Happy Retirement & Happy Baby!

Last week, Allyson, Caleb, Sawyer, Eli and I all traveled to Hartselle to celebrate my mom's retirement. They had a reception for her at school, so we couldn't miss it. We stayed up there until Wednesday morning, and then came home. THANKFULLY, Allyson and Caleb decided they'd just hang out with us for a couple more days. I was really glad they chose to stick around with us! Sawyer hopped in her car when it was time for them to go, because he wanted to go home with them. I had to pull him out of the car.

While they were here we had a baby shower for my friend, Beth. She's expecting a girl this time, so Kristen and I planned a shower for her at David's Catfish in Andalusia. It was REALLY fun just to get to go hang out with friends for a night. We decided we may have to start our get-togethers at 6 am instead of 6 pm, so we have more time to visit. We always seem to have to go before we run out of conversation, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself while we were there. Here are a few pictures from the week!
(I also THOUGHT I had Sawyer potty-trained, but he has proven me wrong the past couple of days with LOTS of messes! I'm not sure what happened, but I'm not giving up yet. We'll see!)

The Brown Family (minus Walker & Wes). Sawyer wanted to run around the library while the principal gave a speech. There were WAY too many teachers in the room for that, so we chose to hide in the back.

The Hostesses & Honoree -She looks FANTASTIC! Can't even tell she's pregant in this picture, can you?
Caleb and Eli kind of matched! :) Their mamas were playing dress up with them!
Allyson & Caleb with Mama
Grace & Sawyer, Granddaddy and Shelby

Good Days!!

Since my last post, we had Eli dedicated. It was a REALLY good day. Eli was one of 15 or so babies dedicated. We go to a big church, so he'll have LOTS of church friends his age. We were proud to have a pew of supporters, and I had lunch for everybody here after church. My parents got here Saturday afternoon, so Mama was a big help pulling everything together and helping me make it look pretty. She's a fantastic cook, but she's also into the presentation of the meal. I appreciate that about her! I figure if there's ever a time to get out your silver bowls, having my baby dedicated on Mother's Day is a good reason! I LOVED it, and I'll plan to do that more often! I'm SAD that I didn't take more pictures! I don't have a family shot from Easter or from Eli's big day....that makes me a little sad, but I was too busy getting lunch ready to think of a picture. Am I terrible??

I got this big group shot off of Facebook. :) We're on the far right. We went in abc order.

I did get this cute shot of the ladies on Sunday chatting on the porch. Grandmama (who's sitting in the middle) was also celebrating her birthday. I think she's 84 and going strong!

We have been BLESSED with a nice house here in Enterprise, AL. We really like it, and for the past year, we have also REALLY enjoyed being the only ones back here! Although we only have an average size lot, we've felt like we had 20 acres back here to roam since we've been the only house in "Phase III" of the subdivision. Monday morning I heard them working outside, and I about cried as I watched them tear down most of the trees in the lot next to us...BUMMER! I'm sure when someone moves in, they'll be really good neighbors, but seeing as how we are outside ALL THE TIME, and...I know I am LOUD and pretty weird (just ask Allyson and Walker), I'm really considering a fence-especially since there will likely be construction workers next to us all summer....We'll see! I've never wanted a fenced-in backyard, but we may have to reconsider. ANYWAY....The perk of all this is that right now there is a big pile of dirt for my little two-year-old to climb on. HE LOVES IT! There's also an excavator in the lot next to us....Sawyer couldn't ask for more! He's OBSESSED!

Just a sidenote...Really...he is FUNNY! We have had a lemon cake in the fridge since the party Sunday. We asked him Tuesday night if he wanted a piece, he said no. Well, guess what the first word out of his mouth was Wednesday morning when I went to get him out of bed? Not..."Hey, Mama" or "Where's Eli?" (like normal)...just ...."Cake" Apparently, he'd thought/dreamed about it all night! I thought it was funny!

This is where we've been when we've been at home this week....

Eli likes the water as much as Sawyer.

Sawyer's showing him out to kick in Eli's kiddie pool.

My boys and I made a day trip to see Aunt Al today. I was feeling the need for a little vacation. It was the perfect day! There have been several times lately when Allyson and I had good intentions for a fun-filled day, but our children wouldn't exactly cooperate. They were pretty much little angels today (THANK GOODNESS!), and we really did have a fantastic time. Thanks, Sissy, for letting us enjoy Bay Pointe with you.

He got a little swim lesson from the pro. (that's allyson)

Isn't that a crazy nice pool. My favorite thing about it is the zero degree (is that what it's called) entry. Why don't they do this for more pools? It's perfect for kiddies! That's Caleb and Al enjoying the pool. He was loving it!

Peace Out, Homies!

Bathtime

I loved Julie's pictures the other day of her boys in the bathtub! Thought I'd give it a try with my own little bathing beauties!
Tonight was Eli's first time in the big bathtub with Sawyer. I'm happy to report they both survived! Sawyer did pour the cup of water on Eli's head as he told me he was washing his hair...Poor ol' Eli! :) He just smiled.






In other news....
I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED ABOUT THIS WEEKEND! Mama & Daddy, Allyson, Wes and Caleb are all coming to our house tomorrow. Eli is being dedicated at church on Sunday. So...Granny Beck, Papa Pitt, Aunt Jenn, Uncle Pitt, Gracie and Sadie are all coming too! I couldn't be more excited!!!
I told Jennifer that I cried (I know y'all are surprised) thinking about it the other day, but I am just so incredibly thankful that all of these people care enough about us to come see Eli be dedicated. Walker and I are really the ones pledging ourselves to raise Eli in a Christian home and to teach him about Jesus. I feel honored to be able to have this responsibility!
I know we are so blessed to have grown up in homes where we were taught about Jesus, and I'm so thankful that Eli will grow up in a family (including his extended family) that loves him and LOVES JESUS like I want him to. WE ARE BLESSED! Thank you, Lord! WHAT A FUN MOTHER'S DAY, huh?
We'll miss you, Aunt Katie and crew and Aunt D and crew!
I'll be sure to take lots of pictures!

6 months ago...

This little dollface was born! (actually he's about 6 mos. 1 week, but I'm a little busy around here!)
Eli is a happy baby! He smiles, flirts and will make goo-goo eyes at me that make me melt. Apparently, he does this to they ladies that work in the nursery at church too, because they LOVE Eli! He became an official sitter this weekend! He's very mobile because he's such a rolly-polly! I'm pretty proud to be his mama! :) Here's a few pictures of my boys.

Here's My Version...

So, Allyson and Katie have already posted about this weekend, but I thought I'd add my own two cents about what we've been up to. Allyson, Caleb, Sawyer, Eli, and I ventured to North Alabama last Wednesday. We tried to plan the trip perfectly. We took the boys to the park to try to wear them out, so they'd be good and ready for a nap come car-riding time, but it didn't work so well. By the time we made a 3 1/2 hour trip into a 6 hour trip, we were a little frustrated but glad to be there!
Anyway...During our visit, we had a fantastic time! We had planned a suprise baby shower for Katie. Since it's her fourth girl and her pregnancy has been tough, we thought it would be a fun surprise for her! It definitely was! The only thing about a surprise shower is you have to be sneaky, and we had lots of cleaning and yard work to do to get ready for the shower. That was made a little more difficult since Katie asked us to babysit Shelby and Julia (along with our 3), while we tried to get the house clean and ready. ANYWAY...It worked out, and it was really fun! Friday, Katie had taken Grace to the Birmingham Zoo on a field trip while we tried to get ready for the 10:00 shower. I thought it was funny (and I realized she didn't have a clue about the shower) when that night, she came in and eyed the boiled chicken on the stove. Mama said she kept closing the lid on the chicken, but Katie kept saying, "Here, Shelby. Want some more?" FUNNY! Anyway...Mama, of course, had plenty and made some fantastic chicken salad with the leftover chicken!
Katie's friends (some from college, some from her new church, and some family) got there at 10:00, and she walked in about 10:30. SHE WAS SURPRISED for sure! You can see her reaction on Allyson's blog. I think she cried the first 15 minutes of the shower! It was a little overwhelming! Her friends are on the video saying how they predicted first she'll laugh, then she'll cry, and then she'll say how she wishes she wore a cuter outfit. :)

It was a very fun trip, and I really hated to leave Sunday morning, but we made it back to Enterprise in 3 hours 15 minutes! WHAT? :) :)

Here's some pictures from our weekend....

Katie & Caleb, Mama & Eli

Katie's friends from Birmingham Southern

We also got to go to Renee & Jeff's Housewarming Party Friday night in Hartselle. It was a definite bonus to our trip! Wish I had taken a picture there! All in all...a fantastic trip! Can't wait to meet little Caroline in about 7 weeks!

PS-I just ordered some FREE makeup from Bare Essentials. It cost $4.11 for the shipping and handling. They're giving away makeup today, so I thought I'd pass this along. Click here.

Who Needs the Comedy Club?

I went to a Comedy Club one time when Al and I lived in Birmingham. I think it was my 23rd birthday, and I admit...I enjoyed it! I don't remember who the comedian was, I just remember it was enjoyable! I do enjoy a good laugh! Honestly, though, I don't think I've ever known anyone (except maybe Erika McFurson Powell) that makes me laugh as much as this little 2-year old I'm raising. It may not be that funny to the rest of you...but just for kicks, I thought I'd give you a couple of examples of this little character that lives in our house.

1. Since Eli's been around, Sawyer has liked to put Eli's paci in his mouth. Sometimes he'd need it, but when he didn't, I'd tell Sawyer that Eli doesn't need it now, "Eli's happy." Now, fairly often, when Eli's not crying Sawyer will say, "Eli's happy, Mama. He doesn't need his paci." Then he'd say, "Daddy's happy. Mama's happy. Sawyer's happy." Well, tonight at bedtime, this little character didn't want to go to bed (the routine includes a paci)...so he threw his paci down as I'm leaving the room, and screamed, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....Sawyer's Happy, Mama, Sawyer's Happy!" He screamed/cried about how happy he was for about 5 minutes before I couldn't take it anymore, and I went to get him. (how could I not...really?)

2. Ever since the election, Sawyer has recognized our new President. When he comes on the news he'll say, "Hey, Obama, Hey!" This week though, Matt Lauer and Will Smith got a "Hey, Obama" from Sawyer. He watched Matt Lauer for a good five minutes thinking it was Obama. I can kind of see the resemblence with them both! TOO FUNNY!

That's all for tonight. My brain is kind of fried, but I have to admit I am thoroughly enjoying hearing what this little one has to say! "Daddy....are you?? Are you, Daddy?"

Thanks for hanging in here with me on this one! I know I kind of dote on these kiddos of mine!

It's dark and rainy outside today, and I must admit that I am enjoying the morning in my pjs with my coffee! Thought I'd share a few pics from the last week or so...

Allyson and Eli at the Dream Park in Andalusia

Sawyer drove "Sissy" around for a long time!

Eli is "really coming around!" (in Walker's words) I'd agree! He's a pretty happy little guy most of the time and will SMILE anytime you talk to him! He's rolling around on a blanket and watches Sawyer's every move. He's fascinated with Sawyer, which is good, because Sawyer's in his face saying, "Hey, E-li" pretty often! Now we sing, "E-i, E-i, O" He's also slept through the night for the past three nights-which makes his mama VERY happy!

We've been on the road a lot! Here's Sawyer in the back seat in all his glory with his "bah-bah" and blanket-too hot to cover up-so he stuck it on his head. :)

Our church had a Parents' Night Out through MOPS a couple of Fridays ago, so Walker and I enjoyed a real-deal date with no kiddos! SO NICE!

Here's Granddaddy and Sawyer at Lake Powell by Allyson's house watching the men on the boat show off their catch. I can't wait to go fishing on Granddaddy's boat this summer!

Allyson, Caleb and G'mama on our trip to Allyson's. We never made it to the beach due to my stomach bug.

One more just because he's so cute!!! :)