Memorial Day Weekend 2016

This may have been one of our quietest Memorial Day weekends ever.  No Texas trips, no Florida trips.  Just a quick trip back up to the ATL on Saturday night, then home for the actual holiday.  We did watch the PBS Memorial Day Concert because - tradition.  It is a very good, solemn reminder of the reason for the holiday. 

We traveled to Atlanta for Brett's graduation party (James' first-cousin-one-removed).  I forgot my camera and got zero pictures of the lovely lady we celebrated, but did manage several family shots of the kiddos with their loved ones.  

the fam - with their funny faces

Aunt Wyllene and M

Gia and JB

The party was in a beautiful community garden, complete with goats and chickens.  The graduated high schoolers did not notice the livestock as much as our toddler - he LOVED it. 

friendly little goat

feeding the chickens

cluck cluck

Everyone had a great time.  Including Maryn, who was disappointed that she didn't get to eat red velvet cake or dirts and sticks.

"but I want this stick!"

"ALL MINE!"

JB reminded me that he's growing into a big boy and took on the wild and crazy tree swing. I looked around at all the High Schoolers and wanted to cry!  SLOW DOWN, SON!!

Still my baby boy...

Saturday evening Chris and Nicole had us over for dinner (and got a glimpse of their future in 6 short months,YEA!!!)  After sleeping at Gia's (highlight of JB's trip) and another family breakfast, we ended our Atlanta excursion with a fire truck tour!  (As if firefighters weren't already heroes for risking their lives to save people and property, the fact they will get up from their breakfast table to show a toddler their truck…)

dreams do come true

overwhelmed

Maybe quieter than normal, but still a great weekend!  I love the time with our family of four, and it's a real bonus when we throw in other relatives, too.  Missed the Texas and Florida crews, so maybe a coin-toss next year to see which State wins the Sasser circus.  :)

(Sidenote - I realize I'm wearing the same dress in this Memorial Day photo as a past Memorial Day photo from Florida two years ago.  Just in case anyone else notices that, too…wanted to acknowledge that, yes, I could use a wardrobe update, haha.)

Exploring Middle GA - Vidalia and Soperton

Saturday morning, James asked JB if he wanted to go on an adventure.  Of course the little guy said "YES!!! A 'venture!!"  So we all (and that includes Enda) piled into the Suburban and took off to explore the area.

We debated back and forth about which small neighboring town to hit that Saturday, but since it took us nearly an hour to get out of the house (toddlers) we decided on Vidalia, GA since it's not too far away.  Back roads made for a lovely drive, and we saw lots of pine trees, pecan farms, and teeny tiny communities.  (One town, Ailey, had 432 people but so many pretty homes.  Interesting fact - it's the home to Sugar Ray Robinson.  See all the things you learn on spontaneous road trips!!)

We finally made it to Vidalia and stopped at the visitor's center and museum.  Sadly both were closed!! They did have an onion patch outside the museum, so we explained to JB that Vidalia onions come from here.  Pretty sure he said something like "onions, YUCK" and thus concluded our historical tour of the town.

We did wind up at a lovely pond with tons of ducks.  They came running up to us and the kids were delighted.  I ran to get my camera, opened the car door, forgot about our other child, and the red Hungarian beast came barreling out of the car and chased all the ducks into the water. Booooooooo, I missed my adorable photo op.

All of downtown Vidalia was closed (seriously, ON SATURDAY!?!), which was probably best for my pocketbook.  They had some cute shops!  All the downtown restaurants were closed, too, which meant that James reluctantly stopped at the BBQ joint in the converted gas station.

excellent food - no complaints from us

After Vidalia, we drove home another route which took us through Soperton.

They did have one old antique shop open, and since the kids were awake after their 11 minute naps we all headed inside.

So many cool things, it's a wonder I only walked out with one thing (new S&P shakers, in a hue to match the kitchen).

perfect find!

Big thanks to the kiddos for being good sports on our exploration!  Despite short cat naps in the car, both made it through the whole day and evening without melt downs.  I see lots more Middle GA 'ventures in our future.  A very relaxing and entertaining weekend.

(Until Sunday when JB woke up with fever and Maryn woke up with a rash. Oh, and Enda got hives so badly we made an emergency vet visit.  She also ran through a dirty pond and poison oak.  Have mercy…..)

Relay for Life 2016

A few Friday's ago, James's company participated again in the Relay for Life.  "The Strivers" had a tent, raffle, face painting, hair paint, and glow sticks.  The team raised a great deal of money for the cause.

Proud wife moment - seeing this big group of great people that are all part of GovStrive.  James has built this company up from an initial vision to a hard working team.

(I like to say "we" when I talk about GovStrive, even though I'm not technically part of the team. But I feel like I am!  Does trusted adviser to the CEO count as a role?)

Some of the team from DC came to town for a meeting and the event.  It meant catching up with old friends who I've known for years, meeting people I've only known of for years, and introducing all of them to our little ones. They loved the attention!

Speaking of little ones, a few pictures...

sibling love!

 

whoopsie daisy!

Okay, a few more of little Miss M because, gaaaaaah, she's so photogenic.  I love this little face! And her bright eyes!  (They look blue, hazel or light brown depending on light - let's see what she ends up with.)

 

JB very much enjoyed the live music and showed off his dance skills. Kids got moves.  It's a shame I can't get the video up here, but I have them saved (for his High School prom date...)

We honored and remembered some very important men in our family:  my dad, a cancer survivor, and James' father and my grandfather who fought hard against their cancer.

Obviously this is a very important cause for our family, and we were proud to be a part of it!

First Year of Preschool - Done!

Our little JB has officially ended his first full year of pre-school. He started back in June of last year, had a rough transition, settled into a nice full-time routine, changed schools (and towns) this Spring, started his new program, and - just like that - a full year has come to an end!

His teachers, Ms Nee Nee and Ms. Daphne, had a little party for the kids at Burger King to celebrate the year end.  JB told everyone it was his birthday party and even sang Happy Birthday to himself when she brought out a "Welcome Summertime" cake.  Sweet, oblivious kid…

HBD, JB!  (4 Months Early!)

He loves Ms. Nee Nee - we hear about her every day.  This sweet lady has really touched our kid's heart, and it's a shame he'll move up to another class next year!  (I'll be fighting to get Miss M in her class as soon as I can - the day she turns 18 months she's there.)

Funny story:  a new novelty for JB (now that we're country folks) is peeing outside.  He loves to do it, but, obviously, we've had to set really strict rules about where this is acceptable and where, under no circumstances, is he to pee outside. He whispered to me the other day "I will tee tee outside at Ms Nee Nee's house, okay?"  This is just how warm and inviting she is - our son feels like it's an okay place where he can let loose and be the boy that he is!!  :)

Silly boy!

Our guy has grown so much over the past year, and we're grateful to all his many teachers who have loved and nurtured him.  After a little summer break, we'll look forward to Older-Twos-and-Threes preschool next year!

Earth Day with Miss M!

Do you remember when we celebrated Earth Day a couple weeks ago? Yeah, me either, which is why I had to scramble to get some pics of Miss M a week later to commemorate the event.  Her baby book has a spot for the day that requires a pic.  (And I only remember this because it's the same book as JB's - not because I have looked at it recently . #poorsecondchild)

I dug out the special onesie I made for JB to mark the occasion, and we settled into the grass for a little photo shoot. Problem is that girlfriend still doesn't love the grass, so most of the photos are more of a distaste of Mother Earth, rather than a celebration.

Then we tried to throw her into the air to capture the photos with a lovely tree  backdrop.  FAIL.

I finally got a few contenders for the old baby book, deciding it's okay to capture the moment as-is.  I will write in her book that Miss Maryn doesn't love the lawn (and that is an accurate representation of her on Earth Day)   :)

(Throwback to JB's Earth Day Pics - click here!)