Happy Halloween

Halloween day started out a little soggy and very disappointing, as it drizzled with rain all morning and Lindy's swim class (which she loves) was canceled due to poop in the pool. To lift her spirits we decided to hit Kangazoom with her best buddy, Caden. I really can't wait to see how Lindy and Caden's friendship progresses as they get older. They absolutely adore each other and ask to be with each other 24/7. Below, they said they were driving to the beach...I worry what these two will be up to in 15 years driving to the beach!


Lindy hasn't seen Mike for 2 weeks, so when he came home Friday night she was thrilled to see him. She really has missed him lately and was very excited to hear that daddy gets to stay home this week and not go on the airplane (she thinks Mike's office is on the airplane). They have been inseparable all weekend, which they are both thoroughly enjoying.

So, finally we get to hit the neighborhood parade and trick-or-treating. We borrowed a shark costume from the Seymours, which Lindy has worn probably 10 times prior to Halloween. Of course, the time came to put on her costume and she wanted no part of it. I was not willing to let her miss Halloween, so I told Mike to hold her down and I stuffed her into her beloved Sharky costume. Once she got it on, there was no looking back. The tears turned off instantly and she had a blast with all her friends. I think this video says it all...

Kyle, Caden, and Lindy heading off to trick-or-treat!

A Good Start!!

Well, I have to say that today Lindy made the start to my day the best it could be. As she sat on my bed watching Dora, while I was getting ready, she looked up at me and said "Mommy, you got a new shirt (which I did) and you look pretty." My heart melted!!! Then, as she was sitting on the potty (of all places), she looks at me and and says "I love you, Mommy. You are so beautiful." Wow...she put a permanent smile on my face for the day. I love these days with her!!!

What a better way to end the night, but with a couple self-portraits!!!!

Fall Has Arrived

Fall has definitely arrived in Atlanta. The nights are cool, football is on all weekend, and the pumpkin patches and Fall Festivals are in full swing. We spent the weekend taking full advantage of the weather. We started on Saturday by hitting the Pace Fall Fair with the Killimetts and Kings. The girls loved the rides, jumpy houses, and the pony rides. I think the pony ride was Lindy's favorite...she loved the name of her pony, Short Stop. She kept saying that Caden was riding a cow, I have to admit her pony did have spots like the Chick-fil-A Cow.

On Sunday, we headed to the pumpkin patch. Lindy loved picking out her pumpkins and getting her picture taken with Daddy. She also insisted on bringing her own camera to take a picture of her chosen pumpkins. The pumpkins are now on display on the front porch, but if you make any mention of them Lindy insists on going out to check on them.

I had to include the comparison of Lindy last year at the pumpkin patch and this year. My baby girl is growing up!

Can she make it?

My mom asked if Lindy could swim from one side of the pool to the other...before today, we hadn't tried it. Let's just say she did it No Problem!! I think Grammy was very proud of her :)

Is it the Wicked Witch of the East???

Nope. Just Lindy climbing through our make-shift tunnel!!!

Daddy's Little Helper

Lindy is so excited to help daddy build her playset. Mid-day on Sunday, the report is that "All the hard stuff is done." Hopefully, Mike will accomplish a good bit this afternoon and then my dad can help finish when he gets here on Wednesday!

Summer times!!

We had a great weekend that started on Thursday when Steph & I decided to take all 4 girls to the aquarium. The aquarium was packed for a Thursday morning...I guess everyone is trying to get one last trip in before school starts on Monday. It was a little hectic keeping up with two 2-year olds and maneuvering a double stroller through the crowds, but we still had a blast. We finished the trip off with lunch at Johnny Rockets (one of Lindy's new favorites). She loves that the waiter gives you a nickel for the Jukebox to play "Lollipop, Lollipop", and then makes a smiley face with her ketchup. It's one of those trips that was hectic from start to finish, but on the drive home we were so happy to spend the day with our girls!




On Friday, we had some neighbors over for happy hour and swimming. I didn't take any photos Friday night, but I have to say that when we have tons of kids in the pool is when Lindy is her happiest. Every time we have a bunch of friends over to swim, Lindy will asks for days to swim with her friends, and explaining to a 2-year old that it just can't happen everyday is impossible.

Saturday started the construction of Lindy's new play set. Mike has 3 weekends to finish it before I hire help...that was the deal. Any takers on how long it will really take? Lindy actually chose helping daddy in the garage over swimming yesterday, which is a first that she chooses anything over swimming. It did take me back to being a small girl and helping my dad on his construction jobs and projects around the house. He always says I'm the best help he ever had...I think the same might hold true for Lindy.




Finally, the weekend ended with a day at the water park with our great friends, The Killimetts. Steph and I have taken the girls a couple of times this summer, but this was the first time for the dads. The girls have a such a good time in the water and I think enjoyed showing off for their daddies.

Turning a corner?

The last few days Lindy has gone on the "big girl" potty at least one time each day. It's only when we put her on the potty for 30 minutes while reading books and singing songs. Today, we tried training pants all afternoon (even chanced going Kroger). She "tinkled" on the floor twice (once on my foot), but as we got ready for her bath she was prancing around and did not want to get in the bath -- very unusual. She actually asked to go potty and ACTUALLY went. She was so proud of her self and I was ecstatic. We celebrated by calling daddy to share the news and making sugar cookies with sprinkles. Great ending to a long day!!!

Under the Weather???

Lindy woke up yesterday morning a little congested and with a nasty cough. She just wanted to lounge around most of the morning, but once she decided to eat the energy kicked in. It was such a fun day with her (I hate that she was sick, but I love lounging with her) -- We watched some "toonies", painted a beach ball picture for daddy, did puzzles, cleaned up dog poop (and Lindy stepped in it), hit baseballs, and went to the park in the afternoon. I think she really loves having her mommy around more and I am the luckiest person in the world to have these days with her.

Looks like a beach ball, right?

There is nothing wrong with a carrot bat!

Grammy Visit

My mom and my niece, Devon, were here for a short 3-day visit this week. Lindy gets to talk to my parents on the phone all the time, but only gets to see them every few months. She was extremely excited to see Grammy and have her spoil her every chance she got. We did a lot of shopping, eating, and swimming. Lindy could not wait to show Grammy how she can go under, jump, and swim over and over again. I must say that she is a great swimmer at 2 years of age. She can jump off the side and swim to the steps with no help at all.

It was so nice to see my mom here enjoying time with 3 of her 4 granddaughters (Brooke was here, too!)

Thanks for coming Grammy & Devon! We'll see you next month.

Alabama Road Trip

Brooke and I decided to make a road trip over to Enterprise, AL so that Brooke could get her new car and to see the rest of the family. The trip had a rocky beginning, as I thought Lindy would sleep the entire way, but she managed to stay up until about 10:30 pm and demanded her Music Class CD to be played...3 hours of "I'm so happy to see mommy, I'm so happy to see daddy..." is enough to drive anyone crazy. Then as we approached Enterprise, deep in conversation (and Lindy finally sleeping), I get pulled over doing 71 in a 55...second speeding ticket in 2 weeks...Urgh!!

Anyway, once we got there, we had a great time. We decided Monday afternoon to make an impromptu trip to Panama City Beach and once we told Lindy, there was NO turning back. She absolutely loved playing in the sand and putting her feet in water. I think her biggest highlight was watching Mikey and his friend, Lance, try to boogie board on the waves. She kept cheering, "Come on Guys". Panama City is much nicer than I remember it, they added a boardwalk section called Pier Park, which included lots of cute shops, ice cream, pizza, carousel, and to top it off a bungee jumping, trampoline thing that I was shocked Lindy did. She is very timid about even walking on the playground equipment or balance beam at Little Gym, but she went with this strange man who put her in a harness and she never looked back. I wish I had my camera at that point because she was bouncing about 20 feet in the air, loving every minute of it.

Yesterday we just hung out at Mike & Laurie's house and then Lindy went swimming with her cousins. I heard rumors that she was jumping off of the diving board over and over again...my baby girl is turning into a daredevil!!!

It was a great visit...thanks for having us Uncle Mike & Aunt Laurie!!

Lindy stamping the watermelon...Alabama tradition?

Lindy and Uncle Mike making sandcastles.

Lindy was Mikey's biggest fan at the beach.

"Swim with Friends?"

Lindy used to wake up from her afternoon nap and ask "Put feet in water?" Lately, she's been waking up asking to "Swim with Friends?". Sometimes we have a few people over, but most of the time I have to convince her that swimming with Mommy is just as much fun (which I know it's not). Well, last night Lindy got her wish with like 20 kids splashing around in our pool. We hosted the neighborhood Happy Hour and with 95+ temperatures, everyone was ready to get in the pool. Lindy never left the water, except to eat a quick dessert treat. Lindy (and hopefully everyone else) had a blast!!!

Wild, Wonderful West Virginia

Since today is the my first "official" day of being unemployed and now have the time to be an active blogger, I thought I would create Lindy a blog like I have wanted to do for so long. So, here we go....

We spent an action-packed weekend in West Virginia with family and friends. I always love going home to visit everyone, but this visit was different for me. I don't think I ever appreciated how beautiful and peaceful it is at my Mom and "Pappy" Jake's house. Seeing Lindy there with Grammy, Pappy, Uncle Brad, and her cousin "Little" Brad was amazing. She picked strawberries that my mom has been saving for her pick, walked the 30 acres of land like she owned the place, sat on pappy's 3 John Deer tractors, and went fishing with Uncle Brad. She was exhausted, but loved every minute of it!

It amazes me how this hill looks like it goes on forever. The view of the Ohio Valley from the top is awesome.

Lindy loves her Uncle Brad and cousin, Little Brad.

We also got to spend some time my dearest friends, Kathi, Kim, Lisa, and Michelle, and their families. I don't get to see these girls too often....I really miss them. My friend Michelle has a 3-year old little girl, Josie, that Lindy is still talking about going on the swings with. It's amazing to see all our kids playing together...times flies.



Finally, the whole reason for the trip was to attend my step-brother's wedding. Congrats, Aaron and JoAnna! Lindy made it to a whopping 7:30 at the reception because my mom didn't give her a nap, so we took her home and put her down and then headed to the casino to win at Craps!!