Charlotte Weekend with Brooke and Sadie

Brooke and her Mini-Me

 A couple of weekends ago, Zack's mom came to help with Anna and Dalton and I embarked on a little weekend getaway.  Zack and I both really try to have a little 1-on-1 time with each child.  I have had several movie and park little "dates" with Dalton but he and I have not gone anywhere overnight together just the two of us since Anna was born.  Brooke was nice enough to invite us up for the weekend because Dalton and Sadie have SOO much fun together.  Needless to say-we had a wonderful time!  It was an awesome weekend!

All bundled up and ready to go to Discovery Place Kids!

One of the best pics ever of us-taken by my own little paparazzo!  ;)

 After a quick run in at Starbucks we hit the road to Huntersville to Discovery Place Kids.  I had heard Brooke raving about this place but it was above and beyond my expectations.  There is truly something for everyone.  The kids had SUCH a good time playing there!

Getting some eggs  from the chickens

Fixing us some lunch!  You should have seen the food combinations they came up with...

Climbing the rock wall

Changing a tire at the mechanic shop

Captain of the boat...this was really cool and he loved it!

Racing balls on the race tracks....also really neat!  They both loved this one

Sadie and her Floam.  She loved this stuff!  She played with it while Dalton ran around acting like a crazed  Pirate ship captain...

Submarine in the coastal room area

Navigating with another little boy...so cute!

This was his FAVORITE!  The pirate ship--literally could not get him off this ship!  He spent at least 30 minutes climbing all over it. 

 After a couple hours there, we left to go to Cantina 1511 for some delicious Mexican food.  We probably ordered enough food to feed 10 people no joke.  Oh well-at least we had some good leftovers for dinner!  After that, we went and got...what else?  A cupcake!  Yummy!  The kids were absolutely beat and both passed out in the car after that.  Hmmm...what should we do, Brooke and I wondered?  What we do best!  Drive around and look at houses!!!  And also a random stop into a children's boutique...just to see... ;)
Finally we got back home just about the time they were waking up-perfect.  Before it got too dark, we went out back to let them run around on the golf course.  They loved doing this!

Sadie and Charlotte's new playset from Santa...they must have been good too!!

 They seemed to be getting a little bored but Brooke and I still needed to finish our glasses of wine...what else to do other than put them to work??  We told them they needed to rake this whole area.  So funny because they are at a stage where doing this was like an honor.  They loved doing this work for us!  I'm sure I will look back in 10 years and long for this attitude!  Ha

 After baths, we made Valentine sugar cookies for them and set them up in the playroom to watch Brave.  I love this picture of the backs of their heads...so little and sweet!

Thanks so much for having us guys!  We love you!

January Weekends

 There's something about just hanging out around here after the craziness of the holidays where there is something going on every single minute.  The first 2 weekends in January we had absolutely no plans and I really quite enjoyed it!  These pictures are mostly from the second weekend in January.  Zack went on a long business trip and then a weekend quail hunt with his dad.  I was happy for him to be able to go and also really enjoyed the time with the kids.  Here is Dalton on Saturday morning with his new Nerf gun.  (Thanks, Mimi!)  He really loves it!

A little arts and crafts at the kitchen table...

Eggs and bacon for breakfast followed by movie time!  This is our usual Saturday morning routine when we don't have other plans...relaxing!

More arts and crafts...this time coloring!  Dalton is really doing well with coloring and staying inside the lines. Anna loves to scribble in her Hello Kitty coloring book!

 Saturday afternoon we went to the park, and then Sunday I put on my game face and took the children to church.  It was my first time taking them by myself and I was a little apprehensive about it but it turned out really great and I was so glad we went.  Dalton is loving church and making lots of new friends there which warms my heart.  I decided at the beginning of the year that if we were at home on the weekend we were going to go to church-no excuses.  So far so good!
After church and lunch at Newk's, we came home and played outside.  The weather was oddly warm for January so we had a great time playing baseball and Anna enjoyed riding her Flintstone car and pushing her babies around...

Batter up!

We drew all kinds of beautiful drawings all over the driveway and sidewalks :)

 Here are some photos of Anna with her baby.  It is SOOO cuter how she loves her dolls.  She will pick them up just like a real baby and cuddle them.  Last week Mrs. Graham came and brought her a little bottle and she loves trying to feed them with the baby bottle. 

Carefully putting Dolly in her stroller

What a beautiful day for a stroll, Dolly

She must have gotten fussy...Anna wanted to pull her out and carry her :)

Meanwhile, Nerf gun action continued the following day....here he is loading up some ammo!
I sure do treasure these weekends where we are just at home...sometimes no plans are the best plans of all!

Ding Ding! Christmas, Round 2

 The morning after Christmas, we loaded the Tahoe down and headed up the mountain to Virginia to have Christmas with Dad and Joanne.  Dalton loved his Legos and Anna is crazy about Minnie!  Sweet pic of Dad, Anna, and Minnie Mouse below.  :)

Papa, Dalton, Anna, and the Christmas goodies!

 We had a big time with Dad, Joanne, and visiting Granny, Papa, and Aunt Ann!  It sure was a quick trip but we loved every minute! 
Next, we headed back through NC to Larry and Ann's house for more holiday celebrations.  We had a great time there too.  We went the first night to see lights at Tanglewood.   I wish I had pics of that because the children enjoyed it SO much.  It was really priceless to watch.

 Anna with her necklaces and suitcase from Aunt Amanda and Grandma and Granddaddy.

Two peas in a pod!

Little Bit loved pulling her dolls around in the suitcase and accessorizing with her new jewels!

Buddy and his new camo coat.  It was a very camo Christmas for my little man.  In fact-he told me that is his new favorite color...camo!

Opening Christmas gifts with Grandma

What a wonderful Christmas and happy New Year!  Hope everyone has a blessed and happy 2013!

Christmas and Christmas Eve 2012

 One of my favorite little family traditions is letting the children open one present on Christmas Eve...matching Christmas pajamas!  Here they are opening them...Anna clearly had a great time with our Christmas Eve hors d'oerves dinner!  (BBQ cocktail weiners to be specific were their faves!)

Mimi and Little Man

Daddy with his little loves

Mimi, Buddy, and Anna Bean in front of the fire on Christmas eve in their matching jammies!

One excited little boy waiting for Santa to come!

 Here are just a couple of shots from Christmas morning...I'm so mad at myself for not getting more/better Christmas morning pictures.  I was just enjoying the moment--oh well!  They sure loved their loot!!!  Santa must have thought they were good little kiddos...they racked up! ;)

Uncle E and Dalton with his new camo from his cool Uncle

Daddy, Anna, and Uncle E

Going through stockings....

We had a wonderful Christmas at home this year and I'm so thankful for Mom and Ed and Diane for coming to visit!  Coming up next...round 2 in NC and VA!