Father's Day Photos

This year for Father's Day Patrick wanted to give his Dad a special picture of himself and Parker...so we headed to Holly Tree Country Club for a "photo shoot." It worked out great because I have been wanting to get some 1 year shots (only a couple months late) and also thought it would be cute to do a frame for Patrick for Father's Day. I am so pleased with the way these photos turned out and had a VERY tough time deciding on the few that I would post here. My brother did an excellent job on the photography- I think he definitely has a future as a professional photographer!! Thank you Drew for sharing your talents. We will treausre these photos forever!

The Happy Berry

One of the cool things about moving somewhere new is all the "new" and exciting things there are to do and explore. This weekend we headed to the beautiful Happy Berry Farm near my paren'ts home at Lake Keowee. As you can see from the pictures Parker enjoiyed sampling the blackberries which were so sweet and what a treat to eat them right off the vine. He also got his very first "taste"of tractor riding- I think he might be a future farmer. Maybe we can move to Valley Ford and become dairy farmer's with the Bordessas!!! That would be fun!

My Weekend Away!

Our 70's Retro Patio

Party On!

Our Private Pool!

GFL Turns 30

Linda, Ange and Tiff

Jax & Ange- Happy Birthday

Loungin' Poolside

Bring on the Bubbly!

I just got back from an amazing long weekend away...with the girls! I have to start with a HUGE Thank you to my wonderful hubby who watched Parker all weekend long so I could take a much needed break from reality. This time away has taught me that I HAVE to start finding time for myself more often. I have arrived back more relaxed and with a much better attitude.

Back in high school we had a tight knit group of friends- GFL which stands for Girls For Life...11 years later we are all still friends and this was the year we all turned 30. So what better way to commemorate this big birthday than with a BIG weekend away in Palm Springs. We rented an amazing house with a private pool. We spent the weekend relaxing, laughing, talking and of course eating and drinking. We can't wait to plan our next weekend away!

After my weekend in Palm Springs I met up with Coley for another day of fun. We drank coffee on the beach in Laguna, did some retail therapy at the Irvine Spectrum and finished up with Wahoos Fish Tacos.

Whew...back to reality I guess.

Bathtime Fun!

Parker finally outgrew his little duckie bathtub. Here are a few photos I snapped of Parker in the big boy bathtub. He continues to make us smile and laugh every day. He has so much personality! Gee...I wonder where he gets that from? I can't believe what a ham he is. He has quickly discovered what he can do to make us laugh and doesn't quit trying to get a reaction from us. He is jabbering away and practically running around the house. Once he took his first few steps it didn't take him long to realize how easy it is to walk/run around the house. Its so funny to see him tottering around like he's had a few too many drinks :) Sadie isn't quite sure what to think of his new skills either. We just feel so blessed each and every day to have him in our lives!

Life on the Lake

Parker hanging with Grandpapa at the Reserve

Our little boater!

The new boat! Love the Lake!

Hanging with Nana!

Its gonna be a fun summer!

Its official...we are a boat loving family. Last weekend my parents took the plunge and bought a boat. They figured since they now live on the lake we need a boat to go with it. We spent the long weekend enjoying the warm weather and warm water and took the boat out on Lake Keowee. We have a little water bug on our hands! Parker LOVES the water! He is a natural little boater! He had fun watching us tube and swim and even hopped in for a few dips himself! We even stopped for a bit to go visit the Reserve- the community where my parents are looking to build their dream lake home. The Reserve is not really a home community- its a resort! With three pools, kid's play area, boat marina, chapel, post office, golf, etc all within the gates of the community. We love it there!

Surprise, Surprise!

The Boys

All dressed up- Run for the Roses 2010

Rhet & Scarlett!

They fit in great as Southerners!

True Southern Belles!

WOW! What started out as a normal Saturday morning for us ended in a weekend full of surprises. Yes- its official... My parents, Patrick and my good friends the Marinos pulled a suprise birthday visit on me! Patrick and I had just arrived home from a trip to the local farmer's market and I was trying to get Parker fed and down for his nap. My parents were already waiting at our house, I was thinking they were just here to visit and to babysit so Patrick and I could go out. My mom called me from the kitchen and said "come here, I have something to show you..." because I was stressing (like I usually do when Parker is off his schedule) I said, "Just hang on a sec..." and continued to go about the necessary steps to get Parker's lunch ready. Next thing I know I look up and see Nicole and Johnny walking into my kitchen. I was SO SHOCKED!!!! This is the first REAL surprise I think I have ever had- I probably looked freaked out! Within the next five minutes Patrick informed me that my parents were actually there to take Parker for the weekend, that Coley and I were heading to a massage appointment and that I needed to take Monday off because they were going to be here all weekend!

There is something comforting about being in the prescence of a life-long friend. It just seems like evrything is OK when you have them close by. We had such a great time relaxing and catching up.

On Saturday after our wonderfully relaxing massages we headed to the 2nd annual Derby Party. I think Johnny & Nicole fit right in- everyone reminded them all night long that there are plenty of empty lots available in the Farm...we will just cross our fingers that Trader Joes comes to Greenville and gives them an offer they can't refuse!

On Sunday the boys headed to Thornblade for a round of golf and Coley and I enjoyed a lazy, sun-filled lunch in downtown Greenville. We enjoyed exploring Falls Park and even took the time to stop for some yummy frozen yougurt. That evening we headed back downtown with the boys for sushi and cocktails, then dinner at Soby's and a final night cap and Espresso Martinis at High Cotton.

This was my first weekend away from Parker for something other than work and it was so nice knowing I had nothing to worry about- he was in good hands with Nana and Grandpa. Thank you to Patrick, my parents and Johnny & Nicole for making my pre-30th birthday celebration such a great weekend to remember! I love you all!

Happy Birthday Parker!

It is so hard to believe that a year has come and gone already and that our little baby is becoming a little boy. This was the first milestone that has come that has really hit me hard. I just can't believe how quickly things have changed and that we have had Parker blessing our lives for a year. He brings us so much joy each and every day and we constantly have fun watching him change, grow, explore his surroundings and try to figure out his place in this crazy world. It is a bitter sweet feeling to celebrate your baby's birthday but I do look forward to alll of the wonderful memories that I know our lifetime together as a family will hold.

Here is how our little man compares to the rest of babies at one year:
weight- 20.3 pounds, 13%
heigth- 30 ", 55 %

He's walking now- up to 15 steps at a time. He's discovered how to climb up the stairs in no time flat- something that scares the living daylights out of us! He's babbling more and more and we can just sense that his first real world is just around the corner.

We love you sweet baby Parker- thank you for coming into our lives and for bringing us so much joy each and every day! You are life's biggest blessing!

Happy Sock Monkey Birthday Parker!

The birthday boy all ready to go on his new toy from Grandpa and Nana

Our little monkey with Payton & MB- he loves the Alexanders!

Daddy, Parker, all the farm kids and books galore!

Cake time- even though it was his favorite flavor, banana he wasn't quite sure what to think.

Posing with his new towel and all his great new books!

Look out world- here I come. So proud of his new found skills!

Special birthday outfit thanks to Nana! He'll kill me for this one day!

Birthday cake time!

All decorated and ready to party!

I'm so sorry that I have been so belated in getting pictures from Parker's first birthday bash up on our blog. Its been a crazy few weeks. The Big Sock Monkey festivities were a huge success. Everything turned out better than I ever could have imagained. We had plenty of special guests on hand for the big day including all of our farm friends, Grandma, Grandma and Uncle Mathews and more! Parker was such a troooper- joining in all the fun. He loved bouncing with the big kids in the bounce house, trying out his new walking skills and of course all the fun gifts to unwrap. He is now one spoiled little boy (like he wasn't before!) We have all decided that Parker is going to be a social butterfly. He literally stayed happy all day long, just taking it all in. Thank you to everyone who celebrated our big boy's special day. It was a day to remember!

The First of many Firsts this week!

Not quite sure yet...but Daddy sure is having fun!

Ok...this seems to be alright. Plus Liz is so cute!

That was fun. I liked the clippers. They tickeled and made me giggle.

I can't believe the time has come to celebrate Parker's first birthday...where has the time gone? This is the first milestone that has really hit me hard. I have becoome really emotional about the fact that my little man is growing up!

Today was the first of many "first" we will have this week and weekend as Parker's first birthday appproaches. We decided it was time for Parker's first "official haircut." Mama and Nana have given him a few trims here and there but this was the real thing...complete with a kid-sized cape and mini- clippers. It was pretty cute to see my little man sitting up there like a big boy. At first he really didn't know what to think...then he kept trying to turn his head every time Liz would start cutting because as usual he wanted to see what was going on. Then he kind of settled in and let her get to work. He loved the clippers- they must have tickeled because he kept giggling! He looks so snazy with his new big boy haircut! Daddy looks good with his new haircut too :)

Easter Weekend at the Lake

Look at my special basket!

Ready to go splash

I love to swing high!

I love Lake Keowee!

Looking so handsome &...innocent

The two boys on Easter

Look at our little Easter Bunny

Parker acts like we never feed him!

Our little "boater"- note his white linen capris

Lake fun with Nana

We had a wonderful Easter weekend out at Nana & Grandpa's house at Lake Keowee. Mother Nature blessed us with PERFECT weather which gave us the chance to get out and enjoy the lake. This time we even took Sadie and she LOVED playing in the lake...along with our little water bug Parker. I think Parker would still be sitting, splashing in the lake right now, a week later if we had let him. This summer is going to be so much fun! So excited we have this little place to get-a-way to for some rest and relaxation. Nana kept him busy with walks along the Lake path, swinging on the swings and sliding down the slide. He just loves life and giggles all the time. So much fun!

This Easter was full of many past and new traditions. Much to Patrick's dismay I decided to dress Parker in his Uncle Drew's Easter bubble. I couldn't resist how cute he looked and it was so special for him to wear this family heirloom. We were excited to see that the Easter Bunny found his way to Parker. His new Easter basket is a special, hand-made tradition thanks to Nana. When I began the search for the best Easter basket I could find I couldn't help going back to the baskets Drew and I grew up with, also hand-made by Mom. I got frustrated that I wasn't finding anything I liked so Nana came to the rescue and as you can tell Parker loves the finished project. He had a blast chasing the plastic eggs all around the house. The bunny also brought him lots of books and his very own sock monkey. Its so hard to believe next week we will be celebrating his 1 year birthday! CRAZY!