Burt's Farm 2012

With fall comes Burt's Farm opening up with more pumpkins than one could EVER need!  I love pumpkins the way some love to decorate for Christmas so Burt's is my kind of place!  Prior to leaving for our annual pumpkin jaunt, I looked back at our pictures from last year's trips HERE and HERE and was just amazed at how quickly DM has changed.  I know, I know everyone tells you how quickly they grow up, but you don't believe it until it starts to happen!

 

Mimi went with us, and we even ran in to some friends!  It was a great time, and David was so patient with Mimi and me as we picked out the perfect pumpkins to take home!  DM even picked out a couple pumpkins of her own and some corn, too!

 

 



DM Visits the Classic City!

Early last Saturday morning, I went for a run and left D in charge of breakfast.  And this is what I came home to. DM having quite the breakfast!  Waffles and eggs w/ ketchup, and oh, wow, the sugar kicked in fast!  Luckily, we had swimming lessons before starting our little trip to Athens so we could burn off some sugar!

After swim, we loaded the car and began our trek up 85/316 to Athens! David was gracious enough to take the "long" way to our tailgating spot, which always provides me the opportunity to view some of the most beautiful homes I've ever seen. I have loved watching so many of the older homes along our little "game day" route evolve over the years, and did I mention that I'd really like to own one?
 

We finally arrived!  Unfortunately for DM (and little C and her parents!), her friend C had an accident that morning and wasn't much for playing so DM had to make her own fun, and that she did!  She learned the basics of cornhole and football and even made new friends with some UGA cheerleader alums who wanted to take a pic w/ her.

As game time approached, DM and I packed up and headed home.  And she was off to dream land before we were even off the bypass in Athens! 

Goodnight Athens, and Go Dawgs!

A note to DM:  We are so excited to share our love for UGA with you.  While we are most often in Athens during football season, know that our fondness for UGA reaches far, far beyond Sanford Stadium. 

The Gift of Water

I have no doubt that many think I am a bit crazy to spend the time we do in working with DM in the pool, and that is okay!  I strongly believe that water is one of the most beautiful Gifts we have.  However, I also believe it is due a great amount of respect.  While water is essential to our lives, without due respect, it can suck the life right out of a person in a few short seconds.   My brother and I were fortunate enough that Mom kept us in water all the time.  We learned to swim and swim well very young.   Without the self-confidence in water that is developed through hours and hours of learning and exposure, I never would have learned to see water as a Gift. 

And hence, it is the Gift of water that I hope we are giving DM as we shuttle her back and forth to swim lessons at such a young age. I hope she develops the confidence needed to have the opportunity to cherish diving deep in a pool, swimming hot summer day after hot summer day, floating with the current of the ocean while snorkeling and watching beautiful ocean life and foremost, dicerning when the ocean or river current is too much for her skill.

On to our big news!  David nor I get in the pool any more w/ DM at swimming lessons! She has graduated to a class that doesn't require parents in the pool! Woohoo!

Goodbye Summer!

We wrapped up summer with a cookout w/ DM's little friends and their families.  Every toddler other than DM was accompanied by a newborn baby!  It was crazy but so fun to see all of the girls play together!  We have been at Mt. Pisgah almost a year, and it is one of the best decisions we've made.  Not only is DM thriving, but we have been blessed with so many new friends that come from a variety of backgrounds. 



I have concluded that photographing toddlers, especially multiple toddlers, is IMPOSSIBLE! 
Here is DM w/ her friend H and L in the background.  There are a couple more wondering around back there!

Thank you, Summer 2012, for the great memories.  Not all of our summer plans came to fruition, but the ones that did were filled with sweet memories!

Post-Vacation Hangover Turns Sunny Side Up!

Driving home from vacation is obviously necessary but always makes me so sad.  We had a fabulous trip to Santa Rosa Beach.  DM truly had a blast and was an amazing traveler. By amazing traveler, I mean we got there in 5.5 hours.  The only time she got out of her seat was for a quick diaper change!  We did it without any screen time.  Not even an Elmo game!  She loved the "big girl" bed in the condo, warmed up to the pool and sand and finally put her toes in the ocean by the end of the week.  For pics of the trip, click HERE!

Got a bit sidetracked!  Coming home!  So I usually hate coming home.  This trip was no different.  We walked in the house to find this:

What an amazing treat!  And this was just the beginning!  First, I must backtrack for anyone who doesn't know us very well.  We have a HORRIBLE cat.  HORRIBLE!  As in she has to stay locked up or she will pee on our bed.  (Can't believe I just typed that.)  No one in their right mind would agree to deal with this cat for the entire week.  Our dear friend Amie was willing to keep our house, Tahoe and the HORRIBLE cat for an entire week. 

But it wasn't just chocolate and flowers Amie left us!  Nope, she had cleaned her sheets and towels, bought Tahoe treats and a toy, bought the cat some catnip, replaced and added some groceries, and cleaned out the refrigerator.  For a brief moment, I thought the cleaners had decided to venture in to the frig.  But then David poured some water.  It was surprisingly refreshing, and we realized Amie had replaced the water filter, too!  Who knows what else she did that we haven't even discovered yet!

What a blessing and a great end to a vacation!


Morning Time!

The past few mornings we've gone in to get DM up, she has been patiently sitting in the corner of her room!  

Friday Cupcake Day!

Happy Friday y'all!