Putt-Putt

I've been wanting to take Julia and Andrew putt-putting but there aren't any close to our house so we decided to go with their cousins while we were in New York.  Julia went last summer with Daddy while we vacationed in Hilton Head but Andrew wasn't walking yet so him and I stayed behind while he napped.  Of course Julia and Molly decided to get a pink ball and pink putter.

Julia trying to use the putter to get her ball in the hole.

Andrew giving it a try.

Julia using pretty good form.

This is how Andrew played putt-putt.

Tyler, Andrew, Leah, Julia and Molly.  Aren't they so cute?

Andrew really liked climbing on top of everything...he is mostly certainly ALL boy.

Just the girls enjoying a special after putt-putt treat...slushies.

Just the boys enjoying their slushies.

Tyler was such a good older cousin and watched out for Andrew.  Such a fun night!

Fun with Nana and Papa

On Friday we spent the day with Nana and Papa.  In the morning we went to the park with Nana and played on the playground and then fed the ducks.  After lunch we enjoyed some books and playing games along with running through the sprinkler before dinnertime.  What a fun day! 

New York State Fair

Since we haven't made a trip to New York in 16 months we thought a fun time to visit would be during the fair. On our first full day in New York we enjoyed the fair with my niece along with my brother-in-law and his family.  We arrived early and while waiting to meet up with my brother-in-law and his family we tested out the Footsie Wootsie.  As a kid I remember sitting there at the end of the day to revive my tired feet from all the walking we did that day.  Julia enjoyed the Footsie Wootsie too as it massaged her feet she just giggled.

Andrew wanted a turn and just giggled too.

Hey why not, let's do it again!  We were very proactive in taking care of our feet before they got worn out and tired.  Ha ha!

Had to visit the sand sculpture.  It's pretty neat to think it's made out of only sand.

Molly, Julia, Leah and Tyler.

My niece Chelsea and Andrew.

The girls all loved playing together.  Julia and Molly were born less than a month apart and it was sweet to see how much they loved each other.

Thomas wanted a photo in front of this sign.  Syracuse, New York is ranked as the highest amount of snowfall with 179 inches in 2010-2011 and Atlanta was down at the very bottom with only 2.5 inches of snowfall.  Very thankful we don't live in New York with all that snow...I'm much more of a warm weather kinda girl. The sign also says the biggest snow plow in the world is 32 feet wide at the Syracuse Hancock Airport.

Then we headed to the Dairy Building and got a cup of chocolate milk for 25 cents and looked at the butter sculpture and rode on this little cow ride.  Andrew was so funny and would wave as he would go by.  He's styling in those shades!

Now it was time for the girls to have a turn.

Finally we headed to the Midway for some rides.  The kids loved the rides best of all.

Some rides needed an adult if the kids weren't a certain height so Uncle Brian joined the kids on this one.

Andrew riding the tractor.

Julia was happy to get to ride the pink dinosaur.

Another ride that needed an adult so Chelsea went with the kids and held onto Andrew for me.

Ringing the bells on the horses.

They had kiddie bumper cars which was great.  We were at another amusement park a little while back and Julia wanted to ride them but wasn't tall enough so it was nice they had ones for kids.

Julia and Molly rode together and I rode with Andrew since he needed an adult and wanted to go on.

Andrew was definitely worn out and fell asleep while waiting in line to get some lunch.  Julia was exhausted too and fell asleep in the car on the way home.  We had such a fun time at the fair and it was fun experiencing it as a parent.  We had such a fun first day in New York!

Traveling to New York

On Wednesday, August 28th we all flew to New York for a week to visit with family.  The kids did great traveling but there was definitely traffic on the way to the airport since we had a 9am flight.

Enjoying a bagel with cream cheese breakfast while watching the airplanes.

All ready for take-off.

Andrew's first flight in his own seat...miss the days where he would fly for free and sit on my lap.

Thanks to Papa for picking us up at the airport.  The kids were so excited to see him!

Julia Meets her Teachers

This year Julia will continue at Cumming First Baptist Weekday Preschool.  She'll be in the 4 year old pre-k class and go on Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 9-1.  We absolutely love her school and the teachers are fantastic!  It's such a great place and I'm so glad Andrew will be going there next year too. Since we're going to be out of town for Open House her teachers agreed to meet us a few days prior so Julia would have the opportunity to meet them before the first day of school.

Julia and her teacher Mrs. Schreiber.

Julia and her other teacher Mrs. Wyatt.  Both her teachers were super nice and we're looking forward to another great school year.

Surprise Birthday Party for My Sister

My brother-in-law planned a great surprise party for my sister's 40th birthday and wanted to fly me to Houston for the weekend to be part of the surprise...such FUN!  Glad her birthday was on Friday so Thomas was able to take care of the kids while I enjoyed a weekend with my sister.  I flew into Houston on Friday afternoon and took a cab to the restaurant and was able to have a glass of wine before I went into hiding since the other ladies were about to arrive.  Once Kim arrived and was surprised by everyone else the hostess came and got me (even though I could hear everyone yell surprise and my sister talking) and then I went out the side door and around the building and walked in the front door and she was surprised again.  It was so awesome...she had no idea!  We all enjoyed a great dinner and had such a fun time.  Here's a few pictures from the evening. 

Brad had the hostess bring over a gift while having dessert.  Her son's hand and footprints.  40 fingers and toes for her turning 40.

Fun times chatting with my sister's friends.

The group of ladies out to dinner at a Mexican seafood restaurant...yummy.

My sister and I...wish we lived closer so we could get together more often.  She's only a few weeks away from having her second child...so excited to be an aunt again!

My sister with her husband (aka the party planner).  Brad did a great job planning the surprise party, she had no idea!

The rest of the weekend was fun too but I didn't take anymore photos.  We went for a walk, did some shopping, swimming, relaxing, and my sister and I went out for dessert on Saturday night and had the best ever Nutella with strawberry and banana crepe.  Let's just say it was the best dessert I've had in a while and I'll be going back when we visit in November.  It was the first time I left the kids so I was a little sad about that but knew they were in great hands with Thomas.  There were definitely some tears from both Julia and myself when I left but everything worked out good despite the sadness.