Wednesday, June 30, 2010

On a Brighter Note...

Eli had his 4-month checkup Monday, and he is doing great. He laughs and babbles all the time, can roll over onto his stomach, lift his head up for about15 seconds while on his stomach, grab one foot at a time, recognize family members and smile when we come into view, and he sleeps for about 10 hours at night.

Hayes taking pictures of the checkup.

Eli now weighs 13 lbs 6.2 oz. Length is 26" and head circumference is 41.75cm.

Hayes taking a picture of his foot.


Here we are with our pediatrician, Dr. Pradeep Reddy. He is so kind, personable, and makes sure all my questions are answered. He has a 7 year old daughter and a 5 month old son (born a month before Eli).

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

A Tribute to Roscoe

Last night our family pet of seven years went to live at a Beagle Rescue Group of Illinois. They will find a home for him that hopefully consists of a family with a farm so he will have lots of room to romp around, and come back to play with the family when he needs some loving.

Roscoe has provided a lot of stories and conversations over the years. Not to mention the memories of being our first dog, first four-legged baby, and the move to Illinois.



I could tell you about the endless Nutra-Grain Bars, waffles and any other food he has swiped from the table (sometimes he even got up on top of the table on all fours chowing down)...

the time Sheldon had just finished cleaning our carpet - he let Roscoe inside and Roscoe immediately peed on the carpet...

the time Sheldon spent several hours fixing holes in the fence at our old house in Easley then Roscoe dug another hole and got out that same day...

all the times we've told Roscoe to get off the couch (because of the endless shedding)...

all the times he begrudgingly let Hayes run and jump on him, chase him around the house and lasso him...

the time Roscoe got out of our house in Illinois, and I had to prop the door open and wait for him to come in while crouching in the recliner. I had to push the recliner back and quickly close the door behind him...

the time he got out in Easley around 11pm one night (he would usually stay out at least 2-3 hours before coming home), and our next door neighbors opened their window and said "shut up, Roscoe" then slammed the window closed...

the time in the near future where I am going to have to replace five blinds in our home that Roscoe damaged


I'm confident Roscoe is going to be a happier dog with a new family. He's not going to have to be boarded at the vet all the time, and will be around other beagles for a little while waiting for a home.


Goodbye Roscoe, Rossketti, Sketti, Houdini, Boscoe - Russian Beagle. It is going to be hard not having you around, and I know one little 3 1/2 year-old that desperately misses you already (sob, sob). I'm just hoping Hayes won't remember your departure. That was the hardest part.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

More Vacation Pics

Shopper in training at Paul's Supermarket. Poor thing was so tired, but when he saw the mini shopping cart he was a whole new boy.

Eli chillaxin!

Hayes loved his double bunk beds! I was afraid he would fall off he top, but thankfully he didn't.

This is Pancho Willie from the Mexican restaurant, Vista Grande. Entrees were great! Salsa that they serve and sale is NOT so great. Also, the guacamole is NO match for Taco Boy on Folly!




Friday, June 25, 2010

Crusin on the lake

Sheldon and Hayes coming back in from being on the lake. Hayes LOVED the waverunner! Apparently he was yelling and waving to other boaters and wanting Sheldon to go faster. When they went fast he said they had super powers.


Thursday, June 24, 2010

Abstract Artist?

Things got a little crazy around here last week so I pulled out the paint! Here is Hayes's painting he did all by himself. He said it was a turtle. Can you see it? I can. I'm thinking it's a green leatherback.


(Don't worry Mom! I know what you are thinking, and I did not let him paint on top of the tablecloth.)

You've Got a Friend in Me


We haven't seen Toy Story 3 yet, but can't wait!!!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Hangin at the pool

Hayes is swimming all around the pool in his water wings; Eli's first time in a pool.







Monday, June 21, 2010

Happy Father's Day!

Brought a few Clemson items back for Sheldon for Father's Day, and the Band of Brothers DVD collection that he has been asking for for seven years. He's already watched a couple of episodes.

We spent the day at the pool and then headed out for dinner at Lil' Rizzo's. Sheldon enjoyed a steak brought out on a hot skillet that you cook to your liking at the table. It was yummy.








View of the Lake of the Ozarks

View of Osage Beach area of Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri from our condo. Pool, beach and playground is below.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

We made it to the lake, or is it a beach?

Our first family of four vacation will be spent at the Lake of the Ozarks at Osage Beach in Missouri. We arrived around 3:30pm today and we could barely get our things in the condo before it started pouring rain! So we got familiar with the condo and watched a little U.S. Open until the rain stopped.

Hayes was excited that it stopped raining and we made it out to the pool for about an hour.

Looking forward to exploring the area (and outlets) until we leave on Wednesday.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Hayes' First Catch!

Here is Hayes reeling in his first fish (with Uncle Alan's help) from the trout pond at Cataloochee.

Look at the joy and excitement on his face.
There it is. Caught with a little corn on a toddler Dora rod.
I took the fish up to the kitchen at the main house and they cooked it for us. The trout on the bottom is Hayes'. It tasted a little fishy if you ask me.

Cataloochee

Our family has been visiting the Cataloochee Ranch three miles up the mountain in Maggie Valley, NC for over 15 years. It is a great place to renew your soul and spirit.

Here is the Laurel cabin we stayed in this year.

View from the Main House.

Horseback riding is one of the main activities. You can enjoy a 2-3 hour ride morning and/or afternoon.

Eating is also another main activity at the ranch. They literally ring a bell at 8am for breakfast and 7pm for dinner. After dinner they usually have some form of entertainment. This year it was a kid-friendly poet one night and some acoustic sing-a-long music another night.

Unfortunately Sheldon couldn't make this trip so I had the luxury of tending to my two boys. Every time we sat down to eat Eli was crying except the one night that Hayes had a meltdown from being overly tired. :)

4 months old

On Monday Eli turned 4 months old, and I can't believe it. He is laughing and usually sleeps on his left side or rolls on over onto his stomach. He feels like he is steady gaining weight, and it won't be long before he is grabbing both of his feet at one time.

Wednesday night was the first night in his crib. Unfortunately, it was time. He woke up Tuesday night crying because he was sleeping on his side in the cradle with all limbs stuck in between the rails.


This was Hayes's outfit yesterday morning

Blues Brothers?


View from house at Folly

Nice marsh view

Friday, June 11, 2010

Folly Bound

I'm off to Folly Beach this morning with my girlfriends until Monday then traveling back to Illinois on Tuesday. Probably won't get a chance to update anything until Wednesday at the earliest.

Going to the Lodge, the Great Wolf Lodge

Camp Grammy & Pops are off to the Great Wolf Lodge with the boys. Here is their room...


Bad Boys

Garrett, Hayes and Rhett being the Bad Boys of Easley.


Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Camp Grammy & Pops

This week Hayes will be enjoying Camp Grammy & Pops with his cousins Garrett and Rhett. I'm sure they will be running around outside all week with toy guns, eating plenty of smores, skeet shooting (for the older boys), fishing at the Smithfield's pond, swimming at the pool and Hayes will be sleeping in a tent for the very first time.

Later in the week they will venture to Concord, NC to spend a couple nights at the Great Wolf Lodge!!!

This is Hayes's first year at Camp Grammy and Pops for the whole week! He is going to be worn out!

Bales of hay are around the yard. The boys can hide behind them while playing war or cowboys.

Pumped about camp.

Grammy spending a little time with Eli. One day he'll get to enjoy camp week too.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Mia's Jeep

Hayes loved Mia's jeep (flowers on the side included).

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Piano Lesson with Goodie!

Hayes loves to stop by the piano occasionally and try to play a little something, so he sat down with Goodie for a quick lesson!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Pops and the gang!

Pops, Eli, Sammy the River Otter and Sharky the Whale...