Wordless Wednesdays

Dear Abigail,

I stole this idea, I mean I borrowed this idea from a friend's friend's friend's website. It is what it is - just a picture, every Wednesday, but Oh, what a picture it is...xxoo

The Big Green Egg

Dear Abigail,

A couple weeks ago, our lives were changed forever. Your daddy finally got his dream grill, the Big Green Egg. Yes, you heard me correctly - grill = big green egg. It's big, and it's green, and, as a matter of fact, it cracks like an egg (and looks like one, too). I'm hoping by the time you are old enough to read this you will know what this BGE is, as your daddy claims it will be in our lives for a very long time. We will see... I know he has said his top 4 favorite things are you, me, Kitty, and the BGE, with the rankings changing ever so often. I am sure you don't move too far from the top, but I'm guessing after this past weekend, the BGE moved up a couple...

Anyway, so, Daddy got the BGE. He was so excited about it, and brought it home, and was showing it off to me and Mimi and, especially to you. He even started playing hide and seek with you and Elmo - hiding Elmo in the egg that is. Well, one little bump to it later, and the egg was cracked. Less than 12 hours old, and it was ruined. Thankfully, the folks at the store were real nice and let Daddy replace certain parts (for a small fine, that is), and so within a couple weeks, we were back to owning an egg! Now all Daddy had to do was prove to us it was worth all the hassle - and indeed he did!

Finally, after a couple weekends of rain and other gatherings, we invited the gang over to play, and of course, eat! You were super excited because Ryan and Ellie finally got to come over and play on your playground, and I was excited because we weren't at the Mexican restaurant, which meant you could run around and I didn't have to worry about you throwing forks across the table, at least not this night. And we all had so much fun. Mr. Jay and Miss Erin came, and baby Grant, too and he did so good, didn't give Miss Erin any trouble. And Mr. Jay even pushed you on the tree and tried to get you to pick some flowers. And of course, your boy Ryan and Mr. Lee and Miss Leigh came, and then your BCF Ellie and Uncle Jay-bee and Aunt Steph, and guess who else - Miss Linda and Mr. Dave! Member them from the snow! We were so happy to see them, and without all that snow it was much easier to play with everyone! Everyone played and played and played, and then ate and ate and ate. Daddy cooked ribs on the grill and then fancy hamburgers, adn everyone, even you, were super impressed. After lots of playing, it was time for bed and Aunt Steph and Mommy were trying a new trick out. See, we needed the light in the room Ryan was going to sleep in, so we put him in the room Ellie usually sleeps in, and then, drumroll please... we put Ellie in the same room as you! Yep, that's right - both of you are so awesome at sleeping that we were able to put Ellie down, then within 5 minutes, lay you down and BAM, you were both asleep. You even woke up a couple hours later and let out a cry, but it didn't bother Ellie at all. YAY to the BCFs!! Anyway, Daddy exceeded out expectations of that BGE and we can't wait to have 1 million more grill outs with the gang. Here's a few pics we were able to capture...

Daddy's favorites...
Daddy and his ribs

This was my fave. You and Ryan loved playing in the tunnel...

Here's you doing your gymnastics...

Should have known you'd fine the ice...

The Clark Cousins go to the zoo!

Dear Abigail,

Last week, Spencer, Harrison and Caroline were all on spring break PLUS Aunt Steph had the day off PLUS it was beautiful weather, so... You don't have to be a CPA to figure out what's coming... We all went to the zoo! You had so much fun following Caroline everywhere and of course climbing on everything and running from one spot to the next. I tell ya, though, you did not care too much for the goats. You made Aunt Amy hold you the whole time, and you didn't even want to pet those stinky things. Ellie was a little hesitant, too, but Harrison and Spencer and Caroline had no trouble petting them. Caroline even got a brush after one of them!! We saw a lot of animals, but we didn't make to the giraffes this time. It was getting way too close to your nap time, and it was showing! Even Caroline noticed - she pointed out to us all at lunch that "Ellie was behaving a lot better than Abby." She's a sharp cookie, but I have a feeling we're going to hear that a lot over the next couple of, dare I say, years - don't say years... Anyway, as I've said before, thank goodness you are a cutie pie!!

Here's some pics!

Like I said, you had a blast. Honest truth, I did not get out of the parking spot and you were asleep! I thought that was pretty funny. And thankfully you were so tired, I took you right out of the car, changed your diaper and clothes, and put you in your crib where you continued to nap for 3 more hours! Fun, fun times! I'm glad we went!

Love you!!!!!

Easter 2010

Dear Abigail,

Shall we begin this tale with the Easter bunny? Sure, it won't take long. See, we went to see the Easter bunny on Thursday morning. Mommy applied her good planning skills and got us there right when the mall opened, and more importantly, right when the Easter bunny was walking out to have a seat. We were the only ones there, so you were able to wave at her, and show her how to hop, and even blow kisses. This was all part of my little plan. I thought I would give you a chance to warm up to her, and that would ultimately end with you sitting in her lap, without crying, as you have done in the past with ole Santa. Well, 10 minutes later, you were still just waving, although you did get within about 3 feet from her. And one time, you touched the Easter bunny's knee, but then you turned and ran real fast the other way! Thankfully, the Easter bunny was super patient (and there was no one in line), but we all knew that would come to an end soon enough. Finally, I had to pick you up and get in line for the ultimate test. To say the least, we didn't even get a picture. It was too much for you. You are fine waving, blowing kisses, even dancing for the Easter bunny, but you have no desire to sit in her lap! And, you can thank me later, I didn't force it as I've done in the past. This Easter will just be known as the one without the bunny picture!

Now onto the good stuff!!

Saturday morning, we hosted an Easter/Papa's Birthday party brunch. It was more like breakfast, since it was at 9:30, but brunch just sounds so much more fun, don't you think... Anyway - the whole crew was here for it! Papa and Jordan and Carly. Auntie Amy & Uncle Martin and the 3 kiddos, Uncle Jaybee, Aunt Steph and Ellie, and then of course us! It was quite the houseful, huh! We were hoping to be able to have the brunch outside, but do to the massive downpour that morning, we had to rearrange and go for indoors. It didn't seem to damper any spirits, though! And, right when we were about to sit down, the sunshine came out! After we ate, we were able to go outside and enjoy it!

Look at you sitting with the big kids!
I have no clue how we did it, but we all were able to sit at our little dining room table. Thank goodness we like each other, or well, that everyone took a shower that day!!
What are they doing up there?!
Ah, the swing. You were in heaven with so many people willing to push you!

Unfortunately, we didn't get to play too long, as we had to head to Munford to dye Easter eggs! We got to Mimi's around 4 and you were so excited to see Em, oh, and Mimi and and the rest of the crew, of course :) And, Anna Beth and Sammy and Rece and Jack all joined us for the dying, and well, Mommy's not so sure we'll do that again. I'm sure we will, but man alive, it is messy. You had it everywhere - on your hands, on your face, in your mouth! AHHH. But it was fun, and I think we all ended up dying about 50 eggs! After the messiness was over, Mimi and Aunt Ash-ash put you both in the bathtub and washed you all up!! Unfortunately, Mommy was holding down the fort (i.e. keeping all 7+ kids from drinking the dye), so I was unable to get any pictures. Hopefully we can get some from Aunt Ash-ash. I did get a couple shots of everyone playing outside...

Look how grown up John Michael is getting! He's driving his own car!!

After baths, it was surely time for bed and you had to get rested because the Easter bunny was coming to visit, not to mention we had a busy, busy day! And, indeed, that ole bunny did come, and had lots of presents with her!

You found an egg in there...

Oh, and a pretty pink straw cup...

Oh yay - and look at that bumble bee. It looks just like Ellie's lady bug!! YAY, you both have one now!!

Ah... and a journal. How in the world do you think that Easter bunny knew that you loved writing in Miss Lee's and Mommy's journal? Now you have one all to yourself....

Once we got through looking at the toys, you found the dreaded 'grass' that comes with Easter baskets. And, well, since Mimi was hosting the lunch at her house, we weren't too pleased with this grass, but you sure loved playing with it! Maybe even more than the actual toys in your basket...

Oh well... Thankfully Pic-pic took you outside while Mimi and Mommy cleaned up the mess and got ready for the lunch.

It was such a pretty day and we had such good food. Mammaw & Pawpaw came, and Lynnie, and Uncle Bubba and Aunt G and the kiddos, including Em, of course. And Aunt Ash-ash and Uncle J and Clara Lee! And Pic-pics parents came, too!! Once again, a houseful! As soon as lunch was over we scaddadled outside though to soak up some of those rays - oh, and to hunt some easter eggs. Of course, you had to take some time in the swing first...

You are a pretty good hunter. After Daddy showing you a couple times what to do, you began finding them and then putting them in the basket all by yourself. Of course, Mommy had to hold Em down by her toes in order for her not to snag all the good ones!!! She was crazy about some egg hunting!!!

After the egg hunt, we headed over to Papa Rob's for a short visit, and guess what, Grandaddy was there! That's your Great-grandfather! You've only seen him a couple times, so I was a little leery about your reaction to him (not to mention he's 6 feet 7 inches tall!!). Surprisingly, you had no issues going to him. I think it helped that he offered to go see the horses with you, but hey, whatever it takes!!

Of course, Papa Rob took you to see the horses, too.

And, while we tried to have an egg hunt, somehow we ended up with a 'throw your eggs all over the driveway hunt'...

We had a fun time, but we had to head back to Nashville before it got to late. We said our goodbyes, and off we went. Home came late, but we made it. Another great Easter. Here are some good family shots...

Here is 4 generations of Tramel women. This could be trouble...

Mammaw, Mommy, Abs, & Mimi

And here's 4 generations of Westerman's. We know this is trouble...

Grandaddy, Mommy, Abs and Papa Rob

And of course, our family picture - it's as good as they come. You do NOT like getting your picture taken, so we take what we can get...

And of course, the grandbabies (see, I told you, you don't like getting your picture taken...)

Abs, Chris, John Michael, Kateland, Emily and Clara Lee

Love ya anyways!!!