Elizabeth the Hairdresser

Owen was a very good sport.  Elizabeth had him sitting still for a while so she could work on her hairdressing skills.  This went on for a while.  The picture is a little blurry but the idea translates nicely.

Atlanta Trip, Part II: The Zoo

Today, we woke up to sunnier skies and packed our car and stroller to visit the Atlanta Zoo.  There were many MANY pictures taken so, let's get to it.
First, I'd like to start by saying that the Atlanta zoo was very big and very nice.  Many great animals to watch.  Many of which are in very close proximity to the people for optimum viewing.  Such as:
The Lion.

The Panda (which was leaning right on the glass that separated us).  Elizabeth actually really enjoyed getting a close look at this big soft cuddly bear...that would probably not be very cuddly in a normal setting.

Amy enjoyed looking at the gorilla lay in the hammock with it's baby.

Owen was very excited to get up close and personal with the Komodo Dragon. 

After the exotic animals, we headed over to the petting zoo.  The kids really enjoyed petting the goats and sheep.  We did have to watch out for the animals with the red collars.  We were told that we could only touch those animals a certain way.  Otherwise, they might bite and then one of the kids might bite them back and we don't want any of that.  In any case, the petting zoo was a hit.

Owen was also enthralled with the reptile house.  Plus, in one area, he was even allowed to pet a corn snake named Maize.

Finally, the kids topped it off with a ride on a giraffe.

Thanks to Aunt Cathy and Uncle Chip for a very memorable trip to the Atlanta Zoo.

Atlanta Trip, Part I: The Aquarium

We went to Atlanta to visit Aunt Cathy and Uncle Chip for the weekend.  Owen had been anticipating the trip all week.  When the day came, Elizabeth was packed and ready with her purse and her lovie.

Once we made it to the aquarium, the kids (and all of us) stood in awe of the sheer size of the place.  There were massive aquarium windows to watch all of the action in all kinds of tanks.

Below, Owen is being dwarfed by a fish that is easily as big as he is.  

Plus, there were tunnels that the people can walk through and watch the fish swimming overhead.  It is very impressive.  

The sharks swimming overhead were very ominous.  
Owen really enjoyed watching the worlds largest fish, the whale shark.

We all had a great time at the aquarium!

Owen Playing Baseball

Owen has been going to baseball camp for the past three weeks.  We have come to the end of his brief introduction to America's past time but I would say he has been enjoying it.  He's worked on batting which he was actually fairly decent with, once he focused.

Plus, he practiced throwing and running bases.  The running bases part is the one he REALLY enjoyed!

Elizabeth also had plenty of tips to offer Owen.

After all of it, Owen got his own certificate to show his achievement.  He was very proud!

Spring Yardwork

Spring has arrived and now it's time for me to stop being lazy and get out and tend to the yard. It was a massive job so it was a very good thing that I had plenty of backup!
Owen took up his bubble mower in solidarity to help keep me motivated.  Eyes on the prize!

Later, the foreman decided I wasn't doing the job to his standards so he needed to step in and help keep me focused.

Oh, just you wait.  Soon enough, you'll be getting a 500lb mower for your birthday which will take you six hours to push around your yard and then we'll see who's laughing! 
In the meantime, Elizabeth came out to instruct me and Owen how to give our yard the woman's touch as we all spread out pinestraw.

Thanks for the help, kiddos!

Owen's Bike Riding

Today, Owen becomes a boy.  He is officially riding his bike around the neighborhood and is doing a great job.  I am completely impressed and surprised at his progress.  One second he is playing outside with Amy and the next he tells her that he wants to ride his bike.  Then he gets on and just takes off.  That's my boy!

Easter Morning 2010

Happy Easter!
The Easter bunny was very good to Owen and Elizabeth.  They both got two metric tons of candy as well as a bunch of other goodies in their baskets.  Owen scored a squishy purple alligator which he was incredibly excited about.

Elizabeth got so much stuff in her basket she didn't know what to do with it.  She was excited about all of it none the less!

Later, we tried to get the kids to pose with me to take a decent family picture for Easter and in the midst of happy meals and other random distractions for kids, this is the best (and funniest) picture we got!

Happy Eas...hey look an owl!

Easter Egg Trial Run and Egg Dying

This past weekend we went to Tunica to spend Easter with Papa and MawMaw.  The Saturday before the kids had a practice run hunting Easter eggs at the church.  Elizabeth took right to the challenge.

Owen also didn't shy away from finding plenty of eggs filled with a bunch of treats.

Plus, my boy found the highly coveted "Golden Egg" which set him up with a ton of candy!  That's my boy!

After the morning Easter egg hunt, the kids went to the Perry family farm and played around the farm.  Owen and MawMaw's granddaughter played on the tractor tires.

Finally, after Arnold was fed, everyone switched to dying Easter eggs in preparation for the Easter bunny.  Owen, Carolyn and Lawton did a great job with the eggs.