A New Way of Shopping

Going to the grocery store in NYC, was a little difficult to say the least with two little ones in a big double stroller...small isles, too crowded, and super tiny checkout stands. But down here, it is a whole new experience! The stores are about four times the size with ten times the selection and half the price! Plus two bonuses, a free cookie for the kids each visit and the coolest shopping cart ever - a car with steering wheels!

Publix...where shopping truly is a pleasure!

The conversations you have as a mommy

Mommy: Addie did you just do business?

Addie: big smiles and grunts...

Blake: think Addie did do poop poos

Mommy: you think so?

Blake: i just tooted

Mommy: you did?

Blake: i was tooting while Addie did poop poos mommy!

Hope this cracks you up as much as it did me. Only a child can make this subject so funny while having a completely straight face. Such innocence...

Addie in Action

Addie is on the move. Listen very carefully during the first 10 seconds, you will hear the deep grunt/growl noise she makes. She sounds like a raspy old woman, it is very funny!

I Just Love Them

Just look at these faces! Aren't they just the most adorable you've ever seen?

Addie just about to stand up on her own!

My handsome little man sporting his new haircut.

Wouldn't daddy be so proud of his little girl and what she's playing with?!?!

Georgia Fun

The past few days we were over visiting friends and family in nearby Atlanta. First stop was Grammie and Grampie's house. We had so much fun swimming, playing ball, picking up sticks, eating yummy food and just relaxing. Then we went to The Ganci's house, where we had lots of fun playing together.

Here is Addie swimming for the second time ever. She loved her new little tube that Grampie got. She looked so adorable!!!

Couldn't help but not post this pic...if only we could all look so dang cute in a bathing suit with so many pudgy rolls!

Here is upside down Blake and climbing Taylor having LOADS of fun at Monkey Joe's, Blake's new favorite place. It is non-stop fun for little ones...all the inflatable jumping houses, slides and climbing you can ever imagine. We were so sad to learn that there is not a Monkey Joe's in Birmingham. Hopefully we can find a similar place here in town.

Flyin' High

Next stop on our "exploring Birmingham" itinerary...Southern Museum of Flight or airplane museum as Blake calls it. Blake was in awe of all the airplanes and helicopters that were hanging all over the place, but not to my surprise, that wasn't the highlight of our visit. The museum had a bounce house that he couldn't get enough of and once he was inside jumping, it was very hard for mommy to get to him and get him out! Little stinker! Not sure how much Addie enjoyed our visit, but she was a good sport as always.

Blake "flying" the plane!

Mommy and Blake sitting in a real cockpit.

This is the third place we have purchased an annual membership at here in the area, so we will be going back soon I'm sure.

Another Fun Zoo Day

Despite the triple-digit temperatures, we are still taking full advantage of our zoo pass. Today we wanted to go see the giraffe feeding...but little did we know that we could actually feed the giraffes, not just watch the zookeeper do it.

Blake also wanted to try out his photography skills. I had no idea the camera was actually taking pictures because he pushed the button so quickly, but as it turns out, he got a really cute one with the tiger.

We found a pretty butterfly and like a good sport, Blake posed with an adorable smile next to it.

Our "Summer" Has Ended

For most of you, there are still a few more wonderfully hot summer days left before school starts and vacation time is over. For us, however, our fun days of summer have come to an end a little, figuratively speaking. Daryl started his new fellowship yesterday and therefore we won't have Daddy to spend our days with like we have been spoiled with for the past three weeks. So we wanted to share some of our fun times we have had recently in exploring Alabama as a family. We have THOROUGHLY enjoyed all of our quality time as a family together.

Having a picnic at the Vulcan Park Statue:
happy Addie, crazy running man Blake, and our family on top of the statue

Welcome to the Birmingham Zoo-one of the greatest places ever to take your kids. Big boy Blake riding on a camel all by himself, Blake playing in the water fountains, Addie and Mommy on the train, Blake and Daddy riding the carousel and the whole fam on the choo choo train.

We visited the Science Center-here Blake is driving a space ship.

Blake and Daddy visited the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

Our amazingly beautiful children. They just adore each other!

The Birmingham Barons Minor League Baseball game. Daryl caught the first foul ball of the game for Blake. This was Addie's first time at a sporting event.

This is our backyard pool ($10 at Wal-Mart, and worth every penny). Watch our crazy man take a running start.

Alabama Adventures

Yesterday we ventured to a water and theme park just a half hour outside of town. We weren't sure what to expect and it was a bit cheesy, but it didn't matter because Blake had the time of his life and Addie went into a pool for the first time!
It was a pleasant 96 degrees out, so cooling off in a pool couldn't have been more refreshing. We must have spent almost 2 hours splashing around. Then we headed over to the rides, where we probably put Blake on 10 different ones at least. The kiddie bumper cars were the most hilarious though...as an adult we all know how they work, but I'm sure many of us have had our fair share of getting stuck. Well, poor little Blake only knew how to get stuck. The attendant continued to go over and help him and would turn his wheel, but then he never turned it back, so he just went around and around in a circle with the most confused possible look on his face. We couldn't help but crack up laughing and finally he said "all done" and hopped right off.

Needless to say after a super intensely hot day of fun and excitement at Alabama Adventures, our little man conked out within minutes of getting in the car. Little Addie took a nap in the stroller for almost half of the time we were at the park.
Today, Blake has asked to go back to the park only about 10 times or more!

Now that Daddy is home with us for a few weeks before starting up his fellowship, we are trying to pack as many fun family events in as we can. We have a great list of upcoming activities planned. Stay tuned for more "Alabama Adventures!"

Sweet Home Alabama, Finally

Since the last posting, here's a quick recap...

Daryl graduated from residency at HSS-congratulations on 5 long years of very hard work!


Amanda and Tony's wedding in beautiful Bermuda, where Blake almost stole the show for being the cutest ring bearer ever, but still couldn't quite hold a candle to the stunningly beautiful new Mrs. Anthony Bruneau!!! What a fabulous wedding weekend for all. So much love was in the air.


Anne-Blyth's birthday (no need to say which one ;)) was spent celebrating with my whole family! That is the greatest present I could ever ask for. I felt so lucky to have all of my loved ones together at once and to top it off, we were still in Bermuda!

I cannot think of a better way to finish out my birthday than my two little angels sound asleep on me, so special!

We packed up and said our final goodbyes to New York City. We thoroughly enjoyed our time up there and who knew after 5 years we would have two adorable additions to make us a family of 4.

Blake and his little friends, Katelyn, Gabi and Drew, having one last lunch together in NYC.

Hello Sweet Home Alabama...after much anticipation we are finally in Birmingham. Unfortunately I cannot say we are completely unpacked yet, we are almost there; our new humble abode is coming along. We were greeted by several little bugs, spiders, roaches, etc when we moved in and were quickly reminded that we were back in the South! No need to fear our unwanted roommates though...we now have the kitty cats back too. So they will be our hunters and protectors!

Our new house and car!

Above and below: enjoying our new big backyard.

We bought a new car! We our now the proud owners of a brand new silver Honda Pilot. It is amazing. Thank you so very much to Monie for all of her hours of hard work in researching and finding the best deal.

We visited Grammie & Grampie and the Ganci Family in Atlanta for a few days while Daddy did some last minute studying. We had so much fun going to parks, riding bikes, swimming, going to a mini-amusement park and watching fireworks on the 4th of July for the first time with Blake, he loved them. He kept saying "boom, boom, boom" over and over again.

Daryl completed his Boards...he has been studying day after day for weeks for this big test. He is sooooooo relieved to have this behind him.

Blake graduated from his crib to a toddler bed, while poor little Addie finally moved from the pack-n-play to a crib! They have both adjusted perfectly and love their new rooms and beds.

In a nutshell that has been our life for the past month. So now that things have calmed down a little, I will try to get back on the wagon and blog more often. We have about two more weeks to enjoy Daddy before he begins his fellowship on August 1. From then on, we won't be seeing much of him, so I welcome anyone with a desire to visit Birmingham to come knock on our door, we'd love to see you!