Fun Times in Chicago (Part 1)

In October, Trey attended a surgery conference in Chicago so Henry and I tagged along with him. And no, we were not attending the conference (Thank goodness! Ha!) but spending the week with my dad's side of the family. Most of that side of the family had not met Henry so it was a wonderful opportunity for us and what a great time we had!

One happy Ellen getting to hang out with one of her best friends (and cousins) Sarah...



My mom's Fall Break was the same week we were in Chicago so she drove to Chicago to hang out with Henry so that I could go out and do some wedding planning with Sarah and my Aunt Evie. It was a success too! Sarah found a reception hall and a wedding dress! Thank you so much Sarah and Aunt Evie for including me and thank you Mom for making the day happen!

"Memere drove all the way to Chicago to come hang out with me?! I am one lucky kid!"

Fun Times in Chicago (Part 2)

Sarah was able to take the whole week off from work and it was fantastic to spend that much time with her!

Henry has to try out playgrounds wherever he goes so Sarah introduced us to two really fun ones! ;-)



"You must hang out at playgrounds a lot on your days off, right Sarah?!"



"Peek-a-boo!"



"Fun times!"



Sarah, thank you for helping us make some wonderful memories this week! We love you!

Fun Times in Chicago (Part 3)

"Baby, it's cold outside!"



Making sure to trample every single one of Uncle Eddie and Aunt Evie's flowers...



"This is the life!"



Playing a game with Uncle Eddie...Uncle Eddie pretends to read the newspaper and Henry whacks the paper with a pool toy! Henry thought this was HILARIOUS! ;-)

Fun Times in Chicago (Part 4)

Henry and I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a lot of time with my Aunt Mary, Uncle Peter, and cousins, Sam, Grace, and Jack! They were so generous to share their toys with Henry the week we were in town. Cousin Jack and Henry even had a play date one afternoon! ;-)

Superheroes Jack and Henry...



Henry taking their horsey for a "ride"...



You all make us want to move up to Chicago to hang out with you ALL of the time! :-)

Fun Times in Chicago (Part 5)

One afternoon, Uncle Eddie and I took Sam, Grace, Jack, and Henry to a pumpkin patch. It is their annual tradition and Henry and I were lucky enough to be in town to go with them!

"I look ridiculous! Where are our 80 degree temperatures?!"



The "witch", "black cat", "ghost", and Sam posing for a picture...



"Take a load off Jack. I will push you around for a while."



Pretty Grace and Henry...

We miss you guys and wish we could join you for ALL of your annual traditions!

I cannot even begin to thank everyone for such a wonderful week! We got to see so many people - Aunt Evie, Uncle Eddie, Ben, Sarah, John, Grandma, Aunt Sue, Kaytlyn, Uncle David, Aunt Janice, Annie, Uncle Peter, Aunt Mary, Sam, Grace, and Jack. We love you all and miss you!

Groovin' To The Music

My Two Favorite Gamecock Fans

"I love The University of South Carolina...and Chick-Fil-A chicken biscuits! YUM!" ;-)



My two very handsome, very favorite USC Gamecock fans!

Tailgate in Knoxville

Every year my brother and sister-in-law host a tailgate at a UT football game in Knoxville that benefits St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. We had beautiful weather with a great turnout and had a great time together like every year! :-)

Henry spending time with his Aunt La La...



Aunt Lori making Henry laugh...



Henry taking some time to check out the other scores...



Henry decided that it was naptime and that the pavement would be his best bet for a bed! ;-)

In the end, Matt and Lori raised $1,200 for St. Jude! Thank you guys for another wonderful weekend!

Play Date at the Childrens' Museum

Our membership to the Childrens' Museum is another one we use quite often. It is usually the place we go when the weather outside is not ideal...and South Carolina weather in August is not usually ideal! ;-)

One of the new exhibits to the Museum is a butterfly garden. I always worry about taking my not-so-gentle toddler into an exhibit like that but luckily no butterflies have been harmed as of press time. :-)

Henry checking out a butterfly that has landed on the planter...

Here are AJ and Henry working together at "check-out"...



...and Nolan and Henry working together to drive a car...



...and Josie helping Henry, AJ, and Nolan drive a construction vehicle. Fun stuff!

Happy Birthday Trey / Dadda! :-)

Happy Birthday to my best friend, love of my life, favorite person in the whole world!



"Happy Birthday to my best pal, playmate, dadda, favorite person in the whole world!"



We love you so very much!

Dinner sure must have been good! ;-)

Irmo Okra Strut

And you ask what the heck is the Irmo Okra Strut?! Well a nearby town has a festival devoted just to okra. Fabulous, huh?! And Trey, Henry, and I spent a morning at the festival parade.

"Are all okra that BIG!"



"Forget the okra! Give me some lollipops!"




"A little rain won't stop this parade!"

More Fun at the Zoo

It is not an exaggeration when I say that we get our money's worth out of our zoo membership. We use it a LOT! Luckily most of our friends have memberships as well so it is fun to all meet there for a change of scenery.

Mommy and Henry riding (Henry's exact words) the "CHOO CHOO"...



Carousel time...



Rounding up the very mobile kiddos for this group picture was a task!



Henry got to feed the giraffes for the first time on this trip to the zoo. He thought that was HILARIOUS! He fed them lettuce although several times I had to stop Henry from trying to eat it first. :-) He loved feeling the giraffe's tongue (gross!) and would stick his whole hand in the giraffe's mouth to give him the lettuce. Purel anyone?! ;-)

Happy Halloween...

...from Superman and his Mommy and Daddy! Hope you got all treats and no tricks! :-)



"What are we waiting for?! Put the camera down and take me to the candy!"



"Trick or treat!"

(And yes, Trey is wearing shorts and it is the last day in October. The high on Halloween day was 81 degrees! Sorry Chicago family!)



"You should see all of the candy I got! WHOA!"

Pumpkin Carving

Last week Henry and I visited a pumpkin patch to pick out the absolute perfect pumpkin for us. She was a beauty! ;-)

We invited one of the neighborhood kids to help us carve our pumpkin.



Henry tasted everything he scooped out of that pumpkin. Coralyn, our neighborhood friend, said "Henry sure will eat ANYTHING!" :-)



Superman showing off the final product...

Boo at the Zoo

One night last week Trey and I took Henry to our Boo at the Zoo. Henry was still getting over a cold so he was in a pretty mellow mood but the night was gorgeous and we had a wonderful time!

They had stations set up throughout the zoo where sponsors were giving away candy or little trinkets. Here is Superman patiently waiting his turn...



Daddy teaching Henry, I mean Superman how to perfectly roast a marshallow. ;-)



BOO!



I finally learned how to upload videos (Thanks Trey!) so here is one of Henry before we left for the zoo. By the way, please ignore my obnoxious voice on here. ;-)

A Necessity for Every Little Boy

A tool bench! Henry loves, loves, loves this Home Depot tool bench that I purchased at a consignment sale. His Daddy and I have since realized why someone would want to sell such a wonderful toy. It is loud and obnoxious! On second thought maybe that is why Henry likes it so much! ;-)



Safety first Henry!