Hayesapalooza! Cuz is One!

My nephew celebrated his first birthday this past Tuesday, April 20th. Brian and Alison feted Hayes with a dinner party on Sunday, which was fabulous. The meal was wonderful and all the kiddos in the family played in the backyard really well together.....Nonna/Donna added to the hijinks by chasing the older boys with fake dog poop. Wow, kids are easily entertained.

Uncle Greg and Aunt Donna gave Hayes a cute red slide, which all the kids enjoyed.
The adorable birthday boy generously shared his slide
The tables all set for dinner

Me and Emery with Grandmom, Mom, and the guest of honor

Hayes immediately dove into his smash cake

Emmy hijacked Hayes's Cozy Coupe, which was a gift from Nanny.

Twi-hards!

Although the movie has been out on DVD for some time now, we (me, Alison, Alison's sister-in-law, Lindsay, Paige, Tara, etc.) were just this past weekend able to get together for a viewing party. Alison hosted and really ran with the theme....we had "Stolen Kiss" martinis, "Twilight Woods" shower gel for party favors, and even Edward and Jacob plates. I am still undecided as to which team I am on during this book/film. I guess I'll just enjoy the scenery! Of course the book is better than the movie, but the flick is definitely a fun way to kill two hours. Especially with a group of friends and yummy food and drinks.
The martini glasses are prepped and ready to be filled

The "Twilight" tablescape

The viewers!

Easter Part II

Easter Sunday was spent in Atlanta at my parents' house with all the extended family. What a great day! My family keeps me extremely entertained, largely due to the abundance of super cute kiddos running around at all the family functions. Kids are so funny!


Hayes arrives with his new lawn mower from the Easter bunny, which Emery immediately decides needs a thorough inspection. Emery received a pink mower. Too precious! Speaking of precious, check out the matching seersucker whale outfits. Alison and I love to coordinate their clothes whenever we can. I guess it's part of being a twin. (And no, my parents' house is not crooked. I am just a poor photographer.)
Colt Reuter double fisting during the egg hunt

Kriya brought each of the kids a large Easter egg with a Seasame Street character enclosed. Emery got the only pink egg since she was the only girl. Girls are greatly outnumbered in the family, but they're starting to catch up. We will have three little princesses at Christmas this year! Two years ago we had none! Of course we've also gained two boys in that same time frame.

My mom outdid herself with Easter dinner.....Emery was raiding the fridge late night for some leftovers!

Easter Part I

Ben and his dad spent the afternoon of Good Friday on the golf course. Linda (Ben's mom) and I decided to meet the boys for lunch afterwards at the country club. Even though we had plans to eat at the club the following morning for breakfast with the Easter bunny and an egg hunt, we thought it would be good practice for Emery to get all dressed up in a dress and shoes (she never wears shoes!) and a hairbow and eat a meal in a fancy dining room. No practice necessary! Emery was a pro. She charmed the staff and fellow diners both days at Thornblade. I guess Ben and I are getting brave because we're taking her to cocktail hour at the country club tomorrow evening. Wish us luck! But back to Easter weekend.....Friday was yet another gorgeous day and Ben and his dad had a lot of fun during their round of golf. They even got to meet Jay Haas (sp?) and watch him play a few holes. Lunch was delicious and Emery was very well behaved. It's funny how she seems to know that dining in public is different from dining at home. She doesn't throw food on the floor, have any sudden outbursts, or lose patience with her high chair after about five minutes. Really and truly, it's almost easier to take her out than to eat at home! Saturday was more of the same....Emery did great at breakfast (we discovered that she LOVES pineapple, just like her mommy) and was not at all afraid of the Easter bunny. Quite the opposite.....she cried when we pried her off the poor rabbit! The egg hunt was super cute and lots of fun to observe. Next year Emery will participate.


Egg hunters on the loose in front of the clubhouse
Emery in her Easter finest

Watching the egg hunt

Loving her time with the Easter bunny

Wouldn't take her eyes off the rabbit for a family photo

Good Friday lunch

Waiting for Daddy to finish his round of golf

Eating a leaf while she waits.....I guess she was ready for lunch!

Grandma and Grandpa Slagel Visit

Ben's parents came down for a visit last week, which kicked off our multi-day Easter celebration. I hope Emery doesn't remember this Easter because the bar was raised pretty high. Next year we're going to have to get her a pony or something ridiculous to top this year's festivities. Not only does her grandma spoil her with lots of attention, she brought gifts! Then, to top it off, Grandpa came home from Stanco one afternoon with a swingset and a cute pink swing! Emery LOVES the swing. It's a miracle worker. We get to enjoy lots of time outside and the swing usually leads to a great nap.
Emery's first time in the swing lulled her to sleep. Once the sun started creeping over we had to get inventive to create some shade. Thankfully, the swingset box worked beautifully. (You might be a redneck if.....)
"I love my pink swing! Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa!"

Not only do we spend multiple hours outside in the swing every day, Emery often dines al fresco nowadays. The weather is too gorgeous to be inside....and cleanup is MUCH easier outside.

Once the swingset made its way into the backyard, Daddy decided to lounge around for a bit before assembling it. Sweet Emmy waited so patiently.