Vacation 2012

We were SO excited to go on vacation this year. We haven't been on a real vacation since the summer of 2008. A while ago, we decided that when we go to the beach, we would go with Drew, Matt and Brantley.  Drew and I have been best friends for over ten years, and Jeff and Matt have become really good friends in the past couple of years.  We decided to go to Destin. We love the beach, and it's where Jeff and I got married. :) We left Columbus Saturday afternoon and drove to Alabama. My mom kept Harrison for a couple of days so that we could have some adult beach time. P.S. I think I still have worse separation anxiety than Harrison. Mom and Paul got a new fish tank, so Harrison was done with me and Jeff.
By the time we got to Destin Saturday, we were too exhausted to do anything. We met Drew and Matt for some late night waffles and hamburgers, then headed back to the condo. Sunday was beach day! It was so nice! The weather was awesome. There was just a little seaweed and no jellyfish! That night, we went to AJ's for dinner. After AJ's, we took a walk on the boardwalk. When we headed down there, we heard some music. We didn't think anything of it, and kept walking. We came up on a concert by JT Hodges. For those of you who do not know him, he is a country music singer just getting his start.  He was AWESOME!!! Even Jeff said that he liked him, and Jeff isn't the biggest country fan. We sat right in front. It was such a great little surprise.

Me, JT, and Drew

Me and JT

Monday, was low key. We just hung out at the beach and ate at the condo that night. Tuesday, Mom brought Brantley and Harrison down to the beach and stayed for a bit.  Harrison LOVED the sand. The waves...not so much. I would stand at the edge of the water, and he would have a tight grip on me! We stayed out there for the rest of the day, then just ate in again.
Wednesday, I woke up and my lips were swollen! Those of you who know me, know that I can look at the sun or something spicy and they swell up. I decided that Wednesday, I would not be in the sun. So...we went shopping! Drew, Harrison and I spent most of the day at the Silver Sands Outlet Center. Matt, Jeff and Brantley went go carting, went to Bass Pro Shop and Dippin' Dots. That night, we went out to Fudpuckers to eat (and buy t shirts.) I would like to apologize to the good people at Fudpuckers for all of the food my child left under his high chair. Apparently, he thought that Sam was gonna come and finish it up. :)
Thursday, we spent the day at the beach and the pool. Harrison LOVED the pool. It wasn't too cold or too hot in there. We got him a cute little float, and he was set.  Friday, it was our last full day, so we spent the entire day at the beach. FINALLY, Harrison decided that he loved the ocean. The waves were a lot calmer that day, so Jeff took him out. As long as he wasn't surprised by a big wave, he was good! He still loved playing in the sand (and eating some of it.) We ate at McGuire's that night. Afterwards, Drew, Harrison and I headed back to the condo while the guys and B went and played some mini golf. Harrison was so exhausted, so we chose to let him go to sleep.
He chose this week to wake up before 6 a.m. everyday that he was there! Needless to say, we both needed some sleep on the way home.

Harrison and Jeff playing in the sand...Matt was burying Brantley in the background.

SAND!!

Note: He got his first really boo-boo reaching for some food. :(

My little beach bum. :)

Loving the water!

Gotta watch out for those waves!

My absolute favorite!!!

Brantley and Harrison

:)

Me and Drew

Our Kunkles!

At McGuire's

Saturday, after we left, we went back to Mom's and had an early dinner with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Harrison and Taryn played for a while. He also played with Aunt Jesie and Cooper in the pool.

LOVE this!!! It's Katie, Taryn, Jesie, Harrison and me...Cooper is back there looking for bugs!

We had such a great time with the Kunkles. It was also wonderful to take Harrison on his first beach trip. Jeff and I were both little beach bums when we were little, so we want him to carry it on. :) Hopefully, it won't be four years before our next vacation. Thanks to my mom, Paul and Jesie for looking after H for the first couple of days!!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

A few months ago, Jeff's aunts, sister and mom decided to plan his grandfather a surprise 80th birthday party in Columbus, MS. His birthday is May 13, but the party was this past weekend. Telena, Reese, Natalie and Mike flew out Friday, and Jeff, Harrison and I drove to Columbus Friday night.  We got there around 12:30, and stayed with everyone at Dione's house. The party was Saturday morning. The idea was to get Grandpa to help Paul (Jeff's uncle) get some chairs from the church for a family reunion. Everyone went early to set up and get everything decorated, etc.  We were dragging a little from the long drive the night before, so we didn't go as early as everybody else.  Grandpa wasn't supposed to be at Dione's until eleven, but at 9:30, there was a call saying he was on his way. We had to finish getting ready at the church so we wouldn't ruin his surprise.
He got there a little after eleven, and was surprised to see everyone there!! It was such a great party. There were so many people there to celebrate Grandpa's birthday.

She was showing us her moves. :)

This one is my favorite!!

Dione, Alison, Grandpa Burl, Natalie and Cheryl

Eleven Months

Time is flying by with Harrison. He is already eleven months old. I tell him to stop getting older all the time. It makes me so sad, but I LOVE seeing him learn and grow. His personality is coming out so much! We have learned that he has Jeff's temper. ;) Love you honey! He is NOT a cuddling person. He is very stingy with kisses and hugs. While he is drinking out of a bottle, he will hold a hand or my hair, but that's about the extent of it. I'm sure as he gets older, things will change a little. He is such a flirt. He will be fussing, but if he sees a new girl/woman come into his view, he will turn it off and turn on the charm. He will smile, point and then lay his head to the side. I am going to have a little heartbreaker on my hands. Harrison has such an infectious laugh. It's one of the funniest things I have ever heard in my life. :)
Harrison:
-is crawling everywhere, and pulling up all the time. He has let go a couple times, and when he realized he wasn't holding on to anything, he just sat down. I'm sure it won't be too long before he is walking everywhere.
-still has just 6 teeth. Those molars can stay away for a few months. From what I hear, they aren't fun at all.
-is wearing 18 months in all clothes.
-is still sleeping through the night. He seems to be weeding out his afternoon nap, though. He still takes a really good morning nap, though.
-will say Mama, Dada, nom nom (food,) buh-bye, and he has recently said bebe and dede. He is a very talkative 11 month old. Hearing him chat it up with toys in the back seat of the car is one of the best things to listen to. I just wonder what he is saying. :)
-can throw a ball...pretty well!
-is drinking out of a sippy more and more. Hopefully, by his birthday, we will have no more bottle!!
-is eating more and more solid food. He still pretty much likes anything we give him. He especially loves spinach and peaches.

This little boy is so special. Everyday with him is a great day. I can't wait to see what the next month holds before our baby turns one!!!

Playing Catch Up

I am SO behind on my blog posts, so this one is going to be just a run down of everything from the past couple of weeks.
A couple of weeks ago, Katie, Caleb and Taryn came into town to pick up Caleb's new truck that he bought from Jeff's dealership.  We haven't seen them since February, so I was very excited! It was pretty low key while they were here. We did take a trip to the Aquarium, and the kids loved it.  Harrison would see the fish, and say, "nom nom." That is his word for food! We saw a white tiger, and took a ride on the train to see some sharks. We had such a great time while they were here. Harrison and Taryn are best buds!

Sweet babies!

The Linams.

Me an my beautiful sister!

Petting stingrays.

Watching the animal show.

With the sloth.

We also had my first real Mother's Day a couple weeks ago. I got a wonderful present from my guys. Jeff found a Chipper Jones All Star jersey from last year that was autographed. Anybody who knows me, knows that I have had a little obsession with Chipper since I was about 11 years old. He is retiring after this year, so this gift hit the nail on the head. Good thing my husband knows me so well. :) We went out to eat with Natalie, Mike, Telena and Reese for lunch, and then headed over to Terry and Amy's to visit her. I didn't get any pictures except for the three of us.

Mother's Day 2012.

We also had a birthday! Telena's birthday was May 14. That day, Harrison and I took her lunch and a cookie. We went to eat that Thursday night with Telena, Reese, Natalie, Mike, Amanda, Gabby and Devin. Terry, Amy and the kids were all battling the flu, so they decided to stay at home. We went to Olive Garden after Reese's gym and it was fabulous. We love some Olive Garden.  We got Teeny some cupcakes from a bakery here called Froste (they were on Cupcake Wars on Food Network.) They were delish! Happy Birthday Teeny!!! We love you!!!!

Love this kid!!

The birthday girl and Jeff

Mike and Amanda

Yummy cupcakes!

We also found out that Teeny and Jarod's new addition is going to be a BOY!!! Harrison isn't going to know what to do, having a little boy to play with. We are very excited and can't wait to meet the little guy in October!!!