Picture for Christmas Cards!

Just wanted to show you the picture I am using for this years Christmas cards..........with a message saying, "Sending warm wishes your way". Thought it was precious!!! Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

Pics from Ayden's Birthday Party

Ayden turned 3 Sept. 26. I cannot believe that he is 3. They grow up sooooo fast. We had his party at my house with family and friends. Roger and I cooked up a spread of good food and I made the cake and cupcakes for the kids. It turned out really cute. Hope you had a great birthday Ayden....I love you!

You are so Bootiful!!!

This is Ayden singing "You are so beautiful". He LOVES music and picked up on this song from Little Rascals (the movie). He may be our American Idol one day............you never know!!!!

Ayden and Jack (Ren and Stimpy)!

This is Ayden and Jack. They are cousins and love to hang out and play together. Their daddies took them to see some big trucks and tractors and they got to ride on the school bus. In this picture, Ayden is trying to smile and cry at the same time. I thought the look on his face was hilarious and just wanted to share!

Meet Baby Wells

Wow, it's been a long time since I've blogged. I have had a lot going on. Since my last blog, Andrew has started first grade, Ayden has turned three, I have a beautiful new nephew named Wells, I've been to the beach twice.............and I'm sad to say I have not put up any pictures....YET! But you're in luck today because I want to introduce to you William Graham Wellington Stepp II (we are calling him Wells). This is my brother Graham and his wife Mary Lanier's baby! He is so precious! Welcome to the family Wells!

I will have more pics of other events later. My camera is full I just have not had time to upload! Stay tuned......





Baby Wells

Oldies but Goodies!

My friend Courtney just had her baby girl. I can't wait to go up for a visit! I have seen pictures and that has to be one of the most beautiful babies. One thing that she has is a TON of hair. My son Ayden also had a ton of hair, and still does. He looked like a little Mexican baby when he was born - ha! But I ran across these pics today and it reminded me of what a fro he really has!! Someday (like 50 yrs from now - ha) some girl will love to get her hands in his hair! We truly do get stopped everywhere we go for someone to comment on his hair. I am proud so that gives me bragging rights!!!! Here are a few pics.......

This is my dad and Ayden at his 1st birthday party

This was at Halloween!

This was at the beach

Pics from Heritage Park - July 4th

Here are a few pics from Heritage Park. It was sooo awesome. The greenville symphony was there playing patriotic music and then they played a few Michael Jackson songs as a "tribute" to him which was cool. The fireworks were amazing and everyone had a blast. We will definitely go back next year!!

Happy 4th of July!!!!!!!

Happy 4th of July to everyone! This year we are going to go to Heritage Park in Simpsonville with Tim and Alison Landreth and my mom and dad! I am very excited because I heard that the firework show is the best in town ( I guess I will have to be the judge of that ) but everyone is coming over for a cookout at my house and then we are all going over to the park! I am interested in seeing how Ayden responds to the fireworks. 4th of July last year he loved them but 6 months later at New Year's he hated them. So we shall see! I hope everyone has a great weekend and thanks to all the men and women who fight for our country everyday. Thank you GOD for the many freedoms that we have. It still is and always will be "One nation under GOD". Let the fireworks begin!!!!!!!!!!!

Gov. Mark Sanford

I have been a big fan of Gov. Mark Sanford. He has stood up for things in the past that he truly believed in and did not back down, which I agree with. I am in no way, shape, or form saying that what he has done is acceptable, however, he is a human being and we ALL make mistakes. I feel sorry for his wife and sons and family and will be praying that somehow God can get them through this. I think Jenny has stood out to be a strong, independent woman and has handled it as best to be expected. I am sure that a lot of tears have been shed not only by her but also her husband. I can't help but think of some of the choices that I have made that God frowns upon but he still loves me and blesses me even though I don't deserve it. Once again, I am not justifying his behavior, I just think we as Christians especially should be ready to forgive and just continue to pray for this family.

My good friend Autumn came to visit me on Friday with her 3 month old baby Eli (who is adorable). We grew up together and it's hard to believe that we are now wives and mommies. She is a great mother and seems to have everything under control. We don't get together as much as we probably should but we will always remain friends. Thanks for visiting Autumn, Eli is ADORABLE!!!!!!

Date night - WOO HOO!!

I am so excited that I am going out tonight with my sweet hubby ALL BY MYSELF!! I am super excited! We are going to dinner and a movie. My sweet mom and dad volunteered to keep my children and let them spend the night! It has been a long time since we have had a "date". We try to make time but it just seems as though it gets put on the back burner - so to speak - because of our busy schedules. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband who is an AWESOME father too! I LOVE YOU ROGER!!!!!!

My other love - Andrew!!

Andrew is also very special to me!!! For those of you who may not know, Roger already had Andrew when we married. So not only was I an instant wife, but also an instant mother. Although I did not actually give birth to Andrew, he is my son! I can say that because any woman can birth a child, but not everyone can be a mother. I do everything for Andrew. Not because I have to, but because I love him and want to. I know one day we will have to explain to him the situation (which honestly I am not looking forward to) but until then we will just keep trucking along. Andrew is full of life and FULL of energy (just ask his 5K teacher - ha ha). He loves to play baseball and is VERY good at it. He also loves to fish with his daddy! He will stand there for hours just wanting that rod to tip over! He is so special to me and I am so thankful that God chose ME to be his mother!!

Yay Ayden!!

My little boy Ayden, who is 2, has been peeing in the potty lately. Not all the time, but at least he is interested in it. I can't believe that he is growing up so fast. His vocabulary increases everyday. The words that he says are sooo funny. He will bust out the "air guitar" in a heartbeat. I call it the "air guitar" because all he needs to hear is music and he starts acting like he is playing the "target" (as he calls it). I am so proud to be his mommy and could not even dream that I could love someone that much!!!

Andrew and Ayden

Just wanted to share with you some pics of Andrew and Ayden. Andrew is 6 and Ayden is 2. I love spending time with them. It can get pretty crazy at times but all in all we have a lot of fun. Thank you God for blessing me with two boys! Do you think you could help me out with a girl??????? Maybe one day :)

I never thought I would..........

Hello - we are the McDowell family. I never would have thought that I would create a "blog". I became so addicted to myspace and then facebook until I went a few weeks without either and realized that, yes, I could live without them. I am looking forward to blogging because it seems a lot more personable than myspace or facebook. Don't get me wrong, I still have a myspace page and a facebook page, but I don't get on them as much as I used to. So, enough of that, I really look forward to sharing with you what's going on at the McDowell house. Trust me, there is NEVER a dull moment. Stay Tuned, lots more to come!!!!!!