Can't Wait for Callaway Gardens

In a few weeks, we are taking the girls on a weekend get-away to The Lodge & Spa at Callaway Gardens. We plan on seeing the Christmas lights and enjoying the beautiful flowers.

Troy & Brandy's Shower

Sunday night, we hosted a Couples Baby Shower for my cousin, Troy and his wife, Brandy. She is having a little boy, Hayden Cole and is due in 2 weeks! We had such a good time visiting with everyone and can't wait to meet this new addition to our family! Emma kept asking where little Hayden was...she expected to see him!

Bailey, The Instant Entertainer

Katie and Sonny's dog, Bailey, is staying at my parents' house right now while they are in Costa Rica...for 3 weeks. Because the girls don't have a dog of their own, they are really entertained by him. We stopped by the night they brought him over to get reaquainted...I think Katie just wanted to make sure Emma wouldn't rip his hair out while she was gone! Anyway, he caught the frisbee, chewed on a few toys, and ate a couple of treats. It took Emma a while to "warm up" to him but she eventually came around. Fun stuff...Bailey...being the center of attentionEmma...throwing a toy at Bailey...hoping he catches it
Success! He caught it!Emma couldn't believe that he could shake her hand!I'm not sure what my parents are going to do with him for three weeks!!!!!

The Party Continues at the Georgia Aquarium

Today, for Allie's birthday, we enjoyed visiting the Georgia Aquarium. We arrived at 9:00 am and pretty much had the place to ourselves for about an hour! We've been before, but this was the first time Emma actually seemed to enjoy and understand what she was looking at. It was a fun day...we brought cousin Matt along and really enjoyed being able to get so close to all the animals.

I guess you could say that we have been celebrating Allie's birthday all week...American Girl on Sunday, Aquarium today, and the friend slumber party tomorrow night. ...Let's just say that I've already started planning my birthday weekend with JUST Mark.The birthday girl...loving being 8!Matt and Allie taking it all in...The kids loved this playground...very fun!Inside the tunnel...checking out the fishThis part of the aquarium is pretty neat...fish swimming above your head and all...Emma and Allie taking a little break...notice that it's not very crowded yet...Check out this huge whale shark and grouper!!!This ray looks like he's trying to tell me something.Got the 3-D glasses on...ready to see the Deepo moviePosing with Deepo...notice Emma is no where to be found...too scared!Headed to the gift shop, of course!Three hours later, we are headed back to the burbs!Gotta go get ready for the next event!

My Little Blue Desk

While Emma was sitting in the chair that was given to me by my grandfather when I was very young, I thought it would be a little nostalgic to take some pictures of her eating a chocolate chip cookie...just like Katie (my sister) and I used to do.

The day after this picture was taken, I went by my parents' house for a few minutes. When I walked into the kitchen, the picture below was the first thing that caught my eye. I couldn't believe it! This is my sister sitting in the exact same chair eating a chocolate chip cookie! It was on the fridge...my mother said she just found the picture a few days earlier, not too sure where it came from! That really fascinates me!

Allie's American Girl Birthday!

For Allie's 8th birthday, we took her and a friend to the American Girl store at North Point. We had dinner and a birthday cake with polka dots at the bistro after our shopping extravaganza! This was the "family" party...next week she's having the "friend" slumber party...her actual birthday is on Thursday. All of the relatives bought her gifts at the store and we bought the "Julie" doll and "Bitty Baby" for Emma.

This place is so incredible and full of pink! She has read most of the books in the "American Girl" series and we thought this would be a great place to celebrate and purchase her first AG doll.Picking out "Julie"...first stop!She got all these accessories except for the bed...hopefully, Santa will bring that.She also received this adorable winter outfit and dog set for Julie. Each doll comes with its own clothing and accessories.After we made our purchases, Julie immediately came out of the box and posed for a picture with the girls!Posing with Kit and her treehouse...we loved this movie!Emma's cute reaction to finding out that I had bought her a "Bitty Baby"...she was so happy! She and cousin, Nick, spent some time in the mall stroller so we could shop.Now, everyone has a doll. I'm starting to feel like I need one! This place is addicting!Getting ready to head to the bistro for dinner and birthday cake...the food was actually really good!All of the dolls got to sit in special little highchairs designed just for them...too CUTE!All of the family members enjoying dinner...Mark had to move out of the picture so I could get the girls in it.I can't believe you are 8 years old, Allie!! I am so proud of you and all that you have accomplished in eight years! I love you! Love, Mom

Family Adventure!!!

We went to the coolest indoor play area today called Dac Kids Pirates Cove. My mother-in-law went along with my sister-in-law and two nephews. The kids had so much fun! Inside, they have one really big play set in the middle with sand underneath complete with buckets, shovels, rakes, etc. The moonwalks are spread out around the sand and playground area. I've never been to a place quite like this before! We will definitely be back.The girls are waiting patiently for the place to open...somehow, we managed to get there before 10am!Emma loved the sand...just like the beach!Having fun on the playset...Allie and Matt racing to the top...Emma and Nick having fun together...We loved this place!It's nice having a close cousin...instant play mate!

4th of July

We spent the morning and afternoon at the Marietta Square watching the parade and enjoying the festivities. There were lemonade stands, sand art, moonwalks, cotton candy, funnel cakes, arts and crafts show, concerts, etc.! It was really hot outside, but the girls had a great time! This is going to be our new 4th of July tradition!!

Afterwards, we went to my sister-in-law's for dinner and home-made vanilla ice cream! It was so delicious! Then, we went to watch fireworks in my home town! It was a very eventful day!
We walked through Glover Park on the Square before the parade started. It's always a great place to take the kids.Emma enjoyed playing in the little park next to where our chairs were set up to watch the parade. This worked out really well!Watching the parade...Emma would not put this flag down the entire day!The girls enjoyed the view from the sidewalk, too.Here's one of the many floats that passed by...The last original cast members of "Gone With the Wind" were on this trolley. They were in town visiting the "Gone With the Wind" museum located on the Square.Looking patriotic...Allie had fun making a sand art creation after the parade.She picked sand colors that will match her new bedroom.Enjoying a shady spot...Never bored...always into something!