Happy Fourth of July!

We hope you all had a fun Fourth of July!
Of course, Canada Day on July FIRST was also a VERY special occasion for us (:

These were taken in D.C. But we actually spent today in Fredricktown, where they didn't have so many people and more kid friendly activiities like a petting zoo and free Ice Cream!
Yesterday, one of Trey's Co-workers invited us to their place for a BBQ. They live on a horse and Corn farm that their parents own and Brooklyn had a blast playing with the other kids, playing with the dogs and she even got to ride a former racing horse (Well, sit on one) and pet a colt! Unfortunately I didn't have my camera); Brooklyn saw her first fireworks last night too! She loved it, some were a little overwhelming for her though, so she would dig her head into my lap sometimes.

Of course, Nai Nai got Brooklyn her 4th of July outfit with "I Love the USA" on her shirt!
We actually went to the Newseum that day. It is unbelievable, even with a 25 lb baby that won't let you put her down the entire time on your hip!

There was a BBQ competition right near us, so we got some ribs! Mmmm!

Washington D.C with Trey

We are finally back with Trey! In fact, I went a week early, leaving Brooklyn with Judy for the weekend, so Trey and I could have a few days just the two of us.

I was crazy - that was the part where I went from Memphis, to Nashville, to Baltimore, to Washington, DC, to Nashville, to Oklahoma in a 5 day period!
It was totally worth the craziness though! We covered about 15 miles of DC, all on foot. Saw 4 museums, nearly all the monuments and even got in a play - "Shear Madness" It was fantastic - all of it!


There were so many awesome places we saw - my camera ran out of batteries a few hours into it, but it was fun.


On our way back to the airport, we went to this adorable town, Anapolis! It was awesome to be on the ocean again - even if it was just for a few hours.
Thanks again Judy, Fred and Logan for making it all possible!

Oklahoma with Nat and Bella!

We have had an action filled 4 days with our friends Nat and Bella. Nat was one of my bridesmaids, I was one of hers, we were Badminton doubles partners when we were young, and later travelled to Costa Rica and Panama together after our freshman years in College! In fact, our Dads were friends in College, so we've known eachother forever basically. She came out to help me when Brooklyn was born, and 9 months later she had her gorgeous Ibella! It is an incredible friendship, that I am so grateful for!

It has been awesome seeing where she lives and finally meeting the most adorable 1 year old (Next week) in the universe! She looks at me and I just about melt! Bella is an incredible baby - Brooklyn especially is enamored with her. She wakes up asking for "Baby!" Though they have their moments of wanting the same toy, they are already good friends (;

We went to Nat's great Women's Bible study, and had lunch with some of the ladies after. I also got to go to the women's pregnancy center where she volunteers which was cool!

Nat showed me how to make HAIR-BOWS! So we made about 20 for Brooklyn with Nat's vast array of ribbon! You can imagine what Bella's Bow drawer looks like!

While making bows, we started reminiscing about our crazy times in Costa Rica. Thank goodness our girls sleep deep and Ben was out of town, because we probably could have woken up half the army barraks as we laughed and laughed. 1:30 am was the time we fnally foreced ourselves to go to sleep.

We went swimming and the girls played. Brooklyn called Bella "Baby" and Nat, "NAK", which I thought was cute (; Brooklyn would try to help and hug Bella, Bella wasn't so eager.

Our time together was full, but the last day kind of sums it all up! We started out with a hike...

We let the girls play in the water at the top. Then Brooklyn had a fit and wouldn't get into the backpack again so I had to carry her on my hip almost all the way down. I won't show any pictures of what the hike down looked like.

Then we drove over an hour to this hilarious Restaurant on this buffalo/long horned cow reservation where we ate at this 120 year old restaurant that has been featured in Bon Appetite and other food magazines "Meers".


It was worth the drive though! The burgers were OUT OF THIS WORLD!

The peach cobbler and home made ice-cream was too - obviously. Nat and I shared it, I promise!
After the hike I went to Nats HARD CORE Spin class that she TEACHES! I've been to quite a few spin classes, but this was the most awesome by far! Pushups, while biking, sprints basically the whole time, it was awesome! I was glad I got to go to 2 while I was there, even though she kicked my butt!

As you can probably tell, Nat is incredible and a going concern! It was so fun to see all that she is up to, get stalked up on my Mary Kay stuff (She is also a supplier-if anyone wants to make an order click HERE to go to her blog(: and reconnect with such a beloved friend.
Thanks for being such a great hostess Nat! Hope to reunite soon!

We're off to Washington D.C. now! BYE!

Memphis

OUR TRIP TO MEMPHIS, TN

I have the best In-Laws in the world! Trey took off May 22 or so to go to D.C. and Brooklyn and I went back to Chattanooga with Judy and Logan just joined them in everything they were up to - Including going up to Memphis for 5 days! Fred is now working there, and they will be moving there in August. Fred usually drives down to Chattanooga on the weekends. This week, we went up to see him. It was my first time ever being in Memphis or seeing the Mississippi, so that was fun!

We did a riverboat tour of the Mississippi. No Graceland this time, but I saw Sun Records and other landmarks as we drove around!

Swam at the Hotel pool.

Had great weather!

Ate Real Memphis BBQ - RIBS!

Brooklyn liked the Banana pudding best though.

We also got to see our dear friends the Gruwells - well, Melanie is now a Pitcher and Mellissa is a Hodgens (Check out their blogs - they are increidble!) But they are part of the incredilbe Gruwell family. The three of us met up with our 4 kids and went to a little fountain waterpark. Unfortunately I wasn't in much of a picture mood that day...

An aboslute highlight of my trip though, was seeing an angle on earth, Melanie and Mellissa's Sister Lindsey. Check out her blog and be inspired.

She is at the St. Jude Hospital in Memphis, fighting her third baught of Cancer. They just destroyed all of her bone marrow and took her sister Melissa's bone marrow and gave it to her! She is responding miraculously and seeing her was inspirational. She is so happy and upbeat I couldn't believe it! Well, read her blog if you hava a moment or need a pick-me-up!

Brooklyn Has Freckles!

We are in Memphis, TN right now, in 2 days will be back in Chattanooga, Had a great time in Ila with DDaddy and Nana since our last blog, and next week I'm off to visit Trey for the weekend, then Brooklyn and I are off to Oklahoma!
Lots to post about. For now, a quick update and photo of the cutest freckles on earth!

Happy Are We!

Brooklyn and I are having a blast with Judy and Logan, here in Chattanooga and Memphis!
Sadly, my camera that I can download didn't work at DDaddy and Nana's, but we were so SPOILED and loved there as we always are. They are too wonderful for words! Brooklyn died and went to heaven with all the cats and dogs, birds and insects. She found a best friend in the dog Pid. She also got to see her cousin who is the same age as her and all her uncles and aunts down there! It was heaven on earth! We can't wait to get back!
On our way back to Chattanooga, we spit up. Trey headed out to Maryland and we went with Judy and Logan back to Chatt-town.
As you will see, Brooklyn is in Heaven with a constant playmate- Logan - which puts me right in Heaven!

Brooklyn wakes up with a smile on her face here - her room is like a sleep - haven with black out curtains and a fan. She wakes up calling for Didi and NaiNai!

Why wouldn't she love it? She has her own personal chauffeur!

The weather is perfect here.

She has also found a friend in her "Eee, Eee" and other doo dads she finds around the house!

It has also been wonderful seeing old friends! We miss them!

Blog Worthy

It's been almost a month since my last blog, but my excuse is quite reasonable.

For the next 3.5 months, Brooklyn and I will not be in one state or province for more than a two weeks. In the preparation for this, we sub-leased our apartment in Indiana (Thus had to pack everything and deep clean between the 5 days that we found our renters and left), tried to get everything in with our dear friends that were moving away, the Chandlers, Trey finished school, got food poisoning and we drove down to his parents in TN, where we are now.

But here are a few Blog-worthy events in our lives.GOODBYE CHANDLERS!

Our last park day with the Chandlers with the primary kids. Our amazing friends the Chandlers are off to more wonderful things in Texas. They will miss the 9.5 months of winter each year, the 2.5 months of humid torture, the COLD, the ICE on their car in the morning, the snow on their walks to shovel, the festivals, city, Y, and parks, but most of all, US! We will miss them more though. James was the coolest kid on the block, Elesi, the cutest, Michelle, the coolest, most awesome and talented Mom and friend. Farewell and THANK YOU for your love and friendship!

A Trip to Chicago!

6 parents, 5 kids under 4!

We took the train there and back.

Until Trey won Baseball tickets and we were down two Dads. 4 parents, 5 kids under 4
The kids were great, even though it was Freezing - yes it is MAY!

There were a few complications... like changing a new baby on the dirty streets outside a convenient store! And Children's extremities Freezing... But we made it. Next time lets not take the kids!
Boating on the River!





We love being with Family again! Especially Brooklyn! She is treated like an absolute Queen! Logan pushes her around in the doll stroller, she loves the food here, the animals, the attention - and LOVE! We all do. As soon as we arrived she started to list all the things she loves about this place - Dog, Mao Mao (Cat) Didi (Logan) Nai Nai (Judy) Papa and oh, did I say Nai Nai? When we got here she went into every room calling for Nai Nai, finding that she wasn't there she'd put her hands up like "Nope, not here!"

So, now we are off to GA, then to OK, then to DC and Maryland, then to WA and BC, Canada, then to ID, then down the west coast to, through OR and to CA. From there, who knows, we may be coming to visit you!
Meanwhile, Trey will be at his internship near DC!
It is going to be hard being away from Trey so much, we'll make the best of it though! (;