Welcome to the SOGGY SOGGY SOUTH!

Ya know, I lived in Georgia and North Carolina a long time.  Like since I was 4 years old until I was 40.  A LONG time.  I never, ever remember seeing a summer like this one.  Since the minivan passed thru Alabama almost 2 weeks ago I swear that it has rained at least one time every day.  EVERY STINKIN' DAY!! 

Today was the topper.  After it rained off and on several times I thought I'd take the girls out for a little walk in the community.  So we get halfway down the giant hill just outside our door.  That's when I hear the rain coming - I hear it!!  So I grab Kate's hand, turn the stroller around and we RUN back up the hill as fast as we can go.  Nope, didn't make it.  We were all soaked by the time we made it the short distance back to the deck of our condo.  As we stand there laughing and watching it pour (BUCKETS!) Kate notices there is now a river flowing down the street.  It was a "good mom/bad mom" moment and I caved.  Kate and I played in the river with our shoes on.  Once they were soaked we went back for more - barefoot!  I hope this is a memory Kate remembers when she is older.  I certainly will!

Yesterday, since it had rained for 3 days and we needed out of the condo, we headed to the Boone Mall for some back to school shopping.  They have a Belk and I had a gift card so Kate scored some cute new dresses.  Yay for actually having clothes that every other kid won't be wearing because they aren't from Target!  Ha!  Below are some not great pics of the cute dresses.  The denim dress has been selected for the 1st day of school!

 

Other than shopping and playing in the rain we have gotten in some playtime at the super soggy parks in the area.  Here are some cute pictures I've taken of the girls.

Note the rain boots!

Killing time indoors during the rain!

Taken on a rare hour of sunshine in Boone!


 

Life is a Highway...

So it has been a busy few weeks!  After a long week of a 12 road trip to Atlanta and a 5 hour road trip to Boone we are finally settled once again. 

Going back...  Someone turned ONE!  Wow, I still can't believe our sweet little baby is already a year old!  We had a birthday party for her at our pool with our Grins and Giggles (mom's group) friends.  We ordered pizza and I brought cupcakes.  And everyone swam because it was hot!  It was a simple party but everyone had a great time - especially the birthday girl!  The chocolate cupcake was a BIG HIT!

After a little more celebrating Glenda arrived!  She spent several days in Texas with us before we made the big departure with one very full minivan.  All in all the road trip went well.  I spent much of the trip in the backseat trying to keep the peace.  One was crying or screaming while the other was making constant demands for snacks or games to play.  Whew, already dreading the trip home!

At some point along the way Kate got ahold of my phone and learned how to take a selfee.  Currently there is a home movie of shot after shot of selfees on one giggling 4 year old!

After finally arriving in Marietta we enjoyed a much needed few hours out of the house for some adult time (yay for the next door neighbor that babysits!).  That might have been the best beer I EVER had!  We moved on to Jon's house the following day for some quality time with the cousins and Kate's beloved Aunt Joy and Uncle Jon.  We spent some time at their pool, watched movies in their media room and even managed to see Joy's parents and her brother and his family.  It was a very busy and fun couple of days.  It was so fun seeing Kate with her cousins and Aunt and Uncle.  She just loves them!

After spending the weekend with Jon, Joy and the boys (do I have to quit referring to my now collage-student-nephew Jordan as one of the "boys"???) we moved further north in the Atlanta area to see our ex-neighbors.  Ken and Kristi were our neighbors in Frisco - and some of our closest friends there.  They relocated to the Atlanta area several months ago so we took advantage of the opportunity to see them!  Kate and Emmie were big buddies in Texas and picked right up where they left off!  Even Anna Clare made a new friend!  Though she must learn to stop poking other babies in the eye...  It was so fun spending a few days visiting parks and Chick-fil-a with them.  If only our besties in Texas didn't keep moving away!  Sigh. 

After being on the road for almost a week and sleeping in 4 different locations we finally got to Boone on Wednesday.  We were all worn out and ready to settle in and stay put for a while!  So far we are staying pretty close to home and enjoying the peace and quiet - Anna Clare is catching up on her naps!

These are a couple more road trip pictures.  This one is at our favorite rest stop along I-85 North just after crossing into South Carolina.  Molly had run around this rest stop many times in her day.  It was Kate's turn!

 

 

 

And a shot of Kate at the North Carolina Welcome Rest Area.  :-)



 



 

 

The view from our back deck made the whole trip worth it!  

 

 

 

Anna Clare was checking the place out!  I think she likes it here.  Only she is probably wondering where the step are and why there are no dogs around!

 

 

Our first park visit - to Valle Crucis Neighborhood Park.  Kate enjoyed some bike riding, reuniting with her bear friends and some play time too!  Even Anna Clare got in some swing time!