How could I forget you, blog?

I've been meaning to write again in my blog for what seems like forever. I'm starting back to day, hooray!  The Smith family has had a busy couple of months.  Between work, play and the attempt to "DIY" paint our house, I can barely recall where April and May went ... they didn't even say goodbye.  So, here we are months after my last blog posting: cattle shows, cattle sales, trips to BR, a trip to PA and fun around the house.  I'll recap in some photos since those usually tell the story best!  

Outside painting fun

Dig deep!

Ready for school

Easter duds!

Hotty Toddy (in honor of the family history)

Nothing is better than icing cookies!

Looking for a lamb

Bunny cake - an experience attempting to make with a 2-year-old!

Trip to see Trip

Face painting fun

What did the Easter bunny bring?

Come fly the friendly skies...

Charlotte turned two this past weekend!  My cousin Grant was getting hitched in Dallas, so Charlotte got to spend her birthday with all the Alvarez crew.  Charlotte had a blast on the plane and did pretty well for a two-year-old.  I was so thankful she enjoyed it and kept her seat belt on for most of the ride. 

To ad lib a little here... I had this horrible experience sitting behind a woman on a plane getting ready for take off a few years ago.  She had a child around age 2 or 3 in the seat in front of me.  The child was terrified of the seat belt and screamed every time she tried to fasten it.  I felt awful for her and the kiddo since the plane was not going to take off until he was buckled in due to regulations.  I could feel the anger boiling from passengers sitting behind us and when we exited the plane I witnessed a horrible scene as passengers yelled back and forth with the woman.

Busy coloring and sipping on her courtesy drink!

THANK YOU CHARLOTTE for a great trip on this occasion -- you never know what the future will hold for other journeys.  (more on the bday weekend later)

The Short Trip

Playing at my Grandparents' house is so much fun!

Can you say "War Eagle" Wrigley? Charlotte enjoyed taunting Sam and Wrigley with her Auburn shaker.

Roar!  Mike the Tiger

This tiger is even better...he doesn't bite!

Charlotte and I took a short trip to Baton Rouge this weekend to celebrate Dad's birthday!  Charlotte loved seeing Cop Cop, Grandad aka Frank, Ora Mae, Wrigley and Sam.  We hope everyone has a safe and fun Thanksgiving.

Where does the time go?

It's November!  I have no idea where the month of October went.  Time flies when you are having fun or you have over-committed yourself!  We have had a wonderful fall so far -- from a visit to the corn maze that I blogged about earlier to the annual fall Fair in Mobile and Halloween -- Charlotte, Coy and I have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. 

When Halloween rolls around each year I can vividly remember singing along with Mrs. Prudhomme (check my spelling) at St. Jame Episcopal Day School to "H-A-Double L-O-W-Double E-N spells Halloween!"  I search high and low for the perfect costume for Charlotte this year.  I toyed with the idea of making a costume - which of course was a silly idea since I rarely make clothing of any sort - but it was the thought that counts I suppose.  I pounded the pavement looking for a costume, but my expectations were set way too high.  Then it was decision time on October 30th, and I scrounged with all the other moms through the isle of reject costumes.  But then, it appeared, a ladybug costume that was one size too big and I said, "Surely it will fit!"  I clung to it for dear life and dashed to the tights and leotards section, again a size too big in each, but I decided to set those worries aside.  Finally!  Halloween night I prayed Charlotte would not whelp up with tears because of a bobo outfit, but hoped she would feel like the song, "Girls, just wanna have fun...!"

The result....SUCCESS!  We have a super fun night with Coy's family and appreciate Amanda, Seth and Copper Naugle for letting us join in the festivities.  Charlotte got the hang of saying trick or treat, well mainly the "treat" part, and had a ball seeing all the little ones dressed in their favorite costume duds. 

Fun at the Fair
October means Fair-time each year in Mobile.  We had a successful first 4-H Feeder Steer Show (at least first one since I can recall) in place of the market steer show, enjoyed tugging on the lambs at the Lamb Show, and finally figured out that the height requirements on the signage for rides was only for little ones riding alone.  Share in our fun with the collage!

The Pony Express

Charlotte's first pony ride was a success! No tears, just smiles and it looks like she's doing it all by herself. Part of the family outing to Seward Farms - the rooster crowing in the background is only fitting.

Fall has finally arrived...

So it finally feels like fall in South Alabama, a little warm still, but nonetheless it's beautiful!  This past weekend Coy surprised Charlotte and I with a trip to the Seward Farms Corn Maze.  Charlotte had a blast riding a pony for the first time, watching the duck and pig races, bouncing on the giant pumpkin and taking it easy on the hay ride.  It was a great way to start the month of October.

September on the Plains

War Eagle!  We made a trip up to see the Yordy family in September for the FLA Atlantic vs Auburn football game.  It was a great time and we were thankful Auburn won!  If you are ever in Auburn the Friday before a game, make sure you check out the show at Auburn's Raptor Center.  From owls, to hawks, to vultures, to Spirit the Eagle, we saw them all soar.  It was great to be back in Auburn and we hope to make the trip again sooner rather than later.