Down by the Sea

Well I convinced Aaron to take the day off of work on Friday and after picking up Erin's friend Rachel (who flew in from San Diego for Aunt Erin's birthday) we headed to the beach for the weekend. Here we are playing the newest game Telestrations which is kind of a cross between telephone and pictionary...lots of fun.Later we headed out to eat at Bonefish. After dinner, Gma graciously offered to babysit Kendall so that the rest of us could go out for a few drinks. We started the night off at the Hard Rock Cafe and ended at the Blarney Stone (both part of Broadway at the Beach). While at the Blarney Stone we took in a local Columbia band, Tokyo Joe. A good time was had by all. The weather was terrible on Saturday, with rain and freezing cold temps. Aaron, Kendall, and Gpa Bob did manage to make it to the aquarium while mom and I went shopping at the outlet mall. Afterwards we met up for dinner at Margaritaville.

On Sunday we checked out of the time share and headed to the gospel brunch at the House of Blues. Kendall loved the music. After brunch we said our goodbyes and headed home, while Gma and Gpa headed to Florida in search of warmer weather.
On Monday Aaron headed back to work while the ladies went to lunch and spend some time shopping in five points. It was a great weekend!

The old man and the sea...

Daddy turned 30 this year and while his birthday started off bad (he had a rotten day at school), we tried to make up for it with some fun...Here is Kendall helping Daddy open his bday present.Gma and Gpa Redmond arrived on Friday to help celebrate and to get out of the cold for a spell. While here we made pasties...a Redmond super bowl tradition courtesy of their time in the U.P. It was a short visit as they then headed to Myrtle Beach for the week.

We later celebrated some more with friends at the bowling alley.

DeSean and Ms. Lisa add the bowling alley.Ms. Maddie Dollar joined in the fun...so cute!Aunt Erin celebrates with a beer.
Mr. Dollar goes for a strike.

Just a few days later...after picking up Aunt Erin's friend Rachel we head to the shore (Myrtle Beach) to join Gma and Gpa for some fun in the sun...

we're walking

Hot-lanta in Spring

Spring has sprung here in SC. At least today felt that way...it was sunny and 65! Flip flop weather for sure. Here is a bloom on my Peace Lily - only the second I have ever seen from this particular plant.

I took advantage of the weather this morning and spent some time outside finishing a project that started months ago when I purchased some side tables for our bedroom. It has taken some time, but at least one is sanded and stained. Only needs another coat of tongue oil.

This weekend we decided to visit friends in ATL. We left on Saturday morning and just spent one night. Saturday we hung out and played games. And on Sunday we went shopping...what would a trip to Atlanta be without a stop at Ikea!?

While at Ikea we picked up some shelves to finish the bathroom remodel that Erin started with dad over Thanksgiving. Thanks to everyone's hard work we have a great new bathroom.

Here is a close up of the shelves we picked up. It was actually one large shelf that we needed to have cut in half. So we took it to the local Home Depot this afternoon, where a young sales associate helped to measure and cut the shelf - only it wasn't in half! As we left, Aaron turns to me and says, "maybe I can make a difference and help to teach kids basic math, or at least the value of a calculator."

Here is a cute video of Kendall in the tub. I guess she needed to blow off some steam after the long car ride home. She was having a ball! Oh, and just as we were cleaning up, and as I was about to lift her out of the tub, Ms. Kendall decided she needed to take care of some business...all of a sudden she just stiffened up and plop...nice!!!

Here is a picture of Kendall all cleaned up (again!) and getting ready for bed - she loves Goodnight moon. We read it nearly every night before bed.

Kendall acquired a boo-boo on the trip. We aren't exactly sure what happened (we think maybe she pinched her thumb in some expanding closet doors). Either way the blood blisters appeared and wouldn't you know it on the right thumb. Every once in a while we would find her just looking at it - poor thing! But, the bigger blister is already merely a memory.

It is back to work tomorrow. Gma and Gpa should arrive on Friday and then it's bday week and a trip to Myrtle Beach to celebrate!

Back to the Grind

Kendall and baby find good use of the big stainless steel bowl that Gma Rose gave to mommy for Christmas.

Last weekend, Kendall had her first birthday party. Her friend DeSean (whose mom Aaron works with) turned one and we helped celebrate. I didn't get a good pictures, but Kendall enjoyed her first cupcake.

On Sunday, we all of us decided to head to school to help Aaron in his room. Aaron and I were productive, while Aunt Erin and Kendall took a nap. Some cute pictures of Kendall after she woke up from her nap.

This weekend we are heading to Atlanta to visit family friends Jennie and Dave. Of course we'll hit up Ikea while there to get some finishing touches for the new bathroom. Monday is a holiday for both Aaron and I so we are looking forward to spending the time just relaxing.

New Year

Well, it's a new year! I haven't had much time to think about any potential resolutions or goals. Something about having a kid makes an otherwise quick life seem to zoom by. None-the-less, here are some initials thoughts...

Need to be more proactive - used to be, but lately seem to be content
Need to exercise more and eat better (don't we all)
Need to make more of an effort to temper my emotions - patience is a virtue (deep breaths)
Need to read more, or engage in something other than work that can stimulate my mind
Need to work on relationships - namely husband and friends (reconnect)
Need to get outside more - there's a lot out in the world left to explore
Need to appreciate the little things
Need to hug more and shout less
Need to stop thinking and start doing

In other news...this past holiday with Kendall was a blast! I don't know whether it was the more time spent with her or her stage in development, but she seemed to grow by leaps and bounds (not physically, but developmentally). Some cute things she learned over the last two weeks...
1) "No, No" - complete with little pointer finger waves
2) "Uh oh" and "all gone" - complete with little shoulder shrug
3) To get into cabinets and open drawers
4) To climb the stairs
5) The sign for more...working on book, bird, and drink now
6) To drink from a sipping cup - still perfecting this one and understanding that we need to tip the cup
7) To eat - all sorts of new things including; icecream, cheesecake, yogurt, etc
8) To walk - with the assistance of mom and dad of course

We'll try to capture these and more things via pictures and videos to post on the blog. Till then, peace and love to you all in the new year.

Collins Xmas

Uncle Adam

Dad shows Kendall how to open presents.

Grandpa Great

Aunt Kathy made some blocks for Kendall - which she loved.

Lunch at Rays - Kendall tries and likes Cheeseburger soup.

We had a great time with the family playing celebrity, opening presents, and of course eating. Kendall had her first real experience with a dog - Taylor. She was scared at first, but it didn't take long for them to get used to one another.