Oh, you beautiful doll...

Little Charlie got her day in the spotlight! That's for sure! Charlie has been taking dance class for several months and finally got a chance to perform in her first show. She was so beautiful. Boy, I love that girl. She loved being all dressed up and gave me every pose in the book! I felt like the paparazzi snapping photo after photo of her before she went out on stage. There are way more pictures in this post than necessary but how could I possibly decide which of these cute poses to choose to post? Someday, these pictures will surely be in some sort of graduation or wedding slideshow.

Pose #1


Pose #2

Ahhhh... with proud mommy!

Charlie's famous mantra is that, "everyone should love themselves most of all!"

Look how happy she is with herself! So precious!

Pose #3

(and my favorite)

Proud big sister

(and another great pose... #4)

Nonna and Grandpa got to join us for the event. No boys are allowed backstage because all of the girls are dressing. Seriously, it feels like a real grown up "show" backstage. Charlie was mesmerized by all of the chaos!

Finally, Charlie started posing with all of her little dance friends. So, so, so darn cute.

If you recognize it, the song they sang and danced to goes...

"Oh, you beautiful doll

You great big beautiful doll.

When I put my arms around you,

I could never live without you.

Oh, you beautiful doll,

you great big beautiful doll..."

There were about 20 girls in her routine, all about the same age. They stole the show! (Yes, maybe a little biased!)

Our star after the show...

Congrats Charlotte Grace on your first dance recital!

(PS... yes, "Charlotte"... she is contemplating giving up Charlie for Charlotte. We'll keep you all updated!)

Julie's Bachelorette

Over Memorial Day Weekend, I went out to Vegas to celebrate Julie's last bit of single-life-fun! Jill, Julie's sister and maid-of-honor hosted a fabulous weekend for us girls. Very relaxing and just the right amount of everything! On Friday, we hung out at Jeff and Julie's and enjoyed a BBQ and good talks! It was fun to start to get to know Jill better. She's great.

Saturday was just a whirlwind of fun... we started the morning with mimosas and massages compliments of Jill! What a fantastic surprise. We hung out by the pool during the day. And then started getting ready for the Bachelorette festivities around 4:00ish.

Courtney, Julie, Jill, and me all ready for our big night out. We left Jeff's and headed over to Julie's mom's house for a little pre-party!
It was awesome! Jill had decorated the whole house and Debbie, Julie and Jill's mom, had made some amazing food! We had to fill up our tummies before the liquid diet began. LOL! Jill thought of everything... I will just leave it at that (since this is a publication for my children to have as their childhood keepsake!)

Then, we took a limo to the strip.

Very, very fun...

When we got to the strip, we started at a Mexican restaurant where we met Tammy and her friend for some "tequila flights." I had never heard of those before and I think it is safe to say that I hope to never hear of them again! Whoa! Julie also began the scavenger hunt that Jill had created for her. The shot above was one of the items on the list (again, only "tame" pictures allowed on the blog...LOL)

Tammy, Jill, Julie, and Courtney... what a great lookin' family!

~~~

After we left the Mexican restaurant, we ventured on to dance, drink, and fulfill the scavenger hunt requirements. Of course, I can't post any of those pictures on the blog! Hee-hee...

I had a great time ladies! Thanks for including me in on the fun!!!

Less than 2 weeks to go!

McGaugh Open House

Last week, we had Ryan and Charlie's Open House! Kindergarten and preschool days are almost over. I can't believe it. They talked about this big night for a week. I totally remember how excited Open House used to be when I was little. First, we visited Charlie's class. The theme for her Open House was centered around the beach and bugs. Here is Charlie with paper doll Charlie. She was so proud.

Charlie was wayyyy more interested in playing with her friends than showing us around. She cried when it was time to head over to Ryan's class.
The Buggy Wall in Charlie's room.

Ryan's room was centered around the farm. She had to wear a "tour guide" hat and use a map to make sure that she showed us everything.

Ryan shared her memory book with daddy.

Look, Charlie got to meet up with one of her best friends again! She LOVES Ava!

Happy Open House Girls!

Julie's Bridal Shower

A couple of weeks ago, Claudia, Terry Traver, and I hosted Julie's bridal shower! I don't have too many pictures because, as most of you know, I got the flu and had to miss the shower! I was able to rally in the morning to go to the venue and help set up but I left as the guests were still arriving. I hated missing it but I was just too sick to be there. I certainly didn't want to send our guests with the party favor of the stomach flu! Ugh!

From what I understand, everyone had a great time!

Hint! Hint!...Maybe some of the guests of the shower who keep up with the blog could make some comments to fill in the details for me!

Looking forward to your big day Julie! Less than a month away! I can't believe!

Being Silly on a School Night

So... a water bottle spilled in my purse a couple of weeks back (totally my fault) and my practically new camera got wet in the process! It wasn't working, of course, but I found out that if I let it dry out for a while, it may work again! Well, today is the day I tried to see if it was going to work. I crossed my fingers, charged up the battery, and gave it a go! Depending on how these pics turn out, I will need to decide if it works again or if I'm doomed to get yet another camera! Grrr...

Just some pics of the girls being silly as my "models" out back a few minutes ago.

Since its been a while since I have posted, I figured a few silly pics were better than nothin', right? Let's see how they turned out...

Love is in the Air!

Wedding events for Jeff and Julie have finally begun! Ginny, Casey, and Marzie threw an absolutely amazing party in honor of the bride and groom! Great food, great turn out, great times all around. The best part for me (well, the most selfish part anyway) is knowing that I get a new sister out of the whole deal... Julie is the best! Jeff has landed himself one fantastic girl and we are all lucky to also be recipients of his great find! Together, Jeff and Julie are perfect... they sort of "bounce" off of one another. It is a delight to be around them!

Julie got to introduce her family to all of the Graces and Colemans!

Vince, Julie, and sister Jill enjoyed the Mexican fiesta in true "break it down" fashion!

We all had so much fun getting to know the Gephardts! Jeff and Julie always tell us about their fun family gatherings. They have always sounded awesome but now that I have gotten to meet everyone in person... awesome doesn't even begin to describe them!

The weather was perfect. It felt like summer! Claudia and Julie looking as lovely as ever!

Katie, Patrick, and Melina talking about all the fun we are going to have in Vegas! Woot-woot!

Proud father-of-the-groom is sharing the love with Bryan and Dana!

Mike and Di came in from San Diego (which is a hop, skip, and jump compared to their soon-to-be new home in New Orleans!) and had some quality time with Lindy... catching up on all the latest!

Proud mother-of-the-groom, Liz, is as happy as could be! Thinking and talking about the big day ahead with Jeff, best friend Terry, and sister Marzie!

Jeff and his bestmen... identical twin, Joe and big brother, Steve!

I have known Jeff now for 7 years. Everything about Jeff is amazing. I love when I get to "break it down" with him... I love to listen to his stories about work and learn from his experiences (he is so very good at what he does). He is always so genuinely interested in what is going on in my life and gives great advice. He lights up when we talk about the girls. But what I get a kick out of the most... watching him interact with Joe and Steve! Their friendships are what everybody aspires to...all truth, no drama, good times, someone to lean on! It's great to watch them.

Erin, Colleen, and me!

And Claudia too!

All of us girls married into this group of guys and have become great friends along the way! Julie has already been "initiated" into this wives club and we love her! She's a perfect fit!

Ginny and Katie looking H-O-T, hot!

Vince, loved by all, is an honorary member of every family! In this picture, he is posing with the Houghton side of his family! LOL... Casey, Jim and Jim's sister, Lindy Evans! (Although I didn't get a picture of it, Vince, was also accepted in the Gephardt family as well on this night! Seriously, who wouldn't want Vince in their family????)

Steve, Erin, and Ryan.

Unlike the rest of us wives, Erin has been with these guys since kindergarten! When any of us want to know any of the history of the guys...what they were like as kids... Erin is our "go to" girl!

Some of the Gephardts squeezed into the backseat on the way to the "after party!"
Tammy, Courtney, and Steve gettin' close!

Look at this CRAZY after party! Whoo-hoo! Ummmmm... is Steve asleep standing up? Haha, just kidding but it is a good thing that this was the extent of our "after party" because I was hurtin' the next morning as it is! No need for more!

Happy Engagement Jeff & Julie!

We love you and are so very happy for both of you!