Plenty to Be Happy About

Forget about spring! Summer is here! This weekend topped out in the 90's, and Jane got her first taste of Memphis in the summer! We could be found hanging out in the AC during the week, but we ventured out for both yard work and fun. We won't discuss yard work here because that was, well, work.

On Sunday, we all headed out for Jane's first baseball game. The Memphis Redbirds were hosting the Iowa Cubs, and we thought we'd check it out. Jane lasted about 2.5 innings and then we had to go find some cooler temperatures. Not even the allure of baseball could keep Jane happy in the heat.

What says Summer like a swimming pool? Well, nothing because swimming pools don't, for the most part, talk much, but you get the idea. From the ball park we headed over to Giles and Betsy's house for some fun in their new pool. We weren't quite sure how Jane would react to the water, but she was having a really great time. She is quite the little fish.

Cabin Fever!

Well, let's just say it's been an eventful winter. Memphis continues to grow on us, but this weekend we just needed to GET OUT! So, Mommy had a great idea and we got a cabin at Wild Bill's Outfitters in Yellville, Arkansas. It's a great little place on the Buffalo National River in the Ozark Mountains. The river is quite beautiful; however, it would appear that the most common use of the river is to canoe/tube down wearing sleeveless "stars and bars" t-shirts while drinking Jack Daniel's Country Cocktails. Looking for a more family friendly experience, we Yankees opted for hiking and enjoying the scenery.


We started out in the national river and got a chance to break in our new backpack. Jane seemed to enjoy the ride. She babbled and talked to all of the plants and waterfalls. At the end of the trail we found this great carved out area of rock that Native Americans used as a habitat several hundred years ago. There was an underground river running through it, and the mist around it made it all quite beautiful.

Jane was having such a great time babbling and laughing that she fell right to sleep. We did meet some people on the trail who said, "Well hi there Jane! Pleased to meet ya!"

On Sunday and Monday it rained, so we couldn't go on the hikes we had planned. We were hanging out and having fun at the cabin. Jane was giggling hysterically at Stanley (see first picture above) and read books with us.

But that got kind of old...so we asked our friendly ranger and he advised the Blanchard Springs Caverns. So the 3 of us traveled 1,000 feet below the surface of the Earth and walked just over a mile underground. It was an amazing trip! The rock formations were formed over millions of years. Our pictures don't even do it justice, but here is a sample:

Despite all the rain, we had an awesome weekend. Kudos to Mommy who planned the whole thing! We had such great time hanging out together. Who knew Arkansas could be so fun? Check out the rest of our pictures here.

Michigan or Bust

Jane had a weekend full of cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas, and fun with just one thing missing - her daddy! Jane and I went to Michigan to throw a baby shower for Amy, Jonnett's sister, who is due in July. After Jane was the sweetest and easiest travel companion, we arrived in Lansing last Thursday night.
Jaeden, Cole, and Jacob could hardly wait to wake up the next morning to play with Jane. The cousins had a great time together talking to Jane, playing with her and her toys, sharing their toys with her, and giving her lots of hugs and kisses (thanks to Cole!).
With a six month old present and a baby on the way, the kids (mostly Cole) had lots of questions about babies. And, they all thought it was pretty cool to feel the little one in Amy's tummy.

We were only a few hours fom Niles, so Scott's parents (Nana and Papa) came over to spend some time with baby Jane.

We called Scott and told him how much we missed him. Jane was in the middle of eating when her daddy was talking to her, and she was staring and smiling at the phone trying to figure out where he was!

Jane enjoyed playing with everyone! We can't wait until our next playdate, which is hopefully not too far away. But, this may be the last time that Jane has the spotlight!

Six months

Jane has been with us for half a year - incredible. This past month proved to be just as eventful (if not a little more) than all the rest. Seems like she is doing something new each day - grabbing my hair (with a death grip), reaching for toys with both hands, tugging her feet with amazing flexibility, laughing with her deep grovelly giggle to all of daddy's silly antics, gazing adoringly at Stanley, rolling over completely (both ways), realizing that she can sleep on her stomach (thank goodness!) and that she likes it, waking up only once during the night, sleeping from 7 pm - 7 am (mom and dad are feeling more rested these days!), eating (more like demolishing) both rice and oatmeal cereals, and to celebrate the big six month birthday, we busted out some squash and it has gradually become a big hit as well. We might get crazy and go for carrots this weekend.