Making Memories

"When you look back at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses." (Joyce Brothers)

I love this quote...it is a familiar quote to me but has come to mean even more the older I get and now that I have my own child. In the last few weeks, my little family (me, Landis, and Luke) as well as my big family (grandparents, aunts, and uncles) have made some wonderful memories...I'll let the pictures begin our story...

Last Thursday night, Landis and I took Luke to a church consignment sale to get him some much needed fall clothes. At the sale, we found this little car. In a store, it would probably cost $60. We paid $20 and it has been worth every penny. Luke's mammaw (my mother in law) pushes him around in the car everyday and then I push him when I get home. He absolutely loves it. One night last week, Luke saw the car sitting in the living room and he tried to climb in it himself...so cute! We love making memories in the little red car!!!

The next set of pictures are very special...actually, one day, they will be priceless. On Oct. 16th, my mom celebrated her 50th birthday! My aunt Sonya and I planned a surprise party for her at Myers Park in Thomasville. I think she was suprised!! But, even if she wasn't, the memories we were able to make were wonderful. Take a look at the fun we had! (The first pic was taken after we got back home from the party - memaw and Luke winding down with a book.) The rest are at the party!

That's the whole bunch - family and friends!!

There's mom with me and my Aunt Sonya -thanks, Sonya, for helping me prepare everything for the party!

That's my mom with her parents and brothers and sister. The only one that is missing is my uncle Jamie - we don't know where he was. :(

Yeah - those are Depends!!! :)

Luke with mammaw and grandaddy Watts! Grandaddy took him to find leaves - he's excited that he found one!

50! Mom - you're old!! (he, he)

Luke with memaw!!

Luke with his aunt Sonya!

Last Friday, Luke and I met Lindsey, Layla, and Adalei at Grimes Park for some kiddo and grown up bonding time. We couldn't stay long but it sure was nice to spend some time with a great friend! The kids were so busy rolling around in the mulch that they didn't notice the moms chatting away. Here are some pics of our little ones making memories together!

Could this be a start of a future romance??? :)

There they are - Luke, Adalei, and Layla. So sweet! :)

Making memories in the swing!!! Here are a few more pictures of Luke in his favorite car - these were taken right after we bought the car...

Jimmy Johnson - you better watch out!! :)

Luke's serious about this car driving thing...

This is a picture of Luke with another consignment purchase - a kid guitar. He loves to watch Landis play his guitar and wants to touch it all the time so we got him a guitar of his own. As you will see in later pics, he still prefers Daddy's guitar....

Luke has started pointing at everything...see???

See? He would much rather have his hands on the REAL guitar...these pictures are priceless!!!

Two weeks ago, Luke, Landis, and I went to our friend Melissa's house to hang out with the gang - here are the ladies...

And, here is everybody - trying, unsuccessfully to take a good self timed picture...

And, finally, the same day that we hung out with the gang, Luke, Landis, and I tailgated at the Wake Forest football game with Landis' buddies from work. I was so busy trying to keep up with Luke as he crawled around the grass and went strolling in the BOB that I only took this one picture. This is Hannah - she is the little girl of Gabe and Katherine (Gabe works with Landis). She is 3 and is super sweet! She played with Luke so gently - thanks, Hannah, for being such a good friend! Hannah will have her own little brother to play with in just a few weeks.

As I look back on these pictures and others that I have posted since I started this blog, I get overwhelmed thinking about how blessed we are. Today, I celebrate my 31st birthday. These 31 years have been full of blessings and I am so thankful for each one of them.

This morning, Landis picked up Luke and while holding him sang Happy Birthday to me - seeing my two favorite men celebrate with me made my day special already. Then, Luke and I sat out on the porch (very bundled up) and rocked until he fell asleep for his morning nap - another special memory on this beautiful day! It looks like this birthday is going to be a great one! I'm off of work - I've already had a super morning - the gorgeous fall weather is upon us - and this afternoon, we are heading to Charlotte to celebrate with my college roommate, Megan, and her husband, Eric.

As always, thanks for stopping by. The Bumgarner family is off to....make more memories....

Toddy