Weekend Pics

I was lucky enough to get away for a couple of days on a girls trip to St. Simons (pics to follow). I got back home on Saturday and we had a great weekend. Here are some pics....

I couldn't grab the camera fast enough for this one. We have started giving William chores-- to clean his playroom and his bedroom. He was finishing his playroom and started reading books to Maren. She was actually sitting there looking at the book and he was talking to her about it. As you can see it didn't last long once we appeared.

Maren was having a blast in her exersaucer!

Michael and I were fortunate enough to be offered tickets for the Kentucky Derby this weekend. I am psyched to be celebrating my 30th with such a fun weekend! We just found out on Friday so this weekend was a mad dash to get our outfits together. Michael was going through his ties and William was intrigued. He wanted Michael to put a tie on him. I couldn't help but grab the camera for these precious moments. William was so proud!

8 Months Old

I can hardly believe Maren is 8 months old! I am so head over heels for my sweet girl. I adored being a mother the first time with William, but this time is enjoyable in a different way. I love watching her change everyday. It is incredible to see Maren and William interact. They make each other laugh and smile. Michael and I have been immensely blessed!

When I was taking these pictures I couldn't get her to stop squealing. She is such a happy baby!

Busy Weekend

We did some serious Spring cleaning this weekend. We made our Home Depot trip and Target trip, yard work and lots of house work! Of course we fit in some baking too!

On our Home Depot trip William wanted to do everything Michael did!

Maren LOVES her Daddy time!

This weekend was all about DAD. Michael was out cutting the grass and William wanted to do the same thing. Michael let him help cut some weeds and then William instructed Michael how to use the weed eater. Michael obliged and twisted and turned the weed eater as William watched from afar.

After the yard work William bowled a little bit and Maren watched his every move!

Changing Maren's diapers has become quite an adventure. She rolls over and sits up in the bat of an eye. This is what I usually end up with...

She loves to go straight for the wipes! This is the face I get when I fuss and get her to sit still...

Now that Maren is completely mobile she is into everything. She doesn't want to be left out of anything. She was exploring every inch of the kitchen while we were baking this weekend.

Maren caught a glimpse of her bottle in the dishwasher as I was unloading. She tried and tried to get it out. Her determination was something to see! (We're in trouble!)

We had 2 long days and William tried to convince us that he wasn't tired both days. Maren also fought her sleep, but thankfully they both eventually passed out!

William did all his chores and cleaned his toy room. He decided he wanted to put his sleeping bag in his toy room and nap in there. We don't care where he naps as long as it happens!

He found this old belt in his room while he was cleaning. He wanted to immediately put it on and he wore it all day. He wasn't happy that I made him take it off when he got dressed for bed.

As all of you know- we are a baking family! Michael tackled an apple pie this weekend. It turned out great!

Side by Side

I just couldn't help but post these pics. Mason born on July 4th and he was almost 10 pounds. He and Maren are almost 2 months apart. It's amazing how these 2 have caught up with each other.

Beginning of the Birthday Party Circuit

Ask any Mom of a preschooler how they spend their weekends and most will say, "on the birthday party circuit." We aren't quite there yet, but we HAD to make it to Lexi's party earlier this month. William talks nonstop about Lexi and when I emailed her Mom to tell her we were coming she was elated. She told me if William and another one of their friends didn't come, "Lexi would just die!"

The birthday greeting the clown.

William having his face painted. Poor guy was one of the only little boys there. He patiently waited his turn while all of the little girls crowded around. When he finally got his face painted he went right after Kylie and got the exact same thing-- a ladybug and a flower.

Lexi, William & Kylie

William "patiently" waiting for the surprise guest.

The clown made a second appearance as Dora. Lexi's Mom asked the other parents to please not laugh when the surprise guest arrived. Dora had a boom box with her theme song playing!

The kids then began to torment Dora by banging on her backpack!

My Sweet Hubby

Michael and I celebrated our 6th Anniversary this month. He found out that the traditional present for the 6th anniversary is candy. At first we both thought that was a silly thing to buy for an anniversary present. My sweet husband surprised me by ordering chocolates and macaroons from Sucre. Sucre is the store my former boss opened in New Orleans. I've mentioned it on the blog before. I love the store and it meant so much that Michael thought of it-- he's the best!

Our NOLA Trip

We took a trip to New Orleans for a family wedding. We tried to fit in as much as possible as usual. We didn't get enough pics this time, but here's a recap.

We were very excited to eat crawfish!

Michael and Christy came over to eat with us. These aren't the best pics of Michael but I never get pics of him- esp. with William.

I need to explain this one- my Dad is not currently a police officer. He was an officer a very long time ago. I made the mistake of telling William this and he whined constantly about having never seen his Papaw dressed a police officer. He went ON and ON! Dad made arrangements to borrow a uniform to show William. As you can see William was thrilled!

We spent a great day together at the Audubon Zoo.


William held onto his map the ENTIRE time we were at the zoo.
Maren is a Daddy's girl through and through!

This trip was the first time we put Maren in the big stroller without her infant carrier. She LOVED it. Her little head was on a swivel looking at everything. She would stick her hands out and feel the breeze on her hands.

After the zoo we stopped by Maw-Maw's house so she could see her babies.

The kids spent the night at Nana and Pops. Melinda and Keith were there with Sarah. We had a great big pancake breakfast together on Saturday morning. William and Sarah had a great time together.
This is what it's like to try and get everyone looking in the same direction!


We (Michael and I) had the absolute pleasure of spending a little time with the Murphys. The Murphys were blessed with 4 baby girls in December. We met the quads and spent some time learning about life with 4 little ones. It was fascinating!

Elizabeth- a Daddy's girl

Margaret- Leader of the Pack
Caroline- the largest at birth and the "cerebral" one

Molly- the Sweetheart

I got to cuddle with Molly. I accidently rocked her to sleep when it wasn't her naptime-- oops. They have schedules and charts and everything you can imagine that necessary with 4 babies.

It was amazing to see how their personalities have developed. I can't wait to visit again when they are able to get around all over the place!


The whole reason for our trip was to go to a family wedding. Unfortunately I didn't get a good picture of the bride and groom. This is pic of me with Michael's sister- Tara and Melinda.

By the end of our trip Maren was getting around everywhere. She's a little inchworm. She got herself completely under the coffee table.

The Easter bunny came to visit Meme and Papaw's house!
I love this picture because of Maren's eyebrows. We put her in the basket with the grass and she didn't know what to think!

My sweet girl!


I love this picture because William and Dede had such a great time on this trip.

I had to snap this picture of Maren. She was absolutely wonderful on both plane rides. She gets a little antsy and chatty but eventually eats her bottle and fall asleep.