First Day at First Pres

Elizabeth Haze is starting Kindgarten at First Pres Day School and all 4 Claytons are so excited....well, 3 are really excited, and the other 1 WANTS to be, but he misses seeing his sister at school everyday.

The night before Kindergarten.....


Mommy and Daddy's first day happy....a First Pres uniform for Lucy!



Pure Joy when Lucy woke her up to get her ready for her first day!


Heading downtown....little man is not too thrilled about going to school in different cars


Here we are!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Haze sweetly told me that today was HER day and she wanted to wear a ponytail instead of a bow.


Love at first sight at First Pres....Mrs. Parker and EH



Mrs. Stack and EH....


I spent so much time trying to prepare Haze, I forgot what an emotional wreck I might be! I managed to hold the tears back until I reached the parking lot...then I lost it!

One final Hoo-Rah to the Beach before School Starts

Kyle surprised the kids and I with one last trip to the Grand! It was so much fun to have one last hoorah away before Haze begins real school!


Our little fireman....


Sibling time in the fountain pool....


Gorgemous....


Beautimous....


We only left the hotel property once...a quick trip to the Fairhope Toy store and to get a little grub at the Fly Creek Cafe. This place has become like a second home to us. We just love it here! Now back home to prepare for our first year of school!

Chicago and my BIG birthday

This was the year of the BIG 40 for me and Kyle kicked off the summer celebration with a trip to Chicago for just the two of us. We stayed at the Four Seasons and were absolutely spoiled from the moment we arrived to our suite overlooking Michigan Avenue (shoutout to my old roommate Terri Tabor for the upgrade). We had so much fun touring, eating and shopping. It was a great present and we had a wonderful time.







On my actual birthday, we had a small family gathering at our house (I was on call) with take out Amerigo's and a house FULL of 40 presents!!!!! It was a wonderful surprise.




My parents went all out and the kids were sooooo excited because I needed tons of help opening all the loot.

Fourth of July at the Grand

We spent the 4th at The Grand in Point Clear. We absolutely love this place. The beach life minus 4 hours in the car plus cabana boys and daily maid service; my kind of vaca!


Watching the sunset while digging for sea shells!


Eyeing the yatchs in the marina!


We found the cutest restaurant...the Fly Creek Cafe....sand, seafood, a live band and bubbles!


Entranced by the bongo player!!!

Chillaxin' in the pool!

The petting zoo on the property is always a hit!

Dance Recital

Haze had her first dance recital with the Mississippi Metropolitan Dance Academy and was adorable. The older girls did Beauty and the Beast this year, so the little girls had Belle's Tea Party in the afternoon and all did routines to songs about candy.."the good ship lollipop," "sugar, sugar" etc....it was darling!


The dancing queen had quite the entourage! Her number one fan, of course, was little man. He helped her practice at home, helped her get ready and cheered her on.





Sug & Joe even showed up at the rehearsal as a surprise!!!!!


Sug is the 100% reason that we can even do dance lessons. She has taken her every Monday afternoon for a year! We are so thankful for all she has done!


Cece and Ray with the little star!


His heart bursting with pride, my heart melting on the side! We are so blessed to have each other and these precious children!


As the country song says....there goes my life!

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Mother's Day, Father's Day and New Orleans

Mother's Day before church






Little Man in his seersucker suit!!!! Love it!


Chilling with Sug and Joe!







We spent Father's Day weekend at Kyle's dad with the whole Clayton clan...swimming and eating in the summer sunshine...so much cousin fun!





We headed to New Orleans after breakfast that Sunday to meet Sug and Joe for three days of HOT fun....


The Quarter.....Haze asked, "Daddy, what is that smell?" Kyle, "that's New Orleans, baby" Haze, "well, I love it her, but shooo wee, it stinks!" The entire trip she reminded us to hold our noses when we were anywhere close to Burbon Street! HILARIOUS!




The aquarium.....




The Zoo







The Carousel

K4 Graduation

It is almost impossible to believe, but Elizabeth Haze has graduated from Hope and will be starting REAL Kindergarten at First Pres Day School in the fall. It seems like yesterday that Kyle and I walked into this new building and dropped our baby off with strangers for the first time and received the call from Sister Tereze saying that she wouldn't stop crying and probably wasn't cut out for daycare!

My, my how times have changed. This place is our children's second home and they are surrounded by loving caring teachers that we feel are like family.

The end of the year ceremony and graduation were so cute. She could not be more prepared for "real" school. We are so blessed that she (and Gray) have this school and these women caring for them.

The besties!

Proud, proud momma and daddy!

After the graduation ceremony, the parents threw an after party at Pelahatchie Shores and had an absolute ball! Even though we are all headed our separate ways, these friends will always hold a special place in our hearts!!!