Belated Valentine's Day

Rather than flowers, this Valentine's Day we stuck to the basics - chocolate and fun little toys for the kiddos. The day really snuck up on us as we were traveling to Birmingham and wanted to open 'gifts' at home and it did not make sense to buy flowers and not be able to enjoy them for the first couple of days. Nonetheless, we had a great day celebrating love (cheesy, I know!) and seeing some family.

By far, Tom's favorite gift - BUBBLES. I need to buy a bubble machine,

I am running out of air these days.

Happy 1/2 Birthday!!!

I cannot believe Elizabeth and Tom hit another milestone - they are growing way too fast!!! Earlier this month we celebrated their half birthday with a 'half' cakes and a few little gifts. Just in case Elizabeth and Tom will one day read this blog as a teenager....it was a very small celebration and you each received a pair of shoes and another little something.

Here are a few pictures from the day.....

Homemade cakes by mom - there is nothing like it!

My attempt of creating pink icing looked more like a salmon color Elizabeth was very anxious to try her cake, but neater than at her first birthday party Tom in action going for his cake

He was much more excited about this cake than his first birthday cupcake

Papa came in town for a visit

...and provided a bit of assistance with blowing out the 1 and 1/2 candles

Similar to his uncles, Tom was all about the fire, such a boy.....

Don't worry his champagne glass was filled with juice, but it looks

like he is learning how to 'turn it up' at an early

Just too funny not to include - a messy meal time.

Can you guess what we are eating?

Family Entertaining Kids

As my belly continues to grow, I realize how thankful I am for family. Elizabeth and Tom have enjoyed spending time with family near and far over the past several weeks. I have enjoyed watching the kids do things without me, although it is hard not being able to crawl through the tunnel at the park or hold them at the aquarium, but at least I have gotten some great pictures!

Elizabeth and Aunt Virginia stroll through Homewood Park

Elizabeth shouting from inside the tunnel, she thought this was very cool

Taking a break in order to hydrate ....and for the record sweet Aunt Virginia climbed through the tunnel too! Ashley, John and John Henry celebrating the little guys first birthday

Tom's first solo ride on a "4 wheeler"

Tom LOVED the bouncy cage!

Elizabeth and Tom's first trip to the Georgia Aquarium with Powell Grandparents "Look at All of these fish!!!"

Pure JoyAfter the aquarium, we played outside... We spent the night with our Grandparents and they let us play with Toppy's bucket of golf balls

...it was so much fun! Notice all the balls in the background.

The Powells and Whitfields at Beau's Baptism

(It is too funny to see us all with kids. Tom and Andy grew up together in Atlanta)

...stay tuned for more updates in pictures!

Haircut

Well, I know you are probably saying, "It is about time." Yes, I finally broke down and took Tom and Elizabeth to get a trim. Honestly I was waiting on that first curl to appear, but it never happened. I think reality hit when my mom said look at my hair (which is straights as a board, as is Tom's), do you really think you kids will have curly hair?

So, I sucked up my pride and patience and decided to have a stranger snip their hair for the first time. The mullet is gone, the Donald Trump comb over has been retired, with out further hesitation, drum roll please....

A close-up of the before:

Tom never cried, of course he was sitting in his daddy's arms eating goldfish.

It was definitely a family affair, including Mia, who took video and entertained Elizabeth After the final snip, we collected some hair and Tom received his First Haircut Certificate

Elizabeth does not really have any hair, vary similar to me as a child,

she just needed a little clean up.

Here is a before picture (she is in a tunnel at the park and the static took over):

She was not really sure what to think about this lady cutting her hair

Yet again, it was a family affair - Papa and Mia were also in the audience

Outside Angel Hair in Crestline Village: