Pickin in the Panhandle!

So for the 2nd year, Kenny decided to compete in the Backyard Competition of Pickin in the Panhandle. He is really into the BBQing and its a fun hobby. Better than what some wives and husbands call hobbies, hes home, hes not out and about doing God only knows and these are family events so the girls are welcome there.

He was a team of 1 this year. The guy that helped him last year entered the parenting world when his son was born in July so he was the only cook this year. His one buddy and shift member set up camp with him and also spent the whole weekend with him.

They had an awesome camp site, close to the stage, awesome view of the whole thing. The weather was awesome after it finished raining. It was cool and a perfect evening. The girls spent the evening with Nanny and Pap and I was thankful for it. We havent had a kid free evening in a while.

 

watching the main stage band

Once the weekend was over, Kenny brought home all the leftovers and we chowed down. This pork BBQ was awesome and he placed 9th!!!!!! I am so proud of him, he's already talking about next year and what he wants to change and keep.

A Fundraiser!

I am currently working on a fundraiser to help a Mother/Daughter team fight leukaemia. This fundraiser is my first with Thirty One Gifts and I am so excited to be a part of it. I have also decided that any individual orders I receive in the timeframe of their fundraiser (September 16-28) I will donate that commission to them as well. I feel so blessed to be able to help out. I cannot wait to share the results with everyone!

a Boy? Two boys? Another Baby?

Have I mentioned how busy August was for this family?!? Well did I fail to mention there is another grandbaby on my husband's side of the family...yep we have been some baby making fools these past 3 years....

Keith, the oldest Bowers, and his soon to be wife Jamie welcomed Brantlee to the family 2 weeks early in August.

When I woke up to a text from my brother in law, I assumed, she had 'gone' into labor and we would play the waiting game. But just as his big brother Adyn, Brantlee wasnt playing any games, he was ready to get out of that belly and meet the world. So I dont even think 6 hours after her water broke, he was here and my text was actually a picture giving me the weight and length.

So now this Bowers crew now has 3 little princesses and 2 little princes.

I had told ya before if there were anymore babies coming, it definitely wasnt coming from me...but the other boys may surprise us...SURPRISE!!

Absolutely a blessing, once again, and cannot wait to see whats in store when these 5 are a little older...Adyn and Ava are already running around causing trouble together....its only going to get crazier, busier, and more fun I am sure!

Such a good big brother already

Keith's new little family


he is a tiny little booger butt!

 

Vending for Thirty One

Being a vendor is not a new experience. I have had plenty of jobs before that required me to sit at a table and speak to people I dont know. When I was with Berkeley County Schools, we had a few times we were at the mall, with the CVB (visitors center), we set up a couple times of a year and I was able to go to the State Fair while there to help man a table.

In the month of August I got the opportunity to be a vendor at the Youth Fair and then Martinsburg Bike Night. Both nights were a little busy, a little slow, and a little interesting.

It was an experience, a eye opener, I know what to improve on, I know what to change, I know what NOT to do next time. I am sure the more I do it the better I will get at it.

Getting my business name out there and my chances of helping those that want to become more involved with Thirty One is a great thing with these vending events. I cannot wait until next year to start fresh and get on billet for several different organizations and different events.

If anyone that is reading this knows of an event that would be great for Thirty-One I would love any information, you can email me. I love meeting new people, I love getting out there and speaking with people about a product I love.

A Girl and Her Bear...

When Ava was younger, under a year, she was attached to 2 favorite animals off and on, a frog that Kenny won out of a vending machine and a cat that I have had since I was a little girl.

She has fallen in love with a polar bear that was given to her this past Christmas by a cousin. She carries it around the house, cuddles with him, and it has even made its way to Vickies.




..

Shew! August is over!!

August was crazy! Not really sad to see it go but now life has settled down a little bit in this household. During the month of August Hailey turned, 10 months old, already walking and had 4 top teeth all come in at one time; Ava, 35 months old, became a potty trained FOOL!!!

In August I had the opportunity to do two vending events with Thirty One Gifts. I was at the Berkeley County Youth Fair and Martinsburg Bike Night. Both successful and both were a lot of fun. I met a lot of great people and made a few good contacts. I am actually working on a fundraiser now that I met at the Fair and the people I am working with are so nice and amazing. It has been a great experience. I hope that I get to do more vending events next year.

Kenny started teaching a little on the side along with his full time job and other part time position, so 3 positions, 1 person.

Ava got to enjoy the fair for really the first time, at almost 3, she is really turning into our 'big' girl and is able to do so much more now.





Ole Blue Eyes is making a name for herself in this house...she is all over the place now and able to do a little bit of her own thing. She has been walking since the 2nd week of August and is now almost running...its amazing how fast they grow and how fast they learn....

Do I Dare Say It?!?!

So we have been 'potty training' on and off for maybe 6 months, give or take. There are weekends that we have nothing to do and I would put Ava in panties and see what happens. Usually she just pees/poops all over herself and we go back to pull ups. NOT READY....

This past Sunday I asked her if she would pee in the potty if I put panties on her and she said 'No' but we did it anways, just to see. So I put her in panties and she did great, like always, I was just waiting for it to go downhill, like always.

This time though she kept telling me when she had to go and we would go back and she would, no accidents, actually holding it until we got there, and very proud of herself. So that evening as we were discussing the next days activities, I asked her if she wanted to wear panties over to Vickies. She replied 'yeah' and went back to playing.

So Monday came, I put her in panties and sent her Vickies. I sent an extra pair of panties and pull ups just incase she decided she was too busy and was not going to use the potty. When I picked them up, Vickie reported that she did great and used the potty and had been dry all day.

My mom has always said they will let you know when they are ready.

Well I think this is it, no turning back.

She has been in panties for 4 days and only pull ups at night. She still isnt waking up dry and still wakes up at least once for a drink of water.

So I am happy to be able to say that yes it looked like Ava has made the jump, she is now potty trained. How in the world it happened? Cant tell you, other than her stubborness finally left and she is doing it because she wants to.

We have been celebrating her all week, lots of high fives, lots of big girl compliments. She is very proud of herself which she should be, this is a very big step.

We are now in the world of only one little one in diapers.