Celebrating at the Zoo

Last week we closed on our refinancing process (whew, what a relief!), so we celebrated our lower interest rate with a trip to the zoo. Obviously, we’ll use almost any excuse to take a vacation day for a family outing and eat ice cream.

As much as I enjoy snapping pictures, I do admit that the camera can and does interfere with my ability to really embrace special times with my family. So on this day, I really limited my time behind the lens to be in the moment with the most precious people I know.




























And I’m glad I did.

He Said What?!?

How would Dr. James Dobson respond to a four year old boy declaring the following statement in a very serious and matter of fact tone?

J: I want to fart in Satan's face.

My Heart Melts

My heart melts when I hear things like this...

J: E, do you believe in God?

E: Ya and Jesus, too!

Like father, like daughter

The conversation as we were leaving they YMCA yesterday:

E: Mommy wike to essercize. (Mommy like to exercise.)

J: E, do you like to exercise?

E: No.

J: You're just like Daddy.

The Wedding

For over two years, we knew that my youngest brother was going to be married on August 7, 2010. Two years…plenty of time to prepare. So what were we doing one hour and forty-five minutes prior to leaving town for the big day? Steve was heading one direction to find something to wear, and I was off in another to find somewhere to walk-in for a haircut. Seriously, I really don’t think we could have been less organized.

It’s a good thing we were not in charge of anything of high importance that weekend because the event may not have turned out so beautifully.

We managed to sneak in an impromptu cousin photo shoot. The boys and E were not overly cooperative, but H is a natural. Her eyes make her the perfect (PERFECT!!) subject.



















I love this one. It looks like it should be on the front of a greeting card.




















The boys acting like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the sewer lid.














The girls filled up a nest with apples. Oh, what a difference gender can make.

































E rarely flashes a smile for the camera.



















This idea started off rather cute...

















until...














J preparing to shower the newlyweds with silly string. My advice: if you are planning to get married and do not want to take a shower immediately after exiting the church, you may want to try bubbles or rice instead.




















Who needs a limo? This is somewhat of a tradition in our small town. Green Acres-ish indeed, but why break tradition of your wedding day?


















A quick picture of our family...























My parents were looking exceptionally wonderful that day.



















J enjoying the complimentary cotton candy.


























My brother is a Florida State fanatic. He even invited Coach Bobby Bowden to the festivities. He did not attend but instead made my brother's day with a personal phone call as his RSVP. True story.

















Mom dancing with her baby...























So much fun can be exhausting...











Congrats to the lovely couple!

Gecko

J: Mom, you're like a giant gecko today.

(I still have no idea what he was implying, but since geckos have no truly desirable attributes, this did nothing for my self esteem.)

Good Question

J: Do you have to pass outer space to get to heaven?