Dee's Visit

Andrew has been gone quite a bit lately for work.  He recently had back-to-back trips to the Middle East and my Mother, M&M call her Dee, came to stay and help out.  What a luxury to have family so close.  Michael and Mary Ellen love Dee and always have fun when she visits.  These first pictures are from one of the walks they would take in the afternoon.  M&M love to walk the path and find treasures like flowers, rocks, leaves and really anything that looks interesting.

M&M are showing off the empty shot gun shells they found.  Mary Ellen used hers as a little vase to hold her flowers.

These fireplace shots were usually either before church or before we went out shopping in Columbia.  Those days that we actually got dressed cute and went to town!

Now the favorite new toys are these big wheels that Dee bought for them.  Michael started calling them "motorcycles" from the very beginning. We had the motorcycles inside for several weeks and this was the first day they officially became "outside" toys. They can't quite reach the pedals yet, but love to scoot around in them or have us push them. Mary Ellen immediately claimed the purple and red one. They love them!


Thanks for all your help Mom...we love and miss you!

Valentine's Day & Chick-Fil-A

The beginning of February, Andrew had to go to Atlanta for a work conference and I was able to go with him. It was at the Westin by the airport and even though he was in meetings during the day it was a nice break for me. I was able to meet up with one of my oldest and dearest friends, sleep late in those wonderful Westin beds, and generally just lounge around. What a luxury! We were also able to go to the site of the first ever Chick-fil-A.  Those of you that know Andrew know his LOVE of Chick-fil-A. So it was a definite must see! The original restaurant was called the "Dwarf House". You can see in the pictures that it has been added on to substantially. It really is just another Chick-fil-A now but a busy one. It is somewhat of a tourist attraction and has a city policeman that sits out front most of the day to direct traffic in and out of it. What a fun couple of days to spend with my sweet husband. We LOVE our kids, but boy do we still enjoy being together just the two of us!

Andrew actually left for the Middle East on Feb 14th but the Saturday before we were able to go out to dinner.  We've had so much help from our parents since Andrew has been gone so much with work.  It was nice to have a little break before he left again for another work trip.  Michael and Mary Ellen enjoyed making cards for Daddy and loved the hearts we hung on the fireplace.  It was a happy weekend!  M&M were so happy to see Papa and then Dee, they barely had time to be sad that Daddy was gone again.  Thanks so much for all the help Papa, Mama Jo, and Dee!

M & M Toss

During one of the snow days, we spent lots of time inside trying to keep Michael and Mary Ellen entertained.  One of their favorite things is to get Andrew to toss them or spin them.  With our high ceilings they can really get some height in the tossing now.  They love it so much!  They keep asking, "Again Daddy, again!", until Andrew is exhausted.  This time I caught some good pictures.

Mary Ellen looks like the perfect gymnast...great form! Although she was really scared if she got too high. Michael couldn't get high enough and well, the look on his face is explanation enough!