Girl's Trip

Last week, Keith went to Chicago for a work/birthday trip.  He had business in Chicago and stayed to go to a football game at Northwestern.  As a result, Grace and I decided to head to Atlanta.  It turned out to be the perfect time of year to go.  The leaves were changing and it was gorgeous there.


I finally decided that Grace's shaggy mullet was way over do for a bit of a trim so she had her first haircut ever.  We went to this cute kids place that had cars, planes, etc to sit and tv's of cartoons to watch.  Grace definitely wasn't sure what she was in for, but once she had a sucker there wasn't much more than a whimper of complain.   She did great.  Of course it doesn't look like a huge difference, but it is much more cleaned up and I was shocked at the amount of hair on the floor.

All Dolled up!

It wouldn't be a trip to Atlanta without hitting up a few of the local favorites.  We tried out a few new restaurants - HD1 - hot dog restaurant from Richard Blais was very tasty for lunch one day.  Our new favorite though is the Howell Mill Food Park that meets up on Tues and Fridays each week.  About 10-12 food trucks all converge on a park with a handful of picnic tables.  All sorts of cuisine from Korean tacos to Po Boys to Panini's to straight up gourmet food to ice cream  - well you get the drift.  We got a sampling of the goods and shared.  It was delicious.  I have already decided that weather permitting we will go back in December.  

We also visited Scarecrows in the Garden at the Botanical Gardens.  Grace was thrilled when we let her loose in the Children's Garden.  

Must try out the slide a few hundred times!

So Big!!

I had been trying to take pictures of her behind the waterfall and about the time I realized I had a wrong camera setting and everything was black, Grace decided to climb in the pool of water.  She had one foot in until Grandpa came to rescue - more like Pull her out.  As you can tell she wasn't happy about not being allowed to go in for a swim.

It was a great trip.  Grace is such a fabulous traveler. Stay tuned since we are off for more adventures in Florida later this week.  

Pumpkin Patch 2011

The Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch is a local favorite.  We came here last year as well with the CECPTA.    It is a great patch, with lots of pumpkins, photo ops, bounce house, maze, hayride, etc.  It was very different with a toddler this year that was excited to just run around everywhere.  I tried to keep up but taking her picture has definitely become a challenge.  If anyone can recommend tips to get a 1 yr to sit still and smile I am all ears.  Actually any tips for photographing a 1 yr old are welcome.

She is getting good at these peak throughs though!

State Fair of Texas 2011

One of the reasons that my parents stayed in Dallas after Keith and I got back from Mexico was so that we could all go to the State Fair.  I think we all thoroughly enjoyed our day at the fair, but especially Grace.  Of course we did more than just these pictures - dog show, visitings the cows, pigs, etc, food galore....

On the Dart with Grandpa.  She had a blast and ended up falling asleep the minute we got to the fair.  

First Merry-Go-Round ride.  

Little Hands on the Farm was a huge hit!

Feeding the chickens and collecting eggs

Milking the Cows

Planting the seeds

Driving the Tractor.  I love this picture.

I can't wait to go back next year.

For Posterity Sake -part 1

I really should have blogged these pictures awhile ago, so the next couple of posts are going to be picture heavy and light on words.  I want to use this blog as a way to document our family adventures and eventually would like to have it printed in a book to preserve the memories.  

We are very fortunate and have 2 sets of wonderful Grandparents that love to come visit us and especially Grace.  In August and September, both of them came down to see us.  I am terrible about taking pictures at home so I didn't get many with Nanie and Papa, but we did get this picture which is great!  I must be better about capturing memories around the house.  

My parents and sister came down at the end of September to keep Grace while Keith and I went down to Mexico for a week.  They stayed afterward and we went to a couple of fabulous places.  First up was the Owen's Farm in Richardson - petting zoo, hayride, animals and in the fall pumpkins.

It wouldn't be a trip with Grandpa and Mimi without a trip to the park for a swing!

 Stay tuned for more pictures from the State Fair.

First day of 'School'

About a month ago, Grace had her first official day of Mother's Day out ('School').  Yes, she did go a little this summer, but this is her first full year of school.  She still isn't loving it when she gets there, but she warms up quickly and I think that she is having a great time - From the playground to crafts to friends she comes home just exhausted even after taking a short nap at school.  Mommy gets a little time to herself and Grace makes new friends and learns a lot!

She didn't want to pose with the sign.  

So very excited about school and her outfit made by Mimi and Aunt Patti that she just had to dance a bit.

This is a picture of her first 'craft' project.  We get a new one each day.  

Atlanta - July

In July after we returned from Mexico, Grace and I flew back to Atlanta for another week.   We had a blast.  Sorry, but there are a tons of pictures.

First Stop Yeah Burger.  Oh my goodness, good!  West Side of Atlanta really has some great places to eat.  

Afternoon tradition of hanging out with Grandpa watching the iPad.  

We went to the ImagineIt! Children's Museum.  Grace had so much fun.  This shopping cart was her favorite.  She stole it from a little boy and pushed it around everywhere.  

She also learned how to drive a tractor while we were there.  Her Daddy was proud.

Holly and Grace with a Cow - 'MOOOO'

They had a musical education program and Grace just danced and partied along with the big kids. 

Atlanta was only a few degrees cooler than Texas, but with a bit of rain Grace got to play in her first puddle.  Of course, Grandpa couldn't resist helping that puddle out and before long she was playing in the hose.

I'd say she had fun!

Mommy doesn't let me use a spoon and eat yogurt at home, but look at how much I enjoy it.

Grandma sent a few books to Grace and she loved them all.