The Maynard Family

Way Too Long!!

2011-07-17T20:48:00.000-07:00

Mary-Evelyn is 3 and so full of life!

Georgia-Kate will be 1 this week and is such a fun baby!!

Sisters! This was Easter Sunday

Father's Day 2011

I realized that it had been a full year since my last post when I glanced at my blog the other day and the first picture was of me going into the hospital to have Georgia-Kate! We are celebrating her first birthday this week! It has been way too long, and there is so much I want to share, most of which involves 2 little girls!! They are growing like little weeds. I just want to halt time and keep them babies! This is going to be a short post but I'm going to try to do better about keeping it updated!

Welcome, Georgia-Kate!! July 20th 7lbs.13oz. 20 inches

2010-08-09T19:09:00.000-07:00

2010-08-09T18:53:00.000-07:00

Georgia-Kate's Nursery

2010-07-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

Here's a few pictures of Georgia-Kate's nursery. We are 100% ready for her to get here, considering I'll be 40 weeks pregnant tomorrow!! Dr. Young has told me to be at the hospital at 6am Tues. morning, July 20th to be induced unless I go into labor before then, of course. So, we've got one more weekend to spoil our little Mary-Evelyn as our only child!! We cannot wait to meet little miss priss. She seems to be quite happy inside my belly!

Premier Print fabrics in Sherman made the bedding for me. I think they did a really great job!

I found this antique sideboard at the antique store in Verona. We sanded, primed, and painted it to use as a changing table. This antique store is definitely worth going to if your into things like that!

The only thing that we're waiting on is the cushion that I'm having made for this antique rocking chair. PHI fabric warehouse is making it for me and we should have it very soon.

Happy 4th of July!!

2010-07-04T19:55:00.000-07:00

4th of July is probably my favorite holiday second to Christmas. Since I was little, we have kept pretty much the same traditions every year. Now, we get to share that with our children, which is so neat to me!

Our 4th of July princess!

I had a lot of fun dressing her! I always try to make her as festive as possible! She's like a little dress-up doll to me - so much fun!

Mary-Evelyn with my grandparents, her great-grands! They absolutely adore her! We're so thankful that they are still able to enjoy our babies!

Mary-Evelyn helping Caroline with her lemonade stand

The biggest part of the day is the parade that my parents' neighborhood hosts. We are in it every year. Here's our get-up! We had so much fun decorating it with the kids the day before! Really not too comfy for 2 preggo girls!

Sweet cousins - Caroline, Parker, and Mary-Evelyn

My sister, Tara, and I are both pregnant!! I'm 9 months and she's 7 months along! Two more girls are on their way. Georgia-Kate is expected to come pretty much any day. To be honest, I really didn't think I would be participating in 4th of July festivities. I thought I would either be in the hospital having her or already at home with her! Mia Catherine is expected to arrive on Sept. 10! We can't wait to meet these 2 precious girls! Parker is going to take such good care of all his girls!

Mama and Mary-Evie! 9 months pregnant - miserable but a trooper!

GaGa (Grandad), you are too much fun!!! After the parade, we had hot dogs and the fixins' for lunch and just hung out for a little while.

Later that night, we went and played on the grounds of our church and watched the fireworks from Ballard Park. Mary-Evelyn was absolutely captivated! This really was the first year that she has truly appreciated them. She was only 5 months the first year, and last year, she was asleep during them! We had such a fun 4th weekend! Can't wait to have both my girls enjoying it next year!!

Springtime Fun!

2010-04-18T19:53:00.000-07:00

Mary-Evelyn and her boyfriend, Max Henry, enjoying their fudge pops!

They're maintaining a great long-distance relationship! Ha! It's about to be an even longer distance - Max is moving to Vancouver, Canada! We will miss the Grisham's oh so much, but we'll enjoy their piano while their gone (we're housing it for them). The Lord will definitely bless them for their obedience to His call!

Mary-Evelyn's Easter present from MiMi and Grandad ("GaGa") - a Princess fishing pole!

I'm ready to go fishin', daddy!

While Dr. Emily Nail was home for Easter, we met her at Chick-fil-a to eat lunch with her. They have the most beautiful flowers at their entrance and couldn't resist snapping a few pics. I miss Emily tons - we had some fun times while in optometry school!!

Mary-Evelyn and her cousins, Liza Kate and Emma. Jon wanted to take his nieces and nephew fishing on Good Friday. We were sad that Evan didn't feel good and didn't want to go, but Jon, Grandaddy, and the girls had fun! Mary-Evie would NOT turn around for the picture!

ME looking on as Liza Kate reels in a big one!

Mary-Evelyn and one of her best friends, Emma Carroll! These girls are destined to be the best of friends, since their daddies are and their mommies are! Jon and I started dating in March of 1996, and then we decided to set my best friend (Debralee) up with his best friend (Nick). They started dating that April and we both ended up getting married within a month of each other in 2004. And look at these precious offspring that both look so much like their daddies!

Nothin' better than Baskin Robbins ice cream to cool you down! ME with her cousins, Caroline and Parker, and good friend, Bailey.

Mary-Evelyn and Bailey at Fairpark. A little bit skeptical of the jumping water at first...

...but warming up to it very quickly. They were both drenched by the end!

Never know where that water's gonna spew!

Fishin' with daddy

There's really nothing like little girls!

Mary-Evelyn could watch him fish all day long, I think!

Little cutie! It's hard to believe our baby girl is this big, and grows more precious by the day!

Happy Birthday, Mary-Evelyn!!

2010-02-23T07:17:00.000-08:00

It's amazing how much babies change in a year. It's hard but exciting to see our baby growing - I just want to keep her little!

Turning TWO!

Turning ONE!

I cannot believe that our baby girl is now 2 years old. Mary-Evelyn has brought so much joy into our lives - it's really not even explainable! I could go on and on about how sweet, friendly, fun-loving, and precious she is, but that could take a really long time. She is a Valentine's Day baby, and this year, we had her party at the mall. For those that don't know, the Tupelo mall has an awesome place where kids love to play. I wanted to think of something that Mary-Evelyn really likes to do, and that's the first place that came to my mind. They played, rode the carousel, and had snacks. It was so much fun!

I decided to make her cupcakes myself. They turned out pretty good. Some had an M on them and some had a 2.

I have to acknowledge my aunt, Melinda, who made her birthday outfit for us! She volunteered to do it, and I took her up on it. Her daughter, Sarah Grace is now 21, and she smocked and made almost all her clothes - so very talented. We are lucky enough to get to wear some of Sarah Grace's dresses and outfits - they are just timeless pieces. Anyway, we had so much fun planning this outfit and picking out material and so forth. After a few minor glitches, it couldn't have turned out more perfect! I love that she personalized it with Mary-Evelyn's initials.

Liza Kate and Mary-Evelyn on the duck

Sweet 2-year old!!!!

Mary-Evelyn with her cousins, Liza Kate, Evan, and Emma

Emma Carroll with Mary-Evelyn - best of friends!

Sweet baby Thomas - such a big boy!

It was so funny - the little girls and boys seemed to segregate. All the boys sat at one table and the girls at another!

I'm ready to open my presents!!

Mary-Evelyn had a blast opening her presents! She got a t-ball set from Grandad "GaGa" and MiMi (my parents), along with Elmo potty time DVD, and some clothes.

Ripping into the paper!

It was so funny. Her cousins still think she is a tiny baby and that they have to help her do everything - it is so precious. They were all diving in to help her open her presents and it was making Mary-Evelyn so mad!!

Intent on getting to those new toys!

Here they are practically fighting over the gifts!

Precious birthday girl!

Mary-Evelyn got a pink Radio Flyer tricycle with a bell on it from her Grandaddy and Nanna (Jon's parents).

She absolutely loves it!

It's a good thing we're having another girl, because everything we bought for Mary-Evie is pink - her swing outside, scooter, push car, tricycle - they're all PINK!

Family picture

All the kids got to ride on the carousel together - twice! It was so much fun!

Oh, and the best part is that Elmo just happen to be at the mall that day! That is like her favorite character, but she wouldn't get near him! It worked out so perfectly with him there. I told someone at the party - the kids seeing Elmo is like us seeing some big-name celebrity!

Skeptical of Elmo!!

A Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and a new addition!!

2010-01-03T13:54:00.000-08:00

Well, we've definitely had a lot of happenings since my last post! Mary-Evelyn is doing really well. She is still just such a sweet child and so friendly to everyone. She is so fun-loving and loves to have a good time. Some of her favorite things right now are dancing, playing with all her new toys, dancing, stickers, her new beta fish, dancing, suckers, her ba-ba (cup) with milk in it, dancing, pigtails (which she asks for every day), and did I mention dancing? She's got rhythm, too! All you have to do is turn on some music, and she will cut a rug until you turn it off!! It the cutest thing! She had a verbal explosion a couple of months ago, and now she talks all the time. It is so sweet to hear her express herself! She loves to be read to, and she'll pull either me or Jon wherever she wants us to go, and say "seat." That means sit right here and play with me.

The next 2 pictures are Mary-Evelyn showing off her new t-shirt! We found out towards the beginning of November that we will be having another baby in July!! We are thrilled and so thankful for the Lord's blessings! Mary-Evelyn completely understands what is to come. The other day, I leaned down to clean something up off of the floor. She came over to me, held both arms out, gave me a big bear-hug, then leaned back and touched my belly and said "baby" in a soft sweet voice. We have a lot to do before baby#2 arrives - potty-training, transfer to a big-girl bed, get nursery ready for new baby, etc. I hope we can get it all in, but I don't know if we will! I went for my second doctor visit today - I am 12 weeks and the baby's heart rate was around 160. Everything looked good!

Here is Mary-Evelyn posing for pictures that I took before church on the Sunday before Christmas. She is all dressed up in her Christmas dress and you can tell she knew she looked beautiful!

The next 6 pictures are of Christmas Eve night at my grandparents' house. It is tradition for us to go over to their house to eat and open presents. Since my dad has been music minister at FBC Tupelo, my sister and I have helped him lead in worship at their Christmas Eve service before going to my grandparents'. Well, this year was a different story. I was so sick that couldn't even go sing! I woke up on the 23rd with terrible nausea and a little bit of a fever. I thought well, this is just a stomach bug and will only last 24 hours. Little did I know that it would put me out the entire week of Christmas. I made it to all the family functions but was not able to enjoy all the good Christmas food that surrounded me! I thought it might be pregnancy nausea (but was not sure becuase I did not experience that with ME), but after talking to my doctor, we decided that it was a prolonged stomach bug! Thank the Lord that nobody else in my family caught it!

Nanny and Dada watching all the kids tear into their presents.

ME enjoying the music (or noise) that Parker is making with his new maracas.

Nanny and Mary-Evelyn. ME loves her Nanny and Dada. They keep her a lot if my mom ever needs their help.

Mary-Evelyn decided that she would rather play with Caroline's Hannah Montana headset than with her new toys. She was absolutely fascinated with this!

Jon trying to keep peace between these girls! Caroline wanted to help ME open her presents, but ME wanted to do it herself!

ME figuring out her new cell phone!

The next 5 pics are of Christmas morning at home. Mary-Evelyn had such a big Christmas and she just couldn't believe all that she got. I think Jon and I had more fun than she did just seeing her big eyes!!

ME just waking up on Christmas morning. We both went in and got her!

Santa brought ME a beta fish. His inspiration was Dorothy, Elmo's fish. He also thought that it would be good for little ME to have something to take care of and feed everyday.

Santa left her stocking on the couch. He filled it with apples, oranges, dum dums, M&Ms, 2 sticker books, and some silly putty!

ME checking out her new kitchen and pots and pans. It's in our kitchen now, and she loves to cook while I'm cooking!

This is a picture of everything that Santa brought - a scooter, tent, shopping cart, pink ball, kitchen, pots and pans, a cash register, a popper that you push, and a fish. The 2 tunnels are part of the tent, which was also supposed to come with a hut to go between the 2 tunnels. On Christmas Eve night, we took the tent out of the box to assemble and there was no hut - just the 2 tunnels!! Jon was livid. He said, is Toys R Us open right now?! Mind you, it was Christmas Eve at like 9:30! Also, earlier that day, I was putting together the shopping cart and there was a piece missing. The one that I had gotten her was so cute and pink, but when Jon went to exchange it due to the missing piece, he came back with this blue Wal-Mart cart! I was so upset, but it was okay! Another mishap - the first beta fish that we got died before we even got home, so we had to exchange it on Christmas Eve, too!! Also, Jon decided to wait until Christmas Eve night to assemble her kitchen. He opened the box and poured out a million tiny pieces. The look on his face was priceless, but he pulled himself together and got it done perfectly in about an hour! I was a good wife and sat with him handing him the pieces as he needed them! Mind you, all this happened on Christmas Eve, and I felt TERRIBLE - very nauseated! I really don't know how I got through it all! We learned our lesson to not wait until the day before to assemble all these crazy toys!

Christmas morning after getting our Santa presents, we headed to Pontotoc to have Christmas with the Wood family. Since my grandmother has been gone, we rotate between my parents' house and my aunt and uncle's house. We eat a big lunch and then open MORE presents. ME got a baby Stella doll, her cradle, some play food and a bottle, and dress-up clothes for her! She absolutely loves it (as do I)! Jon and I got a Christopher Radko ornament (one of my aunts and uncles gives us one every year) and a gift certificate to Harvey's (which we've already used!). We had so much fun just being with family (even though I still felt awfully nauseated).

My dad playing with ME and sweet Thomas and all their toys!

ME opening her baby Stella.

Sarah Grace showing ME where to put the baby's paci. Notice the pigtails. She loves having pigtails, and now that we have baby Stella and she has pigtails, ME really wants them all the time!

Mama and Daddy helping her open up the baby's clothes.

Gah Gah (grandad), please don't embarass me like that. Take that bow off my head!!

Caroline and Parker got the cutest little jackets with matching umbrellas, boots, and backpacks.

I can't stand it anymore, Gah Gah. Please stop tickling me!!

Christmas night, we went over to the Gregory's to visit and play with Liza Kate, Evan, and Emma. It was great to get to see Clay and Courtney and play with baby Clay! Although still feeling a little sick, we had a lot of fun!

ME with her cousins!

The morning after Christmas, my family (Dad, Mom, Sis and her fam, grandparents, and us) met for breakfast at Cracker Barrel. This was actually the first day of the holidays that I was able to eat without the fear of it re-visiting me (sorry!). After we ate, we went to my parents' house for the kiddos to get their gifts from MiMi and Grandad.

When we got there, my mom had planned a reenactment of the Christmas Story. ME was baby Jesus, Caroline was Mary, Parker was Joseph, and Jon and Jason were the shepherds. Check out the props and costumes. Mom used her robes for the shepherds - we thought pink looked really good on Jon!!

Baby Jesus tumbling out of the manger and Mary and the shepherds sitting back watching it happen!

The kids really didn't know quite how to play the parts and weren't really into it that much! They still had fun, though!

ME got the coolest board with every kind of latch imaginable on it. She loves to figure things out and take things apart (she's very technical like her dad), so she has loved fiddling with all those latches!

She also got a new stroller for her babies.

She got new blocks, a little laptop computer, a new dress, a new CD, and a book ("Where, Oh Where, Is Huggle Buggle Bear?")

That night (still on the day after Christmas), we had Christmas at the Maynard's. We, once again, ate and opened MORE presents!

ME got 4 new outfits and a sit and spin from Grandaddy and Nanna. She also got some new footy pajamas and a bean bag.

I mean, these things have been around for a while - such a classic! She loves it!

She caught onto it really fast!

We didn't do much on New Year's Eve. We went over to Nick and Debralee's house and shot some fireworks for Emma and Mary-Evie to see. They loved it!

Just a little bit scared at first!

Jon (and Nick in the background) shooting the fireworks.

These cuties just couldn't make it to ring in the new year. They (and their mamas and daddies) got tired and decided to put on their PJs. We went home and watched the ball drop in NYC and then headed to bed. ME was asleep by the time we got home! We had a lot of fun being with our friends!!

Little Jon and Nick (in female form)!

Happy Fall!

2009-11-01T13:42:00.000-08:00

I must say, our fall fun day went much more smoothly than I expected. I call it that instead of halloween because we never really celebrated "halloween" when I was little. We still don't today, but we do participate in all the fun activities that kids get to do on halloween. Mary-Evelyn was a precious little flower and was very cooperative with her costume - surprisingly. Every time I put the flower on her head before for practice, she would go into coniption...until October 31st. All those trial runs and pep talks about her costume paid off because she put that costume on like a champ, didn't cry, and kept in on practically all day for all our activites. I think she felt secure behind the petals of her costume. I know every parent thinks their child is the cutest when dressed up, but I must say, I think Mary-Evie was the cutest flower I've ever seen! We had such a fun day!

We started out by going to our church (HBC) for the fall festival. Mary-Evelyn has never taken a paci, but she's with Parker (my nephew) every day and sees him with one. She is teething right now, and she asks for this paci to bite on and just hold on to as sort of a security. I may be doing a really bad thing by giving it to her, but I know teething is really hard on these babies! Anyway, there were lots of big blow-up bouncies in the gym and lots of activities for the kids. It was so rowdy, and ME is still a little too young to appreciate all those activities. We had a lot of fun just playing on the playground outside letting her swing and slide!

She also had a blast on the hayride. We went all around the campus of the church, and it was such a gorgeous day to be able to do outdoor activities!

After coming home and taking her 2-hour afternoon nap, we loaded up and headed out to go trick-or-treating at friends and families' houses. Our first stop was at Mr. and Mrs. Hill's house - our across-the-street neighbors. They don't get to get out much because of their health, so they enjoyed getting to see Mary-Evie all dressed up! I hate that I didn't get a picture of her with them.

Next, we went to Aunt Sandy and Uncle Woody's house, also in our neighborhood. Jen was home from State for the weekend, so ME loved seeing her!

When we left from there is when I gave her this sucker. She looked at me like, "Are you sure I'm supposed to have this, Mom?" She thought it was the grandest thing. Little did I know that I was creating a candy-feen! All night long, from here on out, she was constantly asking for "canny."

Our next stop was at one of Jon's cousin's houses - Hayden Eisenzimmer. She and her husband, Aaron, have 2 little girls - Daylon and Ann Michael. Hayden's sister, Kayla, and her husband, Jarrett were also there with their girls, Addison and Marlee. Jon loved being able to see family, and Mary-Evelyn just loved seeing all the kiddos! Across the street from them, Kevin Caldwell was set up for trick-or-treaters. We visitied him for a little while and got to see all his ghostly decorations!

Here's a pic of all the girls. Marlee is 3 1/2 months, and Ann Michael is 5 weeks - sweet babies!

Next we met up with Mary-Evie's first cousins - Liza Kate (the bunny), Evan (the dinosaur), and Emma (Minnie Mouse) - at NannaLibba's house. This was one of Jon's mom's best friends, so the kids call her NannaLibba. We had not seen her in a while, and she had yummy pumpkin cookies and goldfish to give as treats!

We followed Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Ryan out to their house to see Ryan parents - Mr. and Mrs. Gregory.

Mary-Evelyn wouldn't take a picture unless I was holding her, so I'm in almost every picture that she is in.

Jon with Liza Kate's bunny ears on. Isn't he CUTE!!

The whole gang!

Family pic

Lastly, we headed out to Mimi and Grandad's house for a weiney/marshmallow roast! Caroline was dressed as Tinkerbell, and Parker was dressed as Spiderman!

Grandad and Mary-Evelyn wathcing the fire

Grandad and his girls!

Spiderman himself and my little flower digging in to some candy!

Here we are roasting our weiney.

Look at our faces. We were intent on getting those hot dogs cooked perfectly!

Aunt T and Caroline with Grandad and Uncle J in the background

Happy Birthday, Grandad!

2009-10-28T19:36:00.000-07:00

My dad celebrated another birthday on October 13th. We had a little family party for him at our house. If you know him, you know that music just runs through him, so we decided to do a music theme. We had pizza, presents, cake and ice cream, balloons - the works! We love our dad more than words can express! Happy Birthday, Dad!

Here's grandad dressed up in his garb with his grandkids - Parker, Caroline, and Mary-Evelyn.

They loved helping him open his presents!

Sweet Treats bakery did this guitar cake for him! Isn't it so cute!

Here's our dining room all decortated - can you see the CDs hanging from the light?

The kiddos decided to all pile in Mary-Evie's bed. They had so much fun jumping and tumbling on each other!

Sponge Rollers!!

2009-10-05T19:30:00.000-07:00

For those of you that know me, these pictures will come as no surprise! Yes, Sunday morning before church, I put sponge rollers in Mary-Evelyn's hair. I just couldn't resist! Hair has always been a pretty important part of getting dressed to me, and I'm passing that along to ME! There's nothing better than just the right cut and color! It just makes me feel so good! I've had the same hair style practically all my life - just gotten a little blonder over the years with some help. My friends know that in high school, I drove to school with hot rollers in my hair every day and took them out in the parking lot just to get every minute that I could in those rollers. I still put hot rollers in my hair every waking day of my life. Most people iron theirs straight, but I love that body that rollers give! My grandfather asked my grandmother the other day if I streaked Mary-Evelyn's hair! My response was...I strongly believe in highlights, but not for a 19-month old! My mom didn't let me get highlights until the 11th grade (and that was pushing it and they were very subtle), so we at least have to wait until then!

Daddy thought it was ridiculous. He can't stand to think that she is just slightly uncomfortable, and he thought this looked like it was hurting. I told him to back off as he started taking them out - sometimes beauty takes a little bit of discomfort, right girls?!

She thought she looked beautiful and wasn't uncomfortable at all!

See, it just gave a little curl under and body!

She loved it!

A Few of My Favorite Things

2009-09-10T19:56:00.000-07:00

WATER PLAY

Mary-Evelyn loves to stand in a chair and play in the water at the kitchen sink. It is such a great pastime. All I have to do is pull up a chair, put a few things in the sink for her to play with, turn on the water, and she is pacified for the longest.

SIDEWALK CHALK

All one-year-olds love to have something to scribble with. I have found that the best thing to do is take Mary-Evelyn outside with chalk and let her go to town with the scribbling! She loves it and we don't have to worry about what she's writing on.

BUBBLES

She has loved bubbles for a while but has just gotten to the point to where she wants to do it herself. She has so much fun until she gets it all over her and gets sticky. Then, she freaks out and we have to go take a bath!

CORN ON THE COB

Mary-Evelyn has always eaten vegetables really well. MiMi steams her fresh veggies everyday for lunch and we have them with supper, too. One of her favorites is corn on the cob. Not only does she love the taste, but it's fun to eat, too - especially with the little handles that MiMi puts on the ends!

August - The Birthday Month

2009-08-21T20:30:00.000-07:00

Yes, that is my child!! Look at that face!! I was terrified, but she loved it and kept asking for more!!!
August is a month full of birthdays for the Wood/Maynard family! Those with birthdays include Evan and Emma (our niece and nephew), Caroline (our niece), Thomas (my cousin's little boy), Anna Claire (my cousin), Mary Beth (my cousin), Stephanie (my sis-in-law), and T (my uncle and boss). We've been busy celebrating, and, as you will see, enjoyed every minute of it!

THE FOLLOWING 10 PICTURES ARE FROM EVAN AND EMMA'S 6TH BIRTHDAY PARTY! RYAN AND STEPH RENTED THIS HUGE WATER-SLIDE FROM 10AM-7:30PM AND SET IT UP IN THEIR BACK YARD. WE WERE THERE LITERALLY ALL DAY, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF LEAVING FOR A WEDDING. I CANNOT EXPRESS HOW MUCH FUN WE HAD! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND RENTING ONE OF THESE AT LEAST ONCE IN YOUR LIFE!

Your's truly!

Mary-Evelyn absolutey loved it! She was begging to get back in the water in this picture. Check out those buns! (she has her mama's legs and behind!)

Jon with Evan and Josephine. Jon stayed on the slide practically all day. All the kids would pile on top of him for him to take them down the slide.

Mary-Evie was soooo tired at the end of this day!

Courtney Gregory (and baby Clay) and me

Here's the birthday girl and boy!

Liza Kate, Emma, Evan, and Mia Katherine

THE NEXT 5 PICTURES WERE AT CAROLINE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY. SHE WANTED IT TO BE A HANNAH MONTANA PARTY SO BADLY, BUT SOMEHOW MY SISTER PERSUADED HER TO HAVE A STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE THEME!

Family picture

We color-coordinated that day. Jon doesn't know it, but I did that on purpose!

Caroline with her best friends, Kaylee and Elia

Sweet Georgia Caroline is 5 this year!! I can't believe it!

Caroline and her sweet friends.

THE NEXT 3 PICTURES WERE AT MARY BETH'S 20TH BIRTHDAY PARTY. THE PARTY GIRL HID FROM THE CAMERA ALL NIGHT!

My uncle Tommy (aka, Mi) and Jon gave Thomas and Mary-Evelyn a ride in the golf cart.

Mary-Evie and Thomas playing

Anna Claire and Thomas with Mary-Evie and me

THE NEXT 3 PICTURES ARE FROM SWEET THOMAS'S PARTY. HE WAS A YEAR OLD ON THE 14TH. HE AND MARY-EVELYN ARE 6 MONTHS TO THE DAY APART, SO THEY'LL BE CLOSE!

Mary-Evelyn held on to that ball the entire night!

Here's the birthday boy, Thomas!

Emma Carroll and Mary-Evelyn - sweet girls (little Nick and Jon)!

Sunday afternoon play-time!

2009-08-09T20:33:00.000-07:00

Every Sunday after church, we go to my grandparents' house to eat lunch with my family. My grandmother cooks a huge spread, and we have a feast! We have done this all my life, and it's just so great to live back home again to pick the tradition back up now along with my little family! We eat and then play outside as long as Mary-Evelyn will last. Sunday school and church wear her out, but we try to hold her off from sleep so she can play with her cousins, Caroline and Parker. We either play ball, ride bikes, swing, go see the ducks in the lake across the street, or just sit outside and enjoy the time together. My grandparents are wonderful! They keep Mary-Evelyn 2 days a week (my mom keeps her the other 2 days that I work), and they call her their baby! They are absolutely head over heels for this child!

Mary-Evelyn and Caroline

Grandad, MiMi, and their babies

MiMi and Parker

In deep thought

Let's pile on Grandad!!

10-Year Reunion, Class of 1999

2009-07-21T20:04:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, we went to my 10-year high school reunion! I really can't believe that it has been 10 years - it certainly doesn't feel like it. They say that time goes even faster the older you get! That makes me sad, because I don't want my baby to grow up!! Anyway, we had a lot of fun at the reunion and it was so good to see some folks that I haven't seen in a long while. It was like we all picked up right where we left off. Most people had not changed much - looked the same and acted the same - maybe a little more mature! Mary-Evelyn was ill at the picnic because it was during her naptime, so I spent most of my time battling with her. When we got home from that, she slept for like 3 1/2 hours, bless her heart! That night, Jon's sister and her family were gracious enough to take on another child so that we could go. My family was gone to the beach and Jon's parents are headed to Alaska (yes, driving in their motor home). We were out pretty late and I felt so bad, but Aunt Steph said that she went to sleep around 9:15. I was so thankful that ME didn't interfere with her kids getting their sleep. We danced the night away and had so much fun being with all my high-school buddies! Golly, it brought back so many memories! Those truly were the days! Hope you enjoy the pics!

Songs

2009-07-15T19:54:00.000-07:00

I just had to share this with you all. I have always felt closest to God when I sing or hear music. Two of my favorite songs right now are "What do I Know of Holy" by Addison Road and "How You Live" by Point of Grace. Both of these songs really make you think, in different ways. Find them somewhere on the internet and listen. I think you will be blessed.

Girls' Night Out

2009-07-12T20:20:00.001-07:00

Last week, we had a girls night out that was long overdue!! We went to celebrate Jenny Ruth's birthday at Harveys! For those of you that don't know, she is one of my best friends and also one of my college roommates! Thinking back to our days at MSU makes me miss my roomies (you too, Kelly and Michelle)! We had such a good time while we were at State! I had so much fun getting to visit with Jenny Ruth and see some girls I haven't seen in a while! Happy b'day, JR!!

Water-Baby

2009-07-11T20:36:00.000-07:00

On the afternoon of the 4th of July, we swam over at Aunt Lisa and Uncle Steve's house. We are amazed at how comfortable Mary-Evelyn is in the water! Jon would throw her in the air and then let her come down under the water, and she would come up with a smile on her face like it didn't even phase her! She also swam back and forth from me to him with her face in the water.I just love these pictures because they show the little baby fat that she still has. I absolutely love it! I'll be so sad when that leaves! She just drinks SO much milk and that's why it's hanging around. Some new things that she is doing these days...you can point to something round and say, "what shape is this." She responds with "circle." She does the same with star. She loves looking at the moon at night and going to get the mail when we get home everyday. All I have to say is, "you wanna go get the mail," and she heads that way. She's got a whole lot of rhythm. Any time she hears and beat (a song or just a rhythm), she dances...every time! It's so cute! My mom told me on Friday..."I've never seen a baby that's so much like a doll." I asked her what she meant, and she said she's just like a doll - the way she looks, the way she acts. If you ask her to do something, she does it. She obeys very well at this point, and we pray that this continues! It made me feel good that my mom said that since she keeps her the 4 days that I work. Anyway, I rambled, but I hope you enjoy these pictures of our water-baby!!

All-American Baby Girl

2009-07-07T19:44:00.000-07:00

The 4th of July is always one of my favorite holidays! I absolutely love being with family and friends on this day! We celebrated this year just as we always do. We were in a parade that my parents' neighborhood hosts that morning. Jon, my dad, and I decorated my grandfather's trailer the night before and Mary-Evelyn's cousins (Caroline, Parker, Liza Kate, Evan, and Emma) along with Emma Carroll and Thomas Jefcoat road on the float! Aren't they adorable - a float full of babies!! We had lunch in my parents' yard then went home to rest for a little while. After ME woke up from her nap, we headed to Jon's parents' house for swimming, wiffle ball, and grilling! I ate way too much homemade ice cream, but that's just a once-a-year event, so it's okay! We were all exhausted by 8:00, when we were supposed to go to our church to watch the fireworks display that Ballard Park does. ME fell asleep on our way there, so we decided to just go on home and let her get her sleep in her bed. This will be the first year in a long time that we have missed the fireworks, but they say with kids come lots of firsts!! We were able to look out our bathroon window at home and see some of the fireworks, so that was fun!

2009-06-30T14:01:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, on June 26th, Jon and I celebrated our 5-year wedding anniversary. I got to thinking about it, and Jon and I have been together (either dating or married) for almost half of our lives. I was 14 (just a few days before 15) when we start dating and now I'm 28! Isn't that crazy?! I look at these pictures and think back to the feelings that I had that day that we were married! We were both excited beyond imagination and completely oblivious to all that marriage entails! God is gracious and still teaches us new things about marriage everyday! It's great to know that even through tough times, God is merciful! We look forward to all that He has to teach us in the years to come!

Checking on the baby birds

2009-06-27T20:56:00.000-07:00

We had a bird to build a nest in one of our hanging ferns several weeks ago. Jon and Mary-Evelyn checked on the eggs every day, and they finally hatched this week. All Jon has to say is, "wanna go see the baby birds," and ME goes running to the front door. Here you see daddy letting her take a peek in.

Liza Kate, the Softball Slugger

2009-06-27T20:25:00.000-07:00

Thursday night, we went to see Liza Kate play in one of her last softball games. Mary-Evelyn had so much fun but wasn't quite sure what to think about LK in her face shield. LK can play any position they need her in. She's so talented! We're so proud of you, Liza Kate!

At the Beauty Shop

2009-06-25T20:24:00.000-07:00

Mary-Evelyn usually goes with me to get my hair done. She is so patient while I get it cut and highlighted, but you can imagine that a 16-month old can get a little impatient after 2 hours of this! Thanks, MiMi for going with us and helping out!

Welcome to our NEW blog

2009-06-24T20:52:00.000-07:00

I decided that I would get creative and make a cute blog this time. I figured it out on my own and can't wait to keep it up this time (we'll see)! Last time I did this, I updated it about oh every 6-8 months or so, and well when you have a little one, that just doesn't cut it - they change way too much in short amounts of time! I know this is a great way to keep everyone up to date on what happening in the Maynard household, so I'll do my best not to just let it go this time! Hope you enjoy!

Mary-Evelyn is now 16 months old and words cannot express how crazy we are about her! She is a sweet, well-adjusted baby and so friendly (she never meets a stranger)! My mom reminds me often of how blessed we are to have such a sweet and easy baby! Thank you, Lord! She is talking a lot - some of her words include baba (for her cup), baby (she loves her doll), oosh (shoe), lawn mower, ball, stick, and many more. We do the this nusery rhyme a lot and she knows how to respond. One, two, buckle my "oosh" (her response). Three, four close the "doh." Five, six, pick up "sticks!" She has recently learned how to drink out of a straw, so that's all she wants to do if we go out to eat. She's a very technical little girl. My dad says this is like Jon. Anything she gets, she either takes it apart or really studies it to figure out how it works. Decide for yourself who she looks like. I think that is no question, but most people say that they can maybe see a little bit of me in her!