Mimi!!!

Mimi's Here!

Mom flew in last Sunday after visiting Uncle Joe for his 95th birthday.  We were so excited that she was here to see us, and were really hoping the 4 days she was here would pass slowly!  We were looking forward to enjoying a much more relaxed visit than the last time she was here, helping us move in. :)  Bailey was beside herself when Mom came in our apartment...running around like crazy and wagging her tail.  As soon as Mom sat down, Bailey was trying to get in her lap...doesn't work too well with an 85 lb. dog!

Baptism at Falls Lake

Sunday night North Wake Church was having their baptism service at Falls Lake.  It was so different than anything we've been to before.  I can't remember exactly but I think they had about 8 people getting baptized that night.  The church had reserved one of the pavilions for the service.  We sang a few worship songs and then each of the people that were getting baptized got up and shared their testimony about how they came to know Christ.  Here are me, Mom and Carter hanging in the shade, trying to stay (somewhat) cool :)

After everyone had a chance to share, they all went down into the water to be baptized.  It was a beautiful picture of the new life we have as believers in Christ.  Going under the water symbolizes the dying to self and cleansing we receive through Jesus' death on the cross and his burial, and coming up out of the water symbolizes the hope we have because of Jesus' resurrection.  There was a crowd of people from the church there to witness and support these new believers.  Here's Josh, Kate and Hudson.

My Cousin Amy

Everyone had brought a dish to share after the baptism service but we had made plans to meet my cousin Amy for dinner.  She lives in Durham which is about 30 minutes from Wake Forest.  It's so cool to me that Josh and I each have a cousin up here.  We met at Longhorn (salmon...YUM!) and enjoyed visiting with her!

Here's the whole crew after a great meal :)

Good times with Mimi

We enjoyed a great visit with Mom!  Kate was super excited to spend Sunday night with Mimi at the hotel.  Ever since she was here last time, Kate's been wanting to 'sleep at the Sleep Inn'.  One of Mom's friends from high school, Irene, lives in N. Raleigh and we met her for lunch on Monday.  How fun that two girls from NJ would meet back up in Wake Forest NC!  It was my first time meeting Irene and it was fun to hear some stories about Mom from back in the day. 

 We enjoyed showing Mimi all around Wake Forest.  On Tuesday, she got to meet Kate's teachers and tour her school.  And we drove around to see all the houses we've looked at either renting or buying over this past year.  And of course, there were a few trips to Target :)  

Whenever Mimi is around, the kids love to read with her.  Here are Mom and Carter reading one of his favorites, Monkey Tumbles.  Mom's friend Mrs. McDaniel gave the kids this book when Hudson was born and it's been a hit! It reminds me of Plinko because it has two little monkey 'chips' and each page has a different slot to slide them down.  Carter tries to make his best monkey noises and loves to read it over and over!

Happy (Belated) Birthday!!

We were so disappointed that we couldn't come home for Mom's birthday which was Aug. 22.  We were able to chat with Mom, Jim and Daria on a webcam using software called Oovoo as they celebrated her actual birthday.  We recreated it during her visit up here and had our own belated celebration, complete with homemade chocolate cake!!  And Kate was so sweet to let Mimi borrow her special birthday crown!

We 'oovooed' with Jim and Daria so they wouldn't miss out on the party!  Here's everyone crowded around the kitchen table so everybody could see on the computer.  Love technology!!

Mimi and the kids...look closely at Carter's face...he went straight to the tub after we finished with the cake!

Heh-Metttt!

Ever since Kate got her bike for her birthday, Carter has had helmet envy.  We made his day this week when we got him his very own!  No way it was going in the cart though, he wanted it on right away!  He calls it a 'heh-mettt'.  And we actually have gotten Carter's first 3 word sentence out of this purchase..."Look, Mommy, heh-metttt!!!"

Here's Mimi with Carter.  Guess we know where Kate's dimples came from :)

And here is a close-up of Carter with his new big-boy haircut.  I was only going to give him a little trim since his hair was looking more like a mullet again.  But, my first cut was too short and then I was committed.  So he wound up getting a big-boy haircut.  Not too bad for my first time, if I do say so myself!

Wednesday night Fellowship

We've been visiting the Lyon-Carson small group the past few weeks.  This week was the fellowship and we all brought a breakfast food to share.  'Breakfast for Supper' is one of our family faves so we thoroughly enjoyed it.  We did burn the bacon we brought which made for an interesting smell in the house for a day or so, but it was worth it!

Here's a precious shot of Kate, Carter and Laney Carson.  Look at my boy playing hard to get!

But, he couldn't resist!

Team Reed kiddos

Kate and Carter are big buddies these days...I just love to sit and watch them interact.  My cup runneth over...

Kate is always trying to lift Carter.  She is a very strong little girl, but he is also a solid little boy and way too heavy for her.  She keeps trying though!  Here she's got him up off the floor and leaning back on the ottoman.  Love those sweet faces!

And here's another sweet face!  We are loving the gummy grins Hudson's been sharing with us :)

Our girl