Visiting Granji and Grandaddy

A couple of weeks ago Eli and I went with Gigi and Papa, to Louisiana, to visit Granji and Grandaddy and then rest of our extended family for a few days. We had a great time catching up with everyone and just taking some time to relax and enjoy the perfect weather we had!  I did take my camera, but was very lazy taking pics this trip, simply bc being about 8 wks prego and all, I was very tired and sick this trip....so here are some of the pics that I did get...

One of the highlights of Eli's trip was Granji's golf cart.  She recently got it to zip around in, and as soon as Eli got a look at it, that just what we were doing...the WHOLE trip!  Here is a great pic I got of E and Grandaddy, very sweet to see them together.  

We did get to go fishing out at the camp while we were out there...one of my favorite things to do!  I think that Eli had a great time, even though he could not sit still.  We all had to tag team him, but he did get to see and touch a couple of little fishies...

Eli fishing with papa

Eli examining Grandaddy's catch

Daddy's Birthday

In March, Ryan turned 32 years old.  I am always so glad when his birthday rolls around before mine, bc. I am at that point where getting older is not that much fun!  Anywhooo...this year wasn't a big hoopla or anything, but Ryan requested that some of his closest friends and family come along and eat dinner with us at Babe's (love it!) for his bday dinner.  Here are a few pics (sorry didn't get everyone) from the evening.  It was a lot of fun and great food of coarse!  Thanks to the Gill's, my parents and sister (who was it town...  YEAH!) and Randy and his little one Austin for coming to help us celebrate! 

Amy and Eli waiting to be seated for dinner....

Look at that sweet little face...Miss Kinley

My litte man being his silly little self for the camera

The Birthday Boy

The birthday boy having to dance to the happy birthday chicken song...so funny!

Eli enjoying daddy's cupcakes

The big boy potty!

Going potty....

This is something that I hope Eli will start doing soon, and we can "hopefully" be potty trained, or at least mostly trained by the end of this summer....Several months ago I bought a big boy potty seat to put on our toilets to introduce E to the potty.  I have heard that some kids are really scared of the big potty, if they are familiar with little potty chairs.  So...I decided to just start out with the big potty,and go from there.....I am also NOT a fan of having to clean out those nasty little potties, so this was a good solution.....sorry but it's just a personal preference, and I think they are gross!!!  Eli seems to be very receptive to this potty.  We have started out just putting it on his toilet at night, and having him go potty before bath time each day.  He has made it part of his ritual now, and I think he is starting to "understand" a little bit that this is where you go to the bathroom at.  The other day I just happened to have my camera out, and Eli said that he needed to go "potty" so I took him in there, pulled of his diaper and shorts and set him on there, and he went!  Yeah for you little man...I was so excited for him and tried to make a big deal out of it.  He didn't seem to care either way, and was distracted by his book.  All he wanted to do that day was carry that book around, so he insisted on reading it on the potty!  It makes me laugh, typical man on the pot, right?!?!?  :)    

Valentines Day

Valentines day this year was very relaxing.  I told Ryan that this year I didn't really want to buy each other gifts and spend a bunch of money on a "holiday" that I personally think is retarted!  This year was going to be all about my little bubba, and making it a special day for him!  I was off on the actual day this year, so Eli and I had some great mommy/son time together.  I had went by Target, (one of my favorite places to go at least 2 times a week) to rade the dollar spot about a week before, to pick up a few fun things that I thought my little man would like to play with.  The dollar spot wasn't much help, but of coarse it wasn't that hard to spend some money there....Eli got a new Barney movie for the car, some sidewalk chalk, and a new "bubble machine".  The weather was so nice out, that after his nap we got to go outside and play!

After daddy got home from work we took Eli to McDonalds to play some more and have his favorite meal, chicken nuggets.  He had a blast...after dinner we went to have frozen yogurt to top off the day.  He loves this place too, but not as much as mommy....he he.  

My little chef!

One night when I was trying to make dinner, Eli was sooooo clingy and all he wanted was to be held....as you know, you can't really cook like that!  I thought that I would try to direct him in another way...he could just help mommy!  I have always told Ryan that our children, whether girls or boys would be very well rounded.....they will all know how to fix their cars, do yard work, and of coarse do their laundry and learn how to clean and COOK!  This was a great opprotunity to introduce something new to Eli, and he could help mommy too!  I had him help me with the salads that evening...something that was not to messy, and I knew he was totally capable of putting together.  I set out all of the ingredients with bowls, and with a little direction, he did great! 

Pulling up the chair to get started...

My little chef in action!

Every chef has to test taste his work, right?!?!

Finished product...Good job little man...I can't wait until we get to cook together again!

First snow of 2011

The first snow we had in 2011 was on a Sunday afternoon...so we got to enjoy playing out in it with daddy. 

Eli's girlfriend, Kinley, got to come down and play too...she wasn't really sure what to think of it all!

Recent Family Pics

These are just a few recent family pics that we had done around Christmas time for our Christmas cards.  They were done by our sweet friend, and forever photographer, Jamie Rogers.  They turned out really cute, and can't wait until we have our next shoot!

Enjoy just a few of our favorites...