Hatcher's sweet thoughts

Everyday the boys come home with these "daily activity reports" that provide details on when the boys ate, slept and went to the bathroom. It also provides the parents with an idea of the day's planned activities. Hatcher's teacher, Ms. Nicole, often goes that extra step and writes something special or unique that the children might do that day. On Monday, under the "memorable moment" area, Ms Nicole wrote the following.
"Hatcher invited me to take a plane ride with him to Ashton's house. Hatcher also asked me if my Mommy and Daddy were calling me on my phone. When I told him no, he asked if it was because they were at work."
TOO DAMN CUTE! So, when he got home, I told him that I needed to take his picture to remember this day. It is sweet that he enjoys school and teachers so much, that he wants them to go on trips with us to see his cousin Ashton...who he is SUPER excited to see!

Aidan's first Haircut

On Saturday this past weekend, Aidan had his first haircut. Just a little off the back please! He was getting a bit of a mullet and although I loved the curls, Derek was over the length. So since Hatcher was due for a haircut, we made a trip for both of them. I wish we would have had the real camera, but Derek did capture these with his Blackberry - which is why they are not so clear. The picture at the bottom is of Hatcher playing with one of the guitars at the Pottery Barn Kids store where I work on occasion. I had a shift on Saturday morning and the boys came to meet me when my shift ended. They love playing there.

Amicolola Falls and Burt's Pumkin Patch

Although it seemed a bit early this year, our timing was great. With it being the last weekend in September, the constant gas shortage in ATL, and temps still a bit on the warmer side, there were NO crowds at all up north as we headed up to the big pumpkin patch near Amicalola Falls. The fall leaves are only just starting to change but it turned out to be a wonderful trip to the mountains. Next weekend the boys and I (and Uncle Ben) head to Dallas to visit with my sisters and family and the week after that we have Hatcher scheduled for another laser treatment; so, in order to get a good trip in before the masses head north, we opted to go this weekend.

We packed a picnic lunch and visited Amicalola Falls first. The boys were able to play at the playground after lunch and before the hike up the mountain. Hatcher walked up 175 steps to the panoramic bridge all on his own. Man, he is such a big boy...or "a super really big boy"...as he says to us all the time! We walked halfway up and then we opted to head back down to get to the pumpkin patch, since we were already all sweating! Aidan took a fall near the picnic grounds, of course, just before the pictures at the pumpkin patch. He has taken more tumbles than Hatcher did at this age, but I would imagine for two reasons...he tries to keep up with Hatcher and with two little ones, we aren't as proactive in the falls and near misses as we were with Hatcher as our only child!

This year at the pumkin patch, not only did we get to park in the front row of the main lot, but, we also we had more time for pictures with fewer people. We even enjoyed a scenic hayride, since there were NO lines. All in all it was loads of fun and we picked several pumpkins which we brought home with us - we toted them to the car with the kids in the wheelbarrow.

On a funnier note, with just over a 1/4 tank left as we headed home, we decided that when we did see an open gas station we would wait in line and fill up. WOW! After 30+ miles, the first station we saw had a bit of a line...45 minutes until we reached the pump. So when we got home, Derek took his car out, also 1/4 tank and filled it up. Good times, good times!

Our Wonderful Watercolor Vacation

We traveled to Santa Rosa Beach, Florida (near Destin) last week and stayed in a house in the town of Watercolor, just next door to Seaside. The trip was so much fun and for the most part - relaxing...as it can be with two young boys. We picked this week to make a vacation since one of my dear girlfriends got married this past Saturday in Destin. (Congratulations Lisa and Brett - we had soo much fun!) The weather held out and the sugar-white sand beaches were wonderful as was the Caribbean-like blue waters. On the heels of Hurricane Ike's passing through the gulf, the first few days there was a bit of surf; but with each passing day the waters calmed. There were some great sand bars for the boys to play in and not fear the ocean.



The town in which we stayed was perfect for the kids. The streets are bike friendly and almost everyone, I do mean everyone, bikes everywhere. We took Hatcher's tricycle down since we know he loves riding it so...and he was so good that on Tuesday we went to Target in town and bought him a real bicycle with training wheels and off he went. He is a CHAMP. He is so good, as long as he is on fairly flat land. (That is a bit of a challenge once returning home!)



We also had the benefit of synching up with Grandma and Tom in Florida. They departed Atlanta before we did and hit some of the golf courses on the Robert Trent Jones Trail. At the last minute we were able to work out the vacation so that they would be there to watch the kids while we attended the wedding and Derek and Tom were able to hit a couple of pristine golf courses together too! That worked out well for Derek who isn't really a beach goer like Grandma and I are! Hatcher and Aidan loved it...although Aidan is no doubt our water baby. He booked it for the water every single day. We hit the beach every morning before nap times began and then would ride our bikes in the afternoon before and almost always after dinner.



We ran into some of our good friends from Atlanta who have a place in Watercolor (Colman and Fran and little Audrey) and the kids loved playing together in the sand or at the pool or in the park. Although the adults were in bed early every night too...it was a lovely vacation and I can't wait to go again next year. I took nearly 500 photos...so while I create the video montage...gulp!...here are some of my favorites. It was a great vacation! Thanks to Lisa and Brett for inspiring us to make a vacation out of the trip down...and thanks to Grandma and Tom for tolerating the Kemmerlin Krew and babysitting!








Finally, the all inclusive video. Too fun, hope you enjoy.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The boy's first concert...Elmo

I took the boys to see the Elmo concert at Phillips Arena yesterday. I brought my mom along since Derek wasn't able to go and since she had the day off. It would have been a struggle without another adult. I was kind of nervous with the setup knowing that for "my concerts" this venue can really suck. That said, we were only 15 or so rows back on the floor. We had great seats and loads of fun. Hatcher wasn't too sure at first but warmed up after the intermission. He was screaming out for Elmo with no fear by the end of the concert. Hatcher's favorite part was when Cookie Monster told everyone he wanted to be a fireman when he grew up...so, I have added a picture of that in this blog entry for Hatcher to remember. Aidan was into every single minute. He was so extremely tired, but pushed through to see every last minute of the show. The boys had a great time. Although Derek didn't make it to this first one, we will definitely do this again. I just bought us tickets to see the Playhouse Disney tour that is coming through in December. Hatcher loves all those shows and is already so excited!

Grandparent's Tea at School

Hatcher and Aidan's school hosted a Grandparent's Tea in honor of Grandparent's Day. Marma and P'bo were able to attend and took some cute photos. Hatcher was so excited, he kept telling me, "No Mommy, only Marma and P'bo can be at the sweet tea!" The staff helped the kids make special cards for the grandparents and offered tea and éclairs for everyone. Just what 2-year olds need before lunch and nap time...sugar!Too fun!

Go DAWGS!

We had a nice weekend at home. Derek went to the UGA game with our neighbor Brian. The boys and I stayed home and went to hang out with Mandy and the kids to watch the game. Hatcher was bummed...he really wanted to go. I dressed the boys up in the only GA outfits we have and told them we would watch for Daddy on TV. It was good fun and GA beat Central Michigan 56 to 14, or something like that.

On a another good note, Hatcher has gone a week completely potty trained and with only one accident. He has even done well using public restrooms and going at the neighbors. We are so super proud of him! He is just so smart and observant that it catches both Derek and I off guard sometimes. One morning last week, Derek was driving Hatcher to school and in his "I'm not awake yet" mode, he went as he usually does towards the office and opposite the direction he should have gone towards school. Just a ways down the road (going the wrong direction), Hatcher says, "Daddy, you can't go this way. This isn't the way to school Daddy. You can't go this way!" HA..LOL Amazing. They are so much fun.




Aidan is walking like a champ now. In just one short week, he is pretty much always on his feet and he LOVES it. He makes this cute "hapy noise" when he walks...sounds like " dika...dika...dika...dika...dika..." Watch the video below. The first few cuts are from the middle of the week last week and the last one is from this weekend. Too fun...growing up so fast!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy 8th Anniversary

Today Derek and I celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary. It seems crazy that we now have 2 amazing little boys and a wonderful and warm home with room to grow. We are so blessed - but most of all to have one another. I have loaded some of my favorite photos from that special day. Happy Anniversary Derek. I love you!