Easter

What a difference one year can make
Easter  2010                                                                 Easter 2011

The Easter bunny came early in the week, and brought Cayden an Easter egg from his Uncle Stephen and Aunt Rose. He was excited when he got up that morning to see he had a gift to open. He actually opened the egg also (we had been practicing opening the eggs the week before, and he does really good at it).

Thank you for the book and outfit :)

He also got an early Easter basket from his Nana and Pap Pap. This basket had some eggs with little toys inside of them and clothes. Thank you, and sorry I forgot to take a picture.

On Easter Sunday he got his big Easter basket from Daddy and Mommy (A.K.A. the Easter Bunny).
Filled with toy police cars, a new sippy cup, remote control (his favorite thing...a blog on that later), books, giraffe stuffed animal and giraffe pillow pet. 

Then it was time for a little Easter egg hunt in the house. He was finding the eggs :)

opening his Easter eggs

This year for Easter we had the families meet at a park in Alpharetta. We did this once before, but this year it was going to be a little bigger. The families were: our family, my mom, my sister's family, my brother, Paul and Marilyn, and Jim and his kids and grand kids.

We got there just a little late.
Little man did not want to take a nap and once he finally fell asleep I was going to have to wake him in 30 minutes to head to the park. Makes for a really really short nap :(

Not wanting to take a nap. The monitor would light all the way up red, but by the time I got the picture taken some of the red had gone.

Finally asleep. Not wanting to wake him up.

Once we got to the park the kiddos played on the playground, had lunch and played on one of the baseball fields. The boys played volleyball, and bocce ball. He also got an Easter basket from Grandma (my mom). It had a coloring book, egg shaped markers, and some bubbles. Thank you also :)

For some reason no one really took a lot of pictures. So here are just the few that I could find.

Coleman and Ellie looking for Easter eggs

Sweet little Ava's first Easter

The boys playing volleyball. The guys minus my brother who showed up later.

Taking a well deserved nap :)

It was a blast getting to hang out with all of our family. We are looking forward to the next big family gathering in May!! Memorial weekend!

Playtime outside

Cayden loves being outside now days. Ever since he has become more mobile he just wants to take off everywhere. He loves when you say, "let's go outside so head to the door." He will drop everything and take off towards the door. Then if you are not quick enough he looks at you with a look that says HURRY UP.

making a silly face

trying to get him to look up but he was more interested in walking towards Ryan who was mowing the grass

Trying to find Daddy who was about to mow the yard. If you listen quietly you can hear a cow moo in the background. No we don't own a cow, but we have a farm/pasture behind our house.

Trying to see where Daddy went

Going as fast as his little legs will take him to get to Daddy, but just not quick enough :(

Always a fun time outside. It was such a nice night outside, and Cayden loves being outside.

The Franks are loving the warmer weather :)

More of Ava Bates

Little Ava is just about a week old in these pictures. I can't believe she is already a week old (when these pictures were taken...not when this is posted). It seems just like the other day my sister sent me a text message in the middle of the night saying she was in labor. Ava is growing up so fast and changing already. She is a precious little lady and loved very much!

Such a proud big brother! He is so protective of her.

He loves his little sister so much :)

Uncle Ryan and Ava

Grandma and Ava

Coleman showing off his jersey.

The day we were there visiting, he had a T-ball game that evening. He's only 3 and he does really well at it. But he wanted to make sure that his Aunt B (yes I am called Aunt B...no laughing) and Uncle Ryan got to see his jersey. What a little cutie pie!

Christmas in March from Grandma Liz

A little history:

When I was working at the Preschool, I became close to a great group of women. We were always together sharing stories and talking about the day that we were having.

Liz was one of these women. She and I grew very, very close. She is such a dear friend of mine that I know I will have for life. She is someone I know I can go to and get an honest answer about anything...must be the Yankee in her ;)

When she found out I was pregnant; she along with a 2 others were the only ones at work to know for a long time. She took role of Grandma Liz to Cayden. She treats Cayden as if he is her own grandson. He is blessed to be loved by so many wonderful people. I just love her and her family. She came to visit us in the hospital and even at home. Such a wonderful and special woman.

Well, Christmas came and we just could never get our schedules together with families in town and all that the holiday brings. Then I would make surprise visits at my old work and she did not have Cayden's gifts because she did not know I was coming...hence the surprise. So, this past weekend we met up and she gave Cayden his Christmas gifts. He was excited when he woke up and saw packages.

I'm going to open this all by myself

I did it and look what is is!

racing the cars down the ramp

and at the end of course it makes noise :)

I got another present!

playing with his new gifts

hey mommy and daddy look what I got!

Cayden talking about it all in his own little language. He gets a little shy towards the end, and then of course wants the camera. Not the best quality as it is a camera phone and the light on the phone was not on.

Thank you Liz for all that you do. We love you and your family so much!

The Lopez family. Minus Tyler (he's in college)

Liz, Heather (senior prom), and Emilio

  

To the rescue

So just the other day Ryan had left for work like normal. Cayden and I went for a walk. When we got home I had noticed Ryan left his wallet at home. Now knowing his profession you know he is going to need his wallet. So I loaded Cayden up in the car, and we headed for Alpharetta.

While we were driving Cayden was just laughing. So, what did I do...grabbed the phone to video him.

Oh how we just love this little guy. Just watching this makes me smile :)

As we were driving down the highway we saw Daddy with a car pulled over. Pulled off the highway and waited for him to finish. At first Ryan thought this car just had a question for him. He did not know it was us until he got closer to the car. Let's just say Ryan did not even realize he did not have his wallet, but he was grateful we had brought it to him.

Ava Katherine is here!

I have a niece!! Yesterday my sister gave birth to little Ava Katherine. She was born at 12:32 AM. Came in weighing in at 6 pounds 11 ounces and 19 inches.

She is precious and we can't wait to meet her! Her are some pictures my brother-in-law took from his phone.

Big Brother Coleman holding his little sister for the first time

Ava in her first outfit. I wanna sat this outfit was also picked out by big brother Coleman.

I think the story went: he and my sister were shopping and he said, "Mommy Ava needs this." So, how could she say no. It is a very cute little outfit. It has hearts all over it. So much love from her big brother :)

This is how Coleman passed the time away waiting till it was time for him to go see his little sister Monday morning. Yes there is no kitchen table...we ordered a new table it will be in this Wednesday. Having no table made for a wonderful basketball area for the kids.

Best buds! These two cousins love each other!

I will post more pictures of little Ava once we all get to go and see her. I cannot wait to meet her!!



Public Safety Chili Cook Off

What is a public safety chili cook off?
It is an even where local residents can take a day to meet their public safety folks while munching on homemade chili.
The Alpharetta Public Safety Foundation is inviting the public to its first Chili Cook-off event. Numerous police officers, firefighters and other public safety staff will put on their chef hats and aprons to deliver dozens of pots of tasty homemade chili.

So what do you do...

You go up to each chili pot with a cup and they scoop a lot for you to try.
Once you have tried them all of just found one that you really like, you then go and vote for it.
At the end of the time aloted the fire chief adds up all the votes and announces the winner.
And of course they had drinks and deserts to snack on.

Nana and Cayden practicing walking.

Fox 5's Chief Meteorologist Ken Cook even came with his grand children.

There were plenty of firetrucks for children to walk through, sit it, and climb on.

Such a fun day. Next year Cayden will be able to go though the firetrucks and try the chili.
Such a great even to be part of. They also had raffle tickets to win prizes. The cost of the tickets I want to say were around $5.00 per person.

 The winner gets a belt and bragging rights of the best chili. The winner this year came from the restaurant Olde Blind Dog.
Congratulations!