Papa and "Ninny"

My parents came to visit for a few days last week.  They drove from NC, visited friends in KY and then stopped here before heading to see one of my sisters in CO.  Yes, I know we are nomads -- but traveling to our family is a must when we are all so close, yet SO FAR!

We only had a few days with them on this end of the trip, but we made the most of it with playing outside, great food (we made our first Tiramisu cake, a tomato pie, veggie quiche, and my favorite cream spinach broiler -- check out these recipes on Mama's Recipe Swap -- yum, yum), shopping, seeing Prince of Persia at the movies (SO GOOD!!) and just catching up.

Samantha has definitely picked up the name "Papaw" over the last couple of visits with both of her grandparents, but has finally gotten down the name Nana -- or as she says it "Ninny."  :)

Mom and Dad brought their dog Mikey with them, and Samantha decided that his bed was just another laid down for her.  She literally would scoot him out to lay down.

Okay, don't call child services on me.  Samantha also took to Mikey's cage and thought it was hysterical to open it and close herself in -- it was so funny!  Later, we would even find her putting her stuffed animals in there, too.  :)

For all of you that think my child loves the camera - or must due to the amount of photos I take - this is actually the easy picture to take.  If you want a front "pose" of her with anyone, she runs!  It takes 50 shots to get 1 good one, but heck...sometimes these funny ones are the best anyway.  :)

"Whoa, Ninny...what happened to the cat in the fiddle?"  

Nana got this great pic of our cute little sailor girl.  :)

What a great few days with Nana and Papa -- can't wait until they come back through for Father's Day!  Love you guys!

Strutting her stuff

Not shy to strut her stuff!  Hey good lookin'! :)

Flower Child

Samantha loves being outside and loves flowers.  She kisses the flowers and even chases and blows kisses at the bees -- it is precious!  She esp. loves to take her water bucket and water the plants on her own.

Indy 500

For Keith's birthday in February, I got him Indy 500 tickets and his family and friends got tickets to join him for a guy's weekend. Memorial weekend was the big race, and we had our house packed as Keith's dad, brother-in-laws, nephew, and best friend came up for the game. With them, came Keith's Mom and two nieces for Samantha and I. We might have been scrunched at times in this little house, but we had a wonderful weekend filled with cook-outs, work-outs, and races. Samantha of course loved the full house and all the attention!

Jeff, Ken, Logan, Keith and Randy getting ready to head into the race.  It was around 96 degrees in the stands - the hottest day of the race every recorded!  Their only cure for the heat, was the coolers packed with beers and sodas.  

Logan, Ken and Randy at the Hall of Fame Museum at the Motor Speedway.  One of the rare "people" photos Keith took -- give a guy a camera for the day and he comes back with 30 photos of museum cars and since ladies mostly look at this site, I will spare you those photos - despite the coolness of the cars.  ;)

What a great experience the guys seemed to have at that race!  Of course, my favorite part was seeing everyone the day before during a grill out and a corn hole competition at our house - by the way, I have pictures of this corn hole competition, but due to the heat all of the guys were shirtless and I got threatened with death if I posted the pictures!  However, they all better be PRETTY NICE TO ME -- you hear that men?!  (Okay, maybe actually I am just doing it to protect the vision of those that look at this site - jk ;) )

While the guys were out at the race, I got to spend a lot of quality time with Mackenzie and Haley.  Karen unfortunately was down with her hip and back the whole weekend, but the girls and I had a shopping day, went to the pool and I even got them to Zumba with me!  :)

Haley, Mackenzie and Samantha

Some more pics of our weekend together....

Ahhh...she fell asleep in Logan's arms -- Daddy was second fiddle momentarily.

Just wanted to also say a special thanks to everyone who made this such a great weekend - and esp. a great guys weekend for Keith -- we love you all dearly!

Pipi Longstocking

Finally Samantha's hair is long enough to work the Pipi-esque pigtails - albeit it tiny ones.  What a cutie!

Summer time Grilling and Bike Rides

I love summer and the best parts about it are being outside and grilling out!  Luckily, we got to do both today.  The sun only peaked through the clouds, but it was still warm enough for a bike ride and for Keith to throw some steaks and corn on the grill.  Such a special day.

Thanks to the Dawsons for letting us borrow their bike attachment - we are checking it out to see if Samantha would enjoy one, if we got one.  She was on the fence about it, as you will see.  But, it is a nice way to get the whole family out.

Initial reaction - I think I'd describe this as pure panic.  I'm thinking that her thoughts went something like this "WHAT IS THIS DEATH TRAP YOU ARE PUTTING ME IN!?"  We just kept promising that it would indeed be fun and that a "cook" (cookie) would be awaiting her return.  Yes, I am not above bribery. ;)

Okay, better without the helmet.  But still some resigned hesitation -- the apprehension is written all over her face.

One last look before the tarp came down and the ride began.  Frankly I don't know why she seems so traumatized...I'd much rather sit in a cushioned seat with someone driving me around than have that bike seat wedged up my butt the whole ride.  ;)  Kids have no idea how good they have it!

Finally we got going and it was actually a lot of fun and Samantha truly seemed to enjoy herself!  I thought this contraption was SO cool - baby was rolling in style (thanks Heather for the Cadillac of rides for her). ;)  

As great as it was to hear her laughing or talking to the things around her, I have to say that I am no bike rider.  After 2 bike rides today and an hour workout this morning, I am sore and feeling much older than 30.  Ouch!

Lastly, the night was ended with Keith's grilling cuisine.  Samantha quickly noticed and became fascinated with our corn on the cob.  We tried to shave some off for her, but NO she wanted to whole cob to eat from and boy did she!  I think we can succesfully add corn to the veggie-like menu. :)

Tuckered out!

So sad - Mom and I turned away for a minute while Samantha was eating dinner in NC - when we looked back, this is what we saw. Pour baby was SO tuckered out that she fell asleep eating. ;)

One More Trip on the Newbrough Express -- CALI!

So, if you can't tell this past 6 weeks has been a whirlwind of company and trips. To jam pack all this in 6 weeks wasn't deliberate, just the way it worked out. Needless to say we are worn out and glad to be back home! But, what wonderful memories we made.

Here are some pics from our last trip to San Diego, California for a conference Keith attended. We tagged along for a whirlwind 5 day trip to the west coast. It was worth it, despite the exhausting travel and time change. Samantha is a pro at traveling, esp. considering she is only 16 months.

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Family, Sunshine and Good Ole NC

We finished off my 30th birthday celebration with a trip to NC. We had so much fun with family. Samantha, esp. ate up the time with not only Nana and Papa, but the kids. SO MUCH FUN!

 Hanging out with Uncle Brian (don't tell Daddy, but I had a crush on him ALL week!)  shhh..

Having fun at the Cole Brothers Circus in Washington, NC.  So mesmerizing for kids and adults.  In another life, I want to be in the circus -- just not in the lion's cage. 

Allyson and Samantha were buddies -- they kissed, hugged, and talked!  Too cute!

Miss Independent

My sister, my friend -- SO wonderful to have some quality time with Tara.  Tara -- I enjoyed shaking my hips with you at those Zumba classes.  Can't wait to take it from you this August - so jealous! :)

Nana, Papa and Miss Sami -- by the end of the trip she was a pro at saying their names.  :)  Though "Nana" usually equated outstretched arms and "ehhh" -- meaning "pick me up NOW!!" :)

Still my Daddy's baby -- even with my baby in my arms. :)

Cherishing in some one-on-one time with my Mama!  BTW - a major shout out to my Mama for her amazing 15 layer chocolate and eclair filled cake for my birthday -- I am drooling just thinking of it! :)

Can't beat waking up to that view every morning -- I miss it already!

Our Little Nomad

Samantha just hops in the bag and starts pulling items in with her.  Think this is a sign we have a budding nomad on our hands - welcome to this crazy family little one!