Sunday's and the parks

Ross Bridge Train Park

We had a great weekend. Make that a great week. In addition to me having the weekend OFF last weekend to help host a shower in Columbia, I also had help the entire week when I got back to Birmingham. Pretty cool, huh.

I went home, ALL BY MYSELF, to host a shower. It was marveloous, it was wonderful, it was relaxing, it was...EXPENSIVE. Wow, it is no wonder that I save money these days...having time to shop really puts a dent in your wallet. :)

I got in late Friday night and then helped host the shower Saturday morning for my high school friend, Misty. (actually the wedding is this weekend...so exciting) Anyway, the shower was great and I had a good time socializing with everyone. After the shower wrapped up, Mom and I went shopping. It was great...I didn't have to think about feedings, nap times, harried spouses at home with the kids...NOTHING! Pure relaxed bliss. (not that I didn't miss my little family back in 'old 'Bama, but a little free time is wonderful!)

After shopping all day, we headed home happy and exhausted...but with a lot of loot for me and Ryan. We rested up a bit on the homefront, recruited my Dad and went back out Saturday night for a little more fun. We had a great dinner/drinks at Outback. You have got to try the Black Cherry Mojito if you haven't yet. WOW, were they good. :)

Anyway, after we ate, we hit Dillards and bought out the place for Mike. The whole Madden clan racked up!

I spent Sunday doing what I love most...a day on the boat. No interruptions, no children, no...nothing. I read and we hooked up with four boats of my parent's friends. So fun. Definitely missing Mike by this time. He would have LOVED doing that. Instead, Mike was at home taking care of our wee little one. (and doing such a good job) He did have a little help...his Mom came in for reinforcements. Though, to hear them talk, my little angel was a little angel all weekend. They said he did brilliantly. So independent and happy...didn't miss me at all...the little traitor. :)

On my way back to Birmingham, I made a wonderful little pit stop in Duluth, GA to visit a store I have been trying to get to for 2 yrs. The Archiver's store. Yes, scrapbooking. I love it and the stores here in B'ham leave MUCH to be desired. I was so excited and called Mike the moment I walked in telling him this could get ugly!! After my foray into scrapbook heaven, I met my old neighbor, Stephanie and her son Brandon, a the Mall of Georgia. We had a nice little visit and then I was on my way back to sweet home Alabama.

Then it was on to a weekend of date nights and movies and help all around. How blissful! 3 movies and 3 nights out, plus a community service event is a great week in my book!!

Thank you Mimi for coming to stay with us. I will download pictures from your stay once i get them off your computer!!

On Sunday, after church and Mimi had left, we took Ryan up to the Ross Bridge Train park. He had a lot of fun exploring the wooden train, the bridge, and the little creek that is there.

what a wonderful experience...especially with this weather. Could life be any better?

Just hanging out...

Steering while daddy watches - what a great conductor!

ok, don't make fun...the hat is a little big and MAKES my ears look big and floppy!

Me and Mommy

Crawling out of the train...bye bye!

One morning before school

Ryan is looking SO GROWN UP these days. It is really hitting us that he is no longer a baby, but such a little boy. SAD!
One morning we tried to get a little impromptu photo shoot since he had on a little polo and looked just like a little Mike.
He absolutely adores playing ball with Mike, though usually it is upstairs in his room. He just giggles and giggles when Mike plays with him and thinks that everything Daddy does is just hilarious!!
You will also notice a new favorite of his -- walking in circles around trees. He thinks that is great fun. Children are so funny with their little idiosyncrasies.

Just watching/lovin' Daddy.

Wherrrrrrre'd the balllllllll gooooooo???

Daddy, hit it right there...

Making a shot

and another one...

Round

and round

and round the tree....

Over and Over and Over and Over...well, you get the picture!

a few pictures from late June and July

Father's Day

A day with watermelon

Gotta love the "no clothes, just crocs" look

Ryan was REALLY getting into his watermelon.

He ate 5 pieces like this!!!

Water Table, we love you!!

Beth bought Jake (I might as well say bought "the boys") a water table. Ryan loves it and plays with it every chance he gets. Here they are on the christening of the water table. (We later learned that it is a whole lot easier if we get them undressed and then they play, but that is another story)

Sharing so well...

Ryan loving Mr. Tyson for spraying all the water

Bottoms up!

You gotta love summertime...the time when Mommy's everywhere let you stay outside and get wet and dirty 'til your heart's content. Sweet, sweet summertime!

gotta love boots with shorts

Ryan woke up from a nap last week requesting his boots from the crib. Now, don't think this was the word "boots"...no, this was a pointing insistently at the boots on the dresser and saying mmm mmm mmm mmm mmmm. his standard word for everything. :)

You will also see one of the "death balls" in this picture. These are plastic balls that Ryan has for a different toy and he literally hurls them all over the kitchen. Since they are a hard plastic they bounce and go FOREVER...so, watch out for the death balls!