Road Trip!

Brian and I have been in need of a little get-a-way but finding time for that has been nearly impossible.  So, today we decided to take a few hours (about 11-4) and steal away for a little road trip - to Americus, GA.  We had lunch at Little Brothers Bistro, in a portion of the historic Windsor Hotel and walked around downtown a bit, making a stop to see the historic and beautifully restored Rylander theatre.  However, the hi-light of the trip was a tour of Cafe' Campesino, the first 100% free trade coffee roastery in America.  I'll let you read all about it on their website but let me just say that seeing and tasting how a green coffee bean becomes a delicious cup of joe was really cool!  Too bad you can't blog a smell.  Yum-o!!  Don't we look cute in our hairnets?

The Carters visit, Pinewood Derby and BASEBALL!!!

Our fun friends, Todd, JoEllyn, Will and Avery Carter, came for a visit.  Brice and Avery enjoyed a couple movie "dates".  The dads and big boys went to Athens for the Ga vs. Ole Miss basketball game while the moms and little kids went to bounce at Monkey Joe's.

 Our first Pinewood Derby.

 Baseball tryouts and Brice was one excited little boy!  He did GREAT!

 Sam is playing in the Mighty league now.

Sam is Seven!

Sam turned 7 at the end of December. For our precious Christmas baby, we've begun the tradition of "family birthday supper" ON his birthday, then a party later in January.  The day began with the breakfast of (Southern) champions...Krispy Kreme!

 For supper, Sam chose the menu:  pizza, corn, green beans, salad and ice cream cake for dessert.  It was yummy!  We gave him a new bat bag and bat.  That night the boys went home with Gmama and Papa to spend the night.  Sam called us about an hour later, crying, saying he wanted to come home.  Turns out, he was worried that he was still missing all the fun from his birthday supper.  He later sent an email to Brian and me (from Gmama’s computer) saying: “I am messing you. I can not wait to see you. What are you doing at work calling costumers I bet. Yesterday was the best birthday ever I ever had and I loved the cake and the presents they were awesome! And tell daddy that I love him and tell him I  want to know what he is doing. And the last thing I want to say is... I love you!!!!!!!!!!!” 

Later, we had Sam's actual party at a Mercer Bears basketball game.  

It was a BLAST!

Athens, Christmas, Snow Mnt. and a hike

Just when I catch up on one thing, I fall back on another...this blog! So when a sweet & well-meaning friend told me she missed my posts, I knew I needed to make a better effort.  So, here goes.  I'm warning you, it's loooong....  

The day that school let out for Christmas break we picked up the boys 

and went to Athens for a basketball game.

Brice learned to ride his bike without training wheels 

when we were at Grammy's for Christmas lunch.

Brice was a shepherd in the pageant at church and we was so excited that he carried his very own hiking stick!

Sam had a speaking part for the first time.

One of Brice's favorite Christmas presents...Zombie Brain Lab!

Sam got a cool Lego pyramid game.

So, right after Christmas, Sam turned seven.  Really?  Anyway, a separate post about his birthday supper is above.  Here's what else we've been up to...  We went to Snow Mountain at Stone Mnt. Park with our cousins.  Even though it really warmed up and we all wished we had on shorts and t-shirts, it was still tons of fun!    

We celebrated Christmas some more at Pine Hill Farm.

Sweet teen-aged cousins are the best!  Emily, Andrew, Sam & Brice

Sam got a BB gun!

We went on a hike on the Hitchiti Trail.  

Ruby had the time of her life!