POOL PARTY!

Aiden Gates just turned 1!


I know he looks all young and innocent, but let me tell you, that little guy throws a mean pool party!


Jack had so much fun drifting away the afternoon....


Goofing around....

Making new friends.... (or making them cry- what did you do to the little man in the middle?)

Enjoying the company of old friends....

And just hanging out!

When we go to Alabama, it is always a whirlwind of visits. We have to keep a strict schedule if there is any hope of seeing even half of the folks we would like to see! I am so glad there was room in the visit for Aiden's birthday party. It is always so nice to see the Gates'. We lucked out and got to see the Carlisle's, too!

Great job on the new pool and...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AIDEN!

Boom Boom Pow

For the past 5 weeks I have been entering my calories on the Daily Plate on www.livestrong.com. I am pretty competitive with myself, so anytime I am counting calories or points, IT IS ON! After a couple of weeks, I realized that I could eat more if I exercised more to burn some of the calories I was eating ( who woulda thunk it?). I started walking in the morning. After a couple of weeks of just walking, that got boring so I decided to spice it up with some music. I downloaded some cool songs for a work out playlist on my i-pod. "boom boom pow" by the Black Eyed Peas is my favorite! I mean, anything with a clapping machine is pretty much gonna land on my fave list, and this one is front and center right now!
FYI- I programmed my calories on the Daily Plate to lose 2 pounds per week. After 5 weeks, I am pleased to report I am down about 10 pounds! I HIGHLY recommend it!

Summer Summer Summerti-me

Jack has been having too much fun lately!


I just love Summertime!




I cannot believe he will be a whole year old in 3 short weeks- It goes too fast:)
Stay tuned...pictures of Aiden's first birthday party and Jack's first pool party to come!

Our Heros!

Jack hanging out with his Grandma and Grandpa




He sure loves them!





They have been to babysit many times, now!






Seems like whenever we have the slightest little wrinkle, they are there to swoop in and make things just a little bit easier. Even if it is as simple as being in town to keep our precious boy while we go out and enjoy ourselves. Sure, we could get a ton of people around here to keep Jack for an evening. But really? It is SOOO nice to come straight home to a baby who is already sleeping soundly in his very own bed. And BONUS....get to sleep in while grandma takes the morning shift!
Or sometimes they help with things that are A LOT more complicated. Specifically keeping our boy Sam while he recovers from his amputation. I miss my dog and wish that I could see him and nurse him back to health myself. I know it is best for Sam to be where he can be cared for throughout the day while I am at work. I couldn't be more grateful that John and Joanne have selflessly volunteered to be there for our Sam when we can't.
We are so grateful for the help we get from them. Whew...whenever I think I am tired and ready for a break, I remember how I would feel if I did not get the breaks they give us.
THANK YOU!