Girls Weekend to Atlanta

Alex has been travelling a ton and we managed to fit in a short trip home for Emery & I.  Alex and I criss-crossed at the airport on my return while he left for another week.  Emery and I met up with friends, went shopping with Grandma & Auntie P, and enjoyed time with Papy too! 

She is still such a good child and happily entertains herself.  I realize they change so much, but it was really obvious because Alex & I were apart for nearly a month with a few days together in between trips and then apart for 10 days.  While in Atlanta, Emery mastered sitting up without support and has finally acquired taste for oatmeal.  We had tried rice cereal at 5 months but she refused to eat it.  I wasn't worried because we didn't try solids with Evan until he was 6 months, doctors I guess advise to start earlier now. Funny how things change.  She LOVES the oatmeal and we added some applesauce this week.  Today we tried sweet peas with it and she ate it up.  The child doesn't miss a meal! 

I will post a 6 month update after her appointment next week! But she is a doll and Evan is a good helper.

Evan and Alex had a much anticipated BOYS ONLY weekend while we were in Atlanta.  Evan went to Apple Lane much much earlier on Thursday since Alex is in the office by 6:30.  I think it was good to have a little change to his routine while I was away.  He was very excited to have breakfast there.  Evan has also been in swim lessons at the Y, and doing well.  It was hard the first few weeks because he would cry when we left him to watch through the window.  A little bribery helped too...I promised him to get ice cream if he didn't cry and it worked, but I guess there was some discussion in class because two of the other boys were asking their moms to go to Culver's as well!  They went to a local pizza place, George's for dinner.  Alex took Friday off and the boys went to see "How to Train Your Dragon".  It was Evan's first movie and Alex said he was in heaven--especially iwht the big box of popcorn.  Then on Saturday Alex took Evan to Oxbow Park which is a state park and sanctuary for Minnesota wildlife.  There were bears, eagles, elk, deer and more.  I'm excited to go with next time and enjoy a picnic! 

I arrived home around 8:30 pm Sunday night and was so excited to see Evan.  He asked for his presents like we all did when we were little.  I couldn't wait to show him some shirts my friend appliqued --one was superman patch with an "E".  Evan was less than enthusiastic about the shirts.  Guess I should have fit the toys in my suitcase instead of shippng a box home.  All I wanted to do Monday morning was snuggle with him but he had an other idea.  He walked in the bedroom grumpy and said "Mommy, I want another boys weekend."  Yep, and that's how the week without Daddy began!  I was happy and sad at the same time.  Alex had tried to find some Dragon toys, but didn't have any luck at Target....of course because the commercials say Exclusively at WALMART and boy did I win some brownie points with Evan on Monday!  He picked out a dragon, Hiccup (the boy) and got some new light up tennis shoes, oh and Dragon granola bars. 

We had a very busy week and so happy to have Daddy home on Friday.  Nana and Aunt Anna arrive this week for Emery's baptism and we can't wait to see them!

Emery and Elle (Lindsay's daughter-10 mo)

Grandma & Emery

Marialice & Emery

Sitting up!! My favorite new photo!

Aunite P

We're back!

Well, what a crazy 6 weeks it has been!  I'm shocked that I let that much time go by before posting!  I've been feeling much better and the weather has been so good that none of us can stand to stay indoors!

I celebrated another wonderful Mother's Day with the boys and enjoyed a weekend of doing my own thing, including gardening!  I don't have a green thumb, but it's been rewarding to see the fruits of my labor last fall.  My tulips came in beautifully and survived frost and the bunnies!  Now, my peonies and sage are starting to bud!  Can't wait to see them bloom in a few weeks!

Anyway, May was quite a busy month that just flew by!  We packed our suitcases and headed for a week of visiting family in North Carolina, Savannah and Marietta!  This time around, Evan had his own seat on the airplane and we were lucky to have the bulk head row on an Airbus 330.  He's a great traveler, but we are grateful to the invention of the portable DVD player as well as the creators of Dora the Explorer & Go Diego Go!

Alex's cousin was married in Asheville and everything was beautiful.  Everyone got to see Evan and some met him for the first time.  Of course, he was a hit.  Instead of wedding cake, there was an enormous cupcake cake.  Evan couldn't wait to get his hands on one.  We kept him distracted by dancing and he chased ants on the concrete (the wedding and reception were both outdoors!)  After a few rainy days/nights in North Carolina and visiting Alex's Uncle Steve in Brevard, we headed to Savannah.  The rain followed us and we finally were able to get outside on Tuesday.  Auntie P, Aunt Anna and Uncle Charlie spent time with us and Evan had a blast.  Auntie P taught Evan how to do a somersault...of course she would!  Nana and Pops couldn't get enough of their big boy and were just fascinated at his personality and vocabulary.  We were sad to leave the Sales' side and hope to see everyone soon!

Back in the car, we headed to Atlanta!  Grandma got tickets for the Georgia Aquarium on Wednesday and Evan was mesmerized by the fish.  I think that was the highlight of the trip for him.  He could have stayed there all day and night.  Watching a two year old watch these magnificent creatures swim around him was priceless.  He had a permanent smile and eyes wide open! After the Beluga Whale exhibit, Papy snuck into the gift store and bought Evan his own Beluga.  He was elated (and so was Papy!)  Evan touched a sting ray and shark in the touch ponds.  He says they were "simy" (aka slimey).  It was a perfect visit and to top it off we headed to The Varsity!  Evan and Alex immediately donned their Varsity hats and were silly during lunch.  Evan ate his whole cheeseburger and half of a chili cheese dog plus french fries!!  Whoa!!  Like father like son!!  He was fond of the Orange Frosty but I'm sure one day he'll enjoy it.  I know it was a special occasion for Alex and Evan, as Rob & Alex used to eat there before Braves' games.  Next time, Pops will have to go with the boys!

Being back in Atlanta/Marietta was bittersweet.  Neither one of us realized how much we missed living there.  Whether it's in the cards or not to move back one day, it will always be home.  I got my fixin' of Chickfila & Sweet Tea!!  (We have two in Minnesota but they're on the college campuses...otherwise we have to trek a ways into Iowa.  My other favorite thing to do at home, was to shop--that we did!  And last but not least, we were blessed to have enough time to visit a few friends.  We spent the late afternoon at the Rocco's to see Lindsay & Ryan.  I promised Evan that the puppies would be there, but I was mistaken...bad mom!  It was more than wonderful to catch up with Lin.  She's expecting in July and looks great!  (miss you!)

Thursday afternoon we visitied the Lucas'.  Jennifer & Matt met us at her parents and we had a good ol' time wtih Jim & Gayle.  They are my second family and every time we see them it's like no time has passed.  I'm so grateful to have them in our lives!!  It was a wonderful day!!

Friday, we spent some time at the East Cobb Park and let Evan go.  He was non-stop!  We enjoyed a great dinner at Aspen's and loved every moment of being with our families.

Before we headed to the airport we had one more special stop.  The Carley's.  They just welcomed a new son, Silas, into their home earlier in the month.  We also met their beautiful daughters Savannah and Adeline!  Angie & Joey: Love is truly spoken in your home!!  We loved catching up and thanks for welcoming us to your home!   While at the Carley's Evan discovered his new favorite toys---animal figurines.   The girls had a huge collection and Evan had a blast playing.  Definitely, great toys to have especially in the winter when we're hunkering down!

We were so grateful to Uncle Bo for donating his frequent flier miles to a good cause!  We had an amazing trip and the time we spent with each side was priceless.  We love everyone and miss them dearly.  They better get to Minnesota before winter sets in in less than 5 months!! :)

Here are a handful of pictures from our trip.  I sent out links to Snapfish for the whole collection.  Check back tomorrow for important news on Baby Sales #2!!!

Rain, Rain Go Away!! Ready, Set, Play!! and To Grandma's House We Go!

I'm going to work backwards on today's blog. Alex has been travelling again all week and we've suffered some severe weather this week. Just this weekend we got 2.5 inches of rain and tornado warnings. We were lucky that Austin was spared as some nearby towns were not. The rain has continued to fall and prior to last night we had received close to 5 inches since Saturday. Just last night we had 3.5 more inches and now the city has flooded. Cedar River and Turtle Creek are the major rivers that flow through town and they are already way above flood stages and still have not crested. Cedar River's flood stage is about 15 feet and as of now it's at 21.0 feet and expected to crest tonight at over 22 feet! I could not get to work today as the expressway and town roads are closed from the flooded streets. From what It's amazing to think that water can get so high so fast! I tried to find photos at http://www.kaaltv.com/ but there is video. Since Alex is out of town and takes a rental to the airport, the parking lot where he parks the car to exchange for the rental has been blocked off for sandbagging and the road is flooded. The lot is dry but the road is not. Let's hope that Honda Accords don't turn into sailboats!! Doesn't look like we'll be able to get the car out for a day or so.

This was what the sky looked like Saturday night during the tornado warnings!

On the home front, we have been busy converting one of the guest rooms in the basement into Evan's PLAY HAVEN! We painted a chalkboard and the walls, I made curtains and finally finished the room late last night. Here are some photos! I plan to paint one wall with some creative saying, and add Evan's art to the walls.

Evan, last night while waiting for his bath to draw he decided to take a nap!

We visited Atlanta for a short weekend to attend one of our very best friends wedding. Eric and his bride Anna, were married in Auburn and it was such a beautiful wedding. We had a great getaway while both sets of grandparents babysat! Here are some photos from the weekend.

Evan playing with Papy's guitar collection.

Weaver's Rehearsal

Evan and his new corn popper at Grandmas!!

Going to the Old Bistro, French Restaurant, and stopping by Good Mews to see the "Hi Kitties"! Evan calls all cats "hi kitty".

While the rest of us were reading dinner menus, Evan read Elmo's Ducky Day, very serious.

No French meal is complete without escargot! Evan loved it!! His good taste must be from his French blood!! ;)
Sporting my "Newbies" from Grandma!!

Memorial Day weekend was actually Labor Day weekend for us! We completed a huge project of removing landscaping rock from our front island and replaced with mulch. Neighbors helped and even Evan! With all the storms since then, I have yet to plant flowers. I will send updated pictures as soon as we dry up here.