Great Times with Grayson

My niece Grayson, Nana, Grandaddy, and Scott's sister, Christy came to Myrtle for a visit over the weekend. Grayson is 3 months older than Eli, and let's just say that we had 2 partner's in crime over the last few days. What one did, the other did, or what one had, the other had to have. Their favorite hang out place was on top of the changing table in Caroline's nursery. If there was ever a moment of silence and we didn't see the toddlers around, we knew right where they were. Grayson likes her paci's-- all 5 of them. Eli likes his blankets-- or bia bia's as he calls them. Yesterday, Eli was trying to figure out how to hold 3 bia bia's and 5 paci's with one hand. He never quite mastered it-- thank goodness. Everyone thinks that Eli and Grayson are twins b/c they play so well together and have so many similarities. Grayson couldn't figure out where baby "Carolina" as she calls her was. We told her she was in Aunt Am's tummy. She kept trying to press my belly button to see if she might pop out. We had a ton of laughs over the last few days and miss them already.
Pre-arrival of the fam

Grayson making Eli laugh...
Grayson doing her "monkey smile"
Eli just being a monkey
Eli thinking that wrestling Grayson is much more fun than wrestling daddy... especially on dirty clothes.
Aunt Christy to the rescue!!

"washing up"

Sharing toddler secrets. Just being loving---- and yes, we'll put a stop to this....

The shopping carts at the mall were much more fun to Eli and Grayson than getting pictures made with Santa-- or the "man who had a mean smile" according to Grayson.

Wanted: Giraffe on the Loose in Myrtle Beach

Get out of my way guys, I heard somebody had some CANDY.......................

Whew, I made it to CCU, now where did they say that candy was????

Hey Coach Ellis! Um, forget the tricks, I am just interested in the treats.

Hey guys----- I'm over here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's perfect, now, just keep it coming..... Is all this picture taking really necessary-- can I at least have my M&Ms???
On to my new candy mission: the Ransdell's house.....
Hello? Brooke, Patrick, Walker and Ribbie??? I'm here......

Hey Mrs. Brooke, yeah, trick or treat.. now give me some CANDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you mind if I eat while we take pictures??

I am getting kind of tired, yes, Daddy you can hold me...

Yes, I'm pretty cute....

The day before with all my church pals at trunk or treat...
Whoa!!!!!! Look, it's awesome, a Capri sun---- my favorite treat so far!! (seriously)
Now that this Halloween ruckus is over, I'm going to go in this corner and check out my stash....
Happy Halloween 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hey, Mom, when did you say again that Santa would be here????

Midnight Madness

Well, not exactly midnight madness, but 11:30pm madness. Eli knew that his Daddy was painting Caroline's room, and he could not handle it. He HAD to participate in all the fun. So, when my 3 hour attempt to get Eli in bed had miserably failed, we decided to give Eli a paintbrush and let him go to work. Needless to say, we were all tired this morning, but watching my son so excited about "helping out" was priceless. And, to appease several of my friends and family who have requested a preggo picture, here is ONE. When Eli saw Scott with the camera, he just assumed that he was to be in the picture. My son is defiintely not camera shy. I'm 28 weeks and Baby Caroline seems to be happy and healthy! Miss you all, and halloween pics will soon follow tomorrow.....

Miss you all!!!!!!!

Oh Mercer, Mercer Me

This past weekend Eli got an on-campus visit to Mercer in Macon, Ga. Scott had a to take a recruiting trip there, and at the last minute Eli and I decided to join him and meet Aunt Emmy. (she drove from Auburn to meet us) Eli went absolutely crazy when he saw "E-E" and did not go to sleep until around 11:30 Friday night because he was so excited. My sister does not have kids yet, so she thinks it is awesome to be able to spoil Eli and give him whatever he wants. Saturday he was treated to several snacks including an ice cream Popsicle, DQ ice cream, pizza, a jelly biscuit, etc.. etc. Needless to say, he didn't really nap that day, and it took forever to get him to sleep Saturday night. My dear sweet sister, pay back will be precious in a few years. I can't wait for your kids to come visit their Mimi!!!!!!!! Below are a few pics from campus with EE. Eli waving to the bus... Intrigued by a baseball game....
Can I play, PLEASE????

Meeps, Peeps, Blocks and Puzzles

Meeps and Peeps came for a visit this weekend (my mom and dad). I was so glad to see them although it was WAYYYY too short of a visit. Mom and I spent Saturday shopping for Caroline's nursery and Eli's big boy room. Peeps and Eli got in some good bonding time. When Mom and I came home from our shopping adventure, Eli and Peeps were outside playing. Eli had a huge mud stain on his nice little Auburn smocked jon-jon from where he had been building a fort in a mud puddle, and he also had on his Teva's that were his baby shoes and about 2 inches smaller than his foot. Isn't it always fun to see what creative things your child will be doing and/or wearing when men babysit?

Rise and shine Peeps-- don't you know that at 7:15am it is time to play blocks? By the way, nice hair!!!!Eli concentrating on his puzzle....(pre-mud outfit)

Eli is all about some Meeps.... the Marsh Walk, Murrells Inlet

Fall Festivities

Fall is in the air. It's my favorite time of year. I usually get this rush of adrenaline and am reminded of new beginnings. I think of my years of starting back to school and the anticipation and excitement it brought, and sometimes I miss it. I got a little homesick for the first time since our move a few weeks ago when Scott and I were watching the Auburn game. We did not go to many games when we lived in Birmingham due to Scott's b'ball schedule, but I guess I always knew that it was an option if I decided I wanted to hop in the car and meet my fam for tailgating. Now living 8 hours away with a toddler and a bulging belly, it's not so much an option. Another reminder of not taking things for granted I guess-- so instead we hopped in the car and drove 3 miles to the beach. A pretty good trade-off I suppose :o). This past week NANA came for a visit, and I was thrilled to have her for the week. Eli stayed glued to her hip, and I actually got to relax and get caught up with work and household chores. I have been living by the philosophy "Chores can wait, children can't" for the last few weeks, but enough was enough and I had no excuse with Nana (Scott's mom) here to help watch Eli. If you plan on visiting us soon, please come now before I revert back to my old philosophy again..... :o)
Excuse me mom and dad... I need to take a break and smell the flowers.....

Wow--- the light is hot!!
In true toddler form......
Shooting the breeze with Nana.....
Eli, that's what happens when you try to sit in your clothes drawer....
Go CCU!!!!!!!!!!!

The pumpkin patch
Eli when asked how many pumpkins there were in the pile...... Eli: "WHOAAAA... BIGGGG Pupkim......."