Settling into fall

Our little family is settling right into the fall season--except it's hotter than stink here in Mt. P!! Looking forward to some cooler weather!!
Allie Grace is loving her new class at school. Her teachers are awesome and so sweet- hope some rubs off on AG!! JK- 3 1/2 is so much fun! She really likes learning her letters of the week and has been wanting to know what everything starts with. She writes her name and and is always writing letters down.
Saylor is moving all over and curious about everything at 14 months- opening doors, drawers, and such. She says Hi to everyone and Bye too. She has this little bashful smile that is so contagious and is such a lovey little thing. This age cracks me up- or at least she does. She keeps us laughing around here! She loves to dance and play with dolls!
Lots to look forward to with all the holidays coming up. AG is super excited about being Hannah Montana this year for Halloween- she has the part down pat. Still need to find something for Saylor!
For Chad and I-working and keeping up with our 2 girls!! I'm looking forward to my Oct trip to NYC, courtesy of Nana!! Also, Chad and I are excited about our Feb 2010 ski trip to Breckenridge with Meg and Daniel!! Lots of fun ahead!!
Love this time of year, Tanya
Loving this time of year Fall 09, Tanya

Fun times with Aunt Meggy!!

We had such a great time with Aunt Meggy here!! It's always so much fun when she comes. I wish she lived here and could see her everyday. Our week visits twice a year just isn't enough but am very thankful for the time we do get to spend. This past time, we did it all. We first went to GA and visited with Grandma and family. Same 'ole in Barnesville, nothings changed. We actually almost managed not to eat up at The Grill, but we did right before we headed home!! We went to the GA Aquarium, which in my eyes- was the coolest experience ever. I will definitely be going back. We took our Grandma, wheelchair and all and had an exhausting blast!! We headed over to the coke museum and loved trying all the different cokes from all over the world. Allie Grace even got a kick out of testing all the drinks. After that we went and had dinner with Tiffany at the CNN building where she works. What a big day! Megan and I, when we got back to Mt P, went to movies twice and took the girls to the pool and beach. We of course did a little shopping too! Megan and I planned a ski trip in Feb, so very excited about that- Chad too. Can't wait for many more fun memories with Aunt Meggy. We need to find her and Uncle Danny a job over here in Mt. P--going to look now:)

Love you Megan, you're the best!! Tanya

Summer Time Fun!!

So far this summer we have been enjoying the beach, pool, No Limits, The Aquarium, and VBS in Raleigh with Meme!! It's been so much fun! Allie Grace has amazed us with how good of a swimmer she is. Just 2 weeks ago, she hardly put her head under and wanted us to catch her when she jumped in. Now she is swimming under to us and jumping off the pool all by herself!! We have had one swim lesson, with 2 more to go!! Saylor is taking a few steps and is about to take off walking. She gets up, takes a step or two--then gets back to crawl which is way faster for her! She loves playing with her Little People and plays so well by herself. She is a big eater and loves food. Allie Grace is now in a big girl bed and seems to be liking it, we still find her coming into our room sometimes...b/c she's scared of the thunder and lightning. I have to admit, we have had a lot of terrible/scarey storms lately!! Well, next big thing is 4th of July which we will be staying right here in Mt. P for and then Saylor's 1st birthday party at the beach- can't believe my baby will be 1.
Looking forward to more summer time fun.
Loving Summer, Tanya

Memorial Weekend

Memorial Weekend is going on right now as I write. We are enjoying our time in Wilmington with my mom and family. Yesterday we went to the beach and had a blast. Not too many people there but today when we go, there will probably be tons! Saylor loved the beach and crawled all around--mostly looking for shells to eat!! Pretty soon she will be running around- I'd say in month, she'll be walking. Allie Grace loved playing in the gullies and met some friends to play with. The water was a tad cold, so we just stayed with her in the gullies. They both looked so cute in their matching bathing suits Aunt Meggy sent!! We are headed back to the beach today- so more to come and with pics!! Oh- and after the beach yesterday, I went on a long bike ride "by myself" and saw a bunny and found a lost dog - Tanya saved the day!! When AG woke up from her nap, I took her on a bike ride and showed her the bunny too- she loved seeing Cottontail--and I think its the same one we saw at Easter!! Off to get ready for beach day #2- will be back to continue!!
Beach day #2 was just as fun!! That evening we enjoyed pizza with SaSa out by the pool!!

In Memory of our Veteran's, Tanya

I'm still going to blog!!

Hey Everyone!! Just wanted to let you know that I am still committed to blogging!! Just have so much going on right now!! Allie Grace is finishing up school next week, so summer here we come!! Saylor is just cruising all over town and has the cutest laugh ever! I have been learning the ropes of extreme couponing and CVSing--which is way fun but challenging. Have saved a lot of money this past month and hope to save more...with more to come!! Chad has been busy busy with work, it's blueberry season here and he has been gettting the boxes and such ready for this! So just wanted to say Hi to everyone, Tanya

Busy Busy Week!

Ok so the last few weeks have bee so busy but really lots of fun!! It started with Allie Grace spring break taking her to Nana and Papa's for the week. She enjoyed her time with them "all by herself" and really loved going to the Ripleys' Aquirium and seeing the sharks that swam above her head in the tank!! Then the week went on with Chad, Saylor and I going to get AG Thurs night and going to church with The Cross' and hearing Nana play the bells. Nana was great but the girls were very restless and entertained us during the service--remind me never to take children into church again!! Then Friday we headed to Wilmington to see Meme and Papa Harry. We enjoyed our time visiting with cousins and seeing SaSa. Went to an Easter Egg Hunt Sat and saw a big pretend bunny that AG almost gave hug- said she would next time!! We also saw a real bunny that ran by too- that was neat and unexpected!! Our weekend continued on and we got back to Mt P then turned around and went to Santee Lake for 2 nights to see Nana and Papa again!! AG caught her 1st fish!! We enjoyed our time relaxing amongst SC wildlife!! We are finally home and re- cooping from 2 weeks of fun filled times!! The girls are pooped, off schedule but have many priceless memories!!

Small Group Easter Party!

We had our annual Easter Party and egg hunt at Small Group this past Sunday and what fun it was!! The kids, which there are 15 now, run around for the egg hunt...while the parents catch up and Chad grills burgers! It is so nice to have such wonderful friends who are in the same parenting years to talk to and share stories...and for advise and support. This group has been one of the best decisions Chad and I have made together. We joined when Allie Grace was only 1 month old, January 2006, and have loved every minute. We have developed life long friendships and a greater relationship with our God. Our studies have been wonderful- from the teachings to marriage and to parenting, we continue to learn and grow closer to God. I thank everyday for my wonderful friends and our small group who is growing rather rapidly to a large group!! But our Easter party is just one of the fun things we do and we had great fun!! Charlotte taught Allie Grace how to swing by herself while Saylor watched on! And the girls wore their matching dresses that Lisa wondered where mine was- haha!! Chad thinks he undercooked the burgers- but who cares, still was great!! And the new babies (Eli, Saylor and Hayes) stared at each other wanting to play.

I'm telling you- this is the best group ever!! Can't wait for more fun stories to tell you about!!

I love my Small Group, Tanya

Allie Grace's Easter Party!

Allie Grace had her Easter Party at school today!! We had a blast even if it was raining...and still is. The egg hunt was in the hallways, and the kids could care less--just interested in finding eggs fast that were filled with yummy treats. I even saw AG shake her eggs to make sure she was going to get something good...and saw her put one back that made no noise when she shook it- too funny:) She means business when it comes to candy!! But the day was great and the kids had a blast! Just now finally drying off from the rain!

This is AG's first published artwork!! The kids were given an example to go by and was told to paint what they saw. I think all the kids did great and used their imaginations! The first painting is a flower and the second is a rainbow. How cool:)

I love Easter time & being with my family, Tanya

Many Milestones!!

It has been a big week in the Cross household!!

Allie Grace can put together "all by herself" a 24 piece puzzle---I actually noticed her do this a couple months ago, but I finally got it on the camera! She loves puzzles and has been mastering them since the very beginning. Puzzles are her thing!

Saylor has learned to clap or she is saying "more" in sign language. Been teaching her to sign but also to clap...or pattie-cake... She also has been waving "bye-bye". She is very mobile now, and pushes herself up to a standing positon--I sense her walking very soon!

Looking forward to many more milestones!!

I love my girls, Mommy

Daddy's Catfish Club Weekend!

One of Chad's love is, of course, me-- but it's fishing!! He loves to fish, could sit out there all day and not care if he caught one or not!! I love that he enjoys this hobby too--at times, I wish he would stay home and help me around here, but he needs this time...like I need my time to shop, blog, read, ect!! So this past weekend, he went catfishing and had a blast with his boys!! Us girls did our thing here and are glad to have daddy home with his big "I just went fishing" smile on!!:)We love you, Daddy, and your fishing hobby- Tanya & Girls

AfterBaby Diet

Ok- so I started my afterbaby diet again. I would like to lose 10 lbs before swim suit season, so here I go... I am going to keep a little blog journal on my progress so I can stay motivated. I have to admit, I am very proud of myself of the weight I have lost since having Saylor last July- mind you, I gained 76lbs--I like to eeeaaattt while I'm pregnant. To date I have lost 56lbs--so that's pretty good, don't you think?! I just joined the gym at ESAC and have started working out just for 20 minutes or so. I am really enjoying my time to myself, even if its on the eliptical- plus I get to watch tv and any show I want--that doesn't happen when you have 2 little ones who are mesmerized by tv if it's on!! At our house tv stays off most of the day except for scheduled tv times!! Anyways, I literally, just started my 1st shake on my diet for the 2nd round and am ready to do this!! Thanks to my wonderful neighbor who just had a baby too- we are going to do this together and support each other...that's why I love her. She doesn't care how I look and what I look like, she just supports me and loves me for who I am---and I the same for her!! So to both of us, who are the best mamas ever, happy dieting b/c all the weight we gained, was totally worth it!!

I love you Saylor and AG for giving me an afterbaby body!! And I love my neighbor for her continuing support! Tanya


Oh- and if anyone is interested in this diet, go to www. afterbaby.com and order the shake kit--it's the best. And if you do, put me as your reference, please and thanks!!

Why I am starting a blog...

Just thought I would write a little note as to why I started blogging- and why it will hopefully impact my "heart" as well as my families. I love to journal, scrapbook and keep up with little things that my family and I do, so this is just another outlet. I thought at first I was blogging for others to read but really it's for me to see the things I have accomplished, witnessed and participated in over my days, my parenting days- which can be so overwhelming and fullfilling at the same time- so what better way to remember, than to blog! So hopefully in the future when my children can read, they will look back on all the fun times we had and are currently having!! Thanks Aunt Meggy for getting me started and those who read-you should blog too:)

I love my family, Tanya

Allie Grace Music Day

Allie Grace is in 2 year old preschool at PCA (Palmetto Christian Academy) which has been one of the best decisions Chad and I have made. She is about to finish up the year, and I have seen such a huge impact PCA has brought into her little life. She has developed relationships, learned manners/sharing (hopefully) and has been filled with God's teachings! Last week Chad, Nana, Papa Jack, Megan, Saylor and I were able to attend one of her many fun things that goes on there- music with parents day!! Ms Alice is her music teache who says Allie Grace is always singing and doing the dances that go along--doesn't surprise me since she has been playing her CD player on her own since birth (jk) and dancing and singing to every song possible!! She cracks me up playing her CD player in her room and pressing pause to go to the bathroom--remember she is only 3 now!! So last Tuesday we all got to witness a little piece of her fun filled times in music class with Ms Alice!
Allie Grace loves music, and I love her!! Mommy

My Georgia Family

Just got back from spending time with my Georgia Family!! The 6 hour trip there and back, have to admit, was not too bad. Thought driving that far with two girls was going to be rough- but not so. They slept most of the way, thanks to me planning departure time with nap time! Megan was a big help too- her being able to turn around and assist when needed, wish I

could do that- get too car sick! But my visit with Grandma Maddox was a great one. A little like being in the movie Groundhog Day, but still very relaxing. Everyday we do the same thing; that's due to my

Grandma's progressive Alzheimer's disease. But I have to say, she is the sweetest and is the cutest little Grandma ever --who I love more than anything and will be there for 4ever. She, thankfully, still remembers us and who we are. The day will come when she will not, and I am slowly embracing that- with God's mercy and help from my sister Megan.
Ok- so have to mention one thing---met my cousin's boyfriend, who I really like. Hope he's the one Tiff!! The girls did great being away from home and loved playing with their cousins. Allie Grace wanting to climb in the trees with the olders and Saylor getting fed pizza by Aunt Betty was too fun.....all memories to add to more wonderful times with my Georgia family!! Oh and the daily trips to eating up at the Grill and shopping at Carters!! :)

I love you GA family, T-