June 09 Update...a little late!

So, the last post was for Loch's birthday...yes, that was 5 months ago! Time has totally gotten away from me and we've been super busy with traveling, working and going to school, it's hard to keep up with a few short sentences and photos of Loch's miraculous milestones!

Here is a quick synopsis of June 2009...in a nutshell!

June 2009

Jeff and I went to Vegas! Brenda and David kept Loch for almost a week. Jeff and I had a great time, even though it was for business...I enjoyed sitting by the pool, having cocktails, sleeping in, eating a wonderful breakfast everyday and getting a taste of the Vegas Scene! Next time I'll definately go back with some girlfriends!!!

Loch went to the Tweetsie Railway to see Thomas...it was an awesome day...he was in awe over the life-sized Thomas and all of the rides as well. We spent time with Jake and Raegan at the pool and playing at NahNah and Poppy's house. Loch loves his cousins so much...and they love him too!

We had a mini-Macaulay family reunion at Susie's house. Lynda and Nancy and all of the kids were there. It was great to see everyone and have a swim.
Loch, Robert, Mika, Matthew, Gianna, Bella and Luca...a great looking bunch!

Zoo Atlanta visiting the Pandas

Daddy went shopping for some Loch and got a really great deal! What fun!

http://picasaweb.google.com/marshamac/June09#

To view all of the photos for June, go to the link above!

Loch's Birthday Party

Loch's 2nd birthday wasn't as outrageous as his 1st! We kept it very small and easy this year with family and one friend. Since Loch LOVES Thomas, it was only fitting that his cake reflected his mild obsession with the little blue engine from Sodor!

YUMMMMMMM CAKE!


Loch, his cousin Robert Larson and his best friend Ava!



Loch's present from Mommy and Daddy!

2nd Birthday Pics

Loch's birthday is in one week and I can hardly believe that 2 years has gotten away from us! Dad, Brenda and David will be coming to Atlanta for a small birthday celebration along with a few friends.
We take so many pictures, but I like having the studio photos done as well. Usually, it's a battle and a half to get him to cooperate, however, this time worked out great! He had his 2nd haircut on Friday and then we had the pictures done the next day. He's a full blown little boy now!

School is oficially out on Thursday. Loch will continue to go to daycare for 3 days a week throughout the summer. He loves it so much and honestly, I don't think I'm as fun as 16 other little friends and his usual routine.
I'm planning on getting back to yoga and working here and there at school in June and July. Jeff and I will be in Vegas for the 1st week of June, Loch with be in NC. And then we'll be coming to Canada for almost 2 weeks in July...summer will be over before we know it!
As for Jeff, he's very busy with work and grad school. He's usually gone for the majority of the week and occupied with studying during the weekend. I feel like a married single working mom most of the time. We can't wait for his graduation in December!
Other than that, everything is "peachy" here in Atlanta!

Mom's Day

Mother's Day 2009 turned out to be a wonderful day in Atlanta with the family! It's not too often that all 3 of us have been able to spend a whole bunch of time together lately due to Jeff's hectic schedule! We did our usual Sunday routine...church, brunch, nap and playtime at the park! Loch gave me flowers and a lovely gift card to Ulta...how thoughful of him!
Last Friday, they had "Muffins for Mom" at Loch's daycare. All of the kids prepared the muffins the previous day (not sure how I feel about that) and Ms. Tee took them home to be cooked! There was extra love in the baking of the muffins! The kids were so proud to have their mommys for breakfast! Here are a few pictures of the event!

After the Storm...

April showers HAVE brough May flowers...

With all of the warmer weather, comes thunderstorms in Atlanta. For the past 2 weeks we've had severe thunderstorms at least every other day lately. We've had 6 trees come down on our property, lots of hail damage and tornados all around our area. Luckily, we've been safe from the high winds, taking cover in the basement, but our trees have suffered.

Due to the severe drought throughout the past 4 years, the root systems from the trees have weakened and result in them falling or having to remove them before they fall. It's a shame since all of the trees on our property are tall oaks and pines. BUT, having one of those crash through our roof would be worse!

The photos below are of the sky following a huge tornado storm that passed through our area. The skys were beautiful and the winds were calm...

Easter Weekend- April 2009

Jeff's mom and dad came and spent the weekend with us for Easter. It was great since it was my birthday weekend as well. Jeff and I were able to go out for some drinks with friends (1st time in almost a year) and didn't have to worry about a babysitter...cuz we don't have one!

I really wanted to make this Easter special for Loch since he'd be able to look for eggs and get excited about his Easter gift. When Drew, Trevor and I woke up on Easter mornings, the Easter bunny would leave a trail of eggs from our bedroom door, all the way down the stairs and into the room where our gifts and chocolates were left. I remember being so excited following that trail of eggs! I decided to leave M&M's for Loch, since they were small and easy for him to pick up (and eat...this was also his first experience with chocolate...big mistake!)

So, we made our way down the stairs, basket in hand, m&m's ready for gathering...Loch ATE his way downstairs with chocolate drool all over his face! He made his way to the living room, collected all of his eggs and opened his gift of bubbles, a book, chocolate bunny, an outfit, a Thomas DVD and other random items!

It was great having Brenda and David with us, there were more Easter gifts for him after ours and he had a blast! After that, we went to church, had a really nice lunch and spent the day together!

Loch and Ava Take a Ride- April 2009

It's hard to find REALLY good parks around Atlanta where the kids can play and it doesn't involve a 40 minute ride in the car just to get there...we have a really nice park just around the corner from us down at the river...that's where the majority of our weekends and frequent after school visits are spent! However, Kristalyn stumbled across a neighbourhood park near her house and we decided to make a visit.

On that particular day, there was a carnival in town! Yes, the Carnies were there...and southern carnies to boot! We rode the merry-go-round with the kids and then put Loch and Ava on these spinning bugs. They didn't allow adults on the ride, so we strapped in our kids and crossed our fingers! I was actually a little nervous because the ride was really fast...I thought that we'd need to stop the ride and drag our screaming kids off it!

Loch and Ava were hilarious! I managed to get photos (that don't do it justice). When the ride started out, Ava was laughing hysterically and enjoying every moment, while Loch looked like he was spooked the entire time. While the ride was going around and around, the centrifical force caused Loch to sardine Ava to the outside edge of the ride and we feared a spill! All went well and the kids had an awesome time...my pants were slightly wet though! lol!







Here are pictures of the kids playing at the park. We left the carnival and played on the slides and the swings...it was fun!

Loch's First Haircut- March 2009

Loch had his first haircut with his grandma and great-grandma during their visit. They have the coolest place for kids called Snipits. He was enthralled with the characters, colors, games, toys and music the minute we walked through the door.

His hair wasn't really THAT bad, but there were some crazy mullet-like pieces in the back that needed to be taken care of. The lady that cut his hair did a quick and painless job, with suckers, movies and trains to keep him entertained all the while.

Loch received a certificate of bravery and a lock of his hair when he was finished. I'll definitely go back to Snipits for his next haircut!

New Train Table

Ok, so I'm totally slack about keeping up with this blog. It seems as though everything has happened all in one month and I'm exactly a month behind with everything. So, with that, the next 5 or 6 updates are from March and April.

During Mom and Grandma's visit, mom and I decided to take a trip to one of the local consignment sales. I was able to stock up on summer clothes, a trike and Loch's big bargain deal was a Train Table that mom bought him.

He LOVES Thomas the Train and is obsessed with his table full of trains, signs, bridges, and tracks! This is a gift that he'll use for years to come. It also has an added bonus of storage underneath. We have a place for all of his train gear, puzzles and blocks too!