Zoo Atlanta Trip

I can't even tell you how many times I have driven through Atlanta on my way to Hinesville when I lived there in 2004 and again in 2009.  I had never actually stopped to see the sites and do all the touristy things. We went this past weekend primarily for the zoo and to see the panda cub, Po.  OMG, he was so cute!!! It sure took us a minute to find the pandas.  I told my mom that Jack Black better be there in person after all the walking we did. :) I know he was there when they announced the name. That would have been cool to see that.

Our trip was last Friday through Sunday and included me, Hannah, Autumn, Meagan (my sister), Emma (my niece), my mom, her BFF Jonna, and Jonna's granddaughter, Marianne. While the trip was fun, I would also say it was pretty tiring with four kids ages 6 and under (even though there were four adults!).  Hannah, Autumn, and I traveled about 1000 miles total! We went up to Clarksville Thursday, left for Atlanta Friday, came back to Clarksville on Sunday, and drove back to Millington on Tuesday. Whew! It was a great trip, but always nice to be home.  Now enjoy our adventure!

lounging at the hotel

in the elevator getting ready to go to the zoo!

first stop--the flamingos!

the zoo had cute little parks!

Pumba! What's funny is the meerkats were
nearby! ;)

Po the panda cub!! He sure likes to climb!

Mama Panda trying to get him down...he sure
was a defiant little thing!

trying to get her child under control (we've
all be there!)

Having fun in the hotel pool!

Marianne jumping to her Nonnie

This is what I did...felt nice :)

Emma and Autumn lounging

Girls coloring while we wait for pizza...it wasn't as peaceful
as it looks!

Meagan took this pic...all the Cozbys' "grandbeauties" :)

Autumn is intrigued by the storm we had
Saturday evening

Watching cartoons and having pizza...chinese the first night
and pizza the second, oh yeah!

And then McDonald's when the girls and I headed
back to Millington! We won't be eating out for a while :-p

I'll Keep Future Visits a Surprise!

At the Memphis Zoo entrance

My parents came to visit us for the weekend.  I think my mom was tired of hearing about all our zoo adventures and she wanted to see it for herself. :) Let me tell you what I was tired of--Hannah counting down the days for a week straight!! Every single morning the first thing she said, "Only (x) more days until Grendy and Papaw get here!" Oh my gosh! I started to think that I should keep their visit a surprise, but before I could tell Ryan my idea he had already told Hannah they were coming. Oh, well.  We spent Saturday morning at the zoo, lunch at Chick Fila, took a nap, and then they took the kids to their hotel for the night!  Ryan and I took advantage and had a date! We had dinner at Joe's Crab Shack and saw the new Harry Potter (wonderful! I actually thought it was worth paying to see it in the theater!).  Sunday was church and then lunch at IHOP.  I actually ordered something light...kinda proud of myself. :) A great weekend and now the countdown to the Atlanta Zoo will begin!  Ten days!

Fun pics from the weekend:

post-zoo lunch at Chick Fila!

Autumn and Papaw at IHOP

cooling off at a misting station at the zoo...those things are amazing!

hanging out at the herpatarium

Grendy and Hannah at IHOP

Hannah and this super huge python..wow

Julie and Splish get a drink :)

lounging at the pool at Grendy and Papaw's hotel

Grendy comforting Autumn on the carousel...oy

rattlesnake!

Ryan is amazed by the steampot at Joe's!

sea lion show! so cute!

sweet sisters

Long Overdue Family Outing

Ryan has been working a massive amount of hours lately.  He is training to be a base police officer (just had his physical so he should get an official start date any time!) in the morning and then working his normal shift with Lockheed Martin in the evening. Seriously, the girls and I wake up and he's gone. He gets home around 11:30, and I'm still up. We basically say hello and go to sleep since we're both so tired from the day. :-p The kids have really started to notice have much he's been gone lately. :( While today he still had to work for LM we were able to go out together this morning to the zoo and then mexican food for lunch! Feels like forever since we've all gone out together!

"Daddy who? I have chips!"

Father's Day 2011

Ryan and Violet, our interim third child

We all enjoyed a lovely Father's Day.  First church, lunch at Cici's (had a Buy 1 Get 1 Free coupon!), and hung out at home. Our yard was looking a bit gross, so Ryan mowed while I pulled weeds.  Riding on a mower is never a chore for Ryan.  I wish I could say the same about pulling weeds, but it was a nice workout. The girls were splashing in the pool nearby. Ryan loved his cards and we made him cupcakes. Yum! And of course I called my own dad to say hello. :)

Hannah is 6!!

As of yesterday morning at 3:34 AM, Hannah Jo Caulfield is 6 years old! Hard to believe since I myself remember being six. At my own birthday party we did make up, which I remember very well. :) Ryan and I took the girls to the zoo on Saturday and had presents and cake at home. A very simple celebration, but we are also celebrating with family this weekend in Clarksville. Hannah is requesting a polar bear cake this time.  She already had a panda cake last year, so at least I can use the same cake pan. :)

Some pics from Saturday:

Caught in the Rain

Seems that going to the zoo on Mondays is becoming a tradition.  The weather looked a bit iffy this morning, but we decided to take a chance anyway.  We saw the sea lions do some tricks and even balance a ball on their nose! Very cool! There was an announcement over the PA system that there was a severe thunderstorm warning in the area, so we took that as a signal for us to leave. :) Our intention then was to head to Cici's for lunch, but we heard the tornado sirens going off.  Yeeeaaah...we thought home would probably be the best place for us.  Driving toward the interstate the wind and rain were so bad we could barely see 10 feet in front of us! Ryan quickly into Arby's, and we all ran as fast as we could to the door (looking a bunch of lunatics I imagine).  We all still got soaked.  The kids seemed to get the worst of it.  Since their hair is so fine they looked more wet than they really were. :-p By the time we finished lunch the rain calmed down quite a bit, and we were able to make it home unscathed. We are definitely homebound the rest of the day which is awesome. No better place to be in this type of weather!