I wonder how many of my posts are entitled 'Fun Weekend'?

... but it was another fun one for sure!!

First of all, the drive home from MD on Monday was fairly uneventful, so that was good. I worked Tues, Wed, and Thurs to make up for the Monday off. On Thursday night, I met Andrea (Savannah's mom and my sister-in-law), Amy (Stella Dot's mom), and Janet (Maddie's mom) for a Mom's Night Out at the Melting Pot. That was so much fun. It's so important to spend time with other mothers to know you aren't alone!! I took my camera but forgot to get a picture! Darn.

Last week, I had an email from my friend Nicole from San Diego saying she was coming into town for a wedding and had some free time on Friday morning! I knew she was coming sometime in October but wasn't sure she'd have time to play and also had forgotten which weekend it was. So it was a nice surprise. Since she only had a few hours, we decided to meet at Marbles Museum in downtown Raleigh. I'd been wanting to try it out for a while now and it was a great opportunity! They had some great interactive exhibits perfect for little hands and Noah had the best time trying everything. Then we met Waylon for lunch and Nicole was on her way. It was a quick visit with her but was so nice to see her twice in just a few months (she was here back in August for the bachelorette party and stayed with us a couple of nights). Here are a few shots from the museum. We will definitely be going back there soon!




Friday afternoon was a day of cleaning and laundry and catch-up around the house. We hadn't been home in two weekends, so it was so nice to get some things taken care of. On Friday night, we decided to go out to dinner and called Amy to see if they wanted to meet us. They did and we had a great time! Noah just thought it was the funniest thing that Stella Dot was at the table with him and even gave her a total 'I Love You' look.... it was not reciprocated! :-) Here is a shot of what Noah wanted to look at while we were waiting for them outside the restaurant.... SURPRISE - something with wheels! :-)


On Saturday morning, we met a big crew out at the Farmer's Market for breakfast. Some of Uncle Sean's family came into town to meet Savannah for the first time - his mom, sister, and two nieces. It was so nice to meet all of them! Nana and Grandad were there, too of course!




While we were at breakfast, we had a huge surprise! Sidney Lowe and Monte Towe - the NC State basketball coach and assistant coach - showed up with some other assistant coaches and a student who has recently committed to playing for State. They sat at the table next to us, so Waylon's mom took the plunge and went to say hello. She introduced him to Waylon and Sidney thought it was so cool that Waylon had a Redskin's sweatshirt on. He even brought another guy (Pete Strickland) back to tell him that Waylon was a State fan AND a Redskins fan! That was pretty cool.

Noah loved the tractor that was out front of the restaurant. We could barely pry him off when it was time to go...



We had planned to go to a pumpkin patch after breakfast but it was raining, so we decided to just check out the Farmer's Market instead. Noah had the best time walking around there. He just laughed and laughed when we first walked in. He picked out a pumpkin and we got some fresh veggies and fruit, too.



After we got home, during nap time, I met my friend Anise for a pedicure... what a treat! Saturday evening, it was back out again to Andrea and Sean's house for a great dinner. We decided to let Noah stay up a little late so we didn't leave until 8:30. We just put him in his PJs and let him fall asleep on the way home. It was nice to be out past 7:00 with him!! :-)




Today was a great day. I got up with Noah yesterday and let Waylon sleep in a little, so he let me sleep in today. I definitely got the better deal on that one! I slept until 8:45 and then Waylon took Noah and went to the grocery store while I just lazed on the couch. At first it was hard to relax... I felt guilty doing absolutely nothing but it was sooo nice! I hadn't done that in forever.

This afternoon, we took Noah and went running at Lake Johnson! I don't think I've mentioned on here that Andrea has talked me into running a 5K in December. I wasn't quite sure if I'd be able to do it but I'm starting to feel some confidence!! :-) Most of you know that I am not a runner.... at all.... but Andrea found us a training program and I have now worked my way up to 1.75 miles! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I should be able to run 3 by Dec. 6th.

The rest of the day today, we just relaxed and played in and around the house. Travelling is so much fun but it sure is nice to be home, too!

Wow

I can't believe I already have more things to post but I do! Yesterday and today, Noah brought a friend home from school! When I picked up Noah from daycare, we brought Stella Dot home, too. Her dad, Grant, has been out of town, so we were helping Amy out a little. It worked out really well... Stella Dot was okay leaving with me the first day and today, when she saw me, she even seemed happy to go with me! They had a great time playing at our house for about an hour until Amy came to pick her up.



We also got to bring home Noah's pumpkin that he decorated at school last week. Check it out!


And lastly, here is a video of Noah's new dance. Maybe he'll be a tapdancer! :-)

Some more pictures from the weekend

These are a few from my mom's camera that I wanted to post...

Too many vistors, too little time!

We had a huge weekend in MD... the main purpose of the trip was for Waylon and two of his friends to go to a Redskins game on Sunday but it just so happened that we had lots of other events to attend and people to see... brace yourselves, this is a huge blog! :-)

Of course, I had the camera most of the weekend, so I don't have many pictures of Waylon's adventures! :-)

This first picture is at home before we left... about a week ago, Noah became totally into all things with wheels, so Waylon decided to pull out the Hotwheels and Matchbox cars that he played with when he was little. Noah loves them...



Since I'm now off on Thursdays and Fridays, I decided to head on up to MD on Thursday morning and the guysrode up together on Friday after work. Here is just a cute shot I took right before we left. You will begin to notice this wheels theme in all of his toys!! :-)


This one is in the McDonald's playplace where we stopped for lunch on the way up.

My mom had already had plans to meet her friend Kira and her son Austin who is just a few months older than Noah on Thursday afternoon, so it worked out perfectly that we were there and could have a playdate! Here is the two of them playing piano.

And here is the best story of the weekend... we got to town while my dad was still at work. When we heard him come in the door, Noah was sitting on the couch. I turned to Noah and said, 'Who's here?!' and he looked excited and said, 'Dada!!' I told him it wasn't Dada, so he got off the couch and looked around the corner and when he saw my dad, he screamed 'Papa! Papa! Papa!' while running into his arms!! It definitely brought a tear to my eye and my dad wanted to walk back out and come in and do it all over again. This is a picture right after they finished hugging...

Thursday night, we had a nice dinner at home and my friend Julie came over to join us. Julie has always been like my sister and my parents' 3rd daughter but recently, things are so busy when I come home that I don't get to spend a whole lot of time with her. This weekend, we got to hang out a lot and that was really special for me.

On Friday morning, my mom and I went shopping and after Noah's nap, we were walking around the neighborhood with his new shopping cart that my parents got him when we saw one of my old high school friends, Anna, drive by on her way home from picking up the kids from daycare. She stopped and hopped out to say hello. They all came inside for a few minutes, so that was fun to catch up! Here is Noah with Anna's kids Sophie and Tysen.


Friday night, we went out to dinner and watched a movie (The Other Boelyn Girl - I highly recommend the book and not the movie) while waiting for the guys to show up. They got into town about 10:30 and we all visited for a little bit before hitting the sack.

My dad and Noah had a new game this weekend... playing tent in one of the most unlikely places.

Checking out something on the computer with Daddy.

On Saturday morning, my sister came over to hang out with us and she, my mom and I took Noah to a pumpkin patch while the guys went into Baltimore to hit a lunch place featured on the Food Network - pit beef was not for us girls. :-)

Walking with Aunt Ditter

Feeding the goats with Grammy

While we were at the pumpkin patch, we just happened to run into another one of my high school friends and his family. Brian has recently moved back to the area - he just got out of the marines after being on four tours to Iraq!! Here are his kids, Caleb and Addison with Noah in the petting farm area.

A picnic lunch before heading home for a nap!

After we got back from the pumpkin patch, it was off to the next event... a baby shower for yet another high school (and middle and elementary school) friend, Katie. Her baby is due in December and it was so great to be able to be at the shower.

Julie, Katie and me

Playing 'tent' yet again... this time Daddy was sucked in.

On Saturday night, my parents babysat while Waylon, Cory, CW and I went into Baltimore. I didn't get any pictures but we had a great time! My friend Ali and her boyfriend Andrew picked a great restaurant and a fun bar in Fell's Point. Our friend Jessica met us out too... so fun!

Today was another busy day. The guys were out at the game most of the day. The game didn't start until 4:15 but they went out early to tailgate. They grilled out sausages and peppers and had a great time. It was the perfect football weather and the outcome was great, too! Couldn't ask for more!

While the guys were doing the football thing, Julie came up with a fabulous idea for us girls (and Noah)! :-) She works at Imagination Stage and they have a show right now that is geared towards little kids. We went to the 12:30 show which I was a little concerned about since that's smack dab in the middle of nap time but it worked out really well. Noah loved it and sat enthralled for about 45 minutes. After that amount of time, he started to get a little antsy but still was great. I never had to take him into the 'crying room' which I thought was great! They have a soundproof box where you can take your kids if they get restless. They can run around in there while the parents can still watch the show.

Julie and Leah with Noah

Noah obviously fell asleep on the way home and ended up sleeping for 3 hours (he did the same yesterday! - I think we've worn him out with all this, what do you think?)

After we got home from the show, Julie and I went over to our friend Keri's parents house to celebrate her daughter Lydia's 2nd birthday. Keri is a friend from elementary/middle/high school as well but now lives in Raleigh so it was pretty ironic that we were both home this weekend. Oh, and yes, Keri is the one preggers with triplets and yes, she is 23 weeks in this picture.... crazy, huh?!

Miss Lydia enjoying all of her birthday presents!

When we got home, we had a nice relaxing dinner - homemade soup and grilled cheese with my parents, Julie and her mom who wanted to come see Noah.

Julie surprised us with a present that she bought at Imagination Stage today... she's sneaky, I didn't even see her buy it! It's a basketball goal for the tub... he already used it tonight and loves it!

When Bev (Julie's mom) came over, she was bearing gifts, too! Crazy girls. She got Noah a Curious George book and stuffed animal. Noah loves the stuffed George and even went to bed with snuggling with him tonight.
This is Noah just before bath time tonight - with Curious George. He's exhausted!
The guys got home around 8:30 or so and worked on that homemade soup. They all seemed pretty happy with their day, too! Tonight, we've been just relaxing (although I swear I've been working on this blog for a few hours!). It's time to go to bed now. We're heading home tomorrow morning and looking forward to a few weekends at home coming up!

Here's one last cute shot of Noah. Have a great week everyone!

Weekend at the beach (and other fun things)!

We've had another fabulous week here! Pictures, pictures pictures ...

Last Sunday afternoon, we went over to Maddie's house to play with her and Stella Dot... so fun!


Wearing Daddy's shirt after he got home from work! :-)



On Thursday, I babysat for Savannah. I was really nervous about handling a two month old and Noah at the same time but it went great... in fact, I didn't even really get to enjoy them at the same time much. Andrea dropped off Savannah at 1:30 and Noah was napping. Andrea called just as Noah was waking up at 2:45 to say she was on her way back! I had the two of them together for all of about 15 minutes but did manage to get Noah eating his snack and give Savannah her bottle at the same time! :-) Here are some shots from that afternoon.



Friday morning, we went to Crowder Park - Noah loves checking out the turtles there. I was afraid he was going to get his head stuck after this picture but he actually got it out himself! :-)

Eating a sandwich like a big boy!

On Friday afternoon, we packed up and headed to Myrtle Beach for the weekend with Nana, Grandad, Andrea, Sean and Savannah. While we were there, we visited Phyllis and Clarence. It was so fun to have a long weekend with Waylon's family. Because they live in town, we don't get overnight trips with them very often so it was a nice treat. We've vowed to do it more! Unfortunately, I forgot my camera charger, but Waylon's parents let me snap lots of photos with their camera. Here are some of those (and a few I got before my camera died).

Nana and Grandad with their grandkids!

Phyllis, Clarence, and Andrea

Three generations of Parham men!

Andrea, Sean, and Savannah

Phyllis and Savannah

The weather wasn't great but we managed to check out the beach...

In the next episode... a trip to MD this coming weekend! :-)