Spring training trip

We made our annual trek to Orlando week before last.  While we didn't get to see everyone and everything we wanted, we came really frappin close!

Braves game

Disney World

 Seaworld

 Anna was not happy with the volume of the show...

Mimi and Gampa time

Not pictured here would be the meals, which included steak, hibachi steak, bbq ribs and finally one night of home cookin!

seaweed salad eatin' kids!

Yep, it's true. Both of my picky eaters LOVE to eat seaweed salad. We took them out for sushi last night (they get fried rice, we get sushi) and Anna got mad at Sammy because he was getting too much of the seaweed.  Anna is also coming along nicely in her chopsticking abilities, and am being serious when I say that Sammy is on his way as well!

Long Time, No See

Hello everyone,

Needless to say, we have been very slack on blog postings... just a lot happening over the last few months and little time to document it... wanted to share a slew of pics we've captured over the past few months.

Enjoy!

Anna at the toy store - the maestro!

Ash and Anna reading Llama Llama Red Pajama, one of Anna's favorites!

Daddy got Anna a Spiderman shirt - she is a big fan!

Park went to NY for a work trip.

Super Sammy at the Aquarium!

More Sammy cuteness!

Anna watching her favorite movie: Beauty and the Beast - this is regular occurrence.

Nekkid

So it was just too perfect. Happened to have the camera rolling, and boom, there she was, naked as a jaybird.

Anna's One-Woman Show

We just let the camera roll. We're not sure what a 'Morning Does' or 'Mocking Does' is, but we found it extremely amusing. I think she may have a career on stage.

Sammy's Walking Evolution

Sammy started taking some steps recently, but he didn't just start walking. Sometimes you have to go through iterations to get it right. We've captured some video of Sammy's walking evolution. Enjoy!

Anna's trip to the Fire Station

A few weeks ago, Anna's daycare class went to visit the nearby fire station on Clifton Road. Daddy got to chaperone and we had a blast. The firefighters demonstrated putting on their gear (so the kids wouldn't be afraid whenever they may seen them), we got a tour of the trucks and EMS vehicle and we also took a tour of the station (sleeping quarters, kitchen and common area).

Anna's first trip to the station didn't fare so well, as she didn't want to get on or in any of the vehicles and generally was fussy according to her teachers. This time, I like to think Daddy being there made it a bit better. She was much more open to the experience and the teachers were happy to see her getting in the vehicles with the other kids. Here are some shots of her that day:

Sitting with some pals on a bench in front of the station. They made the t-shirts in class to wear to the station... Anna's room is the Laurel Room.

The demonstration: the firefighter was on his knees as to not intimidate the kiddos. One of the firefighters helping Anna into the firetruck... this was a big step for her... she loved it inside! One of Anna's teachers (Ms. Lisa) with the fire hat on - the kids loved it. All the kids loved the gadgets.. Anna, being one of the taller children, was able to touch the main water hose thingy.

Recent Happenings

Hello everyone! We know it's been a while since we posted, but we have been really busy with Ashley traveling on site visits for work to Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Tampa to name a few. That means a Daddy Day Care marathon, although I did tag along to L.A. for a nice vacation (separate post coming!). We've been busy with the kids with help from the Grandparents and family, so we wanted to put a few pictures of the past month or so:

Anna with her Cart-Cart (who is prone to give Anna cookies when asked - in fact, he's prone to give Anna anything when asked).

Anna, Ash and Omi at the zoo on the train!
Daddy and Sammy

Sammy is very close to walking (he's taken 4 unassisted steps - video to come). Here he is pushing his big sister in the shopping cart.

At the toddler park in Decatur - taking a ride in the wagon!

Violet came down and joined in the fun!

Our girl!

At the kids fountain at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Anna loves to slide down head first.

Up in Sky Valley at Paw Paw and Nonee's - here's Oliver getting a good Sammy head lick.

Anna feeding her little brother Spaghetti-Os...

...and the result.

We mini-celebrated Ash's birthday early!

Promise there will be more coming... we ARE still alive!

Friday Night Swimming turned Indoor Extravaganza

This past Friday, the plan was to have some night swimming over at the Buerkles... mother nature decided we needed some rain (alot of it), so Ash, Anna, Sammy and I had a nice indoor get-together with Burk, Heather and Bennett, Hillary, Eric, Violet and Charlie, Peter, Katie and Ellie, Ed and Henry. There was pizza, drinks, cupcakes, chatting, tomfoolery, kids-jump-on-a-Dad competition, and general good times. Below is a shot of three of the party goers. There are many more pictures of this night we'll try and share, but here is one I can post today.

Anna, Bennett and Violet ready to go jump on Burk.

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Tubby Time!

While the Mrs. is away in Utah on business this week, I've been having a great time with the kiddos... Last night was tubby night (and Anna helps Daddy with Sammy night!)

Here are some visual references of the cuteness!




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Not blocked???

Here I am at work, and my blog is available to me.

Recent family sightings

Two weeks ago, a long time compadre of Park's very sadly moved on to some other than this world.  Mr. Brad Robinson will eternally be remembered by us dancing away, laughing hard and making certain that all those around him are having the best time possible.  To celebrate his time with us, and to help prepare for an even bigger celebration with all of the Elon crew, Park went to Athens last weekend, and I headed to my sister's house.  Anna was thrilled to see Josh, "Quiston" (Christian),  Lala (Laura) and Uncle Jason!

Then, we had a visit from Granny B during the week.  Although it was brief, as she is on her way to Bike Virginia, we had a very fun evening with babies abounding!

Next on our fam-stravaganza was a Collective Soul concert with Thomas and Elizabeth.  Let me explain a little.  Eli is admittedly not a fountain of musical knowledge.  She has been working harder than any human should, and wanted a night out at Chastain.  Her explanation goes something like this, "Hey!  I've heard of them, I'll get tickets!"  Needless to say, we were thrilled to accompany her and Thomas and take in the collectively soulful spirits.  Much fun was had, but Uncle Cracker sux.

Websense filter - category nonsense

Thanks to the crack IT team at the CDC, blogspot is now blocked at work. Hence the 4 weeks since my last posting. Not to say that we were religous updaters to begin with, but this has been quite a stretch with no update. I hope yee of the blog readers haven't given up on me!!

We've got quite a bit of catching up to do. I don't mind telling you that there has been some serious cuteness going on around here! Sammy is 8 months old and now saying "mama." Though it's just him muttering, it makes me happy :) He's also a full-time crawler with red little knees to prove it. He's not terribly interested in his play saucer anymore, so keeping him out of the cat food has become a full time job.

Anna is speaking in full sentences that usually go something a little like, "I don't take a tubby today" or "Where'd the baseball go?" or just repeating from her favorite commercial "Wow! That's a low price! I know!" She also loves to sing songs - it usually takes ~8 songs at bedtime each night. She's also a car singer - I was able to record her singing away to Hush little Baby. We're slowly moving in to the potty training phase of life...oh, how fun...so I'm sure we'll have some choice moments to share.

Anna and Sammy together give rise to synergistic cuteness. Anna kisses Sammy on the forehead each night before bed, loves to make him laugh and provides excellent commentary on his status: "Sammy's crying" "Sammy spilled" (this means spit up), and "Sammy eat mommy's boobie" (when he's nursing). Never fails to entertain.
Park and punkins on Pensacola Beach - no oil to be found, but plenty of tension.

My little Sammy in his beach tent.
Playing with Omi and the weird little yellow thingy that has no purpose, but manages to entertain my children for hours.

Mmmmm....cake at Carter's 4th birthday party!

Sammy's first time on the swings.