Cincinnati Trip

Well we are back from our week long adventure to Ohio.  I won't go into the drive because I am trying to block it out of my memory.  We did lots of fun things and were so busy the week just flew by!

First we threw a shower for my sister-in-law, Shana, who is due with their first baby in September.  She got lots of fun stuff...that I am sure she will figure out how to use soon!  Lots of friends and family came and it was great to catch up.  Luckily Grace slept for most of the shower but when she was up Aunt Cindy and Sheri entertained her (or maybe she entertained them).

My parents had never been to their Aquarium so off we went!  The aquarium is actually on the river in Kentucky so you could see the whole city from the entrance.  Jake loved to see all the bridges.  We saw all kinds of fish and they have a HUGE alligator named Mighty Mike.  We went to a show were the divers were swimming with all kinds of sharks...yikes!  But they have a turtle and Julianna followed his every move.

The next day we went to the butterfly show.  This is the 3rd year we have done it and once again it was a hit.  There weren't as many butterflies as usual and we thought it was a bust until a nice lady handed Jake a flower with a butterfly on it.  Then it flew on his shirt and he was in heaven!  When the butterfly landed on Julianna she screamed and cried.  Funny she is scared of the most random things.

So the next day we went to the zoo (I told you it was a busy week!).  They have a beautiful zoo in Cincinnati.  Every time I go I feel like it's totally different.  As usual the kids had a wonderful time seeing all the animals.  Jake just runs from animal to animal but Julianna could sit there for hours and watch them.  Their little personalities are so interesting.

We did lots of other fun things too!  They blow up a small pool in the backyard and the kids play in it every day.  I took Jake swimming at Lisa's house, we got milkshakes, went out to lunch a few times, went shopping and they watched the kids so I could go out to dinner and a movie with my very BEST friend, Lisa!  Thanks Grandma and Poppy for a fantastic week...see you next year!

4th of July

What a great day we have had today!  We started the day with some yummy donuts, chocolate with sprinkles of course!  Then we ventured into Marietta for a parade.  I never thought the kids would enjoy it but they loved it!  Julianna especially.  She just sat and watched all the people and cars.  The fire trucks were a big hit too.  We are so fortunate that we have some neighbors with two girls just Jake and Julianna's ages.  So we spent the entire day with them.

After the parade we all had lunch together and then tried to meet at the pool after naps.  Too bad it rained so we had to bring the party home.  But they came over for dinner and after dessert we lit a few sparklers and they had a ball!

Tomorrow we are off to Nashville and then Friday on to Cincinnati.  Brian isn't going to I am praying for a smooth ride with 3 kids!  Yikes!

Update

We have had quite a busy week since our failed beach trip.  I tried to make it up to them and took all 3 kids to the Aquarium (yep by myself!).  It turned out to be great fun.  We saw the dolphin show and Grace slept the whole time while Jake and Julianna clapped and yelled.  The Aquarium is definitely one of our favorite places in Atlanta.

Some good friends of ours got married this past weekend and luckily my parents could come down and watch the kids.  BIG thanks to them for taking on our three little darlings for 48 hours!  Doesn't sound like a long time but I am sure they are worn out!  When we got back we took Jake and Julianna to the pool for a quick swim that lasted 2 hours!  They just love the pool!  Jake is a little fish these days and Julianna has figured out how to maneuver with her life jacket.

Oh and our sweet Grace is 3 months old!  Woo hoo!  We have finally made it through the newborn stage (not my favorite).  Last night she slept from 7pm to 7am.  She is such an awesome baby...I am pretty sure everyone says that but she is great.  And Julianna LOVES her...way too much.

Speaking of Julianna, more shenanigans...she found some blue nail polish.  Jake so nicely pointed this out while I was in the shower, thankfully she managed to avoid the carpet.  Yep I was running around screaming "where's the nail polish" like a crazy person.

We leave for Cincinnati on the 5th so my I hope Grandma and Poppy rested up because the McNeely's are coming!  

Happy Father's Day

So I know its been a while since Father's Day but I found this great idea on Pinterest.  I am pretty proud of myself for actually doing it!  But it turned out so great I wanted to share.

Jake and Julianna were so excited when I took each picture.  Julianna can't spell so she didn't get into it as much as Jake but she loves to pose.  Jake was so excited to hold the first "D."  I think Brian liked it...who wouldn't love a picture of these three cuties?  He took it to his office to hang on his walls.  I hope when he looks at it he knows there are 4 people at home who love and appreciate every hour he spends at work providing for us!  We love you and thanks for being such an amazing Daddy!