Black Widows & Cake Class

So we've had a new visitor around lately.

Creepy isn't she?  Lindsey would probably say she's beautiful...  Anyhow it seems the new construction next door has stirred them up.  Erik found two in Addison's little car the other day (don't worry playgroup mommy's, I went on a spider hunt before y'all came over!).  So we called our bug man to come out and spray the house and yard.  Our bug man cracks me up.  He's just like your stereotypical bug man.  Mostly bald, short, skinny, big glasses, nerdy.  Don't get me wrong I think he's the nicest guy and I thoroughly appreciate the service he performs.  I'm not making fun of him at all., just saying that he picked the perfect profession :)

Our cake class was great.  For the first one she just kind of went over the workbook and told us what extra supplies we would need (I can totally see how this can turn into an expensive hobby).  For the next class we have to bring in a cake and our homemade buttercream icing.  Then she is going to show us how to ice it correctly and start some decorations.  Mom  is coming over on Monday night and we are going to make our cakes and icing together.  Super excited for next week's class!

Bubble Baths & Playgroup

We recently bought Addison some baby bubble bath that she thinks is just fantastic.  Last night she kept laying down in the water.  We're pretty sure she thought she was hiding from us.

Today I hosted play group at our house.  We had 7 kids total and Addison had a blast.  She loves when people come over to play with her even though she's very possessive of her stuff.  It's her age.  But she's learning to share.  Us mom's had a great time chatting about our kids, husbands, blogs we read, birthday parties, medical issues and international adoption.  You never know what topic we will get on!  These playgroup meetings are as good for me as they are for Addison.

I'm going to my very first cake decorating class tonight.  I can't wait!  Mom, Jada, and Mrs. Mary (Jada's Mom) are taking it with me.  I'll update tomorrow how it was.

Name Change!

I'm sorry to those of you who have read the two posts from today that I've since deleted.  I'm so indecisive!  Just trying to come up with a name for this blog that doesn't include my last name.  I've posted 2 other names today, but have since changed my mind.  I'm going to try this one out for a while.  Anyone who has been to my house knows that I have 3 sets of french doors across the front.  So right inside is where our life happens :)

Visiting the Greens

First of all, thanks so much for the comments on my last post. It tells me that there are definitely people out there interested in our little lives and I should keep this up!

This past weekend for the 4th of July, we took a trip to Mississippi to visit our good friends Chess, Robin (aka Ramen), and Charlie (aka Chawee). We left super early Saturday morning hoping that Addison would sleep most of the way. She didn't sleep - at all! She's not a fan of car rides, but thanks to Barney and Finding Nemo we made it all in one piece. When we arrived we got to tour Chess & Robin's beautiful house. Addison's favorite room was, of course, the playroom. Addison and Charlie played together so good all weekend. Charlie even taught Addison how to eat! She's had a bigger appetite ever since we got home. Good job Charlie!

On Sunday we drove into Memphis. When we were exiting off the interstate we passed St. Jude hospital. Just driving by it gave me chills. What a wonderful place that I hope I never have to visit. After arriving downtown we went to see the Peabody Hotel. In case you've never been there they are famous for having live ducks in their fountain in the lobby. Every day at 11:00 & 5:00 the ducks walk on a red carpet to get to and from the fountain - it's quite an event! We missed the actual walking, but we did get to see them while they were in the fountain. Addison loved the ducks - although one of them bit Charlie! It was just a nip, so he was ok.

After the Peabody we walked down the famous Beale Street. We had so much fun seeing all the sites.

Then we headed to the Mud Island River Park. What a neat place! They had a relica of the Mississippi carved in the ground that was filled with water so the kids could splash and play. They even had Lake Pontchartrain and the Gulf - minus the oil...

They also had a merry-go-round.  The kids had a great time there.

Later that night we watched fireworks at the local park. Charlie was fascinated. Addison wasn't as into them as she was last year, but she still had a good time. We had a great trip and hope to go back and see them again soon! Thank you Hotel Green - we thoroughly enjoyed our stay!!

In other Addison news - she used the potty again! She told Erik that she had to potty and she went just like that! We celebrated with some Sesame Street stickers and gave her lots of praise. She had a big grin on her face and kept saying "Yay Addison"!

On a final note, Addison would like to tell everyone to make sure you take time out of your busy day to stop and smell the flowers :)

A little here, A little there...

Well this will be sort of a hodge podge update. I thought I would be better about updating a blog, but maybe not! Just goes to show how busy my little life is.

We took a day trip to Jackson a few weeks ago to celebrate the graduations of my cousins Dylan and Lindsey (college & high school respectively). Dylan actually got his masters. We are so proud of them both!














Then we took Addison to her first circus. It was the Ringling Brothers and we got to see "e ephants" (that's Addison talk), tigers "raaarrrr", and lots of cool performances. One thing Addison was not too fond of was the clowns. See the death grip on Erik's shirt?














Other than the clown, she pretty much loved every minute.




























This one's for Nana (where'd e ephant go???)















Anyone that's been around her lately knows that elephants are her FAVORITE right now!

We recently got a season pass to Blue Bayou. Addison likes to meet some of her friends there to play...















and to hug...


















and to just lay out...

















All last week I worked Vacation Bible School at our church. I was the team leader for the 6-11 age group. This was quite a task for me and very much out of my comfort zone. I'm used to the babies and toddlers! In fact, I came home after the first night and asked Erik if he would go for me the rest of the week. But by the end of the week I was loving it and didn't want it to end. I had some really precious kids. We had a great time and learned a lot about Jesus in the process. Just a few quotes from my kids over the week:

"Mrs. Carley, you can't be a mommy because you are way too skinny!"
"Mrs. Carley, you sure do have a lot of freckles!"
"Is that a real diamond in your ring? Wow, you must be rich!"
"Mrs. Carley, you are my favorite teacher"

I really enjoyed it and hope to be able to do it again next year.

In more recent news, Addison chipped her front tooth! :( We noticed it on Friday evening. We have no idea how it happened. We don't recall her falling or crying about being hurt that day. That's kids for you! Thankfully we have a friend that is a Pediatric Dentist. I took Addison to see her on Monday and she smoothed out her tooth and now you can hardly tell it was chipped. She did a great job with Addison and we'll start seeing her every 6 months for regular check ups.

This weekend we are heading to Mississippi to see Addison's very first friend Charlie and his parents. We have missed them so much. We can't wait to see them and spend some time visiting. I'll have my camera, so I should have plenty of pictures to post when we get back.

Is anybody reading this? If so, leave me a comment and let me know! Click on the comment link under the post. I'd love to know I wasn't just writing for cyber space...

If you are reading - thanks for checking in!!

To the Beach!

We spent our Memorial Day weekend at the beach. We had planned and booked our trip before the oil spill. Thankfully, it did not affect us at all. There was not any oil on the beach or in the ocean in the near vicinity. I'm so glad we got to enjoy God's beautiful creation. We had a great time and none of us wanted to leave! Ok, get ready for lots of pictures!

On our way there we took the ferry at Dauphin Island across Mobile Bay.













Our first time out to the beach. As soon as we sat her feet in the sand Addison said "uh-oh". But then she had a blast playing in the water. We finally had to make her get out when it started getting chilly as the sun went down.



























She is laughing here - not crying :)

































Another day at the beach! Paw Paw even came to watch Addison.


































The pool was fun too!




















Then we went on a dolphin cruise! It was so much fun!
Addison found herself a peep hole.




















The dolphin lookout crew:













There they are!













Somebody was excited.
































Our cute little beach house













As a final note, please say a prayer for these beautiful creatures and that they are somehow able to avoid the oil and stay safe.

Our Busy Life!

Boy we've been busy lately! Last weekend we went to the beach which followed our Anniversary weekend, and this weekend we are headed to Jackson to celebrate the graduation of Dylan & Lindsey. I'm working on the beach pictures now - as you know I took a ton :) But here are some cute ones of Addison from when she stayed with Nana & Paw Paw while me and Erik were in Natchez.

It was hot that day!













She thinks she's hiding :)













Here I am Nana!














I hope to have beach pics posted soon! We also have the circus coming up on Sunday! I love our crazy busy life :)