Little hints help!

Yesterday was my birthday! I don't know about the rest of you Moms out there, but I think that MY birthday should be as big of a deal as I make everyone elses in my family! Call that kind of thinking whatever, but I think it should be gospel-Mom's birthday is always a BIG deal! So a few weeks before my birthday I started dropping little hints like, not wanting to make my own birthday treat, gift ideas, and having my children be kind and loving all day on my birthday. Well 2 out of 3 ain't bad! Can you even guess which one didn't come true--DUH! Brent and the girls had a cheesecake decorated for me. Perfect for me, because I am not a huge birthday cake fan, and does it get better than cheesecake? Not in our little family.

And this is what I came home to find-my hints had been received! This is what my hints had been about for weeks. Putting it together was a pure nightmare, but Brent never even swore- at least not aloud! Hey that counts, way to go babe!

So the moral of the birthday story, never, ever give up--hints help sometimes.

What happens in Vegas... stays in Vegas!

all because I forgot my camera-Duh!
Amber and I headed to Las Vegas for a wonderful, peaceful, relaxing, non demanding, incredibly fun 4 days! Brent won tickets to see Mamma Mia from a golf tournament (and of course had NO desire to go), so he kindly gave to tickets to Amber and I for our 'Sisters Trip'. Highlights-flying with NO kids, pure amazement by the type of people you see on the Las Vegas strip, laying by the pool on my own terms, MAMMA MIA (fantastic!), dinner with our Dad (he was out in Vegas to playing in a golf tournament- perfect timing for all of us),and lots of serious shopping. We 'Rummage Girls' can shop, we had a great teacher and learned from one of the best-Mom that would be you! We were almost embarrassed as we lugged all our loot to our room. Thank goodness Amber brought an extra large duffel bag. We had an amazing time. It was SO nice to get away from our everyday and leave all our responsibilities at home for Brent and Dan to deal with:) Everyone one survived just fine! But the greatest highlight was being with my sister. Thank you Amber for a great trip, I love you, let's do it again!

Happy Birthday Caroline!

Sweet Caroline turned 3. Our baby is growing up so fast. She adds lots of spice to our life. Her favorite things are her Dada (dad), BeBe (Brittany), Pa-gee (Paige) and her mommy too! Can't go anywhere without her fingers and her silkies (and I am fine with them-they bring MUCH peace!) She always wants to be on the go and is beginning to discover the joy of friends. (Not a good thing, now that she can escape from the house. At least an hour of my day is spent looking for this girl). Her smiles, laughs, snuggles and "I wove uh"s make our days! Happy Birthday to our 'Sweet Caroline'! Solee, Caroline (nice hand position), Avery and Shelby

Paige got too big for her swimsuit with the water, so Dad had to put her back in her place, the pool!

The 3 amigos! Caroline says, "Can we just go play already?" Growing up feisty just like her sisters.

Caroline, Gavin, Sydnee and Aubrey playing on the swingset. Moments before the wasps invaded and stung poor Tai 9 times. Sorry, buddy and thanks for taking the stings for all the girls, that's a real gentleman.

Caroline and HER cake. Our dear friend Maxine makes the cutest cakes and this is the one Caroline wanted. Again Maxine never disappoints. Thank you, Max!

Getting ready for all the 'prez-ants'.

Caroline and Aubrey studying them out.

This is how the princess finishes her birthday! I left Caroline and Paige in the den playing while I went to get myself ready for bed (wash face, brush teeth, PJ's, etc.) I was gone maybe 5 minutes, and this is what I found when I came back. Paige had set up Caroline's bed in her new princess tent, and she was asleep with her new PJ's on, her new teddy bear 'Cute loop' and her new radio and of course her silkies and fingers (she's not giving those 2 up yet). And there she slept the entire night!

The Gang's all here!

There are 2 wonderful things about this pictures. 1- of course is that all 9 grandkids are still and looking the same direction for even a split second to take a picture. Now THAT my friends is an accomplishment-thank you very much! But the 2nd best part is Mam-maw 'picture taking' JIG! She has been known to have some fancy moves when its picture taking time. Let's just say she drew a bigger audience than 9 kids posing on the beach! Now that's entertainment! (don't know if you can notice Gavin's wink- it is truly the cutest thing)

Rummage Beach Trip 2008

We have so much fun together! This trip is one we all look forward to every year. Extra BIG thank you to Mam-maw and Pap-paw for our wonderful trip.It is so nice to have everyone together, it brings joy in knowing 'Families are Forever'. Easton and the water rockets-loved them and we laughed for an hour

Taking a break- Aubrey, Brittany, Mallorie and Caroline

You've got to love the googles. Paige sure did all day, every day!Lazy river living! Pap-paw and Caroline Brittany, Aubrey and Lauren (trying to get out of the picture, but I got her!)Ryan, TiNeill and Easton Rummage (the other family wouldn't pose-VW's :( Being silly on the beach, they are very good at it. Aubrey, Caroline, Pap-paw, Paige and Brittany

Our favorite place, together AND at the beach!

yeah, yeah, we know! Already a Diva at age 8!

Dancing on the beach (for hours)

Little minds at work, Caroline, Gavin and Aubrey

Jumping the waves is a Family event.

Ahhh! This is the Life!

Paige was not feeling so chipper, so playing the pity card on Mam-maw, this is the royal treatment she received. Pampering ALWAYS makes a girl feel better!

Proudly produced by the Providence High School Class of '93!

Some of my high school girlfriends (Hayes, Amber and Jenny), got together for a play date while I was in Charlotte. So fun! This is only 8 of the many others that we missed. Thanks girls and kids for a fun afternoon. I KNOW that I am very fortunate to have such wonderful friends still from my 'silly' high school days. Kendall, Paige, Miles, Madelyn, Brittany, Rayley, Mabry and Caroline

Caroline and Miles, trying to play it cool, but they are actually discussing their plans for their future!

Brittany and Rayley (Amber's)

Paige and Kendall (Jenny's)

Caroline and Madelyn(one of Hayes' twins)

My girls were SO excited to be the babysitters for the afternoon. The little mothers did a great job!