making a Christmas picture

Henry is 20 months... need I say more!

The gummy fruit snacks were supposed to help keep him entertained, but I think Bill & I were the ones entertained! Of course, we didn't use any of these pics, so you'll be surprised when your card comes in the mail!!

We have all of our Christmas shopping completed and wrapped under the tree. Henry has stepped on a few boxes (sorry Poppa, your present may be a little smashed!), and we are looking forward to this special season!
Bill and I are especially looking forward to spending Christmas Eve at home this year. We have always been in Eufaula, but we feel it will be fun for Henry to be at home Christmas morning.

Merry Christmas! We hope God blesses you throughout the next year!

Happy Halloween!

Last Sunday, our church had a Halloween festival. We made Moonpie Pumpkins and participated in the Trunk or Treat (where you trick or treat out of the back of cars in the parking lot).
On Friday, Bill, Henry and I went to Auburn and met Lindsay and David for dinner at Mellow Mushroom and spent the night at the dup. Saturday, Henry woke up bright and early to the Auburn University Marching Band. So, we loaded the stroller and walked downtown to Taylor's Bakery for coffee.
After a wonderful (and much needed) Auburn win, Will and Margaret had their first wedding shower -- a tailgate shower. They got lots of GREAT gifts! Henry dressed up in his lion costume and paraded around for everyone's entertainment.
We returned to Montgomery just in time to jump on the Farrior's hayride and trick-or-treat in Hillwood with our supper club - the Robersons, Farriors, and Browns. The Youngs and Clements joined the group and we all had a wonderful time!
We returned to the Robersons and the kids were so hyped up on sugar that we let them play it out in the playroom.
On our way home, we stopped by the Campbells for their annual Halloween party. Henry gave his first kiss to sweet Ellie Callahan... wish I had a picture of that! I told him to kiss her goodnight and instead of blowing a kiss he leaned in and gave her a big smack on the lips! It was so funny!!
Happy Halloween!

a Halloween preview

Henry has enjoyed his glow-in-the-dark pajamas from Ca-Kay. They are quite entertaining -- especially with my rain boots on him! You can see he was admiring himself in the mirror. He stops at every mirror and grins at himself. Glad he likes what he see! Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!

Henry, the lion, is getting ready for some CANDY!
Happy Halloween!!

the Pumpkin Patch!

The Alabama National Fair came to town, so we took Henry. Most rides were too big for him, but they did let me ride a kiddie train ride with him. He was amused by all the lights and noise. Next year he'll get more out of it.
Then last weekend we took Henry to Dreamfield Farms in Union Springs (well, actually Shopton, but no one really knows where that is unless you are from the area). They have lots of things for children to do. We started with a bouncy blow-up gym and maze. Henry is a little young for that because he can't say "I'm lost, help!" So, we didn't let him go too far into the maze. Then we ventured inside for hot chocolate (it was 46 degrees there on Saturday morning!). After warming up inside, we visited the farm animals where Henry tried to give the donkey his green sucker. The donkey didn't want it. So we watched the goats and cow eat and joined the crowd for the pig race. Later, we check out "Cornfusion" the corn maze. Well, someone put up the "clue" signs in the wrong places, so we REALLY got corn-fused!! It was funny, but since the weather was cold and the ground was wet, we were ready to get out of there.

We headed to Auburn to visit with the all the tailgaters (mom, dad, and will included), then home to our cozy, warm house to see Auburn lose, once again! Ugh! Such a frustrating season!!! Oh well, Bill's happy that Alabama is doing good.... at least one of us is happy!

Happy Harvest!

This past Sunday, we joined our Sunday School class and other young adult classes for our annual "farm day". It was hosted by the Johnstons and the church provided lunch, live music, and pumpkins for all the children. Henry had a blast! His pumpkin is sitting at our front door and every time we walk outside he wants to take the pumpkin wherever he is going. Happy Harvest!

our daily routine

In the afternoons, we love to walk. Nelle needs the exercise, Henry needs the outing, and Bill and I just enjoy talking everyday after work. It's such a fun family event that Nelle and Henry especially look forward to. Henry waits on Bill to change when he gets home from work (usually in his blue car, but sometimes crawls into his stroller after pushing it to the front door) and Nelle runs around the house like a crazy dog until we get her outside where she leads the way! Patsy took pictures of us last week... and normally I wouldn't blog about this, but our neighborhood is beautiful with all the trees surrounding the sidewalk... thought some of you would like to see.

the Capitol City's half marathon

Last Saturday, Montgomery's first half marathon, sponsored by Hyundai, City of Montgomery, and others, routed in front of our house. To show that we are civic minded in the Garden District, Henry, Bill, Nelle, and I joined our neighbors to cheer on the runners to the finish line... which was the train shed downtown. We were located at mile 11.

Labor Day at the beach!

Bill, Henry and I loaded the car and headed to the beach with Molly & Eric, Alyce & Billy, and Patsy & Winn for Labor Day weekend. It's the first time we've taken a family trip together since I married Bill... and we had a blast! Bill got out early Saturday morn and returned with chocolate glazed donuts... a traditional beach breakfast for us. Alyce walked Henry in the mornings... or actually pushed Henry while he drove his car. Once everyone was up and ready for the beach, we set up a tent and pool for Henry on the beach, but of course, he preferred the water of the ocean to his pool. Lucky for me there were many other arms to hold him because it is exhausting especially when all he wanted to do was jump waves! Molly & Eric took Henry on a much enjoyed float ride to jump the waves. He laughed so hard! Actually, we all enjoyed the ocean and beach. Henry fed the birds his animal crackers and then chased them. Then entertained us with his poll dancing and chocolate chip cookie addiction (you'll see the remains on his face in one of the pictures).
On Saturday, I joined all the other Auburn fans on 30-A to watch the Auburn game at Shades, while the Robertsons watched the Alabama game at the beach house and ordered pizza. On Sunday, Bill and I went to dinner with Molly, Alyce, Eric and Billy while Winn and Patsy took Henry to Seaside for dinner in the park. It was a great weekend... and we didn't want to leave on Monday. However, back to life at home... but hopefully we will make that trip again next year.
On Tuesday after Labor Day, Henry started back to school. He has lots of friends in his class and loves going (it's really just Mother's Morning Out at our church). Here is a picture of his first day. Time is flying by... Henry is 18 months!

summer is over, fall is here

We have had a wonderful summer. Henry is growing so fast and our family is changing constantly... I love it! Alyce married Billy Addison in May and Will is engaged to Margaret Ewing and getting married June 19, 2010. We attended a party for Billy & Alyce the first weekend of August. It was a celebration of their marriage given by Sara & Jere Beasley. It was so much fun to share their excitement with family and friends.

The second weekend in August, I went with friends to the beach. Allison was a gracious host... and the trip was so relaxing. I returned Saturday night so Bill and I could help host a baby shower for Beth & Blake Oliver in Auburn. We are excited about the upcoming arrival of Davis in October. That Sunday, Henry and I accompanied Bill to the golf course where Henry wanted to play and well, I don't think Bill got much practice.

The third weekend in August, I hosted my high school girlfriends at our house for the weekend. We get together once a year and this year was my summer to host. We had a blast! We did a river float on the Tallapoosa River with about 100 other people. It was so much fun... and honestly, just fun for us all to be together. By the way, Bill told us to blow up our floats at home because so many would bring theirs to the launch site deflated. We drove like this for about 30 minutes. There was no need to wear a seat belt in the backseat.

That next week, we visited Jennifer, Tate, and Mary Carter in Birmingham where we went to the McWane Center. Henry and Tate had a blast.... I could hardly keep up with them. Mary Carter is such a sweet baby and absolutely precious! Robert joined us for lunch afterwards before Henry and I headed home.

The weekend of the 23rd (Bill's b'day), Bill played in a golf tournament in Eufaula while Henry and I attended Lola Campbell's baptism and pool party! Henry, of course, didn't waste a minute getting in the pool and thoroughly enjoyed himself. We joined Bill in Eufaula later on Saturday where we went swimming (yes, twice in one day) with Poppa and Keitt, and then spent the night with Mom & Dad.
Wow! We have been busy.... and of course, this past weekend Henry went to spend the night in Eufaula with Will, Mom & Dad so Bill & I could attend Mandy & Adrian Johnson's wedding and then kayak on Sunday. We met Elba, Blake Oliver, and Matt & Kelli Alfreds in Wetumpka at the Coosa Outdoor Center and paddled the Coosa. When I say paddled... I really mean we paddled. It was exhausting! But, I'd do it again tomorrow.
Most of you that read this blog know that Bill's friend, Lynn Jinks, died a month before we married. He was one of Bill's closest friends and meant so much to both of us. He died while kayaking in Colorado the weekend after his sister's wedding and a month before returning to Alabama for our wedding. On Sunday, he was thought of so much. He died doing something he loved and now I wish I had let him teach me how to kayak (since he was a pro) so the next time I do a class 3 rapid I won't bust!!! I'm not even sure you can say "bust" while in the water... all I know is Lynn was laughing at me from Heaven, while a group of kayakers had to tow Blake and Elba and their canoe to the side of the river so they could regroup, and I had to have help from another gathering my belongings and getting back into my kayak. But, like I said... I'd do it again tomorrow.
Now... we are ready for football... and in fairness to my other family (the Robertsons), I'm posting a pic that I would normally not allow to EVER be seen. However, I love both sides of my family and well, we only live once... maybe Henry will truly love both teams.... ha!! If you live in Alabama... you know that's impossible. Either way... may the best team win!

War Eagle!

after bath, brush... and another Dum-Dum

Henry's first haircut

I almost backed out on the way to the Barber Shop today... but I'm so glad I didn't.

Bill's sister, Alyce, got married in May. She had a small, private wedding to Billy Addison --- whom we love and are SO glad to have as part of our family. Henry is very lucky to have two wonderful uncles now -- Eric and Billy! Anyway, some friends are hosting a party for Alyce and Billy this weekend... so I wanted him to look presentable!
OH, does he... he actually looks like a little boy!!! Also, I was afraid my dad was going to come to Montgomery in the middle of the night and cut Henry's hair without me knowing, if I didn't do something soon. I do so love the precious baby hair, but his was getting a tiny, tiny bit out of control. It doesn't help to have his dad's cowlick either (which everyone seems to love --- I guess it's cute, but it's hard to deal with!).

The Baptist South Barber Shop is the place to go! Someone recommended it to me and they were great!! Henry had a toy box full of toys to take with him to his seat, two Dum-Dums, a cup of Smarties, and two butter cookies. It really doesn't get much better than that. "Miss" Karen was wonderful and sweet and took her time letting Henry get to know her and it was absolutely the best experience.

Now, we are ready to PARTY!!!