Girls Weekend in Nashville

My best girlfriends were all roommates together at Clemson (The Ridge 207). Although I did not live with them, they have considered me an honorary roommate for years. Every year they get together at a different location for a weekend. They were beyond generous this year to invite me on their annual 207 reunion weekend. This years location was Nashville. It was Stephanie, Anika, Erin and Carla hosted. We were missing Peachy and Jessica.

It was such a great weekend. We got a great taste of the culture, nightlife, and heat of Nashville....plus got the pleasure of meeting a lot of Carla's friends.

Friday night we had a yummy dinner then headed downtown to the Honky Tonks for drinks and dancing. It is an hour time difference there. I did well until about 1:00, then the yawns set in. It was a lot of fun though, talk about a melting pot of people.

Saturday we slept in a little, sat around and talked, then got ready for our next big adventure. We took a pole dancing class. I know what you're probably thinking, "A What". Although we had a private class, this is an aerobics class, and a great workout. You learn how to move your body, and get an awesome upper body workout on the pole. I had a feeling I might be a natural on the pole, and I was. Picked it up like i've been a stripper for years:) It was so much fun, and we had a lot of laughs. I have several big bruises on my legs and hips to show for it.

After the class we got ourselves cleaned up and headed out to Arrington Vineyards to have a picnic dinner, do a wine tasting, watch the sunset, and drink wine. It was gorgeous, and we had several hours of quality conversations and girl talk. A gorgeous setting, relaxing atmosphere, all shared with good friends.

We finished the weekend by visiting Carla's church and eating delicious Mexican food for lunch. That was my first weekend away from Ashlyn, and I wouldn't have wanted to spend it with anyone else. I miss my Clemson family, and all of my dearest friends!

Little Miss Curious

We have ventured into the world of steps. Luckily the wide, carpeted steps at my parents house are the perfect place to learn. Took a few tries to get the knee up, but she's getting the hang of it.

CURIOUS

SNOOPY

INVESTIGATIVE

INQUISITIVE

Ashlyn is curious about everything. It makes life interesting, but keeps me on my toes. She loves love loves watching the dogs, chewing and reaching for everything on the table, getting into anything left on the floor, pulling the dirt out from around the tree, ect. Her new favorite word is um. She sits and looks around the room saying, ummm, ummm! I think she's contemplating the next thing to get into. Maybe she'll be a detective!

Gyros, Boats, and Rain

We had a great 4th of July weekend. It was packed with fun, and some rain!

• Friday our friends had a house warming party in Cincinnati. They had gyros for dinner, soooo good, and it was fun hanging out somewhere new! Ashlyn came with us and luckily fell asleep in her car seat, let us stay a little longer than normal.

• Saturday we headed out to Caesar's Creek to do some boating with my family before the rain came in. Wondered how Ashlyn would do in her life vest. She sat completely still and starred straight ahead the whole 1 1/2 hours. It started spitting rain, so we had to cut the boating short. Luckily I got in a tube ride with my cousin Brad first. Thought I was going to flip off a few times,but laughed my butt off, it was soooo fun! We stayed around through dinner, then came back home to watch the fireworks from our deck. A relaxing and wet 4th!

• Sunday we went up to Dayton for a visit with Dad and Bevin, then headed back to Caesar's Creek for another boat ride with Matt's parents. Thankfully, it was much warmer and sunnier. Ashlyn did pretty well again, only got cranky when the boat wasn't moving. Grandma always seems to be able to make her smile though! Hopefully she'll grow into the vest soon so it won't be such an uncomfortable ride for her.

Hope everyone had a fun and safe 4th of July as well.

Funny Obsessions

Ashlyn has some weird, and funny, obsessions. One is HERSELF! She smiles everytime she sees a picture of herself. Hope that doesn't mean she is going to be conceited. We have this one picture hanging on the wall of Me, Ashlyn, Stephanie and Addie. She waves at it from across the room and talks to it. When I take her over to it, she touches the picture,talks, and laughs. Not sure if she misses Addie, or just loves herself.

Her other obessions is the Wheel of Fortune! Ashlyn really does not pay attention to the Television if we have it on, except at 7:00 every night. Wheel of Fortune will stop her in her tracks. She'll stop, sit, and stare at the TV. I think it's a combination of the bright colors, ding noise, and spinning wheel. Or maybe she just takes after daddy and likes puzzles.

Overnight trip to NC!

Took a quick overnight trip to Pinehurst, NC. Am doing a destination wedding there next March, which I am super pumped about. Went to see the venue and walk through the wedding details. I love the couple....they are fun, adorable, and super nice. It was great to get away for a little trip, but it flew by too quickly. And of course I missed Ashlyn and Matt like crazy. Was a taste of what it will be like when I go to Nashville for my girls weekend getaway in a few weeks. Check out my awesome room!

Attempted to go boating at Caesar's Creek on Sunday, the life vest didn't fit Ashlyn, so we'll have to try again when we go for the 4th of July. Should make for some fun photo ops.

9 Months

9 Months, gosh, where does the time go! We had her 9 month check up on Wednesday. Everything went really well. She came in at.... weight: 19 lbs 9 oz. height: 27 1/2 inches. She did really well with her toe prick and 1 immunization, and her iron levels came out perfect. The nurse practitioner did some fine motor skills activities with her and she registerd as Exceptional. She actually performed one thing the nurse said she's never seen a 9 month old do. Doesn't mean anything except that she is good with her hands and has good hand eye coordination, said Ashlyn will probably be more curious and into things. AWESOME, but i'm not surprised!!!

My new nickname for Ashlyn is "Trouble". Everytime I look over she is getting into or crawling towards something she shouldn't. I always say, "uh oh...here comes trouble"! We have surely ventured into the world of mobility and understanding. It has become obvious that the word NO (said frequently) is registering with her. Unfortunately after I say it and take the object away, she smiles at me like, that was fun let's do it again!

Check out the Shutterfly link for a whole album of photos from here 8th month. And here is my little Rascal causing all sorts of Trouble!

Trying to Play on the Hearth.

Biting....HARD!

Blowing Rasperries on anything she can.

Making noise with the door stoppers.

Pulling herself up on anything and everything.

Fab Father's Day Weekend

Weekend started off great with a fun play date at Angie's house. A Hot and muggy June day calls for getting wet. Ashlyn was a bit of a fuss butt until the water warmed up, but she eventually got over it and enjoyed the refreshingly cool baby pool, and the company.

That night we went and had a tasty dinner at Flavors. One of our favorite local eateries.

Saturday Aunt Ashley and Uncle Nick came for a fun overnight visit. We went to the pool, grilled out, made mom's potato salad, and played some Gin 13. My little "silly monkey" was showing off how fast she could crawl, and learned how to wave to uncle Nick.

Father's Day was a jam packed day. Started off with some yummy waffles for daddy. Then we went to the Benham/Smith family reunion at the Beck Farm. As usual, beautiful setting, fabulous food, homemade ice cream, and family fun. It was a warm day, but still great to be outside and be with extended family. After the reunion, stopped by Matt's parents house for more Father's day fun. Overall a really great day of family time!

Here are a few recent pictures of Daddy and Ashlyn. Happy 1st Father's Day Matt!