Lake Getaway

This is a long one but we had a very eventful weekend.  We finally made it up to my mom's for the weekend.  It seems like forever since we got to go up and hang out.  We all had fun, especially Miss Hannah Claire.  She had many firsts on this trip.  On Friday morning we got up and headed out to see Pappy's horses.  Hannah Claire loves dogs so I was excited to see how she did with the horses.  I think maybe curious is the best way to describe it.  She didn't really want to touch them but she didn't cry either.  She just looked them over.  Nana took her up close so she could see them up close.  Notice how she is pulling her arm as close to her body as she can. 

Then Pappy got ahold of HC and took her over to the other pasture to see some more.  If you will notice the arm in this picture.  Same as above!  She finally reached out for one of these but she never really petted him.  She was very unsure about mommy petting them.

We also got to see all of Pappy's hunting dogs while we were out there.  Of course she loved that!  We also made a quick trip across the road to see Granny Sue and Pawpaw John.  Not only did we get to see them but we got to meet their new puppy, Peanut.  Boy did they appropriately name this dog.  He and HC had so much fun together.  He wanted some of her snacks.

Peanut followed Hannah Claire around the entire house.  He would jump up on her and she would get wobbly, like he was just so heavy he was knocking her over.  She is such a drama queen.  I was a little worried though because HC doesn't really pet, she pats.  That really doesn't matter with our big dogs but with Peanut I was concerned.  It didn't matter, he loved the attention.

Friday afternoon we finally got out on the boat.  I cannot believe HC is 15 months old and just now getting on the boat.  She was a little skeptical at first but she LOVED it!  

She really did love it but this face was priceless.  Who knows what this was directed at?  Probably Nelson, my mom's dog.  He felt the need to be protector dog for HC the entire time she was on the boat.  He stuck right by her side.  You can see his tail in the corner of the picture.  He was so sweet.

On Saturday we had a huge family fish fry.  It was delicious!  I'm so thankful that my family is highly skilled at the deep frying of catfish, hushpuppies and french fries.  We are true southerners and I love it!  There were tons of people roaming around so keeping up with HC was very tedious.  She got extremely quite.  This of course set my mommy radar off.  I quickly found her in her ducky float.  She was so content!

We finally got to see our new cousin Laney.  She is so precious and I loved getting to hold her.  HC thought she was sweet at first then she got annoyed that her mommy was holding another kid.  After that she was done.  We tried to get a picture of HC with Laney but we waited too long.  Laney was snoozing in Pawpaw John's arms and HC had other things on her mind. 

I did get one of Laney with her granddaddy.  Can you tell he is a proud granddaddy?

As I said there were a lot of firsts.  HC reached for Pappy and even said Pappy for the first time.  Pappy was shocked, can you tell?

We also got a good picture of HC hanging with her Aunt Lorie.  

I Can Do That!

One of Hannah Claire's new skills.  And one of her favorites I might add.  Climbing stairs.

Look at that determined face!

Dog Sitting

To say that Hannah Claire loves her doggies is a massive understatement.  She gets giddy at the mention of going to see the dogs.  We even use this to stall a meltdown.  The dogs love her too.  I guess with them being outside dogs the jealousy thing was never really a problem.  When we got downstairs Hannah Claire decided to checkout Allie's bed.  She looks so sad...

Oh wait, she loves it!

She finally came out and we went outside to see the dogs and feed them.  Allie got her loving in.

HC is pretty good with the petting.  I'm glad we have big dogs though because she is more of a "patter" than a petter. 

Junior is scared of the camera so when he saw it in my hand he went inside and would not come back out.  I did sneak in and snap a quick picture of him.  He missed out on the Hannah Claire love thanks to the mean, evil camera. 

Rocky Balboa a.k.a. Hannah Claire

Hannah Claire getting ready for the big battle.

The choke hold.

Knee to the chest.

Knee to the crotch.

Pinning Tigger down.  1...2...3!!!  (Possibly some foreshadowing for this fall?)

She's outta here.

We attempted to take some 15 month pictures and a fight broke out.

The Day After

This picture should have been at the end of the previous post.  This was us on Sunday after the wedding.  Hannah Claire crawled up in my lap and we all three took a nice/much needed nap!

Melissa & Tony's Wedding Weekend

The first weekend of August we spent celebrating the marriage of one of my absolute best friends in the world.  Melissa and I were roomies for two years in college so we really got to know each other.  We are so happy that she has found such a great guy.  We had lots of fun throughout the weekend.  On Thursday we kicked off the busy weekend with a call from Hannah Claire's school around 2'ish to say she had a fever of 102.  I went to pick her up and I could tell she didn't feel great but the fever was pretty much the only symptom.  I'm thinking teething at this point.  Later that evening I went to the airport to pick up Elizabeth.  She lived with Melissa & me one year and next door the next (next door was about two steps since we lived in the ZTA house).  We loved having Elizabeth with us so much this year for all of the wedding stuff.  Hopefully we will get to see her again soon.  Friday we went to the bridesmaid luncheon with HC in tow because her daycare was closed for transition day.  The food was yummy and the dessert was to die for!!!  A funny note from the event, Hannah Claire and Hannah Elizabeth (one of the flower girls) had on the same dress.  They were so cute but we didn't get a single picture.

Saturday started early for me with HC waking up around 4 a.m. with a 103 degree fever.  Poor baby!  Saturday was a crazy busy day with manicures, running home to check on HC and shower, getting pulled over for an expired tag in a hotel drive through after going one block from the Museum of Art, pictures and the big event.  Don't worry I didn't get a ticket.  The wedding went off without a hitch.  The bride was absolutely beautiful!!!  The reception was tons of fun!  

Daddy, Nana and HC came for the wedding since HC was feeling fine and the fever was under control.  I'm still not really sure what was wrong but she is fine now, thankfully!  Nana & HC had some fun pre-wedding.

Daddy posing with HC at her very first wedding.

Snack time while waiting for the big show.

Me and the beautiful bride!

Awwwwww.....

Family picture, finally one where HC is not kicking to get down.

The bride & groom leaving.

Two nights up after midnight makes me realize I am now officially old and I LOVE it!  I'm just not cut out to be up late!

Barons Game

A couple of weeks ago we had the opportunity to attend the Baron's game and sit in the Alfa box.  It was great to have a nice air-conditioned space that a toddler could run around, like a wild woman!  The Barons beat the Biscuits!  It was also military appreciation night.  How cool was this?!

Apparently one of the perks of being in the box is Babe Ruff stops by for a visit.  Hannah Claire was totally digging him when he was two boxes away.  Once he got closer she was not so sure about it.  But she is so brave.  She never cried, she just checked him out.  She even slightly petted him.

Silly girl...

Quick break to catch the game.

After the game they had a fireworks show.  It was so good!  I wish we had a picture.  We changed HC into her pjs and she curled up in my lap to watch the show.  It was way past her bedtime but she made it all the way to the car.  I'm pretty sure she was out before we got backed out of the parking space.  

Take Two

So somehow I missed half of the pictures from our trip. Now for the rest. We stopped by to see our friends the Matthews. Jackson recently celebrated his first birthday and we were not able to make it to the party. We went for a little visit on Saturday morning. I love to watch little one interact with one another. Hannah Claire was eyeing Jackson and his sippy cup of milk. I have not really documented HC's realtionship with a sippy of milk. She HATES it! The kid loves milk, I mean loves it! She even doesn't mind the sippy. However she completely refuses milk in a sippy. We have tried every sippy known to man (soft spouts, hard spouts, clear cups, colored cups, cartoony cups, straws, nipples, you name it). We have also tried chocholate, strawberry, half water & half milk. We have made it a big deal and we have made it no big deal. Still nothing. It is really insane! So you can understand why this picture is just typical, HC eyeing Jackson's cup like she wants it. No, trust mommy, you don't. I have tried!

"What, we are not up to anything."

Hannah Claire found the remote and immediately pointed it to the tv. Maybe we watch too much tv. Got it!

Any good Mawmaw has to get lovin from all the babies. I'm not sure Hannah Claire was big on it though.

This was the closest they got on their own. Oh, the power of toys.

Jackson, was either wondering where HC was going or happy she was leaving.

Jackson was trying to show HC some toys in his room.

Goodbye kisses.

I'm not sure what was so funny to the ladies, but Jackson was not amused.

We always have so much fun after a visit we are exhausted when we get home. HC & Daddy had to take a rest.

Summer Visits

A few weeks ago we made a trip to visit Mawmaw & Pawpaw.  We had so much fun visiting and seeing some family we hadn't see in a while.  

HC getting ready:

Apparently HC thought she was going shopping.  Notice my wallet open and laying in the floor behind her.  I have learned quickly to keep my purse on higher ground.

Once we arrived we spent a little time outside.  HC had so much fun!

Pawpaw turned into the tickle monster.

For some reason Hannah Claire has never really cared for grass.  She has come a long way but she is still skeptical when it touches her foot. 

Hannah Claire's very first experience with lightening bugs.  They were all over the yard.  We tried to catch them and let her see them.  She thought they were super cool!

We had so much fun and can't wait to see Mawmaw & Pawpaw again.