Memorial Day Weekend

We celebrated Memorial Day weekend in the best possible way...

A little home improvement

Jay actually sanded the heck out of Tuttle's room to prepare for the painting next weekend. :)

A box of Pop-Its from a friend

Cuddling and a bedtime story with Uncle CJ

A Sunday cookout with family

Some backyard reading

And ending the night with sprinkler skinny dipping

Happy Memorial Day!

 Thank you to all those that gave their life to make our country free.

Supper Club Mexican Style :)

Tracey and Mark hosted another successful Supper Club Friday night. I was looking forward to seeing their home because they renovated it, and it did not disappointment. The home honestly should be photographed for a magazine. The fact that they have one-year-old twins and a pristine house is mind boggling! :)

Our Hosts, Sarah Bates and Will

 

Tracey suggested a Mexican themed dinner complete with shrimp/chicken/beef tacos and all the toppings. Everyone went back for seconds and thirds.I brought cinnamon apple enchiladas for dessert. 

Calley and Joshua

The Latta Family

The kids wore themselves out playing in the backyard, and the parents were able to relax with a margarita (except for the two prego mommas!).

The Kid Line-Up

(James, Joshua, Sarah Bates, Will, and Tuttle)

Thank You, Gram Family! Our turn to host in June!

Last Day of Preschool

Today was our last day of preschool. I have loved teaching, and Tuttle has grown SO MUCH in his knowledge and independence. We both need a little break this summer, but Tuttle will return to preschool near our house in the fall. I will be home taking care of Maggie Ruth and another baby full time.

Here is Tuttle at his preschool open house- September 2011.

Here is Tuttle on his last day of preschool- May 2012.

Yes, I gave into the paci (bopies) for the final photo. At least he does not look completely miserable...

 

As much as I wanted that "perfect picture," I guess some mornings I have to experience a toddler tantrum!

We ended the school day at a picnic. I did not lug my big camera to school, but another mom snapped some pictures for me. I hope to share them soon!

Fun with Neighbors

Sunday night a family in our neighborhood (Jennifer, Danielle, and Emily) invited us over for a little pool time and a cookout. We are loving our neighborhood more and more!

How handsome is my husband???

Tuttle is SUCH a water bug. He jumped right in the baby pool, splashed around, and dunked himself!

Jay could not resist cooling off in the pool for a while, too. :)

The kids enjoyed snacking on Goldfish, popping bubbles, and running around the backyard.

We are all looking forward to more lazy summer days!

Thank You, Neighbors!!

Wedding Fun and The Brookhaven Bolt

Jay and I celebrated the marriage of Jon and Stephanie Friday night at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. We had been looking forward to this wedding for a LONG time, and everyone was ready to make Stephanie officially part of the group! :)

I decided not to drag my big camera to the event, so we only took a few pictures on Jay's phone. 

The wedding was ABSOLUTELY perfect. I had never attended a wedding at the botanical gardens, and it proved to be as breathtaking as I imagined it would be! Perfect spring weather, a live band, and yummy food, including a martini glass of shrimp and grits. I ate two helpings!

Jay toasted the couple, and he impressed everyone. He is such a great speaker and really put into words what a true and loyal friend that Jon is to everyone he encounters. He is one of those people who really seems interested in talking to you and always makes sure everyone is having fun!

My favorite part of going to weddings with Jay is his dancing skills. I am a HORRIBLE dancer, and he is such a strong lead that he makes me look good. Maggie Ruth apparently enjoyed the band because she danced the night away, as well.

This morning, I pulled myself out of bed after our late night at the wedding to walk in the Brookhaven Bolt. It is a 5k in our neighborhood that benefits the elementary school, and Tuttle and I have walked in the race for the last three years. We walked it this year with Jamie, Matt, and Will. I loved having another prego momma by my side because I was worn out after our walk to the starting line!

Here we are in 2010. Tuttle was only a little over a month old! He is barely peeking over the stroller tray!

 

The Brewer Family

 

After the race, vendors had set up booths to promote their businesses in the area. One of the vendors brought live chickens. Tuttle and Will were impressed. Tuttle even tried to get in the cage!

 

We took a popcorn break before Tuttle played in the jump houses with all the big kids- no fear!

 

Jamie and I decided to stroll the boys over to the Brookhaven Farmers' Market after the race excitement. I am so happy that our neighborhood is really starting to establish itself with events because it gives it a small town feel in the craziness of Atlanta. It makes me smile that I can run into several people that I know at local spots like the farmers' market each week.

 

Tuttle stole my King of Pops popsicle after I made the mistake of letting him see it! We gobbled up a "grapefruit mint" frozen treat.

I snapped a few pictures of the boys in Matt and Jamie's newly landscaped front lawn. 

 

 

Exhaustion had set in for both of us. Tuttle and I slept the afternoon away when we arrived home. :)

You Must Pay the Consequences for Bad Behavior :)

Mother's Day Weekend

Our family had the best and most relaxing Mother's Day weekend! We started off our Saturday with breakfast at J.Christopher's after Jay's boot camp run. After giving Tuttle a taste of the whipped cream on my hot chocolate, we were the healthiest of parents and allowed him to have a ramekin of whipped cream to ensure a few minutes of calm behavior at a restaurant. 

 

After filling up on yummy food, we headed across the street to the Brookhaven Farmers' Market. I went last year and was a little disappointed, but I have seen a lot of advertising this year about changes, so we decided to give it a shot.

Tuttle was obsessed with the duck that a vendor brought to his booth. He dragged us back SEVERAL times to quack at his new friend.

Last year I was surprised at the lack of fresh veggies, but this year proved to be an improvement. 

A small jazz band started to play toward the end of our visit, and Tuttle did not want to miss out on the music. He was very focused on the guitar, drums, and saxophone. I truly believe he will be a musician one day.

We did not have cash on us to bring anything home, but we will definitely be back!

When we arrived home, Jay suggested that I get a pedicure while he watched Tuttle. That sounded like the most relaxing idea, but once I laid on the sofa for a few minutes, I decided a nap would be even more relaxing. I slept for three hours! :)

Jay and I recently made a checklist of tasks that needed to be completed to paint Tuttle's room. We crossed the first item off after our naps: Clean out EVERYTHING, including blinds. 

Tuttle helped with his Home Depot tool set.

We ended the day eating out again. This never happens, especially with Tuttle in tow, but Mexican food was calling our names. Tuttle ate the healthiest of meals again: chips, cheese dip, and sour cream. I think it is safe to say that our boy has become a typical picky toddler!

I started off this morning by sleeping in until 9:00 and having breakfast (McDonalds) in bed. Perfection!

We worked on Tuttle's room a little bit more today. 

I did not take any pictures today because I stayed in my pajamas until 2:00, but the entire family relaxed in the living room while Grandmommy, Grandaddy, and Aunt Peach visited. 

Happy Mother's Day!