Atlanta

Last week Ryan had a work conference at his Atlanta office.  The beauty of summer is that the girls and I had nothing pressing going on, so we packed up and went with him.  I wasn't sure how it would go with us only taking 1 car and having to get up early to take Ryan to work each morning but it worked out just fine and we had a fun and relaxing time.

We started off on Monday by heading straight to Ryan's brother's house.  They live just outside of Atlanta and we wanted to see them since it's been awhile.  All the kids had a great time playing together and then we went to dinner with them at one of their local favorites.

On Tuesday morning we took Ryan to work and then we relaxed in the hotel and then spent a couple of hours swimming in the hotel pool.  We had the pool to ourselves and it was heated so at lunch time, I had to make them get out.  I forgot to take my camera down to the pool, but we went swimming with Ryan again on Wednesday night and I took some pictures then.  Emma Catherine is swimming by herself all over the place.  Bailey, on the other hand, still does not like her face to get wet.  That kind of hinders the whole "learning to swim" process, so hopefully that will get better as the summer goes on.  I did convince her to go under water with me a few times but she didn't like it at all.

After lunch, we went back to the hotel to take naps.  When we woke up, we went to pick up Ryan and we got to experience Atlanta traffic...not fun, but thankfully the girls had their DVD players.  Ryan took us into the office to show us around and the girls got to see a valve that he sells (a small one from what I understand).

When then headed to dinner.

On Wednesday we took Ryan to work again and then came back to get ready.  We then went to Monkey Joe's, which is an indoor inflatable place, and we met one of my best friends from college, Jenn, who lives in Atlanta.  It was so good to see her and catch up.  After playing and then lunch, I decided to go see Jenn's new house that she bought last year.  She has great taste in decorating and furniture and it was fun to see her place in person.  Jenn recently started a blog herself, and you can read her recap of our visit here.

After our visit with Jenn, we headed to pick Ryan up from work a little early so we could miss the traffic.  We then headed to the hotel for a swim and then to dinner.  Thursday Ryan had to work half a day so the girls and I hung around the hotel room, read books and played.  Earlier in the week I had noticed a nice McDonald's near our hotel so at lunch time, we checked out of our hotel and then headed there to eat and play until Ryan was finished.  We then headed back to Birmingham.  Poor Bailey was worn out.  She never sleeps in the car, and about 45 minutes or so out of Birmingham, she fell asleep.

It was a great trip, and we were thankful to be with Ryan, rather than by ourselves at the house.

The Zoo with Friends

A couple of weeks ago, we went to the zoo with some dear friends.  Rachel and Andrew were some of first married friends when we lived in Dothan.  We went to church together and Rachel and I taught at the same school.  When they moved to Birmingham, we were so sad, but now 5 years later (I think) we live in the same area again.  We live in different cities, but close enough that hopefully we will see each other more.  Things have changed since we were newlyweds in Dothan, most notably the 5 girls that we have between us.  They have 3 precious girls and we were glad to spend some time with them at the zoo. 

Also, this week we went back to the zoo with our next door neighbor, Lilly.  I didn't take many pictures, and it was very hot, but we still had a good time.  The girls also got to play in the fountains, which they have been asking to do.

Preschool Graduation

On Thursday Emma Catherine graduated from 4 year old preschool.  Where did the time go?  It's so crazy because I have been so emotional about her starting kindergarten.  She doesn't seem old enough, even though I know she is ready.  She has matured a lot this year and for the most part, she is excited to start big school.  I just want to make sure to enjoy the summer with her.

For her graduation program, all the K4 classes and the one kindergarten class preformed a little play.  They all sang songs together and each class got to sing a song alone.  A few kids from each class had speaking parts, but Emma Catherine didn't have one this time.  I was actually relieved since she was so nervous and wouldn't say her part at Christmas.  Overall, Ryan and I thought Emma Catherine was very serious and concentrated during the program, but as I looked back over the pictures I took, I caught her smiling quite a few times. 

This picture cracks me up.  It's the only one I got of her whole class and she is yawning.

Here Emma Catherine is getting her diploma from her teacher, Mrs. Michelle.

We are so proud of her!

Emma Catherine and a few of her friends. 

Emma Catherine and Mrs. Michelle.

And here is Bailey on her last day, with her teacher, Mrs. Nickey.

The Gymnastics Show

Each spring, the place where the girls take gymnastics has a show for all the kids to show what they learned.  It is almost like a mini recital.  This year the theme was Peace, Love, and Gymnastics.  My mom and sister came to spend the weekend with us and watch the big show.

Bailey went first and was such a ham.  She waved to us and smiled the whole time.

Emma Catherine was excited too but she was more serious about doing her gymnastics.

 When we moved from Chattanooga, I was hoping to find a good gym around the area for them to continue gymnastics and I am glad we found this gym.  The girls have loved their teachers and the friends they met.

Easter

It has been awhile since I have blogged and there has been so much going on, especially in our state.  I have such a heavy heart that there is such devastation around us.  We were fine during the storm, thankfully.  We did lose power for 3 days, but during those LONG days, I constantly reminded myself how grateful I was to even have a house after so many don't have one anymore. 

Before the storm hit, we celebrated Easter.  On Saturday of Easter weekend we went to Ryan's parents to visit.  They girls dyed eggs, ate an Easter lunch, and hunted some eggs. 

On Easter Sunday we got ready and went to church extra early since Ryan and I sing in the choir and we had a practice.  Our Easter service was excellent and then we helped in the nursery during the next service.  We had trouble finding a place to eat after church so we ended up at McDonalds.  The girls were happy, and we were together, so that place didn't matter, but we have gotten a few laughs about it.  After the girls took a nap, we let them hunt Easter eggs in our yard.  Yes, this was their 3rd Easter egg hunt.

Our pictures on Easter were rushed and at a bad angle, but we tried.