It's a ZOO out there

Instead of taking a family trip, Jamie and I decided to have a stay-cation this year and just hang out at home.  I was kind of disappointed but it's actually been alot of fun!  I hate that the boys aren't getting to go to the beach this summer, but then again, it's not like they realize they are missing out on anything.  Plus we've made it our mission to make this week a fun one! The first day of our stay-cation, we headed to the Memphis Zoo.  We were kind of afraid it might be a disaster because the day before we had decided to take Collier's paci away and he was pretty fussy and irritable. However, the day couldn't have been better and the kids did GREAT.  It was really, REALLY hot, but they loved every bit of it and behaved perfectly.  Noah was really into the crocodiles and clapped while watching them and Collier had fun feeding the birds. That is, until he swung his food stick and knocked the bird off the tree branch, scaring it to death! The food stick was a long stick with a clothes pin attached holding a cluster of bird feed.  Collier confused it with a golf club and kept swinging it like one, sending the cluster of food flying in the air.  Although I have to admit, I can see how he could have made that connection as it DID in fact resemble a golf club.

We went at our excursion with a very laid back approach and knew that if the kids got hot/tired/fussy, we might have to leave sooner than planned, however they hung in there like champs and we were able to see the entire zoo.  Towards the end, they were both pretty exhausted and crashed as soon as we got to the car.  Our day at the zoo made for a very fun adventure and kicked off our stay-cation with a bang!

{feeding a parakeet}

 {Collier's golf club}

 {very hot and very tired}

 {Noah had a lot of fun!}

Partyin' It Up

June/July is the month of birthdays for my family.  June 11th was a big milestone for my Dad as he celebrated his 60th birthday.  After the past 18 months, it was even more special that he is HERE and HEALTHY for this birthday.  We had all of our family gather at Mom and Dad's to help us celebrate his special day.  All of Dad's brother and sisters (and spouses), his mom, and several of my cousins came, as well as my mom's twin sister, Carol, who came in town for the occasion.  It really meant alot to Dad to have everyone there and we all had a great time!

{Noah and Carol, my mom's twin sis} 





{Ha! You mom's understand what it's like trying to get 2 to sit still for a picture}

{Me and Lindsay, 28 weeks preggo}

June 27th is my sister's birthday and 4 days later on July 1st is her husband, Derrick's birthday. To celebrate, we all went to dinner then enjoyed a delicious Beth Ledbetter cake at my house.  Since Lindsay is 7 months pregnant during this terribly hot summer, I gifted her with a hot stone pedicure, which she (and her poor swollen feet) were happy to receive. 

A few weeks ago, several of Lindsay's best friends and I hosted a baby shower for her and baby Harper.  She received so many adorable outfits, some of the practical items such as diapers/wipes/lotions/bath wash and even some of the must-have's such as her swing and a diaper genie.  Have I mentioned just how excited I am to meet my sweet little niece in August?!?  I absolutely CAN'T WAIT!  In fact, I think I'm probably as excited as my sister is... and every Wednesday I send her a text saying "Happy (insert appropriate week #) Week!" or in the case of this week, "Happy 32nd Week!"  It's such an exciting, special time and I couldn't be happier for her and Derrick.  I am over the top thrilled that it's a baby girl and can't wait to love, snuggle and spoil this precious baby.  I am even excited to stay the night to take on the nightshift rocking and feeding baby Harper!  Oh and the clothes... it is so much fun getting to buy all the precious pink and purple frilly, smocked outfits. She has a few more showers coming up later this month then the countdown for Harper's arrival IS ON.  Yeah, I'm just a tad bit excited about this little girl getting here!

{all of her friends in attendance}

{Lindsay and the hostesses}