Little Rock

Last weekend, we took our first trip as a family of 4 to visit our family in Little Rock, Arkansas. The kids did fantastic on our long road trip. It took us 8 hours to drive down on Friday and 8 hours to drive back on Sunday (with stops built in for a little running around) and with the help of books, snacks, a mini-DVD player, and naps, we all made it work very well.

During our short visit, the kids got to meet Grandma-Great for the first time! Below are pictures of me holding first Nolan, than Maya while my cousin Erin took a picture. I was so mad at myself because I didn't get any pictures of my cousin Erin with the kids! Shame on me! I'll catch you next year, Erin!

Here is a picture Brenda took at the Nature Center we visited.

The kids are still slow to warm up to new people (especially outside of their home) so this was the best we could do as far as a traditional picture of Grandma-Great.

Here is Maya posing for her picture.

We were so thankful that my Aunt Brenda and Uncle Michael let us stay with them during our visit. The sleeping arrangements were great and we could put the kids down for naps and at night while still having some time at their house to visit and play games. Here is Maya snuggling with her doggie and visiting with Brenda.

Here is Nolan playing with a wooden truck that Brenda and Michael got him.

The kids loved playing on the stairs and I got this picture of them as Michael was making the kids laugh! They thought it was hilarious when he would laugh at them. So cute!

On Saturday morning we went to the Little Rock Rivermarket. The place the kids liked the best was the Nature center. There were open fish tanks that they loved to watch the fish swim. There were also birds suspended in mid-air and stuffed animals all around. They loved it!

Later we went outside before it got too hot. This is the best picture I got of the kids sitting together. They had so much fun playing with they toys that Brenda and Michael got them and running around on the deck.

Nolan found Brenda's hybiscus plants and wanted to touch the flowers. When we said, "All done" he did a great job of keeping his hands off of them, so he gave himself a round of applause. Go Nolan!

Then came the bubbles! Maya thought it was funny when Daddy blew the bubbles in her face.

Now it's Maya's turn to blow bubbles, though hers didn't come out as well.

Michael tries to show Nolan how to balance the ball on his hand.

Maya is posing on this serene wooden bench in their backyard. She loves a good chair!

Brenda has these absolutely beautiful hydrangea plants in her backyard which bloom blue and purple. I thought they would make a beautiful background but my camera was acting up while I was trying to get some pictures of Nolan with them. This one was a great picture of how gorgeous the blooms were.



On Sunday morning, we stopped by Grandma-Great's place 1 more time before we left. The kids were feeling pretty happy and decided to give Grandma-Great a kiss goodbye.

Goodbye Grandma-Great! Can't wait until next year to see you again!!!

Thanks again to Brenda and Michael for being such great hosts. Your bed and breakfast is the best in the city! (And their cooking rivals the best in the city as well!)

When we got home from Little Rock, I decided to give the kids a bath. Nolan took a spill (no pun intended) in the tub and busted his eye open. OUCH. It is pretty bruised but didn't swell nearly as much as we thought it would.

He still felt well enough to make "phone calls" to Nonnie and Gramma. See his cell phone in his hand?