Weekend in Hot Springs!

Near the end of June, we met Matt's parents for a little weekend getaway in Hot Springs, AR. My father in law makes sales calls out there & in Texas for their business. He's been working that area for years & used to take his family when Matt was a little boy. They always stayed at the same condo complex until recently they finally bought one of their own. Now whenever they don't use it, they rent it out & one of the perks is letting us use it when we want to make a trip up there. Matt & I spent our 5 yr anniversary there when I was pregnant with Greyson & had a great time. 

 This time we got to go together so we rented another condo a few spaces down & spent our time together boating, swimming, visiting downtown Hot Springs & of course...eating!

Breakfast in the condo...with a view!

Downtown Hot Springs & visit to the Gangster Museum- Matt & Leslie's father's day gift

Playing in the creek that Matt played in when he was little

Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant on the water

Pool fun!

Breakfast at the Pancake Shop!

 Afternoon on the lake =)

Sunday morning church =)

 Back at the creek Sunday afternoon

 Time to go home!

 Thankful for a fun & relaxing weekend. Maybe next time we go to Hot Springs, I won't be pregnant =)

Atlanta Machinery Show

The first weekend in June, Matt's family business attended a machinery show in Atlanta. They only have the show every 2 yrs, so the last time we went I was pregnant with him. He was pretty fascinated with the glass elevator in our hotel =)

Since the expo mostly deals with the saw mill industry, there were lots of "trucks" to see during the show that Greyson was enthralled with. 

He was quite a hit with all the business men there so they would give him free stuff like hats, sunglasses

 & tape measures to take home with him =)

We had to spend some time - selling the business- so to speak, but it also is a great little get-a-way weekend for our family. We always eat at some really nice restaurants, visit Olympic Park & just do whatever we can fit in. One of our favorite places to go is Ruth's Chris Steakhouse that is in the lobby of our hotel.

Greyson still had to take his monkey with him to the restaurant. =) 

This year we were hoping to take Greyson to the splash pad in the park, but it is too big & powerful for him at that age. We ended up utilizing the pool at our hotel though, & he had a blast.

He was sooo tired after swimming that he just fell right to sleep.

We also enjoy going to Atlanta for the show & had a lot of fun.

Greyson sure loved it! 

Exciting Announcments!

This month starts off with lots of happy news! Baby news to be exact!!

That's right...we are happy to announce that we are expecting another baby Crawford & that Greyson will be a BIG BROTHER!

It was quite the surprise of the year since we had talked about adding another member to our family NEXT year. I guess you can never really PLAN these kinds of things.

If that wasn't a surprise enough...I'm having baby #2 in December...ON Greyson's 2nd birthday to be exact!! I think I will be even more surprised if that really happens...a few days a part wouldn't be that bad =) I always wanted my kids close together & 2 yrs is pretty great timing =)

 Over Mother's Day weekend, we were privileged to have our friend Erica take some family photos for us. She's amazing & worked her magic even though the weather was gloomy, rainy & not the best lighting...but she pulled it off! (Check out ericajphotography here)

I was right around 10 weeks pregnant so we got some tiny belly shots. 

 I love the way Greyson has changed me into the person I am today. I can't wait to see how this little one will impact our family once again. We are so excited...Matt was beyond thrilled when we found out together. He has wanted another baby since Greyson was 3 months old!! He is an awesome dad...he stepped up from the moment Greyson was born & took on the role like he'd been doing it all along. I love the family God has given us. I love being a mother.

I love sharing God's blessings with others.

In other family news, I became an aunt, Matt became an uncle & Greyson got his very first, first cousin! My brother & his wife had a little baby girl on June 5th.

Meet 

Karleigh Brynn Ritchey! 

7lbs 10oz born at 12:56am

She is beautiful! I can see both mommy & daddy in her & it is so fun to see which color of hair they will end up having. With red heads marrying dark haired spouses, you just never know! I think Karleigh may be taking after her daddy in that area as a strawberry blonde. She's just precious!

They live in Idaho & since we are in Alabama, we won't get to meet her until mid-July. Our family is so spread out with us in the south, my parents in PA & other brother & sister in law in OH & this new little family all the way out west. It is hard being so far a part but I'm thankful for technology & the fact that we can keep up with each other when these special events take place.

My brother Matt, his wife Mindy & little Karleigh all ready to go home. 

Our family is growing. This time in our life is so special...you never know the surprises God will give you. My parents waited over 5 yrs after we got married to have grandchildren & now they get 3 with in 2 years =) I guess you can say we are making up for lost time!

Lazy days in May

This month has been full of birthdays, summer kick off parties, vacations, Holidays & more. We have gone non-stop all month. Greyson is eating it up & want's to "Go Go Go" every day when he wakes up. He loves being outside (which I am thankful for) & we have a great time. 

His first time on a bouncy slide with daddy at his little buddy's birthday party =)

 They are getting so big!!

Play date party

Our little friend, Katie's Lady Bug birthday party! He loved the balloons =)

We spent Memorial Day with our friends at the lake. Matt was out of town for a whole week working so he missed spending it with us. We still had so much fun! Greyson got to swim with his little buddy Jace & then we went all over the lake on their boat!

Wearing red, white & blue!

 We also spent a lot of time out at the farm...Greyson loves riding with Poppy in the pasture =)

 This month is finally over! We are excited about starting our summer activities with family & friends!

Florida for Mother's Day!

My first official Mother's Day in 2012 was full of family, friends & gifts galore! It was incredible but there was so much going on; it was a little overwhelming. I had 5 month old & cooked Sunday dinner for Matt's entire family; I decorated our church, did the bulletin & helped shop for & put together all the mothers day gifts for our church mothers as well. It was a VERY busy day!! 

This year was absolutely WONDERFUL! I was planning to cook & have everyone over again...plus all my church duties, but it worked out for us to take a break & be in Florida this year. We were able to meet up with my inlaws & take Gmama with us too. Greyson did great in the car & only fussed 30 minutes before lunch out of a 11 hr trip. On the way home he only fussed 15 minutes before lunch. I guess he lets us know when's he's ready for food =) 

The beach was amazing this time of year & Greyson absolutely loved it...obsessed would probably be a more accurate word. We toured Peanut Island one day after breakfast & Greyson got to ride in his first boat! We went to Jetty's & got our traditional photo in front of the light house =) Sunday Lunch was held at the Carroll's beautiful house with the whole extended Finney clan. I gotta say their tradition of having the men cook & clean up is worth it. They do it all...with the exception of the unmarried girls (poor Jacinda) but her food & dessert was good too & I'm glad I got to enjoy it =) I was so impressed I told Matt he better start learning how to cook because we might adopt this tradition! They were SO nice, not only to feed us, but give us Mother's gifts as well! So unexpected & sweet. We have very thoughtful friends. Before we left, we checked on my Mama's house. Memories flooded back as I walked through the door. I got a classic picture of Greyson on the blue steps =) 

On our way home we stopped at Cracker Barrel. Gmama bought Greyson a red truck that he attached himself to the moment he saw it. It is his favorite toy since then & he had so much fun playing with it.

Peanut Island

Beach fun

Jetty's!

Last day at the beach...the water was so clear

Mother's Day after Church

Playing with his truck at Cracker Barrel

God is SO good & allowed us to have a fantastic weekend away!! 

Fun at the Zoo!

I haven't felt like blogging lately. There is just too much going on these days...but now I'm going to have to play catch up with all that we have been doing this month!

Greyson's first trip to the zoo was the beginning of May. We had SO much fun! We got there at 10:30am & left at 3:30 pm. I was afraid Greyson would fall asleep & miss out on seeing some of the animals but he stayed awake for the entire thing! It was just too exciting for sleep. As we were leaving he finally dozed off...it was a good day! 

 We accidentally went through the dinosaur exhibit...they had other animals mixed in so it was kind of funny to see Greyson's reaction. Poor thing doesn't know what's real or not yet...he wouldn't stand by himself to get a picture in front of the T-Rex....at least he's smart!

We are already planning our next zoo trip with daddy!