Cousins!

Raleigh recently had a visit from two of her cousins. Raleigh was born in December 2007, Nathaniel (Andrew's son) was born in January 2008, and Bryson (Amy's son) was born in March 2009. Raleigh and Nathaniel were able to play together at Christmas, but since then their personalities have started to develop even more. It was a lot of fun to watch them as they "fought" over toys and then would hug each other. Raleigh showed a lot of jealousy with her toys so sharing is something we will be working on! Bryson is not quite old enough to get in on the action yet, but I'm sure it won't be long! Poor Raleigh and Nathaniel will have to get use to it, but they'll always be "measured" to each other. Andrew is three months older than I am and the two of us would always have to get "measured" each year to see who was taller. We're just passing the tradition along to them since they're one month apart. It's always so nice to be able to have fun with family!

Nathaniel riding the horse!

"Fighting" over the dog and baby! :)

Going shopping!

Awww...

So sweet!

The three cousins...Nathaniel, Raleigh, and Bryson

Beach Pictures!!

We finally have our beach pictures back. They are great!! It's going to be very difficult to choose which ones we want. Enjoy!

Pigtails!!

I decided to play with Raleigh's hair to see if it was possible to make some pigtails. It was!!! Raleigh was a trooper and sat patiently in her chair as I put her hair up. She loved looking at herself in the mirror afterwards and squealing "tails!" Although it was cute, I prefer it down because all her beautiful curls were gone when it was pulled up. Jason said she looked too grown up. I guess for now we'll keep it down, but it's always fun to play!

CHEEEEESE!! She loved them!

Go Falcons!!

The Atlanta Falcons held a scrimmage game at Brookwood High School with the offense against the defense. We decided last minute to head over to watch them play. We got there late and there were so many people that we ended up sitting on the hill to watch. Although we couldn't see much it was still so much fun and something different to do on a Friday night. We enjoyed getting to watch our friend Ben Hartsock play as well. Raleigh had no idea what she was clapping for, but anytime she heard the crowd clap or get excited she would do the same. We also taught her how to say "Go Falcons" so that she can say it any time we see the Atlanta Falcons or the Dacula Falcons play. After the game the players signed autographs and they had fireworks. We enjoyed the fireworks since we didn't see any on the Fourth of July this year. We had a wonderful time and Raleigh loves her foam finger and pom-pom!

Daddy and Raleigh

Go Falcons!

She loved it!!

Mommy and Raleigh

The guy next to us found this pom-pom for her!

Raleigh and Daddy watching the fireworks

Players signing autographs after the game

Monkey Joe's

Raleigh's friend Kensley is back in town! We took an afternoon to go visit Monkey Joe's. Kensley had been before, but this was Raleigh's first time. I wasn't sure how she would do, but I quickly found out. Raleigh is not very adventurous. I put her in one of the toddler bouncy houses. She stood there as Kensley went to playing. Finally after I walked around to the other side she took a few steps, bounced a tiny bit, walked to the other side and then she was done...the crying began! I thought she might enjoy the big slide so I took her up there. I think she enjoyed it, but then once again started crying when we were finished. Come to find out one of the bouncy houses has a huge monkey at the entrance and Raleigh was terrified of it! She would look at it, cry, and hold on to me. She even said "I scared!" Well, the people at Monkey Joe's are wonderful and gave us a rain check so we can try it out another day since Raleigh was so upset. While we waited for Kensley, Raleigh played in the little toddler play area (it has walls around it so the monkey was out of sight!). Hopefully we can help Raleigh overcome her fear of large blow up monkeys!

Climbing up...Raleigh still crying!

Coming down...Raleigh enjoyed this part!

Raleigh and Kensley playing

Raleigh checking the food in the oven

Raleigh was "cooking" and Kensley was finding the "food"

The scary monkey

CHEEEEEESE!!

Raleigh and Kensley...great friends!!

"Gasses!"

When we're in the car, Raleigh often asks for her "gasses" (aka-sunglasses). Well, we gave them to her one day and she puts them on for a short time. After a few minutes I look back at her and she has them on her head! Not sure where she picked this up because I rarely wear my sunglasses on my head. I guess this just proves that she has a mind of her own!

I love you!

The most precious words ever...."I wuv ooh!!" Raleigh has started telling us "I love you" when we leave her, others leave, or when we say it to her throughout the day. I could listen to her say it a million times and it would never get old. I love her to pieces!