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Wild Adventures Part 1

We had a "wild" time yesterday at Wild Adventures . My boss bought tickets for the entire staff and their families as appreciation for all the hard work we do around the office. It was extremely nice of him to do so. We just took Grant with us because I knew Erin (and Mama) would not enjoy a day in the hot sun. Out day started out a little shaky, but we ended up having a good time. This is the first time Grant has been to a theme park of any kind. After the trip it fully solidified my plan to avoid Disney for a few more years. I do not want to take on that challenge until they are potty trained and can actually remember what they saw.

Right inside the gate they were taking pictures with a tiger cub. Grant doesn't look so excited. He was probably wondering why he had to stand there.

This is the first ride Grant rode on. I wanted to start him out on something a little more his speed, like the merry go round or the little train. But no...Stephen wanted to take him on this. Yes, he met the height requirements, but as you will see I don't think he is as much of a dare devil as his father. Don't get me wrong I LOVE roller coasters, but Stephen takes it further by jumping out of planes and stuff like that.

There they go in the last car. Stephen is instructing our unsuspecting two year on the proper form for roller coaster riding.

This is the first time they went by. Grant looked a little worried, but was doing fine.

The second time around Grant started to scream. I guess once was enough for this little guy. After zooming in on the photo I am a little concerned with the safety of this ride. My poor baby! After this I couldn't get him to ride anything else. Not even the merry go around. He'd scream and put a death grip on me with his legs. I hope he's not ruined for life! We are horrible parents!

Wild Adventures Part 2

After permanently emotionally scaring Grant for life, we enjoyed some time at the water park.
Grant had a blast playing in the toddler play area and floating around the lazy river.

Again, he did not like this slide. He screamed the whole way down. Poor kid!

He fell asleep before we even left the parking lot!

Now That's More Like It

I enjoy playing around with Photoshop, but I know that there is much I do not know about the program. Yesterday, I posted this picture on my blog, but I still wasn't happy with it. After playing around in photoshop I came up with a better version.

Before:

After:

What do you think?

Random Happenings at Our House

We had a busy weekend filled with birthday parties and football. Saturday afternoon Grant and Erin went to a party at O2B Kids. They had a great time. The party moved from room to room enjoying different activities. I think Grant's favorite was the gymnastics room. The kids had to follow an obstacle course filled with balance beams and various mats to jump over, crawl under and roll down. At the end of the course they got to jump on a large trampoline. Grant amazed me with his balance!

Afterward we enjoyed a yummy dinner at my parents' house to celebrate Old Papa (my grandad) and Papa's birthdays. My mom made a delicious Sour Cream Pound cake!

I have spent my free time sewing and painting. I have been working a dress for Erin. This is my first attempt at the pattern. I have some corduroy that I plan on using with this pattern, but I was afraid to cut it out until I new how the dress would turn out.
i have a few baby showers coming up. Yesterday, during nap time, I made one of these for Erin. It's very soft! She doesn't really care about it, but Grant loves it. Maybe I need to make him one too!

Speaking of things Grant loves....

...did I mention he loves Mickey Mouse?

Erin's newest thing...sticking out her tongue. I blame this one on Daddy!

Erin is quite the determined little girl. She now stands alone. She thinks she's as big as Grant. She is also cruising around furniture a little bit. So much for keeping her little!

I love these baby blues! But will they stay this way???

Speaking of blue...This is Grant after a sucker.

Brother and Sissy Time

The weather was beautiful today and we enjoyed the afternoon outside together. Erin is getting so big! Granny Gay made the suggestion that we put her in the wagon and the little car. I don't know why I didn't think of it myself. I guess I just want to keep her little. She loved it!

Grant lovin' on his sissy

We (I mean Grant) gave Erin her first ride in the pink car.

He pushed her all over the place. He did not appreciate any help either!

Got to stop for a hug and a kiss.

(I can only hope he still feels the dame way in about 14 years)

Out for a stroll

We're Back!

We are home after a busy week visiting family. We left on Wednesday, Grant's birthday, and went to my Granny Field's house in Macon. We were so glad to see her! We had a great visit with her and John. This was the first time she had been able to see Erin. I wish we could have stayed longer, but we had to get to Montgomery by Thursday afternoon.

Field and Erin
Field, John, Grant and Erin

Thursday night Liz and I went to the consignment sale. For those of you who have never been to one of these it's a huge sale for children's clothing and toys. We volunteered to work at the sale this year so we were able to shop the night before anyone else. I was able to get a ton of cute clothes for the kids. I wish I could show you everything. Erin got a several adorable dresses including a beautiful Christmas dress. I bought several pairs of shoes and her first Halloween costume. Grant did not need as much this year because many of the shirts he wore last year still fit him. I did get him several pairs of pants, and a jacket. I did get him some toys. It is such a great deal! It was definitely worth working the sale to get first pick on the clothing. I plan on working again in the spring if at all possible.

A little Halloween preview

The boys got to jumping off the fireplace together. Grant thought this was hilarious! We did get some video of it and if I can figure out how to upload it to the blog I will.

War Eagle!

We finally made it home last night about 10:15 pm. We had a full tank of gas when we left Montgomery, but by the time we reached Tallahassee we only had a quarter of a tank left. We thought we'd go ahead and fill up, but we couldn't find a gas station with fuel. We searched for forty-five minutes with no luck. We got the phone numbers for gas stations down I-10 off of the GPS and began calling them. We couldn't find one the had gas until Lake City! We happened to stop at an exit near Madison to feed Erin and the little gas station still had gas! Yea! There was nobody there when we first stopped, but by the time we left it was very busy. When we made it home Erin decided to cry (really scream) until about 1:30 when she gave it up and went to sleep. Boy was I tired!

This morning I took the kids for their check ups. Grant weighed in at 31lbs 12oz and is 36.25 inches tall. Erin weighed in at 18 lbs 5oz. and is 26.5 inches tall. Both are in the 95% for height and Grant is 85% for weight and Erin is in the 75%. Grant only got his Flu vaccination which we did as a mist that he inhaled instead of a shot. Erin got five shots including her flu vaccine. She is now running her usual fever! I am hoping for a better night's sleep because I have to work tomorrow!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

This was just minutes after Grant's arrival! He was born 9-10-06 at 12:33 am. I can't believe it's been two years! I look at Grant with amazement and thank God for giving him to us. He is such a special son and a great big brother. I don't know what the future holds for Grant, but I will be there for him everyday.

As we were eating dinner, Grant was playing with Erin making her laugh. It was so sweet. I told Stephen, "Two years ago today I had no idea this is where we'd be!" We are so blessed!

We will be leaving early Wednesday morning to visit my Granny Field, followed by a trip to Montgomery to see Brian. Liz and I will be enjoying the semi-annual consignment sale! Yea!!! Shopping!!!

A Mickey Mouse Birthday

Today we celebrated Grant's second birthday. His official birthday is September 10th. I can not believe my little guy is two years old! Time passes too swiftly!

I tried my hand at cake decorating. Stephen's mom used to do these cakes when he was little so she came over to help me decorate. It took us a few minutes to get our act together, but it turned out nice for a rookie! There are a few things I'd do different next time. So check back in about sixth months and see what I bake for Erin's first birthday.

Grant absolutely loved his cake. He kept wanting me to open the fridge today so he could see it.

I know this picture is grainy and dark. The batteries where beginning to go bad in my flash. Something that didn't cross my mind until this moment, but there was no holding Grant up for a quick battery change. I wish the picture was clearer because I love the look on his face!

(On a side note: Last year our good friend Jon offered to photograph Grant's first birthday party. What a great idea this is! I was able to pay attention to Grant and our guests rather than my camera. Well, this year I tried to do it all and I must say it is too hard. I was trying to be a good host and take care of all the guests, and watch Grant enjoy his cake, and did I mention that Erin has to be attached to me every second of the day, AND photograph the party! )

He succeeded at blowing out his own candle! (Without spitting all over the cake too.)

Enjoying his cake and ice cream. We have come a long way since last year!

Before bed playing with his new toys!

Hunter's glad it's all over!

I Want My Big Toe

It's funny the things that make an impression on the mind of a child. Today I was playing with Grant and Erin when I thought of my Papa and all the stories he used to tell us. I am sure my sister, brother and cousin Kristin all remember these stories. There were two favorites. The first usually involved my dad and uncles and maybe whoever Papa was telling the story too. In the story they had been on a bear hunt and somehow had stolen a bear's big toe. Papa would deepen his voice and pretend he was the bear saying "I want my big toe!" I would squeal as the bear chased down the "toe thieves."

The second story also had many variations. He would tell of a crooked little house on a crooked little lane with a crooked little man and a crooked little woman..... You get the picture. I loved these stories and would always beg for more.

In the picture above my cousin Kristin and I are about three (I think). We would both sit in his lap comb his hair. I would also pretend to zip and unzip him (as pictured) along his scar from his open heart surgery. We would also stroke his face pulling his cheeks down and say "Poor Papa! Poor Papa!" Then we'd slap his cheeks and say "Beat um! Beat um!Beat um! Beat um! Beat um!" Poor Papa indeed! (I am not sure how this got started. Melissa do you know?) He endured a lot from us grand kids.

One thing I know for sure is that he loved each of us very much. What I wouldn't give for one more day with him. It was Labor Day sixteen years ago that he left this life for his home in heaven. I can't wait too fill him in on all he's missed one day. I know he'll be proud!