.  It was simply gorgeous and then they took our drink orders and they had appetizers.  We were all pretty much full before we made it upstairs to our actual rehearsal dinner room, where the food was gain, AMAZING. 

   

The rehearsal dinner was amazing as I mentioned before.  Then the honored couple did something very thoughtful.  Right before we left to go back to our rooms and go to bed for the next big day, the told us about a surprise they had up their sleeve.  Here, on their special occasion, Aunty One-L and almost Uncle Andy remembered a little some one's special day.  They had a cake brought out for Christian along with balloons and we all sang Happy Birthday!  His tired face couldn't be more surprised or excited.  Made his entire day!

 

 

And to end the day. . .we got back to our condo and the kiddos got to have a slumber party!  They were pretty excited about that one too. Below if a picture of them PRETENDING TO SLEEP. . .can you tell?  I love the boys little smirks, especially Christian's, which is sooooo obvious!

 

 

 

Aunty One-L Ties the Knot - Part 1 - Arrival Day

It was a dream come true.  She had waited for Mr. Right to come into her life.  We had sat and dreamed and prayed about this man for so long and when he finally entered her life, it was amazing.  He was all we had wished and hoped for her husband and soul mate. . . her Best Friend.  I have never seen her so happy as she was once Andrew Burge entered into her life. :)  I am so grateful for him and what he has done for her.  They are amazing together, and so fun to hang out with because they just are a big ball of fun and cozy laughter when around them.  So, it came as no surprise to me when she called me to say he had proposed and they were getting married!!!! I think I might have hurt her ears when I screamed into the phone and then as the festivities and events started, along with all the planning, we just kept crying and laughing through it all.  We had showers and bachelorette parties and just fun planning weekends.  They asked my kiddos to be the ring bearer and flower girl and as you can imagine, the kids were through the roof about this. :)  Me too. . and then she asked me to be one of her Matron of Honors. What an amazing gift and joy. I was so honored, to say the very least!!!!

So the wedding was held in Hilton Head South Carolina, on the island and it was set for October 27, 2012.  We left with my dad that Wed. and headed on our way, hoping to make good time and get down there in time to get things done. 

The trip went well and we traveled well together.  The kids were excited because not only was the wedding going to be so much fun, but they also were going to get the chance to be on the beach.  We had rented a condo with Ryan, Brianna, Reece and Dad, that was near the beach.  When we got there, the condo beds were calling our names because we arrived very late. Below, the kids made their beds on the living room furniture, and we got some quick shut eye, anticipating the next few days exciting events.

Andy and Michele dropped by in the morning to say hi and drop off some goody bags for us.  They brought each of the kiddos a sweet and thoughtful present and with Ava's bride Barbie came a gorgeous play engagement ring. . . which was her favorite part. Notice it on her finger?  Then they headed off for a relaxing day to the two of them so they could get ready for the next few days too. :)  I love how They are both glowing and happy in this picture above.  :)

 

Our Day 1 consisted of heading out to the beach with our family and dad.  The day was very windy which made it cold but the water was not too bad really.  The kids still loved the water and the sand.  They took a stroll along the beach with Daddy and Pappy.  They also just let the water wash up over them.  It was a good way to start our day but before we were out too long, Ava started to shake and her fever spiked so off we went to meet Michele's brother Matt.  He is a Physicians Assistant and took a look at her for us to save us hours in urgent care that day. :)  He was a life saver.  Sure enough, Strep Throat. YUCK!

 

That evening we didn't really do too much else.  Ava had been feeling pretty rough so we just tried to make her feel better and get rested up for the next day where we were going to have a LOT going on.  SO we all went to bed early and Ryan and Brianna were to arrive sometime in the early morning that next day.  So far so good!

 

Meet Happy Feet

 

Best little birthday present ever.  . we get the call for a sweet little girl to come and stay with us.  She only stayed for a few days, four to be exact, but she was simply amazing.  She just jumped right in and the family all loved her.  She got to meet the entire Bumbaugh side of the family at Renee's and my birthday party and she won everyone over.  She didn't give us any issues with sleeping or anything.  She didn't even cry when it was time for bed, just laid down in her pack n play and fell asleep.  She was gorgeous and once cleaned up, she smelled gorgeous too. :)  We called her Happy Feet because she was constantly moving her feet, they were constantly "walking" even when she was standing still.   We were all so sad when we got the call to to say goodbye to her. Little Ivvie, you will always be in our hearts and praying for you will be a part of our lives forever. :)  Good luck little girl.  May God always shine his favor on you through your life and bring you to a life with Him. :) She even got to meet our sweet baby J too! :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ava & Christian Soccer Team - Fall 2012

 

 This was Christian's 1st time of being on a team. . . his first time to play soccer!!  Of course he wanted to play last year with his big sis, but he was not in school yet.  So as soon as I could, I signed our two up to be on a soccer team together.  Micah couldn't commit to coach with all the fall things going on and hunting but he did manage to be there and help coach Brant Brechbill through the practices and the majority of the games.  The team we had was a lot of fun and the kids liked being on the SAME team.  Christian was rather hilarious as he was not interested in running or keeping up with all that was going on but more interested in being himself and having fun.  He would take time to slow down and find me in the audience and wave at me or give me the thumbs up sign, and then continue to run on wherever the ball ended up being. :)  So funny.  He was always the last follower of "the pack" as they ran up and down the field, but he had fun.  I am sure snack time and breaks were his favorite part.  :)

 

 

 Grandma and Pappy came to quite a few of the kiddos games and cheered them on.  It was nice and the kids were happy to have extra fans.  Reece also played and though we never got to play against his team, the kids always met up between games to hug and hang out. Then came picture day and we loved this.  The kids did pretty well, but we did have to laugh as it was hard to get them all looking the same direction and smiling at the same time.  :)

 

Ethan, Ben, Christian, Hannah, Ava, Tyler, Laniah, & Brandon along with Coach Brant in the back. Below are some fun and crazy action shots and team shots.  I loved having them on the same team and having all of us on the same schedule ;).