Pony Rides, Donkeys, and Basketball

We've been having some more fall fun lately! Last weekend we went to a "block party" put on by Atlanta Parent Magazine. My mom got free tickets, so we took advantage of that opportunity!

One thing that I've wanted Michael to do this fall was to go on a pony ride. I wasn't quite sure how he would feel about it. It's one of those things that he could LOVE or that would terrify him. I was so excited to find out that the block party had pony rides! It was the first thing that we did. We paid our two tickets and got on the little black pony with a blue blanket - the most "boyish" looking one out there. And he loved it! I was totally surprised! I started out by walking around with the pony, but he didn't even need me! He wanted to ride it by himself! :)

Then Michael got his face painted... he sat so still!

We shot some hoops and played some baseball...

We visited the petting zoo and rode the train...

We ended our day climbing around on the fire truck, but they had to leave on a call. Michael loved seeing the lights and hearing the siren. It was a good finish to another fall day!

More Pumpkins!

We took our annual Burt's Pumpkin Farm trip this past week with my mom. I am always amazed at the amount of pumpkins this place grows every year! This is the 3rd time that we've been and Michael had more fun than I expected. He saw the pumpkin layout as a maze to walk through and loved trying to pick them up. He picked out a few "baby pumpkins" to use as decorations around our house.

He loved the hayride and looking out at the pumpkin patch and corn fields...

We picked out some pumpkins...

...and played on the tractor!

And just for kicks and giggles... This is a comparison of Michael and I the first time we went to Burt's and this year. So funny to see the two pictures side by side! I can't believe how little he was!

Fall is here!

I feel like every time there is a turn of a season, I say it's my favorite - well, except for winter....that's NEVER my favorite. But, I think that fall is officially my favorite season. I love everything about it! I love the cooler weather, bonfires and s'mores, football, chili, and of course PUMPKINS and all things that can be made with pumpkin - pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin dip, ALL OF IT!

We spent some time down at my dad's house this past weekend and helped bring in the new season. There's nothing like visiting a pumpkin patch! (You'll see...we've already been to 2 this week.) This particular pumpkin patch had so many activities other than pumpkins. There was a hayride, a cow train, corn shooting, pig races, a petting zoo, corn dogs, and a corn maze. We all made a unanimous decision not to participate in the corn maze. We would be there all night...

But, we did participate in the other things and had so much fun! Michael and G-Daddy fed the goats...

Watched the people shootin' corn...

Sat on lots of pumpkins...

Watched some pig races... Yes, those are pigs racing... So funny...

And we finished the day picking out a "baby punkin" to take home with us...

We had so much fun bringing in the new season... More fall festivities to come!

New Adventure!

We're about to do this again...

Michael - only a few minutes old...

It's official "blog news"! Baby #2 is on the way...coming May 3, 2011! I am 9 weeks along today.

We're so excited because we went to the doctor this morning and were able to hear the heartbeat! We didn't get an ultrasound (don't know why...Michael had one at 9 weeks, but whatever), but the midwife was able to hear it using the doppler machine.

Thank you, God, for blessing us with this life and with a beating heart!

I've just started feeling nauseated these past couple of weeks. I feel good in the mornings and during the day, but start feeling sick around dinnertime. ugh... However, I'm thankful for life and for sickness! I will deal with it! :)

I've also started showing already...not so happy about that. I'm probably already as big as I was at about 15 weeks with Michael. I haven't had to break out the maternity clothes yet, but that won't be long!

I will keep you posted as I progress... We go back to the doctor in 3 weeks for our first ultrasound! So excited!

Running

One thing you may not know: Sam is a high school cross country coach. He practices with the kids every day by running anywhere from 5 to 13 miles. It's crazy! Some days he just goes out there and runs a half-marathon. Wow....wish I could do that! His runners love him! I love hearing the stories about how Sam has impacted all of their lives.

Another life that has been impacted by the coach... Michael. He is at the age now where he wants to do what Sam does. He looks up to him so much! One day after Sam's practice, Michael says "Michael run too?". He went and got his tennis shoes and socks out of his room all by himself because he was so excited!

Our street isn't very long so it's a perfect run for a little toddler. Sam and Michael ran down the street and back. Michael has so much energy! He ran the whole time. At the end of the run, the coach had Michael do his stretches. They did leg stretches, butterfly stretches, and pushups! Look at Michael's form! ha! Another sport to add to Michael's list: running!

G-Daddy

Have I ever mentioned that Michael calls my dad G-Daddy? It's so cute to hear him say it... he's really gotten the hang of all his grandparents' names now. I love that each of them has a different name and he knows who they all are.

This past weekend we had a chance to spend some time at my dad's house. We swam in the pool - well, Michael swam in the pool while G-Daddy cleaned it out. I sat with my feet in the water. It's already too cold for me. I'm a wimp!

We also took a joy ride in my dad's jeep. We strapped Michael's carseat in the back and went out on the town! Michael seemed to enjoy it. He was putting his hands up like he was riding a roller coaster and saying "WEEE!"

We had lots of fun...I'm glad I have a picture to capture that moment. Thank God for camera phones!

Beach Family Reunion

A couple of weeks ago, my mom's side of the family decided to have our first ever family reunion at Tybee Island. These were all my cousins from my grandpa's brothers and sisters. There is only one living sister left, my Great Aunt Lois. She was able to help all the ladies go through their pictures and identify people, tell stories, and help with geneology information. It was fun just to listen to her tell these stories from her childhood and teen years. I love that 40's (ish) era....

(These pictures aren't the best quality because they're taken with my phone or copied from facebook, but you get the point.)

We spent the weekend in Tybee and had all day Saturday to enjoy the beach...and enjoy the beach we did! There was a chance of rain, but that held off just for me! :)

We saw lots of these beach cruisers. I plan to own one of these one day...just like this one. Pink with streamers coming out of the handles... *bliss*

Sam, Michael, and I at dinner at "Fannie's on the Beach"...

The whole family (minus a few that didn't come).... Some of these people I haven't seen in 20 years....Some I've never even met before. The yellow group is my family - from my Grandpa. The other colors are the other brothers and sister's families. There were 5 of them in all.

Apparently we're going to start making this a yearly tradition. It was so hot on the beach that everyone else is voting for the mountains next year, but I'm secretly hoping that the tide will pull them back to the beach! :)