My Mother's Day...

My Mother's Day...

was spent starring at adorable baby feet...

and sweet cheeks brushed with sand.

My Mother's Day was spent watching a curious little tot explore the beach,

as I gazed into his big blue eyes that matched the color of the sky.

My Mother's Day was spent...

loving on a baby boy that made me a mom!

House Tour: Kitchen Edition

I decided to participate in some blog fun that Kelly is having this weekend. I enjoyed "peeking in" and seeing everyone's kitchens, so I thought I would jump right in. Just something to do on a VERY RAINY DAY!!!

This is my "Sunday Edition"

I have always loved my kitchen, especially the "open" feel.

This is the view from my living room. I love my faux finished walls - deep reds, browns and yellows.

The Butler's Pantry - the dining room is in the background.

This is one of my "crafty" projects lately. I was inspired by Amy - she is always so creative...love her!

One of my latest finds.....

This is my other recent project. My canisters were so boring! I decided to use chalkboard paint and label them. I got my cute idea from Rachel!!

The plate was given to us by Blake's mom for Christmas. One of my favorites!

And last but not least, Gran's cookie jar. It is so special since she is no longer with us. She kept yummy cookies in this jar for years, I hope to do the same for all my little ones.

Hope you enjoyed our kitchen tour!!!

Layton says, "Come back soon!"

Georgia On My Mind

After spending a week in the beautiful state of Georgia, we returned home to cloudy skies and rainy days. Ah, it was fun while it lasted!

Joy, Layton and I always take a road trip to visit our family in Atlanta every fall and spring. They visit us for Christmas and the Fourth of July. It works out perfectly. We enjoyed our week immensely and again, I feel renewed by spending good quality time with the ones we love the most....good friends and family!

All the Ross's

Same picture, with Ann and not me. We switched out, each of us took a picture for the other.

At church. We got to see Joey sing and perform with the Children's Choir. He did great!

This picture has all the Layton's. Douglas Layton, Zachary Layton, and Layton Andrew. Neat, huh?

@ the cookout - Pat, Ann, me, Parker and Layton.

The Girls and their boys!

Hey, do I know you?

They warmed up to each other pretty quickly. Do you think they have grown since their last visit...click here to see.

Uncle Jay blowing bubbles for Layton. Except Ellie, the dog, wanted in on the fun!

Catching Bubbles

Hanging with Uncle Jay while the girls went shopping at an outdoor mall! Fun, fun!

peek-a-boo!

Layton and his BFF for the week, Ellie. Isn't that sweet?

More BFFs!

While we were there, we also got to see my good friend from high school, Kara and her little ones, Benjamin and Sophia. She lives in the area, so we met at the Georgia Aquarium, downtown Atlanta. We loved spending the day together and the kiddos enjoyed seeing all the "big fish" and "sharks"!

Gazing with "Re Re" at all the beautiful fish

Double stoller w/ three kids.

p.s. no one liked sitting in the back!

Nemo's 3-D Movie!

Benjamin looking silly in 3 D glasses!

Baby Sophia was such a trooper! She did great....isn't she adorable?!

It was a very memorable day - catching up and hanging out! I hope that we can see each other again very soon! :)

The trip was over in a flash and it seemed like we were coming home way too soon!

John Deere Green

Bringing Grandaddy lunch...$5.00

Getting to ride in a BIG tractor...priceless!  

In the past few years, Blake's parents have both retired from teaching.  With many years in the classroom, it was time for Grandaddy to focus on what he loved the most....farming!  Since then he stays very busy during planting and harvesting seasons.   But has lots of free time otherwise! So recently, Little Man got to take his first officially tractor ride!   He wasn't scared and sat all by himself in the "buddy" seat.  I'm sure it will the first of many.  

Grandaddy and LM

Waving "bye bye!!"

All aboard....

Getting ready to take a ride!

Waving to Mommy and Grammie!  

Our days between Soap Operas! :)

It's funny.  Lots of times I get the question, "So, now that you stay at home, what do you do all day?  Do you watch Soap Operas?"  Are you kidding me?!?!?  No.  In fact, the truth is, sometimes I feel busier during the day now than I did when I was teaching.  However, it's a different kind of busy.  One that I wouldn't trade for the world.  Staying at home with my little babe has been so rewarding.  I feel blessed that I have been able to marvel at this sweet face from day one...

and now I'm doing the same on day 633 (yes, I calculated it!)

Did I mention I have the best job in the world?

So, what are we doing with our days?

Little Man and I have a fairly busy schedule.  We have regular weekly play dates, story hour at the library twice a week, music class for toddlers, play at the park, or frequent Hopscotch's Play Place.  Other days we go visit grandparents or even just hang out at the house for the day.   

Thought I would share some of our fun times.  Just some things we do while I'm not watching Soap Operas!  ha!  

Reading w/ our buddies Laurie and the twins, Luke and Jackson!  

Laurie and I use to teach together, but now we both stay at home with our boys!  

They were all concentrating so hard!  

Luke is telling Layton all about baseball!

Now he is showing him!  Isn't this cute?

Layton learning his alphabet! *notice the horse in his left hand...it is practical glued to him!*

Lunch at Cosmo's with Jacob! 

Playing at Hopscotch!

Push Jackson, Push!

Layton and I attend a music class called Musikgarten w/ Ms. Kari!  She is wonderful!  She used to be a Middle School music teacher, but now she stays at home w/ her daughters and teaches toddler music classes. 

Music class - putting up our instruments!

So, the rest of the day is spent running a few errands (grocery shopping, Target!), preparing and eating lunch followed by Layton's nap.  This is my time to pick up, clean the house, do some laundry, work on homework (yes, I'm back in school!) and think about what to fix for dinner.  We also like to take an afternoon walk around the neighborhood.  The day passes so fast that before we realize it...Daddy's home!!!!  

Did you see any time to fit in a Soap Opera?  Ah, no....I didn't think so either!  :)