The Woman McShan: July 2013

The past month has been one of those where it has seemed like it's gone so quickly because we have been so busy, yet it's one month ago seems like it's been four or so... Like I've said, we have been b-u-s-y. And have been having so much fun!

At the end of June, Kyle had a continuing education conference to attend in Nashville. Rather than spending the day at home alone with the babies, we decided to drop him off and then go spend the day with one of my oldest and best friends Jennie. Jennie lives in Franklin, within walking distance to the factory. We spent the morning cruising the farmers' market, which I would be at every Saturday morning if we lived there! It was full of beautiful flowers, fresh produce, and delicious snacks! We followed with lunch, some browsing around downtown Franklin, and a quick dip at the pool.

{gorgeous flowers}

{jennie, banks, james, and mattie rose - they LOVED banks}

{sweet girl at lunch}

{silly boy at lunch}

{swimming with aunt jennie}

We spent about nine days in Memphis during the middle of July. Kati, Patrick, Abbi, and Harper were spending some time there before they headed to Japan for the next few years. More on that later. Makes me sad.

The twins and I arrived in Memphis on a Friday night, just in time to catch a quick bite at Chick-Fil-A with Christina and Gabby before they left for the beach. The rest of the week was spent celebrating birthdays, hanging out with friends, and baptizing babies :)

{sweet gabs}

{christina and the kiddos}

{clearly gabby wanted her mommy back}

We started off our first weekend in Memphis celebrating Abbi's THIRD birthday! I cannot believe it... It literally seems like just yesterday that she was born. Maybe it's because we have lived so far away from Kati and Patrick since then. Who knows. All I know is that time is passing way too quickly. Kati and Patrick were in Memphis spending several weeks with family before leaving for Japan. Patrick is in the Air Force and flies ridiculously awesome planes. The Air Force has taken them to Texas to Oregon and now to the other side of the world. Excited for them and their new adventure, but really sad about how far away they will be!

{birthday girl cheese}

{mattie rose shaking some maracas}

{could he be any cuter?}

{abbi breaking into the goods}

{miss independent}

{abbi received a doctor's coat and a stethoscope so of course she had to make sure "auntie corky's" heart was in check}

{and then mattie rose's as well}

{surprisingly everyone looking at the camera}

{which didn't last long}

{just doing a little grocery shopping in meme's kitchen}

{snacks by the pool}

{bathtime with cousin declan}

{post-lunch photo op}

{dinner at central bbq with kendall}

{we love central}

{watching meme play tennis and munchin' on some puffs}

{lunch at the country club}

{lady who lunches}

{morning chat time with harper}

{pool day with our memphis friends - from left to right - mattie rose, james, aven, john franklin, kate}

{drying off}

{loungin'}

The Saturday before we left was such a special day! Harper's baptism! Kati and Patrick asked us to be Harper's godparents, and of course, we agreed! Since we aren't Catholic, though, Kyle had to sit on the sidelines, because obviously I wasn't going to ;)

{two generations of best friends}

{18 years of friendship right there}

{placing the sign of the cross on harper's forehead}

{praying for that sweet angel}

{here we go...}

{just love harper's face in this picture. looking so intently at father parham.}

{big sister abbi. my girl.}

{she loves her "auntie corky." probably because "auntie corky" bribed her with gum to take pictures with her.}

{my gorgeous goddaughter harper}

{meme and her girl}

{team mcshan}

{as if taking her own bows out wasn't enough, mattie rose felt the need to take off harper's too}

{have you ever seen two younger looking grandmothers than these?}

{post-baptism playtime}

{selfies with harper}

{brother sister playtime}

{james and abbi}

{worn out from a long day of fun}

{last picture together before the air force takes my friends away :( }

Kyle has had Fridays off lately, so it has been really nice to have an extra day to add to the weekend. This allows us to spend some one on one time with James and Mattie Rose and give them a little break from each other. So last Friday, Mattie Rose went with Mommy to run some errands in Cookeville. Once we got our "had-tos" out of the way, when did a little window shopping and then stopped for some coffee, milk, and scones at a hip little coffee shop called Poet's.