Spring Break 2011- Part 2

Stephen and I had decided that Tuesday would be a day we'd do something fun... maybe a hike in North Georgia?  Do something fun outside?  I threw out Callaway Gardens- I had gone there as a child and remember biking everywhere, and really having a good time. I checked out the website on Sunday to see what all they had to do there, and noticed they were having a spring time special. One night in a hotel, two adult admissions to all the gardens, breakfast, plus one of their world famous azalea bushes to take home, all for a great deal! So, Stephen and I decided to make a night of it.

As I said before, we headed down mid-day on Monday, checked into the hotel with our two napless girls. We hit the gardens, and went to the butterfly house. We took a small hike on a trail, saw an old log home, and did a lot of walking. Poor Sydney tripped about 3 times, and was only happy once she had Dora bandaids on all boo-boos.

We went to dinner at this cute country restaurant with a beautiful view.  The only problem was... we had two very cranky little girls on our hands!  And it was our normally mellow one, Taylor, who was doing most of the wailing.  I mean, wailing.  Then Sydney began to chime in.  It was so bad that neither one of us finished our dinner and we just had to leave.  The girls went to bed not long after we got to the hotel, and Stephen and I watched TV, looked online, and just relaxed.

The next morning, we went to breakfast at the hotel, then went to the gardens again.  We went on a beautiful hike at the Azalea Bowl, where all the azaleas were in full bloom.  We hiked to this pretty little chapel, nestled back in the woods next to a little stream.  It was really cold on Tuesday... the day before, it was in the low 80s.  This day, in the morning, it was in the 40s!  We drove around a little more, and then headed back around lunchtime.

It was a fun trip... fun to get away for a little bit, and fun to see a pretty place.  I've learned something about myself over the years... I love some gorgeous outdoor scenery.  Mountains, trees, flowers, water... I love it all!

Spring Break 2011- Part 1

Happy spring break!!!  It has been such a good week... it's been nice to have the time off of work, though I feel like I've been so much busier this week than when I am working!

I will chronicle our week so far.  I'll split it up into different sections so it won't be so overwhelming. :)  We've had a really fun few days!

Monday
We started off the week by going to a nearby park and meeting up with a good friend of ours.  She has a really nice camera and wanted to take pictures of us and the girls.  I am all about getting some family photos  (I'm usually the photographer of the family, so it's rare that we are all in a shot!) and it was a plus to hang out and have a picnic with our friend.  Sydney had so much fun on the playground, flying her little kite, and running everywhere.  It was a beautiful day!

I've posted most of these on Facebook, but here are some of my favorites:

This is probably my most favorite shot. :)

We left the park after lunchtime, and headed straight down to Callaway Gardens.  We had hoped the girls would nap in the car so they would be full steam ahead when we got to CG.  Not so much.  See the next post!

I have officially joined...

the 21st century!

Yes, my friends... I have finally upgraded my cell phone.  No longer do I have the whatever-is-free-when-my-contract-expires kind of phone, but I now have... drum roll please... the iPhone 4!

It's sleek.  It's flat.  It's shiny.  It's occupied my time for the last 3 hours.  (I need to get used to this whole internet on the phone thing!)  (And those apps?  How fun!)

Anyways, just wanted to share that I am catching up to the times.  I know you must be proud. :)



We've come a long way, baby!

Check out Taylor at one week old, and Taylor at 18 weeks!

Her coloring is so different!  In the first picture, her skin looks so olive (gotta thank the jaundice for that) and her eyes look dark.  Now, she's more fair-skinned with blue eyes!  Almost doesn't look like the same baby. :)

So tell me how you really feel...

I told myself I would try my best to keep this blog classy... but I couldn't resist.

This is what you get for taking ANOTHER picture of me!

4 Months!

Happy 4 months to my sweet Taylor!!!!

4-1-2011

Seriously, where does the time go?  4 months?? 

Taylor has had a busy month!  She has gone from looking like a newborn/infant to looking like a baby... if that makes sense. 

Her accomplishments include:

• Sucking her thumb
• Holding her head up while on her belly
• Rolling from back to front
• Going to her first play
• Moving into 9 month clothes
• Getting baptized!
• Talking a lot
• Getting her first illnesses... the stomach bug and croup
• First ER visit :(

She'll go to the doctor for her 4 month check up next week, so I will update you on her stats then!  I think she's pushing 17 pounds, if not more!!  (She is the size now that Sydney was at 7 months!)

It's been a great 4 months... Can't wait to see what's in store next!

Holding her head up... 

Baptism- March 13, 2011

Sweet girl...

K-Bash Thumbsucker #2!

She has the strongest grip and loves to grab things.

People constantly comment on her hair... in case you haven't witnessed it in person, here's a pic to give you an idea.  It is unbelievable!

Uh Oh...

The monkey is out of the bag!!

Sydney found TWO monkeys in the same place tonight! 

Ok, let me back up.  Sydney's had two monkeys (that she's known about) that look alike since Christmas- one is "Monkey" and the other is "George", because he's an actual Curious George doll, red shirt included.  Well, I washed his shirt one day, and it's never really made it back on.  So, she has two look alike monkey dolls (on top of the other 3 in the closet!). 

The only difference is that the Curious George doll has little beans in his bootie.  I have to actually give his tush a squeeze to figure out which is which.  The little 2 year-old smarty-pants I live with can tell them apart from across the room!  I try to play tricks on her and call one by the wrong name... only to have her quickly correct me.

So, tonight, she picks up two monkeys, who I am assuming are Monkey and George.  She said, "Monkey has a twin!  There are two monkeys!"  Stephen said, "uhhh.... Brooke?"  I went over to her, and sure enough, there were two smiling monkeys in her arms, both with beanless bottoms.  Oops.

So, I told her it was Monkey's cousin visiting from Africa, and that he wanted to say hi, but had to catch a plane back to his home.  I don't think she bought it. 

So now, instead of Monkey and George, she talks about "Monkey, George, and 'nother Monkey."  I think we're officially a zoo now.

And speaking of booties, here Sydney is, shaking hers.  The girl's got some moves!

Get low...