Alabama trip part 2

On tuesday Kim, Ethan, Kai, and the 3 of us made our way to Chatanooga. Or "Chaganua" as the boys would call it. We went to a HUGE aquarium. It was so much fun!

The boys were so excited that we were going to see sharks. Did you know that sharks growl? Ethan entertained us by snarling like a shark for most of the trek.

A few of our favorites were the baby alligators, sea horses, feeding sting rays and visiting the butterfly house.

The kids had a blast, and getting to cool off in the lazy river was the perfect end to our visit.

14 Months

I've decided that I will forever refer to Kenley's age in months. If she continues to defy me and grow up I will show my disapproval in this small way.

She is constantly rebelling my wishes and progressing to such grown up things. For instance: Ask her where her eye is and she will say "Eyes!" and proceed to poke herself in the eye. Ask her to bring you a diaper or her shoes, without pointing at them, and she will.

We sent a video out to all the family of K. We were asking her where her tummy was and she was giggling and smacking herself in the belly. My dad called me and asked me who the little boy was in the video. He couldn't believe it was Baby K acting so grown up!

(I forgave him just this once for thinking my beautiful baby girl was a boy)

She has such a sweetness about her and I can't control myself from smooching her cheeks constantly. I'm sure every parent feels this way about they're own babies, but I know she's special and here with us for an important mission.

The other day we went for a stroll and K insisted on walking. She held my hand for most of the way, which I absolutely adored. She pointed at things, felt leaves, ran after Drake, and tried to eat anything that looked interesting. On the way back she noticed dandelion puffs, and was mesmerized by them. She was so gentle with them! I showed her what happens when you blow on them and she clapped then tried to mimic by blowing raspberries. :) Then the gentleness ended as she proceeded to tear them apart and throw them in the air. It was a sweet moment while it lasted!

Alabama trip Part 1

We flew into alabama friday evening and stayed for a very jam-packed week. BJ had his 10 year reunion, and Carrie got married! In between I snuck in some site-seeing. But I'll talk more about that later.

BJ's 10 year high school reunion was great for him. But you know how it is when you get old friends together and you don't know anyone they're talking about. I felt a little awkward. I was also a little jealous, BJ had such a close senior class. We got to take a tour of the school and make bets on when Tiffany would cry (one of BJ's closest friends) They were a lot of fun later that night when we met at a bar to watch the senior video. I got to dance to some of the hits of 2001 while laughing at pictures of BJ in jorts, earings, gold chains, and socks with sandals.We did some porch settin' on a lazy sunday afternoon. I love hanging out with the in-laws :)

Everyone took a ride on aunt Teri's "car" as Ethan called it.

The new happy family.

This was the trip we discovered Kenley has allergies :( poor baby developed a cough, constant itchy eyes, and had a hard time breathing and therefore sleeping at night. We tried a few medications before settling on Allegra. What a difference it made! She was back to herself in no time.

This was just too cute: She got really hot running around outside so I changed her out of her clothes and she took off running and I couldn't stop laughing watching her run in just a diaper and tennis shoes.

She has a lil' swagger! Her hips swing when she walks with attitude. So of course I had to let her run free :)

4 Years

4 years ago I made one of the biggest choices of my life. It was picking you BJ! And I will do it every day for the rest of forever. This year we were in Alabama for our 4th anniversary. BJ bought me these awesome running shoes, and surprised me with a night at the suite where we spent our wedding night.

Actually... I should specify that he dropped me off and left to go play basketball. It was glorious!

But before you think thats not as romantic as it actually was, let me tell you this: Since Kenley has come into our lives I have had ZERO minutes alone just by myself. I value my quiet time a lot more now. Also we'd been staying at BJ's parents who are extremely giving and loving people. But the house was packed, and the Driggers' consider everything in the house to be communal. Including space.

So I would be dead asleep and in walks someone wanting to watch TV in the room we're sleeping in. Or I will be in the bathroom and one of the boys will try to come in and be so upset that I lock the door, which I guess never happens.

Needless to say I was about to crack!

So letting me spend some time alone in a beautiful room with my good friend- midnight milky way- was a great way to celebrate four happy years of marriage. We stayed and slept in the huge bed until check out time at 1:30. Amazing.

I love you so much BJ and look forward to many many more happy years!!

Kari's getting married!

^This pose was a joke. Promise.

My sister Kari got engaged super fast and is getting married super fast. She's a great catch and I knew that someone would come around and want to snatch her up fast for their own. But I'm not ready! Sorry Jonathan! You can't have her!

They're disgustingly in love. In that stage that makes me say "ew" a lot. But i'm really happy my sister was able to find a great guy that makes her so happy.

That makes for 3 weddings this year in our family. Carrie Driggers is marrying Lee Smithson next week. My brother Chris is finally marrying Kari Dolan this September. And now Kari and Jonathan are locking it down on June 4th.

Ready. Set. GO! Just finished my last final so on to the next project... Weddings!