Before we left for our trip, I was reading a magazine while on the elliptical machine that had a poll in it. The poll asked if it was cool to blog while you were on vacation. The majority of the respondents said "no" it was not cool to do so. I made up my mind right there that I would just have to be uncool because I wanted to share our experiences while they were happening. Half way into our first week in SC I found myself without an Internet connection and, as it happened, I did not have one for the rest of the time. We are back now and have lots to share. First I would like to thank Nana, Poppy, Bebe, and PawPaw for their wonderful hospitality. I could not ask for better grandparents for little Dallas than all of you. You love little Dallas so much and I enjoy watching you all interact and love on him (or should I say SPOIL!) We spent our first week in Columbia. We were so busy I did not have time to visit with friends like I was hoping but maybe we can do that next time. We spent one day traveling to Atlanta to visit with Great Grandmamma Jones and we spent one day traveling to Greenville to visit with Great Grandmamma Reeves. Each of their eyes lit up when seeing little Dallas and he thoroughly enjoyed playing with their wheeled walkers! We spent Saturday at Riverbanks Zoo where Uncle Whit was able to join us. It was very hot, but we had a great time. Dallas really enjoyed the seals, gorillas, and farm animals. He mooed at the cows, neighed at the horses, and baahhed at the sheep. He even helped Poppy feed a goat! Nana kept Dallas one night so Whit, Dad, and I could go see a movie. We ate dinner right before we went but when we got there I still ordered popcorn and bunch a crunch because I never get to see movies at the theater anymore and I was going for the whole experience! I was able to go out one night with Keith and Brittney to an engagement party which was alot of fun. We also stopped by Brett and Chelle's( they were our neighbors) for a brief visit and to let Dallas and their daughter, Caroline, play together. On Sunday we were off to Little River with Bebe and PawPaw. Bebe found out that Dallas really likes Nemo so she went on a mission to gather all things Nemo for him! I think it was a practice 2nd birthday or something but he had a great time getting lots of gifts. He now has Nemo pajamas, clothes, a camera, a placemat, a chair, a book, and a ride on toy. They recently finished the sunroom and that was a perfect area for Dallas to play with all of his new things! There was an early 4th of July celebration at the clubhouse and we walked over for barbecue and to check out the DJ. Little Dallas and PawPaw had a good time dancing. Daddy was able to join us on Tuesday. He was very happy to see us and we were happy to see him as well. We went out on the boat and spent time on the beach. Little Dallas really enjoyed the pool but was not so sure about the ocean. He really liked playing in the sand with the toys and buckets from Bebe. We went out on the boat the evening of the 4th to watch fireworks. What a treat to view a spectacular fireworks show from a boat under the stars! It was a really cool experience. Uncle Justin and Aunt Kellee along with our friend Keith joined us for the rest of the week. Dallas and Keith went to play golf and invited little Dallas and I along. We made it through the first 9 holes and left them (to their relief) for the last 9. Little Dallas loved the golf cart and clubs. Daddy had fun showing him what to do. We spent more time on the boat and in the pool. Everyone went fishing one day except little Dallas and I because I did not think he could make it for that long on the boat. We missed some excitement though as Keith caught a small shark and a flounder, and Uncle Justin caught a stingray! It was a long drive back home but we finally made it. Thanks to everyone for everything! We had a wonderful time!

Happy Birthday Reid!

We made it with 20 minutes to spare but I was finally able to get to the blog today to wish Reid a Happy Birthday! Hope you had a great day!

We made it!

Daddy Dallas got us to the airport and on our way yesterday. Traveling alone with a toddler is not very much fun. Just getting through security was tricky. I had to get our shoes off, get my purse and our carry on in the bins, take out our zip lock baggies, and then break down the stroller for it to go through security as well. All of this was taking place with one hand because I was holding Dallas and my boarding pass in the other! I am not complaining about the new security measures because I would prefer that they are in place but it was quite challenging this time. After walking through the machine, we then had to get everything back in order, shoes on and all. Since you can't take liquids through, I emptied Dallas' juice and milk before we went through security and then had to buy more from one of the airport shops. It was not long before we boarded and fortunately for us, the girl that sat next to us has a two year old boy herself. He was not with her but she was very sweet and did not get mad when Dallas would raise and lower the armrest, try to push the call button for the flight attendant, try to push the button for the light, not want to watch his movie, raise and lower the shade on the window, and she even apologized to the man in front of us when Dallas poked him on his head! I enjoyed talking to her when I could and we may even get together, as she lives in Harrisburg. Here are a few pictures of Daddy telling Dallas bye-bye and of our arrival. We are very happy to be here and Dallas was really excited to see his Nana, Poppy, and Uncle Whit!

Last Night In Ship

My two favorite Dallas's spent most of the day together so I could get our things packed and in order for our two week trip to South Carolina. They watched The Wiggles and Finding Nemo, went to the grocery store, watched the softball tournament at the park by our house and played golf in the backyard. Even after all of that activity, Daddy Dallas still wanted to take me to dinner to spend our final night together. We had a very nice evening together and little Dallas had a blast with Miss Hebe and her son, Devante. Miss Hebe is a student at Shippensburg University studying criminal justice and she works at Dallas' school. She has a son named Devante and he and Dallas have lots of fun together. She is such a sweetheart and is not only his babysitter but a friend as well. We would like to thank Hebe and Devante for taking care of Dallas tonight and for letting him borrow some of Devante's prized "Cars" toys. I know they will come in handy in keeping him busy on our plane ride!

Visit to SC

We are very excited about out upcoming visit to South Carolina. I have been busy getting things ready for our flight on Sunday. We will be in Columbia for a week and then Little River, at Bebe and PawPaw's beach house for the week of July 4th. We would love to visit with as many people as possible so please let me know if anyone would like to get together. Just write on here or email me. Little Dallas has fully recovered from his bite marks and there were no more incidents when he went back on Thursday. It was only 75 degrees here today so we are trying to mentally prepare for the heat in Columbia. We have been here a little over a year now and although I miss many things in Columbia, the hot weather is not one of them! People here complain about how hot it is and I just think to myself, "you have no idea!"

Ouchy Report

Dallas went back to school today. We missed a few days since Bebe and PawPaw were here and we wanted to spend all of our time visiting with them. Daddy Dallas and I both went to pick him up at lunch time today and when we arrived, the teacher told me she had 2 "ouchy" reports for us. I didn't really understand what she was talking about until she said Dallas had been bitten twice today! There were only 4 or 5 other kids there today and they were all girls. They think that "The Biter" (they can't tell us who it is) was trying to kiss him on the cheek and it turned into a bite. The second bite ocurred only 15 minutes later and was on his arm. It isn't as bad as the one on his cheek which they applied ice to. "The Biter's" parents will be notified and have to sign a report that was written up and we had to sign one too. I know it is not out of the ordinary for toddlers to bite, but it is when it is my child that is bitten. I am going to ask the teachers to please watch more closely when we return on Thursday so they can try to prevent another bite. We will then be gone for the next two weeks so I am hoping "The Biter" will outgrow her biting phase. Here are couple of pictures. You have to look closely to see the one on his arm. They are not the cutest pictures of our little man but obviously he was not in the mood to smile.

Happy Father's Day!

We would like to wish Poppy, PawPaw, and Daddy Dallas a Happy Father's Day! We are so blessed to have all three of them in our lives and we love them so much! Daddy Dallas awoke to cinnamon rolls in the bed which he shared with little Dallas. Bebe and PawPaw arrived back today from the U.S. Open and Paw Paw helped Dallas finish the fence. (The picture of all three of them is in front of the last panel). We had a great day being together and watching Dallas play in his sandbox and splash in his pool. Thank you to Bebe and Paw Paw for Dallas' new Nemo blanket and Madagascar bean bag chair. He is already attached to the blanket and as you can see from the picture, he really likes his chair!

Holy Cow!

We went to T.J. Maxx this afternoon and while we were shopping we realized little Dallas had a dirty diaper. We were almost done shopping anyway so we paid and went to the car to change him. I try to avoid those public changing stations at all costs because I don't think they clean them! Anyway, I was changing him and it smelled pretty bad. Daddy Dallas grabbed the dirty diaper to throw it away and once he smelled it he said, " Holy Cow!" Little Dallas promptly responded by saying, "MOOO!" We both started laughing and immediately said we would have to put it on the blog to share with everyone.

Skinny Dipping

We have had a wonderful time visiting with Bebe and PawPaw. PawPaw has been working very hard helping Daddy Dallas on the fence. They have made alot of progress. We have enjoyed some excellent dinners. Sunday night we had a babysitter and drove to Berkeley Springs, West Virginia to a restaurant called Lot 12. It was about a 1 hour and 15 minute drive but well worth it. For those of you who don't know, PawPaw lived in Berkeley Springs for several years running a company there and would commute back to Bebe and Greenville on weekends. If any of you ever land in Berkeley Springs you must have dinner there! Here's a few pictures of Dallas enjoying his pool in the buff and of the guys working on the fence.

Bebe and PawPaw arrived this morning. Dallas spotted them walking up and took off running right to them. It was so cute! He was just a joy all day and is very happy his Bebe and PawPaw are here.

We have been busy getting the house ready for our houseguests. Bebe and PawPaw are coming tomorrow and we are so excited! I have been telling Dallas for a while now and he points at pictures of them and says their names. He and I are going to Harrisburg to pick them up from the airport in the morning. We can't wait to see ya'll! Daddy Dallas is still working on the fence. We have had several projects going on at once so the fence is taking a little longer. While I was preparing dinner tonight Daddy took Dallas outside to show him what progress he is making. Please ignore the boxes in the background--we got a new dining room table and trash pickup isn't until Friday so the boxes are hiding behind the fence until then!

We spent the day cleaning windows on our sunroom and putting out our new furniture. Daddy Dallas power washed the screens and windows from the outside and I cleaned the inside. They were so filthy we don't think they had been cleaned in a very long time! We have been here 1 year now and just had not gotton around to doing much with the sunroom. Now it looks wonderful and I know we will be able to get lots of use out of it. Little Dallas was a big help. He took a paper towel and copied me cleaning the windows, he got the broom and worked on sweeping, and he helped Daddy with the shop vac. When he wasn't helping he was watching Madagasgar. He worked up quite a sweat. I missed my opportunity to take pictures of him cleaning today because I was so busy I didn't even think about it. These pictures are from last week. We had the sprinkler on and he was showing interest in running around in it so I stripped him down and he would only go out far enough to get a few drops of water on him and run back. Then he climbed up in this chair and wanted nothing to do with getting wet!