Crab Smash

Yesterday we went down to Bel Air to Kristin's parent's house for their annual "crab smash". Which is really just code for a good excuse to hang out, eat good food and meet the new baby Jack. Once again, a million pictures were taken so here are just the highlights.

The kids were in heaven because there was so much to see and do. They started off on the playground. Here's Natalie, Maria and Joey.

Then Natalie, Maria and Avery headed over to the trampoline.

Baby Jack is only 2 months old. So sweet.

Avery is adjusting well to life as a big sister.

Joey spent some time smashing crabs.

Matthew was relaxing in his stroller.

Jenn's baby bump is looking so cute. She's due in October with a little girl.

The mandatory group photo taken every time we are together.

Willow was able to use her magical mommy powers and get Danny to fall asleep.

It was just a power nap though and then he was wide awake again

The evening ended with a bang as the kids ran around the backyard with "sprinklers".

It was a great time and I'm so glad we were able to make it down. I love that my friends just casually pick up my camera and start snapping away. They really took the majority of these pictures. One of my favorite parts of all of us getting together is coming home and reviewing the pictures. Thanks guys!

Feeling Hot Hot HOT

What's a girl to do when it's soooo hot outside that you can barely breathe?

Exhibit A
Walk to Bonkey's of course!!

She was talking nonstop and I don't think she noticed that I had stopped to take the picture! If you click on the picture to make it larger you can see her hands flailing. She's a total hand talker. I have NO idea where she gets that from!

The anticipation was overwhelming.

3 spoons please (Daddy was working).

Mmmm...

Fortunately the temps have dropped, but that doesn't mean that we won't visit Bonkey's a hundred more times this summer.

Introducing ....

***Updated photo of the little snuggly bunny ***

I guess the early bird catches the worm! Elizabeth and Ray welcomed their baby girl into the world last night born at 35 weeks.

We are proud to present our newest niece:
Austin Elizabeth
5lbs 11oz
Born July 18, 2010 around 10:20pm

Due to her early arrival she is being monitored closely but my sources say "she looks good!" Doesn't it look like she's smiling in this photo? We can't wait to meet her and hope to get down to see the new family later today.

Congrats Liz and Ray!!

11 months and 2 days

Please forgive me, I'm a few days late from Danny's 11 month photo shoot. He's getting harder and harder to keep still, as evidenced in this photo:

I managed to get him to turn around for one second while I snapped the picture.

And today while cooking dinner I noticed Danny was chewing something. I knew I hadn't given him anything and to my horror (but not surprise), I discovered he was eating dog food. Ugh! I had to use the fish-hook finger to get the morsel out of his mouth so I think he only digested a few crumbs.

This picture is a little blurry, but I decided to post it anyway because you can just see how pleased he is with himself.

This kid is 100% boy!

Table Rock Lake

We just got home from visiting Greg's family in MO. Although we had a lot of rain, we still managed to find enough sun to spend time on the lake. Danny even got in the water, but here he is enjoying time on the dock.

with Aunt Liz who braved the heat (and the hill between the house and the dock!) even though she is weeks away from delivering their baby girl.

Uncle Ray and Natalie
Jess and Natalie had the front seats in the boat for tubing and water skiing.

It's a little far away, but this is Greg waterskiing.

Natalie and Greg taking a swim to try to beat the heat in between skiiers.

Then we all took turns tubing. And for the record, it's very hard to get clear pictures of everyone tubing while speeding along the lake, going over waves, and turning willy nilly trying to get people to fall off. So you'll have to bear with me. You can also click on any picture to make it bigger. Here's Greg.
This is Uncle Ray before he bit it. He received his initiation into the family on that tube ride.

Then Natalie and I went. Fortunately, they took it a little easier on us. Here she is signaling that she's ready.

Going over waves.

Pat and Marc. Doesn't this look like it should be an ad for the lake? Or for the tube? I should submit it.

Then Jess had a turn

Natalie and Greg did a little fishing too.
I'm surprised that I didn't take more pictures inside. Especially of Mamaw and Papaw. But even without any more pictures, it was a great visit.

More baptism

I stole some pictures from Eric and Katie's blog so I now have action shots of Anna's baptism. My parents were in charge of photographing and let's just say they aren't that swift with the camera (no offense Mom and Dad!), so I was a little worried as to what we'd end up with. But they proved me wrong!


Water pouring on head - check!


Candle ceremony - check!

Group shot of parents/godparents - including the godsister - check!

And here are just more fun shots from the rest of the weekend.

Anna's new thing is honking noses. Natalie was very patient with her when I know she really wanted to honk back.

More pictures can be found on Katie & Eric's blog. Thanks for loading them up Katie. Sorry to call you out for all of blogger-land to hear.

Anna's Baptism

We spent the weekend in Richmond celebrating Anna's baptism.

Greg and I are honored to be her Godparents.

We took a few pictures after the church service.

Apparently Greg and Danny are not pleased with my need to take pictures of everything.

Here are some happier faces.

Then we headed back to Katie's parent's house for some playtime.

Uncle Eric tried to help Danny practice his walking.

Alexandra was teaching Natalie how to play the piano. Or maybe it was the other way around?

While Natalie played the keys, Danny pushed the pedals.

I was hoping to have some more pictures from the actual baptism ceremony, but someone hasn't sent them over yet. Even though someone promised I would have them before I even made it home. I'm sure that someone is working on that right now! So I'll post those when they become available.