Sharing Already!

Tonight at dinner, Rachel began sharing her food for the first time with her best friend, Tyke. This was about the third cracker she gave him before we went to get the camera. I have a feeling that Tyke will be outside for future meals. ;) Sorry boy!

Over the hills and through the woods...

This past weekend we went to see Wes' parents. We celebrated Pop's birthday. Pop's has been wanting a light up palm tree. The whole family has looked everywhere, for several years, for one of these but we haven't been able to find one. Well, Wes found one on Craig's List last week! (Talk about perfect timing.) It had never been open! The box had a price of $50.oo but Wes got it for $20.oo. Pop's L-O-V-E-D it! The hardest part will be deciding where to put it. They had talked about putting it on the dock at the lake or on their screened in porch at home. Maybe they need two. One for the porch and one for the dock. :)

While we where visiting, Wes went out on Saturday to play golf and eat pizza with some guys from back home. One of the guys is getting married next weekend and they wanted to have one last night out. We'll go back to Apex this weekend for the wedding.

Nana spoiled Rachel good this weekend! She went shopping and bought Rachel some really nice outfits. Several sweaters and dresses! We are so excited and proud of her new clothes. I believe Wes' niece, Alyssa, helped pick out some of the things. The brown sweater with the pink poka-dots is to cute Alyssa! Thank you!

Pop's opening his birthday gift.

Pop's putting together the palm tree. You can see Rachel is now getting into everything.

Pop's didn't waste anytime plugging it in. It is really cool. I think it will look great on the dock or porch.

Sprouts by Heather Knowles

Our friend from church, Heather, has started a photography business. I'm so glad she has because she has taken some of the best pictures I've ever seen. She has a real talent. I was so excited to have her come over last night and take some pictures of Rachel. Heather was so patient with Rachel even when she wasn't cooperating (which was often). If you are in the area and are looking for a great photographer check her out at Sprouts by Heather. You can also see some pictures of Rachel there. Thanks Heather for taking so much time with us and creating some great family moments!

Charleston, SC

As some of you know I have been working at our church 2 days a week. I work with the week day school program with children 1-2 years old. This is great because it has been the source of our "fun" money. I have been saving for a while for a trip to Charleston for Wes and I. I was able to pay for the entire trip in cash. This included hotel room, food, parking, touring, and shopping!! This was a fun project for me...saving money. :) I felt like a kid again saving up to buy a huge toy (overhead projector-for those who know my childhood). Every two weeks I would cash my checks and come home and count all my money to see how much I had.
The weekend of our trip finally came and we packed up the car with two small bags (quite a change from when we take Rachel) and headed to Charleston, SC. Yes, did I mention we didn't take Rachel! First time ever!!! My mom watched Rachel and did an excellent job! Thanks a million mom!
In Charleston, we ate a lot of great food, went shopping, and toured a few things in the city. Of course we missed Rachel terribly but we both said, "we would not have been able to do half of what we did if Rachel was with us." It was a great weekend away and I loved every minute of it! But, I was glad to come home and see my baby.
We're now trying to decide what I'll be saving for next. I know between now and Christmas most, if not all, of my money will go to Christmas gifts. Wes thinks I should save to buy him a boat. My response was, "do you know how long I would have to work to buy you a boat?!?" I'm thinking maybe spring vacation...who knows.

Wes loves anything on water! We went to tour the battle ship. It was windy, rainy, and cold. Needless to say we could not have done this with Rachel.

You can't see it but to the left there are two other ships and one submarine. So we got to see plenty! :)

On the ships they have these startling manikins everywhere so that you could get a feel for what people would be doing in that part of the ship. I say they were startling because you would turn a corner and someone would be standing there, then you would realize it wasn't real. This was the post office. Look at the picture below.

Yep! He's a Parsons. We had an instant bond! It's nice to know where your kin-folk are working!

We ended our trip with a carriage ride around Charleston to see and hear the history of the town. Picture this, our tour guide look like the Granny from the Beverly Hill Billies, she was from New York, and wearing a Confederate soldiers hat. Interesting! She did a great job and knew her stuff.

Day trip to the Monuntains

We drove up to the mountains this weekend to see family and the beauty of the mountains in the fall. The leaves were changing some, there was still a good bit of green. In a few weeks they will be bursting with fall colors. There is nothing like going to the mountains in the fall. We took over 100 pictures while there, in fact our battery died and we couldn't take any more. :( Here are just 5 of those pictures we wanted to share with you.

The Family

Wes put our camera on top of the car, set the timer and ran to get by my side.

Not a bad picture...right?

Rachel enjoyed standing against this old wooden fence.

I know he would deny it but, I almost lost my husband on this shot. He was on the other side of the fence. (side note: they have these fences so that people won't go on the dangerous side.) He was moving over to get a picture of Rachel and had a balance check right on the side of a rock that lead to nowhere. It really got my heart pumping.

Watch out Baby Gap models!!

Rachel had been confined for a long time between the carseat and stroller. So we bought a blanket and stretched our legs on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Wes took Rachel to this tree to let her play around. Of course this was a photo opt. This is when the battery died in the camera.
After the parkway we went and saw Wes' uncle and cousin. Rachel fell in love with their lab puppy. She screamed, laughed, and chased that puppy all over. The puppy, Shelby, wasn't to sure about this. In fact I think she was a little scared of Rachel. Someone needs to tell that puppy we'll be back at Thanksgiving. Yikes! Poor Shelby. We went to eat dinner and then hit the road and headed for home. I did make Wes fill up our gas tank on the way home, Half way home we found gas for $3.56 a gallon....what a deal! My how times have changed.

Say, "Cheese!"

Rachel had her first school pictures taken at Weekday school. I thought they turned out pretty good. I especially love the black and white one, I can see Rachel's personality so clearly in it. The other one is OK, I guess she was looking into the sun and was squinting some. The outfit that she's wearing was bought in Charleston, SC by her Nana. She has always looked so cute in it. Thanks Nana. And don't worry family, you'll get copies of the pictures. :)

Rachel

Weekday School 2008-2009

First Boat Ride

We drove up to the lake Saturday to see Nana and Pops. While we were there family friends, Ken and Kay, offered to take us on a boat ride. This was Rachel's first boat trip. They had an infant life jacket for Rachel which was a great comfort. We also headed out around 4:00 so we didn't have to worry about the sun to much. We had a great ride and I think Rachel enjoyed it. I know in time she will be begging us to get out on the water.

Rachel got suited up in her life jacket. She wasn't to sure about this. Like all life jackets it was a little bulky. Rachel had trouble reaching her thumb to her mouth. She tried and tried to suck it but she could get around her life jacket. It was funny and sad to watch. :)

Rachel and I letting our hair blow in the wind. Ahhhh, carefree!

Family photo. Love the tongue Rachel!

Wes, Nana, and Rachel cruising on the lake.

Mr. Ken driving the boat.

Thanks Mr. Ken and Mrs. Kay for Rachel's first boat ride. What an adventure she had.