Papa n Bebe's visit

Papa and Bebe came to Troy this spring and had a wonderfully relaxing visit. We were blessed to have the founder of Johnny's BBQ sauce personally grill for us. Those pics might be worth something someday! We went to Beale Street, but mostly enjoyed our time at home.

Eagle Tour

For those of you who don't already know, our area in NW Tennessee is home to several nesting pairs of Bald Eagles, and the winter home of hundreds of them. Unfortunately, I didn't know where to find them until this year. Thanks to Kim Crews, we went on an eagle tour and spotted 57 Bald Eagles. Below are some of the better pictures from the trip.

Gatlinburg Aquarium

In Late February, we took the youth to Winterfest in Gatlinburg, TN. Oddly enough, the Smoky Mountains have some of the best ocean life in the world. The Aquarium in Gatlinburg was fantastic. We have quickly discovered that fish are one of Jude's favorite things to watch. He was enthralled by all he saw. It was such a delight to watch him watch the fish.

On the bus ride to Gatlinburg (he put those grapes there on his own while watching the in-flight movie)

Showing us the pirhanas

Glued to the glass

Slimy Scary Snarky Sharky

Rock Fish

Eels

As you can see Jude really enjoyed getting inside this aquarium

He'll grow into it

So the moral of this post is that if you feel Jude doesn't enjoy visiting you as much, get some fish, and you will rocket to the top of his destinations list.

A couple of cute anecdotes from life with Jude

While we were at Winterfest, Jude was sitting with Samuel (a teen) who was right next to me. He started hitting Samuel on top of the head, and after he didn't respond to me telling him "no", he got a spanking on his hand. He then apologized to me and to Samuel, then gave me a kiss. 5 seconds later he grabbed my face and turned it to where I was looking the other way, then quickly smacked Samuel on top of the head. I tried to get on to him, but I was laughing too hard.

Later

On the way home, Sarah was sitting with Jude and had been sleeping. Jude was being pretty loud laughing and squealing while he and Samuel swapped funny faces. Sarah woke up and told him to be quiet. He then pushed her head down onto the pillow and told her, "Night Night"

He is way too smart for our own good.

While I have been writing this, he started handing things to me. Each time he gives me something, he says, "Here you go, Buddy."

Jude's 2nd Birthday

The Lion King
This was the picture I used to make the invitations.

Sarah's Lion cake was incredible. It was very time consuming, but very rewarding.

The Birthday boy anxiously awaiting pinata time

If this display looks precariously placed, you're right. The whole thing came tumbling down as I tried to juggle three burning candles and a heavy frame with 2 panes of glass. All I managed to keep from hitting the ground was the hot wax that melded to my skin.

This is Sean, one of Jude's friends that go on play dates together

Cake Time

He kept asking for a light, but thankfully no one obliged

Jude is never short for helpers. Micah and Cameron were very good at handing him his next gift.

Leave it to Brian to try and kick me out of our sons b-day party.

Bill didn't approve of Jude's form. Either that or he couldn't wait for his turn.

Right after Jude's second try, Bill couldn't stand waiting any longer.

The hordes of weeping children didn't make this picture...they were too busy heading for cover.

A special thanks to Granny for being here and helping with everything, as well as taking most of the pictures above.