Stop #4: Birmingham Bound

We were also able to scoot over to Birmingham to see my sister and a couple of friends. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see everyone we wanted to see (Jen W!), which means we will have to plan another trip. Finn was such a good sport, hanging out and listening to all of the girl talk and even playing with girl toys (not so bad he thinks). He loves his Aunt Lin Lin even if she is an Alabama fan.

Finn and auntie Lin Lin

We also were able to pay a quick visit to my friend Jen Patrick and her little girl, Olivia. Here they are playing dress up and lucky for me, Finn went for the fireman's hat instead of the pink tutu

On our way out of town, we stopped by Lauren's house to see Reese and meet new baby Hadley.

Reese taught Finn some fun tricks, including jumping on the bed. He's a big fan

Giving Reese a kiss goodbye

Hadley is six weeks old and is such a beautiful and sweet baby. What did she do while the other two were bouncing off of the wall? She slept.

Stop #3: Piedmont

After our short stop in Atlanta, we spent some time at my parent's house in Alabama. Finn loves spending time with his Big and Baa. And also because they let him go swimming in the creek will ALL of his clothes on.

Finn spends time with the chalk board (one I used to play with)

Mark is making him learn the periodic table :)

I took the "kids" for a ride in the new-old jeep. I think there's room

for one more if anyone is interested?

Finn goes for a spin on the bicycle

Gigi and Papa paid us a visit

There is a story behind this hot mess: After dinner I gave Finn the choice

of either one popsicle or two cookies for his dessert.

He thought about it for a minute and then said "TWO popsicles."

He was so proud of himself for coming up with that answer that

I gave him a popsicle AND a cookie. I'm such a sucker.

Aunt Brenda and Uncle Dennis came to see us too.

Finn thinks a lot of Aunt Brenda . . . he let her hold nightnight.

A friendly game of tug-o-rope between Lily and Peyton

Which one is the watermelon?

Finn's idea of a swimming pool: Any container that holds water and him!

Giving Lily some love

My baby girl

My not so baby boy

Stop #2: Atlanta

After we left Mimi and Bop in Sumter, we headed to Atlanta to visit my grandmother Jerry, Uncle Dick and Aunt Jay. This was only the second time Finn has seen his great-grandmother. He enjoyed spending time with his relatives and showing them all of his tricks. He especially liked the red fire engine Jerry gave him--complete with lights AND sirens. Thanks.

Lounging on the porch

Posing with Jerry

Trying on hats with Uncle Dick

Of course no trip to/through Atlanta would be complete without visiting our friends Kriya and Wade. It has worked out that the boys get to see each other every few months or so and it is so funny watching them interact with each other at every stage. Wade was such a trouper to let Finn play with all of his toys. In about a 12-hour period, there were only a couple of head-buts, a few shoves, couple of MINES (from both), a whole lotta fun and plenty of chic-fil-a nuggets to go around. We love you guys and thanks for letting us visit. PS I swiped these photos from Kriya.

Double Trouble

Some of you will remember that Kriya and I have dressed the boys in matching outfits since they first met. It started out as a complete accident and has now turned into a funny joke (see matching ponchos). We don't even plan any more, when we show up we compare wardrobes and see what we have that's the same. Since we had only packed for a long weekend, I wasn't feeling too optimistic that we would have something matching . . . . BUT WE DID!

Tour de Family Stop #1: Sumter

We decided to drive down to Sumter for Labor Day weekend to spend some time with the Lyles clan. Mark, Finn, Lily and me all piled in the car and headed down I-95. Thank goodness I thought to download a bunch of kids music on my ipod, because it would have been a much longer trip without it. Finn loves listening to music now and when we dared play adult music, he would voice his disapproval. He definitely has his favorites and let us know it. Mark and I both got a refresher course on the lyrics of wheels on the bus and five little monkeys. And I swear I could hear Lily humming along too.

Finn was so happy to see his Mimi and Bop Bop again. And Foster and Paige, Danny, Mary, Luke, Hank and Oreo. He knows everyone's name and we can't say one person's name without naming everyone. Every single time. He got to go swimming, feed the fish and ducks, run through the neighbors sprinklers and go for a spin in Bop's fancy corvette. Finn's only beef was that he wasn't allowed to drive, but he was mighty impressed by the volume of the horn, although I doubt the neighbors will agree.

Fishing Trip

While in Sumter, Bop took Finn on his first fishing trip and they even caught a fish. Of course, with Finn around, that fish didn't really have a chance.

Look! A fish! In my bucket!

You didn't seriously think that would last did you?

Oh look, I'm all wet. How did that happen?