Mama Helen and Mimi Vist

Mama Helen and Mimi made a visit to us in January. They arrived just in time to help us deal with the aftermath of our robbery, so, in a sense, the timing was perfect. We were so happy to have the help and the distraction - and also, of course, to see them!

I didn't take many pictures, but here are a few:

Carter and Mimi were the big winners, as usual

On top of the building Thomas is working on

Spring Break

Carter spent spring break in Arkansas with his Mama Helen and Daddy Phil. In order to get him there, we met up in Tupelo, Mississippi at the beginning and again at the end of the week. I took the first shift to hand Carter off, taking John along to Tupelo, and staying overnight at a hotel with mom and Mimi. Thomas did the pickup, driving both ways in one day. 

The week before spring break we all came down with something (all except Thomas). As a result, Carter spent some time at urgent care the day before his trip to make sure he was okay to travel. 

When we stayed overnight in Tupelo, Carter got to show of his swimming and John got to go for his first swim. He seemed to like it. 

Mama Helen and Mimi were both happy to get to spend some time with John. 

Carter had a great time with his grand parents. Here, he's been mini golfing. 

At the playground in Hot Springs Village. 

More mini golf fun

Thanksgiving

This year, we spent a full week in Arkansas for Thanksgiving, thanks, in part, to Thomas not having to be in Atlanta to work on the Nutcracker this year. We had a pretty lazy week. We ate good food (everyone), played bad golf (Thomas), practiced swimming (Carter) and generally got in a lot of low-key family time.

We had a few days of rain, followed by a few beautiful days

Decompressing after a rough day on the golf course

We took a trip to Garvin Gardens to see their lights

Carter loved "driving" the train-o-lights, but I got a better picture of him with a peacock

My baby can play triominoes! I can't believe it. He's actually pretty good.

Carter made ice cream pie with Mama Helen, and we celebrated his half-birthday with a candle.

Dad-on-the-couch 2.0. The Kindle edition.

John didn't sleep through everything this holiday. But he did let me eat thanksgiving dinner in peace. And then let me nap with him!

During the rainy days, Carter and I made place cards for everyone.

Mom attempts to serve as Thomas gets a photo op with the canned cranberry sauce (ridges intact)

Mimi got to meet her newest great-grandbaby

1979

My Aunt Arlene recently sent me some old pictures that she came across when she was cleaning, and I thought I'd share them.

My Papaw was in the Arkansas House of Representatives for most of my childhood, which presented plenty of opportunities for gratuitous photo-taking (as well as opportunities for paging at the capitol when I was older). Here are a couple of shots from 1979.

I'm the fatty in the middle. Note that in this picture, my mom is approximately the same age I am now. Think I should try the haircut? And don't you love my Mimi's tie?

And then there's this one. I believe my mom's copy of this photo has a note on it that says something to the effect of "Clinton's aide said that Elizabeth was the only girl that didn't smile when Clinton picked her up."

Congrats to The Reverend Mama Helen!

My mom's "Rev" status was made official by the United Methodist Church this week. She graduated from seminary several years back (photo below), but had to undergo 3 years "probation" before she was legal. I'm pretty sure that 3-year period is standard for everyone, and not just due to her wild ways at seminary...

Congratulations, Mom!

Graduation, back in 2005

Making it official in 2009!

(thanks to Aunt Linda for the photos, since we couldn't be there!)

Thanksgiving

We made it safely home from Arkansas last night with a full day to recover before what will be a very busy week. Here's a little video from our weekend. Hope you all had happy thanksgivings!

Savannah

Not the most child-safe city

In front of John Wesley
What is this wonderous pink drink they call lemonade?
The boys


The girls
Ship shots!
The trolley

Stone Mountain

We took a trip to Stone Mountain Park today. Here are a few pictures. We're off to Savannah tomorrow!

They're Off!

Mom, Mimi and Carter just started their long drive to Arkansas. Carter will be staying with Mama Helen and Daddy Phil for a whole week! Thomas and I will drive to join them in Arkansas on Thursday, and then the three of us will drive back home next Saturday.

For the next five days, Thomas and I will be home alone. Alone with only our impossibly long list of home improvement activities to keep us company... We'll keep you posted as we (if we) make progress on the list!

Mimi's Here!

Mimi and mom arrived last night - Mom for a work conference and Mimi for her first visit to our home.
Oddly enough, Carter and Mimi's friendship was rekindled the minute she offered him a doughnut!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sorry for not posting earlier in the weekend. I couldn't get my camera hooked up, and it took days to realize that I could at least post a few pics from mom's camera.

We've been having a lovely time at my mom and dad's new place in The Largest Gated Community in the US. I'm not kidding.

Some findings from the weekend include:

1) We can make the 10 hour drive straight through, even if we don't leave Atlanta until 4:30pm.

2) If everyone else is eating off of china, Carter does NOT want to eat off of plastic.

3) Carter loves sausage. LOVES it.

Mama Helen and Mimi are here!

Mom and Mimi were able to get their tickets transferred after last weekend's ice storm. They got here late last night and are here through Friday morning. Thomas and I have to work, but they don't seem to mind having Carter to themselves all day!