Our Memorial Day...

Our Memorial Day was filled with family time in Birmingham. Every time we go to Birmingham we find new things to do and new places to go. We had planned to attend the SEC baseball tournament, but it rained so Matt sold our tickets. It was a hard decision, but we knew better than to get our little girl out in the rain. We are so proud of our Daddy and our friends that serve our country. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for letting my little girl live the American Dream. Matt helped me post a few videos this weekend from the past few months, that I enjoyed watching over and over. It hit me once again...our little girl is growing up way to fast! In the videos Caroline was just starting to crawl, and now we cannot get her to stop crawling!

Caroline and her pony from Santa

Caroline at the Hotel in Birmingham





Mommy and Caroline soaking up the sun




Caroline and Daddy

Where is Caroline??? Don't worry...It did not cover her head.

Check out those legs...

Instead of going to the baseball tournament we headed to one of the Birminham malls to go shopping tofind shorts for the San Antonio trip. Daddy and Caroline made a few laps around the mall, while I tried on a few outfits. After shopping, Caroline and Daddy went on their first Carousel ride together. I do not know who was grinning more...Daddy or Mommy.

I took this picture for Matt...He is a HUGE LSU fan! Ha!

Waiting on Daddy to pick us up...ready to go shopping! Like Mother Like Daughter!

First time to go to Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart's biggest two fans!

The Moren's invited us over to go swimming, and we soon found out that Caroline is crazy about the pool. That will be our home away from home this Summer.

Uncle Roger, Will, Papaw, and Caroline

Aunt Julie and Caroline

Last weekend we headed to Chili's to meet Anthony for dinner. Caroline was one busy little girl that night, and a big fan of Anthony.

More Videos

Here are more videos, chronologically from the ones below. Again, we are playing catch-up with these, so there is no method.

VIDEOS

Below are several videos that we have taken over the past few months. We have had some logistical issues in getting them on here, so here they are just thrown together. We'll try and do better next time.

25 Hour Day

You must think that the Ritchie family has been MIA, but we have just been busy busy busy! I really need 25 hours in a day, but I do not think that is going to happen any time soon. I hope you enjoy the recap over the past week and are ready to see lots of pictues. Hopefully now I am caught back up to speed for this next week. Matt was home this weekend! Woo Hoo! We have lots of video, but it will be a few weeks before we post the videos. Below are pictures from Uncle Jared and Aunt Megan's shower. I did not get as many pictures as I would have liked to, but Matt and I were visiting and catching up with lots of friends and family, and the camera did not get snapped until the end of the party.

Miss Claire

Leslie, Caroline, and Claire

Leslie, Caroline, and the Weight Watchers Counter...she is starting early

Caroline playing in her chair before the party

This next set of pictures is from last Sunday at the crawfish boil that our church sponsored at the East End Intermediate School. We rocked out with great music and lots to eat...my two favorite things! Caroline was a walking machine that night on the gym floor!

Caroline is in LOVE with Mr. Lavelle and his cross necklace. They are BIG buddies!

I walked past a random table and had to drop in on the conversation between the two crawfish.

Caroline and Aubrey

Caroline and Aubrey again...sorry I cut your head off Charles! You can tell that he is a proud Daddy...just look at that grin.

Now fastforward a few days...Caroline helped Mommy with landscaping. She got a little hot, so she had to get under the front porch in the shade to cool off for a bit.

Caroline helping Mommy water the flowers

Way more interested in the cars driving by

Gotta love those blue eyes! She is such a big girl now, and she gets to sit on the window seal to pick out books to read and watch the cars drive by. When I was a little girl I dreamed of a window seal with shelves on each side.

Look at that Belly!

I have had a few dogs growing up, three of which I will have special memories in my mind forever. The Guinns have always had a special place in their hearts for lonesome wondering dogs. Growing up in the country we did not pay the extra price for a dog, because we always had lots to choose from...this one below is a little special also! Meet Snow White. Snow White showed up at the Guinn's house years ago and my mother once again adopted another dog. Weeks later Snow White surprised us one morning with puppies! Lots of puppies! That year Santa delivered a few extra puppies to children! She is the most loving and caring dog, and for some reason she chose me to love. Now some of you may laugh or think what I am about to say is silly, but Dogs are a Man's Best Friend! Last year we built a house close to my parent's home knowing that one day Matt would have to leave for school or other military related events. We did not know at the time that is was only a matter of months after starting the house, that he would get orders to go to Fort Rucker. My parents would drop by to visit and help out with the house and Snow White would follow them over to our house. A year later I have an angel that will never leave my sight. I have not fed Snow White one time! I do place a bowl of water in the garage, but that is it! She will go to my parent's home to eat and then return to my house. She has been a wonderful friend to have, because other than God she is the only friend that will let you spill your sorrows and never talk back with her opinion. Caroline has recently become her number one fan! They are not big buddies, they are HUGE buddies! We love our Snow White!

Later that evening we went to eat at the Mexican Restaurant in East End...

Grandma Etta, Grandpa Don, and Caroline

They were twinkies that night!

Caroline getting a bath in MiMi's sink

Caroline is squealing because of the sale adds that she found in the paper!

Mother's Day

I am just now getting around to blogging about Mother's Day, and the reason why? Because I have been busy being a Mom! I have cherished every moment being a Mother and I am blessed that God has given me a happy and healthy little girl to guide throughout life. Matt is home this weekend so I hope to spend family time together and soak up the fun! We have been to Jared and Megan's shower this afternoon and are headed to Chili's to munch munch munch... Below are a few pictures from Mother's Day, and I apologize for having them out of order.

Flowers from Daddy and Caroline

Mommy and Caroline on Mother's Day

She loves those hands...teething!

Many of you may know that I do not like staying at the house by myself when Matt is out of town. Some nights I just have those moments when I cannot sleep and I am worried that someone will come in the house and get us! It was never a fear of mine, until we moved into the house. We now have a security system that covers every window break or opening, every hall and entry sensored (just in case one is to get through the windows or doors), panic buttons, and more little trinkets here and there. The termite guy called me this week at work and asked if we had a security system under the house also...I then realized my fear was out of control. If one is to make it past all of the security then they better get ready for one crazy Mom!! All this said, is to explain the card that I gave my Mother for Mother's Day. I always call Mom and say that I need her to come stay the night, because I cannot find my big girl panties. My motto for life is "pull up your big girl panties and deal with it." This card was perfect for Mimi.

Caroline's gift to MiMi (MiMi loves platters)

Daddy and Caroline got Mommy this gift for my op at work...how creative! This digital photo frame will be perfect to keep the pictures rotating of my little one.

Nanaw's coffee mug...Nanaw loves coffee