Summer Birthday Fun!

I used to think fall was *the* birthday time. We typically have SO many parties during that season. But, summer is starting to gain speed in advancing toward being the new "birthday season." We had even more parties than I have shown here. Some I didn't have my camera..and some I just forgot to upload pictures for. But, here is a glance at all the fun we had with family and friends celebrating. You guys know me! I LOVE BIRTHDAYS!!!

My nephew Aiden turned six! We had a great time skating at his party. I truly cannot believe he turned six though. Time is flying!

We celebrated SpongeBob style! And, I was very proud of my sister for making his cake. She really wanted to but was concerned about pulling it off. She and her husband (who secretly I think wants to start a cake business:)) did awesome! And, Aiden loved it! It was yummy, too!


Paul's Aunt Teri turned 50!!! We got to celebrate at Eagle's Landing Country Club at a surprise party! (I LOVE SURPRISES!) The most fun part though was dressing the kids up. They were quite excited. There was a dance floor and a DJ. This was my children's first experience at something like this..they haven't ever been to a wedding even. And, all I can say is wow. They danced their tails off!! We had trouble keeping Jackson's sugar up! He was square dancing, slow dancing with his older cousins, and break dancing! (I have no idea where he has seen break dancing before??) Preston took some time warming up to the idea, but as you can see once he took to the dance floor, it was on! He kept asking really pretty older women (like other moms who were seriously very pretty!) to dance. They, of course, said yes. And, I, of course, started having chest pains seeing my future with him. He is going to cause me many a night's lost sleep being a flirt I am sure.

Truly the funniest part was when we left, and Jackson asked if he could have his 7th birthday party there. At the country club??!!! Yikes. I explained it is VERY expensive, and well, he'd just have to talk to his Uncle Junior about that. :)

I love this mother/son picture. It is by far my favorite.

Our cousin, Aimee, (check out Aly Bakeshoppe in Griffin!) did a great job on the cake.

She really doesn't look 50. I hope I look that good in 20 years.

See how cute they were dressed up?

Our sweet Ella turned 3 this summer, too! She was a simple birthday girl..her only request was a "pink party" which of course her moma made happen. The kids had a lot of fun at her house. They always secretly love playing with girl toys because they never get to play with stuff like that. Seriously Preston was in her playroom for like 2 hours, and noone even knew he was alive.

Our other sweet girl, Kate, was there, too. And, all the kids had such a neat time making playdoh with super Aunt Kora! :)

My other nephew, Nicholas, turned 12 this summer...making this officially his last year as a pre-teen. And, officially making me feel VERY old. :)

In true Echols style, we of course celebrated by a roller skating party...

My sister and I worked together on the cake. It was fun to do that together. It turned out very good! Especially considering I totally gave her the wrong instructions on how to make the icing by accident! :) I think that is when she learned quick..that while you are making the actual cake it looks horrible up until the last few minutes. In her words, "Man, you can really doctor one up, huh?" (We made this before the Spongebob cake for Aiden..sigh..stupid blogger never adds my pictures in order.)

It was at this party that Preston turned a complete corner in skating and started being able to go around solo!!! I was so proud! Seriously. I almost cried. I am crazy.

What a blessing!! To have so many friends and family who were able to start a new year of life this summer. God is good..all the time.

Dads: Our playmates, providers, and friends

Sadly it seems each year it is getting harder and harder to get everyone's schedules on the same page to celebrate much of anything! So, this year it was a huge honor to get to spend time with both sides of our families for Father's Day. We enjoyed a yummy lunch at Longhorn's with Paw Paw Mitchell and even snapped a quick Mitchell "Men" picture!


The boys were so excited to have Daddy spending the whole day with them! I love this picture. These boys love their daddy so much. And, it amazes and touches me how much their Daddy loves them. Giving of his time isn't Paul's "easy task" in life. If you know him well, you know that. So, I don't think he'll mind too much if I am just upfront about that here on the blog. He often admits to it. So, when he shows these sweet boys love, gives of his time, and is there for them it speaks a million words!! He makes so many memories with them, and I am so happy he is leaving his comfort zone to make sure his relationship with them is built on such a strong foundation. They are truly blessed to have him!! And, he works so hard to provide for them. Even when things are tight, he always says "make sure they have what they need."

We celebrated Father's Day with my dad and granddaddy at our house with a yummy meal as well. My dad was sure my sister and I should open an BBQ restaurant by the end of the meal. I quickly assured him not to get his hopes up. :)

This is yet another generation picture even if it is a mix of girls and guys. :) My poor dad only had girls. Isn't my granddaddy the cutest grandad EVER??

Hope your family had a great time celebrating the men serving as fathers in your life! And, don't forget Happy Father's Day to the BEST FATHER in the world!! God!

The Land of the Free

This 4th of July we celebrated by our tradition of enjoying family time and yummy food at Maw Maw Brown and Pop's house. This tradition goes back as far as I can remember..I think the first 4th there I remember was 1993. Isn't that the summer it rained a ton?? I digress. Anyway, it is always fun. While there are some extra little people in the mix now...a bunch extra...it still feels like home. I LOVE traditions.

Bree enjoyed the slip-n-slide and cupcakes...

Looks like John Michael did, too!
That night we went to Aunt Malia and Uncle Steve's for a new tradition..circa 2009. This tradition is what I will refer to as "run from the cops and hope you don't spend the night in jail." :) We have been journeying (well, Steven has been anyway) to Alabama to get illegal fireworks the past two years. And, I mean FIREworks. These things are huge..and professional...and dangerous...and and the list goes on and on. If any of you know anything about me, you know this: I am a rule follower and a goodie-goodie two shoes. So, while I hold my breath and pray for about an hour, we enjoy our own personal fireworks extravaganza. :) And, the kids enjoy sparklers afterwards. Now those don't seem too bad. :)

Don't you think one day these pictures will be such a memory for them? Cousins are awesome.

And, well this pic might just serve as blackmail one day. :)

Ever try a slip-n-slide as an adult? Makes you completely wonder how on earth we did it as kids.

The gracious hosts...

The brunswick stew man...

Buddies...

Princesses...

I cannot believe it is nearly November...and I am now just completing the blog for the 4th of July..but hey, it's all good. :) I am now yearning for some summer again though. Thank goodness we are headed to the beach for Thanksgiving!

The Mitchell Update

For those of you noticing the million of posts I just put up with ONLY pictures and no text..no worries!! :) I am working hard to get the blog up to date since lately I have been months behind. I had some time to do pictures today, but not any text. So, the text will come soon! If you see the same pictures again pop up..make sure to scroll down to read the text if you are interested.

We have been very busy!! As you all know I always say year after year October is the BUSIEST month of the year for our family. 2010 isn't proving to be any different so far! For some reason, I was crazy enough to even start Jackson on the insulin pump this month, too!! :( What was I thinking?? Well, I was thinking that is the earliest this year we could bill it to our insurance :) and have it work in our favor.

So, anyway, we are doing pretty good..busy, a tad stressed, and tired. But...

Most importantly...

WE ARE BLESSED!

Love you all! Thanks for checking in on us!

My Baby Goes to Preschool!