Fun Day Catching Up

Will and I went to see my friend Whitney and her little girl Emery today for some play time and catch-up time.  Whitney and I have been friends since the fourth grade!  She lives about an hour from me now and I really hate that we don't get to see each other more often.  Our lives are just really busy and her life is getting ready to be super busy because she is pregnant with TWIN GIRLS!  I am so happy for her and her sweet family.

Look at these two sweet kiddos!

Friday & Escaping the Heat!

Friday, Will and I went over to my friend Kim's house to play with her kids Henry and Letha.  Ashley and Aiden came and we swam in the pool, played in the sand, and ate watermelon.  

Today, Bryan had the WONDERFUL idea to escape the heat for the day and drive up to the mountains.  It was the best idea ever!  We had the best family fun day!!

We started the day with a picnic halfway up Grandfather mountain.  This was Will's first picnic and I have to say that I think he loved it!  We had subway sandwiches and cookies.

After lunch we stopped by the animal habitats.  The only animals we saw were the bears and a few deer.  All the other animals were hiding but Will loved the bear!  Although he did keep calling it a kitty cat!  

Next we headed all the way up to the top of the mountain and it was 69 degrees and very breezy!  It was so refreshing!  Will loved the air blowing and he threw his hands in the air and just grinned.  He was so funny!

We were going to take Will on the swinging bridge but it was really crowded so we decided we better wait.  I guess everyone had the same idea we did today.  

On the way home, we stopped in Blowing Rock and had ice cream in the park and played on the playground. 

Today was so much fun and I loved spending it with my two favorite guys!

A Visit with Mawmaw & Pawpaw

Will and I went visiting today and spent some time with Mawmaw & Pawpaw.  Mawmaw looked really good today and was in good spirits.  She always lights up when Will comes into the room!  She went to the doctor on Monday and her cancer in her lungs and her brain is growing and spreading.  They are not going to treat her and hospice is keeping her comfortable.  The good news is she is eating really, really well!  She told me this morning that she had cereal and a banana.  She likes to play with Will and I feel like it cheers her up!  

I got some really good pictures today of Will with Mawmaw and Pawpaw!

Sunday Dinner

As most of you know by now, we usually always cook a big special Sunday dinner.  It is kind of like Bryan's time to shine!  This summer though, we have been a little slack.  Honestly it has been too hot to be outside and grill or even cook a big meal.  Well tonight we redeemed ourselves and in a big way!

On the menu:

Fried Chicken on the Big Green Egg

Homemade Mac n Cheese

Biscuits

A good ol' southern dinner!

The mac n' cheese recipe came from this website.  

The ingredients:

It turned out great!

The fried chicken was pretty easy too.  We soaked it all day in buttermilk, dipped in flour, and then fried in cast iron dutch oven on the grill.  

The final product!  Amazing and crispy!

I am lucky to be married to a man who loves to cook and does it really well!

Good job Bryan!

Now I believe I smell cookies in the oven....

Fun Friday!

Ashley & Aiden came over today for some playtime.  We had McDonalds for lunch, played in the pool and the sandbox.

Also before I go, since when did changing clothes & diapers turn into Wrestlemania!!

I feel like Will and I get into a wrestling match every time he has a dirty diaper or needs to change clothes.  Now of course, I always win but still, it's not fun right now!  

Helping Mommy

What can I say...my baby loves to swiffer!!

Special Weekend!

Saturday we met our new friends Jennifer, Chad, & Carleigh for lunch.  They are a sweet couple that also adopted through our adoption agency.  They became a family of three in April and Carleigh is just absolutely precious.  It is so wonderful to get together with people who we can relate too and share a passion for adoption.  Both of our lives have been blessed through adoption and we love that they live close enough to us so that we can get together occassionally.  We also love the fact that Will & Carleigh can grow up together!  I love all of my new friends that I have made through adoption and I love that we are all part of a big adoption family!

Will meeting Carleigh for the first time!

This weekend Will received a new chair!  This leather rocking chair has been in my family for many many years.  It has always been at my grandmother's house and all of the grandkids grew up rocking in this chair.  Will is now the youngest great-grandchild and they wanted the rocker to come to our house. It is very special!

Please keep my grandmother in your prayers.  Her brain and lung cancer is spreading and she has become very weak lately.  Hospice has come in and is helping keep her comfortable.  

Finally today, Bryan got Will's four-wheeler down from the attic.  He got this for Christmas but was too little to ride it.  Now, he is just right!  Poppy is going to be so happy!

Check out the video of Will riding for the first time.

So cute!