My baby turns FIVE!!!

{A whole hand of fingers proudly held high in the air}

If you know my Lane you know she is a piece of work, our little firecracker. So with this in mind, when we saw the 4th of July fireworks cookies on the MS living magazine cover, we knew that would have to be the design for her birthday cookies. With a slight color adjustment requested by the birthday girl herself~ pink, purple and teal~ of course. 

At her 5th b-day celebration Aunt CC braved the heat, not to mention the dangers of fireworks in the hands of children under the age of 10, to give the kids a little firework show of their own.

{Chani won the "fun mom of the night" award}

We love our Girl-Girl more than words can express. She has brought pink and spunk into our world. She spends her summer days rotating through a wardrobe of bathing suits and pajamas, always sporting a somewhat messy ponytail on the side of her head and a perpetual glimmer in her eyes that makes you wonder what she will come up with next. The day I became "Mommy" to this little girl was a day I always longed for and will forever cherish.

Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, my sweet.

Year in Photos~ Week 24,25,26 & 27

So if at this point you are still checking my blog to see if I've added anything fresh and new, then you are either related to me or like me a whole lot, and for that I thank you. Sorry for my absence, but this whole summer thing is really throwing my schedule for a loop and I'm still trying, with little success, to figure out my days.      


WEEK 24 of 2011...

My Mom's sister, Aunt Nisa, came into town for a visit with her son, daughter, daughter-in-law and adorable granddaughter. And in typical fashion, we threw a party including great food

 {Doug's bacon wrapped scallops. Yumm}

and a hefty dose of kid chaos.

{hee hee;) she really was a perfect baby; I think she just wanted out of the chair}

{I took 20 pictures that night and didn't get a single shot of all of them looking in the same direction, much less at me}

We love you guys and are so happy you took the time to come out and see us.

WEEK 25 of 2011...

I spent the week shopping and packing so my family of six could go on a week long vacation to Chicago... WITHOUT a washing machine. Guess what I was doing on Week 27 after returning home from said washing-machine-free vacation? You guessed it!

WEEK 27 in 2011...

Was spent with me trying desperately to return my laundry room to its before vacation condition.

There it is, folks. A glimpse into what I've been doing with myself ALL week. A for real shot of my laundry room on this Thursday night. Riveting, I'm sure. But trust me when I tell you this is a major improvement from how it looked when two huge suitcases filled with dirty clothes were dumped on the floor late Saturday night.

 The laundry is never really done around here, only maintained. I'm a laundry maintainer, it's what I do.

WEEK 26 in 2011...

We had a fantastic time in Chicago, and I hope to get up more pics before too long. In the meantime, I'm remembering my greatest joy of the trip: wrapping my arms around the neck of my sweet, 95 year old great grandma.

{Isn't she adorable?}

{The kids with their great-great grandma}

You never know how many chances you'll have for times like these and I cherished the moments we had together.


Funny story~ As I was leaning down with a smile on my face to hug great gma one last time before leaving, she looked up at me and said, "you have dimples." My Aunt Terri, who was standing beside me said, "Well, yes." "She's had them all her life." "Don't you remember?" With a mischievous glimmer in her eyes, my great gma said, "I remember them on her cheeks, just not those cheeks!" hahaha;) I laughingly assured her that THOSE dimples were still with me as well. Love it!

Happy Graduation Day, Anna!

My niece graduated from high school and just received her cosmetology license. In celebration of her big day my sis in law and I put together a yummy dessert buffet, 'cause we loves her. Anna is a sweetheart, every room is brighter with her in it, and I can't wait to see what wonderful things God has planned for her future.

{Thank you Darla for making the lovely food cards}

{a chocolate fountain: messy, but oh so good}

{A raspberry almond ruffle cake-I've been needing an excuse to try out this design}

{Molly whipped up an amazing flag banner}

{My sis who just started her own senior portrait business took these stunning shots of Anna}

As you can see, it took a group effort to pull off, but I think it turned out lovely. And by the looks of things, I would say that all our friends enjoyed it.

Wouldn't you agree?

We love you Anna Girl...

Year in Photos~ Week #23

Yep, that's about it people. A pile of library books is all I have to show for my 23rd week in 2011. Not that a trip to the library is all we accomplished, I'm sure there was something else noteworthy happening... I just can't remember it. Ben started a new job last week, so that meant day shifts and odd evening shifts for daddy. Lane spiked a fever and the boys were stuffy from a mild cold. Fun times.

AND

I'm having a terrible time trying to figure out our summer schedule. Slowing down from the constant busy and productivity of our school days is throwing me for a loop. I'll get it eventually. But until then we are READING around the Puckett house. My goal this summer is for my always active, I'd rather play outside boys to learn to LOVE books. Tate will continue on his reading journey, and I hope to get a jump start on K5 and teach Lane to read this summer along with the brothers. Wish me luck.


I have other summer goals as well; becoming reacquainted with my long lost friend is on the top of my list.

My friend makes me a hot, sticky, sweaty mess, and honestly I'd rather not pursue this relationship. however...I must! I think you get the point;)


My niece is graduating from high school this week and I've been on a baking spree preparing a little something special for her party. Check back later this week for pics. It should be fun.

Year in Photos~ Week #22

Summer swim league started this week, and the kids are beyond excited. So is mommy, 'cause the pool is a great way to get out all the energy that seems to be taking over our summer days. Here they are pulling one more stunt before loading in the car to swim.

These four fill my days with crazy, chaos and noise, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Mostly;)

Happy 6th Birthday, Tate!

To celebrate we took a BOY day trip to Cape Charles on the Eastern Shore with our two favorite cousins. We went to pick up Drew, and Lane burst into tears because she did NOT want to play at the beach all day with "stinky boys." Her over dramatic ways paid off; Chani took pity on her and her tear stained cheeks and let little miss stay and hang out with the girls for the afternoon. Oh, the drama!

Our day was filled with collecting treasures, swimming, climbing rocks and a minor foot wound.

{sorry, Buddy} :(

Tate is the best. He always adds a bit of joy, laughter and sunshine to our days. And not only is he six now, he has also just lost his very first tooth. And in our house, when you lose your first tooth, the tooth fairy makes a special guest appearance to congratulate you in person.

We love you Tate-Tate and are so very glad God gave us YOU!