Fun Weekend with Gram & Grandbobby

While we were seeing all of the sites in NY the kids had a fun time with Gram & Grandbobby.  They walked to a Farmer's Market and had snow cones, visited with cousins and other relatives, and took a little road trip to Noccalula Falls.

They rode the train 3 times!

They saw all of the animals at the petting zoo.  I've heard a lot about the deer.

They took some fun pictures!

I don't think the kids missed us much at all.  They're already looking forward to our next trip!

New York, New York

OK, so this is a rare post.  Hugh and I took a little getaway this past weekend and we saw soooo much I wanted to share.  The purpose of the blog was to update everyone on the kids--not us.  The kids had a great weekend with Gram and Grandbobby so I'll post some pics once I snag them off their camera.

Hugh travels some with his job.  It does cost time with the family but it does provide some travel perks!  We decided to go to NY because neither of us had been there before.  Hugh had gotten enough credit through Hilton for us to stay at the Waldorf Astoria.  I was extremely excited about this because of the reputation associated with the Waldorf.  So we get to the hotel and there was a problem with our reservation.  Great start to the trip, right?  Well, we remained patient and they just gave us a double upgrade to the most awesome room ever!  The grandeur of the hotel was everything I could have imagined!  Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!

Too bad we didn't spend much time at the hotel.  Too much to see and do.

We went to the top of the Empire State Building.

We took a bus tour of the city.  I totally looked the part of a tourist everywhere we went.  Huge camera strapped around my neck.  We enjoyed the tour and learned a lot about the city.

We toured China Town and Little Italy.

We toured the financial district and Ground Zero.

We took a carriage ride through Central Park.

We took a harbor cruise to see the Statue of Liberty.  That's the Brooklyn bridge behind us.

 We got to see John Mayer in concert on the Today show.  Not a huge fan, but he sounds great in person.  We got to see the Wiggles perform on the CBS early show.  Just when I thought we couldn't top the Wiggles (ha ha) we were walking down the street and saw a crowd.  Immediately my celebrity radar went off and we joined the crowd.  I jumped right in and guess who I met......

  

that is Constantine from American Idol.   I don't even follow American Idol, but I thought it was fun to meet a celebrity.  We went to see his show and he was certainly entertaining.  Hugh also got to meet a celebrity.....

People will do anything for tips in that city!

A few observations about NYC:

• It's good to be a scaffolding company in NY--it's everywhere!
• Distance is very deceiving between buildings very much like Las Vegas!
• All of the cheesy tourist stops were very interesting and not cheesy at all

most of all it's good to be..........

                                                      home with these little ones!

Blueberries!

We were finally able to pick some blueberries last week.  This is a big event for the family each year.  Houston joined right in and helped pick this year.

The kids pick from the back of Popa's truck to (a) help them reach the berries (b) reduce bug bites and (c) to keep them contained!

Houston ate all the berries he picked.

Maybe Hugh too?

Houston's little face was so hot and dirty, but I don't think he minded it at all.

Thanks Popa for a fun day & yummy blueberries!

Vacation

We've spent the last few days at the beach and had a wonderful time.  The weather was great and the surf was beautiful.  The kids had loads of fun...

The girls looked for seashells...

Houston enjoyed the sand and the water.  

We ate things like this (side note--this is Aidyn's new pose--the wink)

and things like this...

from places like this.

Most of all we had a great time with great friends!

Actually, it's the 4th of July!

Happy Birthday America....

We're celebrating in a big way! (in clear water)

Cart Wheels!

We have been busy people lately.  We have visited with friends from Texas, North Carolina, and friends from here in Birmingham that we haven't seen in way too long over the past week.  It's been busy, but so much fun.  Here's what the kiddos have been up to....

Houston has a new "favorite" toy if you could call it that.  Everyone look out!

He also likes books.

  Guess what we worked on today at gymnastics.....You got it!  Cart Wheels!  Way to go Hollyn.

Good job Aidyn!

Houston pulled Aidyn's hair and tried to apologize.  He's not very convincing.

Everyone is happy again!

Baby Houston?

Houston is growing up way too quickly.  It seems like overnight has totally turned into a toddler...full speed ahead!

On our last visit to our cousin Molly's we played in the water.  Molly & Houston decided to take a dip after they were dried and had their clothes on!  I think they had more fun the second time around.  Look at those smiles.

Sporting a mohawk and splashing in the bath

                                               Thankfully he is out of this stage...

                                    which resulted in this!  Baby or big boy we love him.

Fun Day On The Farm

Last week we spent a day at Mama Ann & Popa's house.  What fun we had!

We spent time with our cousins.......

                                      Hey, what are you guys looking at?

Popa was "gifted" chickens by his neighbor.

                                           Two eggs...what a treat!
We had visited last week and saw the prettiest little bird eggs in a nest in an apple tree.  No camera that day so we went to see the eggs again and guess what we saw......

The sweetest little birds ever!  Such a great surprise.  The kids were so excited.  On our next trip we're hoping the blueberries are ready!  Houston's first year to pick--he already knows how to eat them!

Getaway

Hugh had some appointments on the coast this week so the fam took a quick trip with him.  We started in Fairhope.  Such a cute little city--coastal homes, spanish moss, and tons of character.  The kids love it.

We stopped to play at a fountain.  Houston would not take his eyes off the water!

We took a walk out on a pier.  We couldn't believe how many fishing boats were leaving.  The locals all told us the oil was about 5 miles away from where we were.

OK, so here is one of the real reasons we go to Fairhope whenever possible.  Panini Pete's has the best Paninis you'll ever eat.  If you're anywhere remotely close you must eat here.  I recommend the turkey or tuna Panini.  Hugh would totally recommend the turkey all the way!

 

OK, back to the kids, although I wish I had a panini right now!  We headed down the coast and spent some time swimming since it was blazing hot out.  All of the kids love jumping in the pool.  Here's Aidyn making a splash....

Hollyn had to make a splash too!

Do no think Houston was going to get left out of the fun.  The words "no fear" describe this little man pretty accurately!

The kids (& Minnie Mouse) were ready for some rest.