Quiet Weekends in Knoxville and our "Itty Bitty" Weekend

Bryson City, NC

A short hike to the "Itty Bitty" waterfall

Eli's first baseball game

A day at the pool

The past couple of weekends have been quiet. No traveling, lots of play time with Eli, and it has been nice to catch up with my husband again. It seems that the past few months we have been going and going. Even though we have enjoyed our trips to the beach and where ever the road has taken us, there is no place like home. Our weekends have included trips to the pool, baseball games, quiet dinners after the baby falls asleep, and catching up with friends we have neglected the past couple of months.

This past weekend, awhile we had free time once again, we skipped town Saturday morning and found ourselves in Bryson City, NC. We took a beautiful drive through the GSMNP and stayed in a quaint little cabin. Eli was trilled by the trains, people and blue grass music. Bryson City is a sleepy little town that reminds you to slow down and take your time. Everything was so simple, stores closed at 8 pm and the busiest business in town was the ice cream store...we couldn't resist. We woke up Sunday morning to a happy baby and then enjoyed a great breakfast followed by a cup of coffee on the front porch. Ahhhh...life is good!

Tybee Island, July 2009

We pack up our gear, and away we went. We traveled South on 75 towards Atlanta...Pat and Lauren in the back, and off we went. We spent four glorious days at Tybee Island. Eli showed off his mad swimming skills while all the girls "ohhh" and "ahhhed" over him. He had a blast hanging out with his uncle Pat who is determined to have "Pat" be Eli's first word....I heard his name repeated nearly two hundred thousand times. Eli also visited a new city, Savannah. His favorite place was the candy shop where mommy and Lauren tried taffy right out of the mixer. Eli was such a good boy...but what's new? Eli is not only a great travel companion, but already so intereseted in everything we do together, it makes everyday all the more wonderful!


Eli having a great time!

Savannah, GA

Swimming with Daddy

A walk on the beach

The 4th of July

Good food, a great family, firworks and a pinata...the recipe for a great 4th of July weekend. This was one we will remember for a lifetime, thanks to our great hosts and the kiddos. Eli had a trip with Cole and Savannah. Cole kept Eli entertained while Savannah held him close and kept his hair nice and neat. Thje pictures below tell all.


Eli and his papa

These two equals trouble!

Napping on the boat with daddy

Savannah fixing Eli's hair

Oh if you could hear him laugh....

Eli loves swimming with his nana

Six Months and Growing

Just Born, 12/29/2008

2 Weeks Old

1 Month

2 Months

3 Months

4 Months

5 Months

6 Months

Sitting up

That's right, our little man is sitting up!!! We have discovered ELi's new talent just yesterday. We knew it was close. Tonight, after we got hoome from a birthday dinner, we tested the waters again, and tonight, he was sitting on his own for 15 seconds. This is all so amazing, he is growing so fast, and everyday becomming more and more independant. Moments like this, you just want time to stand still!!!

Love, Brad, Jen and ELi

Hope Auction and a Visit from Grandma Shirley

What a great weekend! The Hope Auction was a success!!! It was a busy weekend, but it was a blast. To help us out, Grandma Shirley thought it would be a good idea to come down for a visit, this way she got Eli all to herself while we were busy working:) Having her here, I was on time for everything...that never happens these days. Thanks mom...we miss you already!!!

Eli is moving and grooving. We no longer can take our eyes off him...he has been rolling, grabbing the dogs when they come near and we are in the wonderful stage of "let's see how much noise we can make"...we are loving every minute of it!!!! What has been melting my heart is how he is starting to reach for Brad and I and every great once in awhile, we get a baby hug. Love Love love him!!!!!

Charleston

We are now back from our much needed get-a-way, and what a blast. We spent the past few days in Charleston, SC, Folly Beach and Sullivan's Island. We couldn't have had a better time, Eli was a wonderful travel companion.
Instead of giving you a long winded story of all the activities and ventures, I thought I would just include pictures with captions. Enjoy!!!

Our Little Beach Bum

Eli and Mommy on the beach

Eli's first dip in the ocean...Folly Beach

Going down the slide near Sullivan's Island

Chalreston Living at its finest

Baby Cannon

Already climbing trees

Our happy little man

The Charleston Harbor

The Slave Market

Brad and Eli enjoying the view from our hotel