Uncle Jake's Visit

We have been so lucky to have so many visitors which has made this transition to a new place so much better. This weekend we were able to spend time with Ryan's brother Jake and his friend Cami. Jake just finished Law School in Portland and before he graduates and takes the Bar he is doing a Southern Road Trip. He wants to see all the states in the US and so with us being down here it was a good excuse to knock out all the states down here. It was a quick trip but we were able to do some fun things in just a day.

We explored the Virginia Highlands area. Fun shops to see and we stopped at Bella Cucina for some baguette and artichoke dip to hold us over until our late lunch. This was so good, I would go back just for this and all the other food looked amazing. 

Then we went to Piedmont Park. It is the Central Park of Atlanta. A huge park with a lake in the middle of the city. And we couldn't have asked for better weather.

They had these cute porch type swings all around the lake. So quaint and relaxing. Can't get over this picture of Camryn and Jaker. Not posed at all which makes it even cuter.

Uncles are the best.

View of part of the city. It actually is a very cool city.

 Pit stop at the playground. This girl was having the time of her life. She is going to be a park lover. She was obsessed with this tunnel and crawling all over the place.

Camryn lost some layers after running around. I think we will be back here quite often.

 

 Then it was time for some good BBQ. Heirloom Market BBQ. This was a serving for one and we shared it as a family. Amazing mac and cheese. I think Reagan ate one of the sides on her own. And so much meat on the ribs. But Jake gets the prize because he ate this all on his own and then had two briskets on the side! Love that.

 Then it was on to Roswell Square for dessert. We wanted The Pie Hole, but it closed just minutes before we got there. So instead we tried Kelly Kakes-the atmosphere made it so fun. The balcony overlooked the street and we go to sit in the same kind of quaint swing at the table. Jake ordered a Peach Marmalade Shortcake which was very appropriate being in GA and was delicious and Cami's and Ryan's brownie were excellent too. By the end we all were so tired and stuffed that we could hardly keep it together. Such a fun day with Jake and Cami, so glad they stopped in to visit.

Strawberry Fields

When Brenda was in town we attempted to go pick strawberries, but the field we went to were closed. So when we had a break from the Atlanta heat and had a beautiful "California"weather day we traveled  to one of the other farms. Within seconds  of picking Camryn got stuck in a huge puddle of mud she got so upset but then we were able to recover and had such a fun shoeless outside day. 

 Best part for sure is all the sampling you can do along the way.

 Break for a picnic lunch and then back to it to fill our gallon bucket.

 So much for not giving babies strawberries until they are one. She couldn't leave any on the bushes. Stems and all sometimes. She is so much more strong willed and wanting to do everything on her own then Camryn ever was. No way could I hold her, she needed to be down in the action. Pull herself up to each spot and crawling to the next. 

 One of my favorite days with these two girls I have ever had.

 And my favorite picture of these two as of yet. For just 10 bucks, I think we will be back.

Part 2-Grandma Visit

Getting ready for church with Grandma

Out to dinner at Rice in Old Town Roswell-minus Daddy in Vegas.

Best Friends

Realized I never get pictures of Reagan and Grandma since Camryn is always hogging that time.

Craft-time, Camryn would do these types of projects all day if she could.

Last meal out with at INC, once again in Old Town Roswell-we can't get enough of the shops and food there. 

Killing time means experimenting with lemons and Reagan! Very entertaining.

Camryn had a turning point in her attitude and the way she treats Reagan this afternoon. We all couldn't get over how sweet she was being towards her and how good she was a lunch. Let's hope it sticks for a while. 

Love these sisters.

So fun and so yummy. I still can't believe we don't have one picture of Ryan with his mom or Ryan in any pictures. It looks like I need to bring my camera more and not just rely on his phone all the time like the ol' days-sad but true.

It was beyond fun having Brenda in town we all were spoiled rotten with her attention. Don't know how we are going to manage not seeing her until Christmas.

This girl will be walking by then for sure. Learned how to pull herself up and by the end of the day she was climbing the stairs. She will be a completely different baby when the Smart's see her next. Crazy!

Grandma Brenda's Visit

Where do I start. We were so happy to get to have Grandma Brenda in town for a week and have her all to ourselves. She had accidentally chosen a red eye flight over and the good sport was still ready for action once she saw the girls. Camryn specifically thought that Grandma came just for her and no one else. Thankfully we did get to share...a little. We had to squeeze in as much as possible to last us until Christmas, since Brenda and David are moving to Hong Hong in a month.

Checking out "our lake." This has become one of Camryn favorite places to go. 

 Just cute Reags-with a new outfit and headband. Gotta love those thighs.

 Lunch at the Fickle Pickle. Reagan got her hands on my pickle and would not let go of it. She was in heaven. Looks like both our kids can't get enough of them.

 More pickles...and kisses. The weather was fantastic and the food as good as the last time!

 I finally broke down and got a double stroller and it has already changed my life. Because it is so nice to throw both girls in at anytime.  And I also can't go into the store I would normally because it is massive-so plus and minuses but we are all happy about it. 

We did a little antique shopping and just enjoyed walking around Old Roswell. It has become a fast favorite of ours.

Sunday night walk. Nugget would stay out of the street, so in he went. And he was very content with it. Another plus of the double stroller I guess.

If you know Camryn, you know that she wears her hair the same way everyday. Down and with a headband. So it was time to REALLY cut her hair. Made it all one length so that it was heavier on the ends and just below her shoulders. It is so nice having Grandmas that can cut hair. I need to learn.

 Ryan went to Vegas for a trade show and speech, so while he was gone we tackle one of our many projects. Painting our dresser. In Ryan's grubbies, we all got to work. Well, Camryn got to work on a "special piece" for grandma with scraps and old paint. The dresser turned out so well-I'll post pictures soon.

 After she was done painting wood she got busy on her face. She was pretty proud of herself to say the least. 

These are just half the pictures, I will post the rest as soon as they are organized. Because there was more fun to be had.

Phone Pics

Camryn a little overly excited about her nails. She does not lack personality.

After a walking to the lake, Camryn decided she could share the stroller with Reagan. They were both loving it! This however, was my breaking point and the next day I bought a double stroller.

Practicing her Yoga moves outside. She is very serious about her down-dog. 

Camryn insists on washing Reagan every bath time. Will save me some time in about a year or so when I am not so worried about Reagan drowning every 2 mins.

 Starting to get too hot for clothes around here. But I don't care what anyone is wearing if I get these two asleep at the same time it is heaven on earth, especially since Camryn "doesn't nap."

 Love these Daddy moments-I was cleaning the kitchen and this is what was going on next to me. Could love these moments more.

 Momma date with Reags

Daddy date with Camryn to Panda and Gigi's cupcakes