March Madness in Marietta

We have survived the storms that wracked Atlanta in good spirits and good health. Nathan finally got the lawn mowed, thanks to Unca Dave (after much trouble shooting, they determined Nathan was drowning the sucker in oil - problem easily solved). Jennifer started her new job earlier this week, and even at its worst, she gets home at a very decent hour - usually well before the kids go mad from hunger...well, the boy anyway.


Both mommy and daddy finally got to see the Primrose Pre-K arrangement of "Rock Candy Mountain" (you know, "where you can go to lunch in your underwear?" V will have to sing for you...).



One of our biggest bits of news is a new addition to the family - a temporary to permanent kind of thing. We visited a dog rescue center up in Floyd County - they had just rescued a border terrier mix and her litter of puppies a day before destruction. Jen sponsored her and the family has adopted her as a "foster dog" - we don't officially have her until she is fixed and other things are squared with the rescue outfit (http://www.dogpackrescue.com/ I think). We visited the rescue center the day before the first batch of storms rolled through and met her at a Petsmart in Acworth where we picked her up, along with a bunch of other stuff little dogs need (thus the cage if you roll through the trailing video slide show). Barring the possibility of Jen sneaking off to get one of her pups, this family is officially complete - mom & dad, son & daughter, the cats, and introducing: Miley. (Nathan argued for Mango, but unfortunately, Miley was mentioned first...Veronica is a budding Hannah Montana fan...).

Twisters, Driving Snow, and Tranquility

Friday about a week ago, we decided to hit the road to visit the grandparents on the farm in Oklahoma. We left the next day, driving to Olive Branch, MS, where the kids could unwind and play in an indoor pool before hitting the road again. Weather for the drive was beautiful - 60s and clear or partly sunny the whole way. We reached Oklahoma just ahead of some tornadic storms. Within minutes of unloading the van, the drenching rains started to fall. No tornados at the house, but the lightning was fantastic. We were just happy that Veronica and Alexander were worn out enough from the drive to sleep through the thunder. Of course, any chance of tornados was dampened by the follow-on cold front, that dropped our 60s to 20s and 30s. We woke up the next morning to driving snow flurries! It all worked out - gave us time to get grandma and grandpa reaquainted with their grandkids. Though to be sure, we should have been more worried about Grandpa's nap schedule than the kids' schedules. ;)

All in all, it was a long overdue and enjoyable visit. It reaffirmed that the kids REALLY need a dog, and not just to clean up after them. We are looking forward to a snuggle surrogate to give mommy and daddy an occasional break. Besides, Mommy and Daddy are a bit big to snuggle under tables.

I think we stayed just long enough that everyone wished we could have stayed just a few hours longer, but not so long that we won't be welcomed back with enthusiasm. Nathan insisted that next time he'd get pictures of ribs from Robb's Smokehouse - he still swears they're the best he's ever had. (Jennifer wouldn't let him get some to go on the way home, for shame!) Next time, we'll also get pictures of the new buffalo neighbors ... it was too cold this visit.

The drive back was just as pleasant as the drive to OK - stopping at Southaven, MS for another splash in a pool before rolling on back to Marietta. Very happy to be back. It's been interesting doing a roadtrip just before Daylight Savings Time...not sure if I'd recommend it for kids, but maybe so.

Moth to a Camera

Alexander tends to run for the camera just like his daddy seemed to in most of his old home movies. This is in the midst of some fun with balloons, Alex was kept home this day from a bit of fever. Turned out it was just teething, same as for the past few weeks (and counting, a few weeks later!).