Cousin Funday Sunday

My mom has a big family and I loved growing up with a ton of cousins.  There was always someone to play with.  My MeMe passed away several years ago but we're all still pretty close.  We get together a few times a year and always say we should do it more.  So this year we planned a "Cousin Party".  We invited all the in town cousins (and their kids) to come just hang out. 

We had the best time.  We played corn hole while the kids threw the football.  We just laughed and reminisced.

Sweet Hudson picked flowers for his Mama.

Adam and John playing corn hole.

One of the last group pictures we made was on these steps.  We knew we wanted to take a group picture and we decided this was the perfect spot.  I'm terrible at the self timer.  We laughed and laughed at this picture.

Jennifer tried to take one.  She was way more graceful than me.  The babies were over it but I can't help but smile when I look at this.  

Half of the 12 total cousins.

The youngsters were making Adam laugh.

The first cousins, once removed.

I loved this day so much.  I just know my MeMe would be so proud of all of us.  Hopefully we can do it again this summer!

Life

In an attempt to post more I'm going to add a little life update.  I feel like we're busy all the time but we're never really doing anything.  I guess that's life with small kids.

We are LOVING our swingset and back yard!! Santa knew what he was doing this year.  We play nearly every afternoon.  We've had such a mild winter and it's been so nice.

We all pile in the clubhouse and wait for Daddy to get home.

A few years ago we had the bright idea to pull up all our shrubs in the our front yard.  We keep saying we're going to do something but have been putting it off.  We're having AveryAnn's birthday party here in a couple of weeks so I asked Patrick if we could please clean out the flower beds and at least put some mulch down.  We started cleaning them out Saturday, then my dad called to tell us they had some shrubs on sale at Lowes one thing led to another and we ended up planting about 16 bushes. 

My dad came and helped us plant them and Barrett was so excited to help. 

He needed gloves but didn't want to get them dirty. 

Doing some tractor work. 

Telling Granddaddy what to do. 

Donut Friday! 

Everyone's favorite day!

Barrett started running a low fever Saturday night and had a terribly snotty nose so I decided I should probably take him to the dr Monday. He looked like such a big boy waiting to have his finger pricked.  And he insists on wearing his shoes on the wrong feet.  I'm glad I took him in, turns out he has strep.

He fell asleep in our bed.

We stayed home most of the day Tuesday to recover.  He didn't act sick at all but we got to watch some movies while sister slept.  He went back to school Wednesday and I went back to the doctor with AveryAnn.  Turns out her ears never really cleared up from last month.  She's feeling better today though.  We're excited tomorrow is Friday!  We've got big plans this weekend to clean house and start getting things ready for AveryAnn's birthday party next weekend.  I can't believe she's almost one.

Brewery Tour

Friday was Jessica's birthday and we'd been talking about going on a Brewery Tour for a few weeks so we decided it was the perfect excuse to book it.   The Birmingham Brew scene is booming and can be a little intimidating if I'm being honest.  We like beer but are loyal to our domestic brands.  We were excited to check out the local craft beer without having to think to much about any of it.  We went with Jeremy, Jessica, Matt and Jennifer.  It was the perfect night out with friends.  We had the best time. 

We met Clay, our tour guide, at Railroad park.  He gave us a rundown of the history of the city.  Then we loaded up in his van and headed out.

Our first stop was Cahaba Brewing.  Clay chose 4 beers for our flight and to my surprise I actually liked most of them.  Patrick seriously only drinks Bud Light and he found one he enjoyed as well.  Clay gave a history of the company as well as the building.  He also taught us about each beer we were trying.  (After the first stop we were all convinced the tour was worth every penny).

Our next stop was Avondale.  I'd been to this one before but it'd been a while (also I was pregnant so didn't get to enjoy the beer.).  While Clay ordered our beer and got us a table we walked next door to Post Office Pies and ordered a few pizzas.  After we ordered we headed back to Avondale.  Clay told us all about the three beers we tasted and while we were enjoying them he walked back over and picked up our pizzas for us and brought them back.  After we finished our flight we got a 1/2 pint of whatever we wanted and Clay told us how that beer got it's name.  This was my favorite stop of the night.  The beer and pizza were fantastic.

I may have been overly excited about all the cute little glasses.

The third stop was Ghost Train. It's fairly new to the city and I liked it a lot.  It was very laid back.  They seemed the most excited about showing off their beers.  They immediately brought us a sample and then the flight.  I loved their presentation so much.  You could tell they put effort into it.  The beer was pretty good too!

I liked the two middle ones the most.  I learned that I'm not a huge fan of dark brews or most IPAs

The last stop of the night was Red Hills Brewing Company in Homewood.  We really felt like VIP here.  They were wrapping up a special event and we had the place to ourselves.  By this stop, I was a little tired and wasn't sure I could taste any more beer but I pressed on.  Patrick opted for one single beer instead of another flight. I didn't love those two on the end but I enjoyed getting to try them and learn about them.   

Love this guy and how he's learned to just go with whatever I suggest.  He was pretty sure he was going to hate everything he tried but he found something at each stop that he would drink again.  It was fun to step out of our comfort zone just a bit. 

The tour company we used was Red Clay Tours.  When my sister and her husband, Clay, returned from their trip last year, Clay decided this is what he wanted to do.  He has put so much research, time and heart into this business and it really shows.  It's so much fun watching someone do what they love.  The only decision we had to make was what we wanted on our pizza and I'm pretty sure he would have gladly given us suggestions if we'd asked. (Pizza was not included in the price of the tour but totally worth the twenty bucks)

If you're looking for something different to do book a tour. You won't regret it.

Eleven Months

AveryAnn, you are eleven months old.  We're only 30 days away from your first birthday.  I'm filled with emotion about it.  Both happy and sad.  You are just the sweetest little Mama's girl and I love seeing your little personality develop but I also miss rocking that tiny newborn that never slept. 

• You weigh around 19lbs
• Around 27"
• You're still wearing size 3 diapers, you should already be in 4's but we're trying to use the rest of this box.
• Mostly 9m-12m clothes.

• You are a really good sleeper.  You sleep 12-13 hours at night.  You're so happy when you wake up, you will talk to and laugh until I come and get you.  It's really sweet.
• You still need 2 naps a day and some days you get them and some you don't. 
• We're almost completely done nursing.  You still nurse in the morning and at night but you get formula during the day.  You got too distracted and wouldn't nurse long enough to get what needed.
• You're eating table food 3 times a day.  You like everything we put in front of you.  Carbs are your favorite and you probably get way to much sugar but you eat a lot of fruits and vegetables too.

• You're crawling anywhere you want to go. Except when we're outside, you will not get off the blanket.  You just sit and smile and laugh at us while we're running around chasing Barrett.
• As you can see above, you're trying so hard to pull up.  You'll get on your knees and you can get one foot under you.  It won't be long.  I think we're still a ways away from walking though.
• 2 more teeth came in this week for a grand total of 4.

• We had our first sick visit to this month.  You had a runny nose and were a little fussy over the holidays but I thought it was probably just your schedule being all off. Nope.  Both ears were infected.  Dr. Farr said "both her ears are infected, but she sure is happy".  You took your medicine like a champ everyday.

• You're hair is still wild.  You do not love wearing a bow.  You'll usually keep a headband on but not a clip in bow.
• You love to laugh.  You laugh all the time.  You think your brother is the funniest.

You are such a joy.  I know I say it every month but it's just the truth. If I had to choose one word to describe you it would be joy.  I feel like everyone just smiles when you're around.  I still can't believe you're eleven months old.  It seems like yesterday they placed you in my arms and I blinked and you're nearly a year old.  We love you so much!

Warm January Fun

We had a laid back weekend around here.  I took very few photos.  I'm really trying to put down my phone more and just enjoy the time with my kids but I'm usually sad I don't have more pictures.  I need to find a more happy balance.

Friday night, the kids and I went over to my parents house so my dad could color my hair. It had been nearly a year since we'd colored it and it was beyond time.  Barrett loves to answer their house phone.  Its so funny.  So anytime anyone we know calls he answers it. 

Saturday, we went to Madelyn's 1st birthday party.  I can't believe she's already one.  Hope and John both had Mickey mouse themed first birthday parties and Hope planned Madelyn the cutest Minnie mouse party.  I took zero pictures with my phone.  (I took a lot of pictures with Hope's camera so she could enjoy the party)

Today we got up and went to Mass and then came home and hung out.  I finally got the coat closet and dresser in the foyer cleaned out. 

When AveryAnn got up from her nap we headed outside to enjoy the beautiful spring like weather.

Barrett loves hitting his ball off the tee.  We're signing him up for ragball this year.  Hopefully it's a positive experience for everyone involved.

This girl is so funny.  I put a blanket down on the ground and she will not get off of it.  She crawls and rolls all over it but has not desire to be in the grass.  She loves watching her brother and laughs at everything he does!  We're looking forward to another week of amazing weather.

From Snow to Spring

I'm still trying to get back in the swing of blogging and I'm clearly not doing it well.  I've written the post about the "snow" in my head several times, just now getting it down here.  Last Friday it was 30 degrees, today it's 70.

We have a little tradition at the office called Donut Friday.  We've been doing it on and off for about 4 years but in the last few months, we haven't missed many.  Barrett won't let us miss.  It's his favorite day of the week.  Last Friday, AveryAnn got in on the action.  Steven gave her the whole donut and there wasn't a crumb left. She went to town.

We were forecasted to get "0-3 inches" of snow, as usual the local weather media had convinced us all we were going to be snowed in for weeks. It didn't do anything at our house.  It snowed for a little while we had a little on the cars but nothing like some places.  Some places were iced in for a few days but other than being very cold we were business as usual.

The only picture I took of the winter weather.

Saturday I took down the Christmas tree.  Barrett wanted a picture with it before we packed it away.

Also I bought the kids swimsuits during an ice storm. 

Then this week it's in the 70's, so we've been enjoying the backyard.  AveryAnn loves watching her brother.  It won't be long till she's right behind him.

He's so much fun right now.  He loves swinging and sliding and playing tee ball in the backyard.

He also loves transformers.

Here's today's donut Friday. Same pjs.  She is such a ray of sunshine these days.  She is just the sweetest.

Last week of 2016 & NYE

We had a wonderful week between Christmas and the New Year! Can I just say that I love when Christmas is on a Sunday!! I love the four day weekend, I was just perfect!  We worked Tuesday-Friday.  Mainly just getting the office cleaned up and ready for a new year.

This sweet girl loves her beauty and the beast tea set. 

She rarely falls asleep on me anymore.  This was so sweet!

While brother plays on his new swingset she tries to pick everything off the ground and eat it.

I feel like it's rained nearly every day since Christmas.  There was one clear day and we took full advantage of it.

Barrett got a new tool set for Christmas and he's been working on everything around the house all week. 

He definitely never falls asleep on me anymore so this was a real treat!

We went over to Matt and Jennifer's house to watch the Alabama game Saturday.  The Moore's came too.  Barrett and Jackson were obsessed with the cat.  The cat was not obsessed with them.  At one point they were just sitting and waiting for him to come out so they could take his picture with their tablets.  It was a fun night celebrating the big "W".  We're headed to the National Championship again!

We headed home to watch the ball drop.

I had to get a picture of my girl in her cute elephant hat.  I bought this hat when I was pregnant with Barrett (the bow comes off).  I love that she got to wear it too.

Every NYE I'm reminded of that first week at home with out tiny newborn baby.  He was on the bili-light and he got to come off of it at midnight NYE so while the rest of the time zone counted down to the new year we counted down to getting to take him off the light.  I can't believe how quickly the time has passed.  Now we have two precious babies.  2016 was crappy for a lot of people but for us it was pretty special.  Patrick started a new job, we had our baby girl, Barrett started K3 and we went to Disney World.  It was so much fun!  I can't wait to see what 2017 holds!