Max is F-O-U-R!

Will it always feel simultaneously like MP2 was just born and that he's always been a part of our lives?  I look at this little dude and cannot believe he is four years old.  He is so funny, wild, smart, handsome, sweet, and imaginative.  

Hopefully, MP2 had as much fun celebrating his birthday as we had planning and executing it!  The day began with a ride with MP out to the suburban train station and a ride into downtown on the Music City Star.

 Next, NC and I met up with MPs at the Arcade downtown for a birthday donut and presents!

 Riding home with his new trucks, ready to play!

The afternoon found MPs taking the train back out to the 'burbs to get the car. 

Then home for dinner and, at MP2's request, raspberry cake.

It was a great day celebrating our favorite little dude!

Summer Fun!

Well, we have been busy over this summer.  I can't believe how quickly the time flies by.  Recently, we celebrated one special fourth birthday, and I cannot believe in just over two short weeks we will be celebrating a special first birthday!!  Whew, a whirlwind, I tell you.

So, what have we been up to over the past six or so weeks, you wonder?  First up, is something we thought would be a hit, but turned out to be a little more of a dud...we took MP2 down to the honky tonks on lower broadway.  Don't worry - it was a harmless Saturday afternoon.  Unfortunately, due to the fact that he only likes bro-country and we like actual country, we did not find the same honky tonks to be appealing.  He liked the weird dude singing current country singles at the giant three story bar that looks like it should be in Hendersonville, and we like Roberts.  Regardless, it wasn't a complete bust...we did have fun walking around and I think it was nice to expose him to some real country tunes!!

Now, for this one...man, does she ever love to eat.  I think you could put an old shoe on her tray and she would nosh on the sole all day long.  Seems like she should be growing with all that food, but she's still a teensy peanut.  I almost can't wait to hear how much she weighs at her one year appointment just so I can spend some time wondering how one can literally eat butter, yet not rapidly gain weight.  Goodness knows, she didn't get that from me :)

Our other activities have included the splash park (more splashing for MP2 than NC)

Mall indoor playground

Getting up to speed on her cooking skills

Getting around (on her 10month birthday no less)

Bath time

Summer parties

Being cute

Yoga at the farmers market with a friend

Grocery shopping

 Whew, all this excitement will wear a girl out!

More indoor playgrounds to escape the oppressive heat!

Looking cute at 11 months old

Pool time

Fun with dad

Can you tell there was a three or more day wait between when I first started this post and finishing it up?!?!  Really though, the last three months with NC have been so wonderful.  She has turned into such a happy baby.  As with each of us, she still has some quirks and can change moods in a hurry and is pretty skeptical of folks other than family, but she has done such a 180.

Also, our country music loving, wild and crazy little MP2 is not so little.  I can't believe what an opinionated, negotiating, talkative and smart boy he is becoming.  I love having fun with him, he brings so much joy to our lives.

Look forward to a post about my baby turning four and a visit from Ama + Grandpa for Max's birthday party.  Need to get those done in advance of my teensy peanut turning one in TWO WEEKS...what just happened!!??

Chatty Fun

We love any and every opportunity to hop on down to Chattanooga.  It's such a fun fun city.  We adore the downtown, and riverfront areas on both sides of the Tennessee River are so well and thoughtfully developed.  Additionally, it's home to Uncle Gary!  Matt's cousin, Jessica, and her husband, Aaron, were up from Florida to see Gary for Memorial Day, and they have often made the trip to Nashville to visit us.  This time we wanted to head their direction for a day visit.  We came down for lunch and had a lovely meal on the water.  Then we walked and MP2 scooted across the pedestrian bridge to the North side of the river and Coolidge Park.

NC was in lovely spirits and patient Jessica took the time to win her over!

 MP2 loved splashing in the fountain park.

We capped off the adventure with a carousel ride and some ice cream.  It was such a great visit, and we are so glad we get to do these trips back and forth a few times each year.  

2014 Beach Trip

We are so lucky that Nana + Papa love the beach as much as we do.  We love our annual trips to 30A with them, and we feel like it's going to be a wonderful family memory for MP2 + NC as the years go on.

Despite a rocky start that included car sickness and more stops along the way than we'd ever care to admit, we have agreed that this was the best beach trip yet!  The house was a perfect layout for our group, and MP2 is old enough that he's just loving all that the beach and pool have to offer.  NC slept great and, since she wasn't yet crawling, was pretty agreeable during the sandy outings.  Not to mention, by a stroke of fate, MP2's best bud was in town for the same weekend...celebrating his big #4 birthday, AND staying not half a mile down the road!  So we got to have a pool date, as well as participate in W's birthday festivities!

 Arrived, and not too worse for the wear!

 Someone can't wait to get to the sand and the water!

 Our group

 Naps wherever you can get one!

 Friends!

 Happy birthday to W!

 Ice Cream....best beach treat

 None for NC though :)

 Beach bums.

Nana + Papa, thank you so much for a wonderful vacation.  We had a fantastic time!