Busy Day!

I did it! After stressing about it for weeks, I completed the Peachtree City Sprint Triathlon last weekend. I was a nervous nelly because I was going to be riding my mountain bike and was convinced that I would come in dead last because everyone else would be on speedy road bikes. Turns out I was fine. Slow on the bike, for sure, but definitely not last. I had a great time racing with my sister, aunt and cousin. Plus, I was able to meet up with some friends at the start and finish. Perfect weather for the race. I will definitely do another tri, but I need to get a road bike first. I am honestly shocked at how much fun the event was. Great job, PTC!

After the race we rushed back to Atlanta to meet up with James, Debbie and Phinley Boyd. The Boyds were in town from FL for the weekend. I miss them so much! Phinley (18 months) and Emery had lots of fun with each other.

Then it was off to McKenna Calvo's first birthday party. We couldn't miss that! Emery and McKenna are travel buddies and great little playmates. Plus, any excuse to hang out with Tara and Nando. The party was at their house and everything was wonderful. Delicious food and a very happy birthday girl.

Emery had a ball playing with "new" toys at the Calvo house.

And now we are in the middle of moving.....will post pictures of the new house once I get rid of all the boxes and finish hanging stuff on the walls.

The girls!

Emery and Lauren had such a fun evening playing with each other yesterday. Need to do this more often!

Coast Guard Festival 2010

It's that time of year again! Every August Ben and I head up to his hometown of Grand Haven, MI, for their annual Coast Guard Festival. It's a fun-filled, jam packed week of boating, parades, carnivals, beach time, swimming, drinking, eating, fireworks and visiting. And this year Emery joined us! We had an amazing time and Emery was spoiled rotten by her grandparents. Emery and I actually left the day before the major festivities take place because things tend to go late into the night and I wasn't sure about childcare or how she would do with the huge crowds and late nights. However, Emery aced her trial run and we will definitely stick around longer next year. Daddy is still in Grand Haven enjoying the chaos without us. Getting out of the SC heat for five days was perhaps the best treat of all. I think poor Emery had forgotten what playing outdoors feels like! Both of Ben's brothers made the trip, which made things extra special for two reasons: 1) Scott is in the country and, 2) New cousin Alexa was introduced to the extended family. I am bummed we left early but so glad for the time we had with the Slagel clan and the rest of Grand Haven....it's such a special little town.
Daddy and Emery waiting to board the plane in Atlanta

Drinks at the airport. Flying alone with Emery went really smoothly, thank goodness. Em has racked up lots of miles in the air since birth. We average flight every two months, I determined while sitting on the plane last night.

Emmy with her Slagel grandparents

Ben taking Emery for a "walk" at Kids' Day

Riding the merry-go-round at the carnival

Scott, Jerry, Linda (back)

Jerry (holding Austin), Korey (holding Alexa), me, Emery and Ben
The family on "My Three Sons" (Ben's parents' boat)

Austin the sailor

Chill Lexi

The Slagel boys

Emery and Austin taking a break at the beach

BFF's birthday party

Emery's good friend, Sterling, turned 1 on July 27th. Sterling's mommy, who also happens to be named Ashley, and I became instant friends the momemt I moved to Greenville. We have so much in commom and were beyond ecstatic when we learned we would be having precious little girls just six weeks apart. We try to get Emery and Sterling together for regular playdates and I have already decided that Emery will marry one of Sterling's big brothers (Duke and Smith Jackson). Sterling had a pool party at their neighborhood pool and we all had a fabulous evening. Happy birthday, Sterling!

Daddy and Bobbles taking a swim

The birthday girl!

Ashley and Will with their princess

BFFs and their daddies.....so adorable.

Fun party idea for kiddos

For those of you in the metro Atlanta area (or Greenville, SC!), check out Greg's Reptile Roadshow when planning your next birthday/Halloween/just for fun party. Greg Greer is my uncle and an animal expert. He's decided to hang up his boots and leave the wilderness adventures he experienced with International Expeditions for the past decade. Greg wants to enlighten his audiences, get them excited about wildlife (and preserve it!), and share his knowledge. His parties are fun and educational....not to mention unforgettable. Greg's web site is http://www.birthdaypartyatlanta.net/. Please visit for more information. Below are a few pictures from a party he recently did. I'm already booking him for Emery's party in about three years. Hear that, Greg?

At first glance I didn't even notice the enormous snake in this picture! Brave kids. They don't look at all scared, do they?

Gymnastics

Emery has been taking a gymanstics class for babies at The Little Gym of Greenville for the past six weeks. Although things started off a little rocky (Emery HATED any sort of movement that involved going upside down), the weekly class has become the highlight of our week. Emery befriended a cute little friend named Harper and got over her fear of flipping. Now she runs wild all over the gym. We've even gone to a few "open gym" play sessions so that Emery can become even more familiar with the equipment. I have enrolled her (and Harper) in the same class again for the fall/winter semester. Looks like we'll be spending every Wednesday morning from August through January at The Little Gym!

Emery and Harper climbing on the "cheese mat"

Jumping off the mat

Dangling from the lower of the uneven bars. The picture was taken about two seconds too late.

Emery will eventually swing through these bars, but for now she enjoys just walking between them.

The start of a backwards roll (teacher Miss Shea is assisting). Both of the teachers for The Birds (Emery's age group) are wonderful. I was thrilled to learn that Miss Shea and Miss Brittany will both be returning next semester. They are wonderful with the kids.

Climbing up to the balance beam

On a side note....50 days to Notre Dame football!!!

The Fruits of our Labor (literally!)

For the second year, Ben planted a vegetable garden in our backyard. We learned from our mistakes last year and have quite the bounty to show for it! In addition to jalapeno, serrano, banana and bell peppers, tomatoes, and an assortment of herbs, we have a cucumber vine that is taking over our backyard. At least twice each week we pick several enormous cucumbers. Although we are struggling to figure out ways to eat all of our peppers (salsa, poppers, etc.), the cucumbers are quickly gobbled up. They really are delicious. Now we are trying to think of vegetables we can plant for fall.....I'd like to make this a year round activity. Emery enjoys going outside with Daddy every evening to water the "crops" when Daddy gets home from work. It's so cute. Hey neighbors, if anyone wants any peppers or cucumbers, let me know!