Happy Birthday Capp-inator!

Little man turned one today!  I can't believe it. We headed over to Kev and Laurie's for Capp's birthday party this evening.  John made the trip although he wasn't truly up to par.  After the bead incident, I thought we'd have a good weekend - nope, John got food poisoning Saturday night and has been out of commission for the entire day today.  I'm really tired. 

Anyway, the party was great.  The kids had a great time.  We got some great shots and saw all the Trimm / Gray crew.  I just can't believe Capp is one.  Holy Cow!

On a side note, we missed sweet Emma's first birthday brunch yesterday (sad).  I hate to miss that bunch of sugar's celebration, but we're hopefully going to get together to celebrate with the Halls this week.  

Gigi made a fantastic cake and it was so tasty!

Perhaps the cutest smash cake I've ever laid eyes on!

The sweet birthday boy.  Happy One Year!

Whatcha got there Dad?

The party people.  Notice Anne Bailey is only one of two little girls in this crew.  They're a little outnumbered!

Posing for photos - Anne Bailey, Hannah and Capp

The big sisters got into the fun of it all.

Mimi's in Town

Mimi came into town - just in time for the bead incident.  I had a volunteer event at work so she was able to help John with the little ones.  They spent some time cooking, at McWane, reading and doing arts and craps (what Ellabee calls it).

Ellabee and Anne Bailey love to read with Mimi

The Princess and the Bead

Yep, I meant bead. Friday, while at Dance Camp, Ellabee wondered what it was like to shove a bead up her nose. It definately was interesting! After multiple tries to retrieve the bead, and a long conversation with our pediatrician, off to Children's Hospital we went. Ellabee was in good spirits and I happened to have my camera. I didn't get any pictures of the bead removal itself - nor did I get a picture of Ellabelle with her fantastic doctors who retrieved the little buggar (sigh) - but I did get these cute shots of Ellabead... Bead Nose ... EllaRellaBead... we had a lot of time on our hands in the Emergency Department - please forgive me.

Yep, I put a bead up my nose. I did it. But I'm so stinking cute, you can't be mad at me.

The Bead's in the nose in this shot. the nostril on your right. It didn't really effect her really - in fact... John actually asked me if we could leave it in - seriously?!?! Bless him, he didn't want her to miss her recital.

So, I missed my recital... that stinks. BUT I did get 3 hours alone with both Mommy and Daddy!

A New Life ... A New Member of the Gang

Welcome Reese!!!!  Our dear friends Todd and Rachel welcomed their daughter Reese Elizabeth to the world today.  Welcome little precious piece of heaven - we're so glad you are here and a part of our life already.  

A Weekend Getaway

Ok, I didn't really ever promise that this picture wouldn't go on the blog - so here it is! Paul - wonderful Paul - Bentley gave Catherine a night away at Ross Bridge and she took us with her! So off we go (just so happens, on my birthday) for a night away from the kiddos to spend some time with friends. We went and saw Mamma Mia and ate at Jim n Nicks. We spent a lot of time laying by the pool and I even got a massage at the Spa - Happy Birthday to me!

Simple Reminders of Reality

Yep, less than 2 hours back from the Bay and I'm dealing with this:

Ellabee + Markers (washable) + watercolors + glue stick = "I wanted to be a clown, Mommy"

Happy Back to Reality Day!

Back from the Bay

We made it back... it was a bit of a long trip home but we made it never the less. Here's some pics from the end of this week:
The littlest fisherman. Ellabee became quite the pro at casting - perhaps next trip she'll earn a hook.

Anne Bailey and I took a float in the Bay together.

Words just can't express how much the cousins enjoyed each other. Anne Bailey has quite a love for her big cousin Garrison.

Our adopted cousins. Aunt Monica (Uncle Emery's sister) brought CJ and Alan over to visit for some playtime on the beach.

Aunt Monica, Aunt Amy, Maw Maw and me.

Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay - not really Wastin' Time

So, I've figured out that this trip to the Bay is really a trip to the bay for the girls wehre I will return home exhausted... which means it's a good thing that I head out for a girls weekend Saturday with my peeps for a night at Ross Bridge (including a massage at the Spa which I've been trying to get since Mother and Daddy gave me a gift certificated for Mother's Day).

Seriously though, the week so far has been delightful filled with lots of time on the Bay, watching children play, laughing at Anne Bailey navigate the water and Ellabee learn to fish (or pish).

I'm not complaining!  But I don't think those who don't have children realize that just because you are in an "exotic" location with your children doesn't mean that they cease to be... well, children.  They still need to be fed, beds still have to be made (and stripped if you have bedwetters among the crowd), bo-bos still need to be kissed, 19 months olds still must be entertained and the safety issue is increased even more so because there's a "pool" about a mile wide and 200 yards long and 40 feet deep right in the backyard.

However, you can't beat the breeze, the view, the sound of the pelicans overhead and the joy of being with family.  Here are some pictures from our time at the Bay so far:

Aunt Tori came for a visit on Saturday with Anna Katherine.  The girls had such fun playing on the beach.

These young men are quite the fishermen.  Garrison and Chancellor went off shore fishing with Mr. Jerry and came home with quite a haul.

Playing in the water with Maw Maw at Devil's Hole on Magnolia River

Paw Paw took some time to teach Ellabee to fish - it's an ongoing project.

Anne Bailey loves being on the water.  This was right at dusk one night before bed time - bathed and ready, I didn't want to risk getting her in the sand again.

The view from where I sit and type.  It's a gorgeous day.

My makeshift office.  It's actually the only place in the house where you can pick up the neighbor's wireless signal... but keep it quiet... it's not stealing but let's not advertise it. 

The cousins are having a ball together. 

Snapper even got into the excitement playing with Anne Bailey in the water.

This was relaxing for about 5 minutes until Ellabee discovered me and then the boys decided to come over and flip me off my perch.  oh well.

A New Stone Member!

Welcome to the newest member of the stone family:

We've decided to name him George!

For my 32nd birthday, yep - it's coming around the corner - John bought me a macbook... so here I type in joy, watching the Tour de France, charging the new ipod which came with the macbook for FREE and learning about being a mac momma!!!!

Happy First Day of the Tour de France!

In honor of the start of the Tour tonight, we started our morning with Beignets! YUM!

My heart pitter patters for Beignets!

Anne Bailey enjoyed a taste - Ellabee just licked off the powdered sugar!

Just wanted y'all to share in the crazy morning hair.

The Morning After

Well, the Fourth of July at the Stone home went on with a bang. Donna's 150+ guests showed up and we were pleased as punch with our six adults and 5 children. A good time was had by all. Fennigan even got into the act and watched some fireworks.

Enjoy some pics from the night:

Best friends...

... last a lifetime.

There was even time for an ice cream break!

What flavor please?

Fennigan even got into the fireworks watching mood.

WOW!

Happy Birthday America!

Every year, Southside turns into one of the most patriotic places ever. We decorate like it's Christmas and spend days talking about who's cooking what, what we're drinking, where the kids are going to sleep, who's coming to what house, if you're going to "party hop" or not and where you want to be when the fireworks start.

Actually, the fireworks start in our neighborhood a couple of days before and last until the 7th of July or so. On the Fourth, starting around 5 pm, it begins sounding somewhat like I would expect that Saigon sounded like. Somehow, our kids have slept through the madness each year.


This year, we've deemed Ellabee old enough to actually stay up for the firework spectacular at 9 pm over Vulcan. We'll see what payback is like tomorrow. Expect more pictures to be posted from the frivolity tonight, but wanted to take the opp to wish everyone a very happy and safe Fourth of July... and remember our troops - God I wish they were home but I'm glad that they're defending our freedom and keeping us safe.

This year we added craft projects to our Fourth of July celebrations - notice the handy dandy pinwheels Ellabee and I constructed.

What sweet girls.

Checking out the decorations at Gran D's house - she's expecting over 150 and has hired security and rented a porta-potty - CRAZY!

Happy Birthday America - we're so glad to be free!

The Inhumanity of it All

This is a little different from my normal posts, but I have to talk about it. In my new job, one of my responsibilities is as college and career counselor for our juniors and seniors. Many of the things that I've been doing this summer in addition to preparing for the incoming jr and sr class is to wrap up some of the loose ends left by our recent graduates. One, in particular, is a pretty hard case. This young woman is smart and intelligent, beautiful and funny. In addition to that, she's the product of a broken home, daughter of a drug addict, living (I don't know if you can really call it that) in a broken down home that would probably be shut down if DHR discovered it.

We're trying to get her financial aid finalized for the fall so that this young precious woman can go to school to be a nurse. She wants better for herself, but is so caught up in the cycle of poverty and poor decisions that she is unable to make the correct decisions for herself. She's so torn between caring for her drugged out mother, grandmother with demensia, etc. etc. etc. that she's caught in this web and is close to being eaten.

I'm scared for her... but more importantly, I'm scared for us. A wise man said recently that it takes something pretty special (CHRIST) for a person to reach out and care for someone else's child. It's true. The world will care for their offspring. The world wants their children to succeed. It takes godly men and women to care about other children and not just care, but fight against social injustice so that all children have a chance. It's our duty to come alongside these children and help them in anyway possible. I just think it's amazing that we continue to live in comfort when the suffering that I witnessed yesterday lives just down the street. When I was talking to her about drive by shootings and friends who've recently been shot I found myself wondering if I was living in a ganster movie. If I had someone slipped the bonds of reality and found myself in an alternative universe - and then I realized that I had. While our lives continue and the day to day of "Will we go to the park today or the Zoo or just stay home and watch one of our four televisions." there is an alternative reality happening literally five miles away. And it makes me sad.

I don't have answers... I'm just reminded of the starfish and the little boy on the ocean who was throwing one in at a time. An old man told him, "Son, you're wasting your time... what you're doing won't matter." and the little boy picked up another one and said "it matters to that one." as he tossed it in the ocean.

May we all find one that it will matter to. May we all not continue to live in alternate realities but realize that suffering and pain like we've never experienced is happening so very close. And in the end may we say, "to God be the glory." God help them! God help us.