Mother's Day and Parker and Dylan's Dedication

We had a wonderful Mother's Day! We had busy but wonderful day with family! Sunday morning we were able to go to Taylor's First Baptist to see Jennifer, Ty, and Austin dedicate Parker and Dylan to the Lord. It was a really sweet service! Jennifer and Ty used this verse which was VERY fitting :) "A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12 Isn't that perfect?!

(Please excuse the quality of these pictures!)

It was an honor to be there and witness this!

Madison and her Daddy

The Hawkin's crew

Happy Mother's Day Jennifer

My BEAUTIFUL sister!

What a cutie!

My sister's husband's family...his mom, step-dad, and his brother JR

4 generations

The Clayton crew

I hope the cheeks stay until he is 15!

My sister made my mom this adorable plaque with Parker and Dylan's feet and Austin's hand

Sweet dog, Baby, protecting Austin and Madison as they swing

I will cherish this picture forever! Papa was pretending to sleep and snore and Luke was imitating him in his little chair! I LOVE this!

So little...

After spending the afternoon at my mom's house we headed to Iva to spend the evening with Jonathan's family. Luke has become buddies with Remington. It amazes me how he is not afraid of this HUGE dog!

Nancy with Luke and Madison

Such a happy, sweet little man

Happy Mother's Day Nancy and Angie

This is a huge reason why I love going to Iva to see Angie, Kevin, and Justin...wide open spaces!

Luke loves playing with his Daddy

Madison was entertained for a good 30 minutes with the ice chest. I think her fingers just about fell off they were SO cold! Angie saw she was getting a few little bites on her legs so she stuck a dryer sheet in her pants!! Too funny! Hey, it worked!

Madison helping Nana open and read her Mother's Day card.

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing mothers out there!!

Just a Touch of Red

When my mom first met my step-dad I had never watched a Nascar race in my life! I thought it was, well, redneck :) I will never forget him taking me to my first race. I was in 9th grade. My best friend, Danielle Davis went with us to Atlanta Motor Speedway. The whole way Jackie was telling us that Dale Earnhart was the man to pull for. We were ready to pull for the #3 car. When we got to the race, Jackie took us to see all the trailers where they sell the merchandise. As we were walking we saw a cut out of Jeff Gordon. Danielle and I broke Jackie's heart by changing our minds and pulling for this studly man :) I now enjoy watching his skill and his looks are just a little added bonus! Ever since then I have enjoyed Nascar. We go to Bristol every year and Jonathan and I enjoy watching it on Sunday (great nap sound background!). So, I would say I have just a touch of red in me. Don't judge!

The Saturday before Mother's Day Jackie was able to get 4 tickets to the Darlington race including hospitality tent passes and pit road passes through one of his venders at work. I think Jonathan and I just enjoyed the nice, peaceful car ride there and back the most!! We really did have a great time! Jeff Gordon came to visit the tent and it was really interesting to hear what all he had to say. We were also able to walk up and down pit road and see some of the car inspections. One of my highlights is people watching! Let's just say a race will never let you down!!! Here are just a few pictures from our trip...

Jeff Gordon stopping by the hospitality tent

My adorable step-dad, Jackie. He may have more than just a touch of red :)

His partner in crime, Tucker. I love this guy!!

Gordon's pit box. It is CRAZY how much money is in this thing! There must have been 5 flat screen TV's, 10 computer screens, and all sorts of other crazy technology!

The Budweiser Clydesdale horses. SO beautiful!

I wanted to fit in so I wore my John Deere hat :) Hanging out on the pit wall just checking out the sights....so what did we see?? Here are just a few pictures (if you know these people please tell them I am sorry!!!)

Not an uncommon sight to see an arrest or 5!

Checkered flag crop tops

And the most disturbing from this race...A 5 year old on a leash! They were just dragging this poor kid all over the place!

As we were on pit road the drivers came out for introductions. We saw a ton of the drivers! This is the pint size Mark Martin.

Si si...Juan Pablo Montoya

Victory Lane

The race began with a beautiful sunset

So, I don't think there is anything wrong with a touch of red...I like to consider myself well rounded :)

Egg-cellent Evening

The Thursday before Easter we got together at my mom's house with my sister and her kids to dye Easter eggs. We ordered pizza and enjoyed being together with all 5 kids :)

Austin was ready to dye some eggs!

Gabby even had yummy bunny treats for dessert!

One cute little bunny!

Papa with Dylan

So serious! They were the pros teaching Luke, Madison, and I how its done!

Trying to get an almost 2 year old to hold this tiny wire and slowly dip the egg in was quit a task :)

Madison putting stickers on her egg

Austin did an amazing job on his eggs! All colors and even a few Star Wars eggs!

Parker wondering when he can get in on the action??

I think Luke was a little tired by the time we were done!

Pretty eggs!

Jonathan holding Dylan

I had to take this picture because this is Madison's new thing....she plays with your hair when you hold her!!! It is so sweet and feels really good :)

A day at Gabby's is not complete without some swinging!!

One of my favorite pictures of Luke!!!!