Wow! What a weekend! Thursday, Jeff got off work early and we left for Atlanta around 2pm to visit some dear friends that moved there from Hollywood, FL in April. A bout 6 1/2 hours, 1 dinner stop, 1 gas stop, and 1 potty/diaper changing stop later...Jeff and I gladly threw the then fussy children at our friends and collapsed on their couch, each of us with a beer in hand. Overall - the kids did GREAT! Being strapped into a car seat for a long time at any age isn't fun...and at 22 months and 2 1/2 months - explaining that it isn't forever falls on deaf ears. So by the time we got there...poor little Carson was just inconsolable as I tried to put his unwanted Nuk in his mouth...and Kendall was whining and crying and wiggling in her car seat...and no amount of "hush"es or "shhh"s or "we'll be there soon, we promise" could calm either of them down. The last 1 to 1 1/2 hours were by far the worst of the trip. We were so happy to see Lance and Alicia and their boys, Griffen and Aidan! So after letting Kendall unwind her energy for about an hour - we finally put her to bed in her pack and play (expecting her to fight since it wasn't her normal bed...but she didn't at all!!!), and Jeff and I collapsed in the guest room thankful that Carson doesn't know any better.

Friday, the boys were at school, Lance was at work, and Alicia had errands she had to run - so Jeff and I took the kids and went to the Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta. Amazing how trying to figure out directions to someplace unknown in a city full of CRAZY drivers can turn the best marriage into one of bickering and tight lips... I digress... Anyway - one note of warning to anyone wanting to visit the Aquarium - ignore the "park stroller here" signs...most people do anyway. We didn't figure it out until the 2nd "attraction"...but it is probably good that I had taken Carson out of his stroller - because as I'm holding him I feel as well as hear him fill his diaper. Shortly thereafter - my arm starts to get a little wet...Not only did he fill his diaper - he exploded his diaper!! One of the best pieces of advice my mother ever gave me is this: Always carry an extra set of clothes in your diaper bag for your child! I can't even begin to tell you how many times I've put that advice to use!!! Anyway - after changing his entire outfit and washing my arm...I met Jeff in the overpriced cafeteria (2 cheesburgers, one hotdog, 2 french fries, 2 cokes and an apple juice for over $28!!!) for lunch. Then we continued onto the rest of the attractions - WITH the stroller - which made things so much more enjoyable all around. When we were done at the aquarium...we decided that Kendall wasn't exhausted enough - so we walked about a block to the Childrens Museum of Atlanta (maybe "of Art"...not sure...). Let me tell you what - I only wish that Gainesville had one of these!!! We all had a blast!!! As parents - its amazing how just watching your child enjoy herself makes it all worth it for you as well! They had so many areas for Kendall to play - balls, sand (moon sand), painting, "fishing", slides...we literally had to remove her from the building kicking and screaming because she was having so much fun! I decided that if they had one of those here in Gainesville - we would probably be at it at least once a week if not more...

Friday night, Aidan and Griffen each had a baseball game, so Jeff went with Lance and Alicia - and I stayed home (with a splitting headache unfortunately) with Kendall and Carson and got them to bed. Neither boy won their game that night - but Aidan did win the game ball!!!

Saturday, the boys had games again (which they both won!!!) So, Alicia took them to the game and Lance, Jeff, the kids and I went to a corn maze. It was so much fun!!! I held Carson in a snugli, and we let Kendall walk on her own. She is such a trooper!!! The maze was a total of 7 acres - and with the exception of just a few times - she walked the entire maze on her own...in 90 degree heat...with flying grasshoppers constantly jumping in our faces...I think she did better than I did!!! haha I didn't bring the camera with me...which I regret horribly...because I would have loved to have gotten some pictures from that day - she was so cute!!! But...isn't she always??? Carson was such a little trooper too! Being in a snugli against mommy isn't exactly the coolest place to be...but he was perfectly happy...slept most of the time...but didn't complain when he was awake. One of the things that impressed me the most about the maze - was they had "markers" at different points to try and help you get through the maze quicker. Each marker had a question - and if answered correctly - would move you right along. Anyway - the questions were Bible trivia! What a great way to not only make money for your family - but provide a ministry opportunity to the community!!!

Anyway - we came home on Sunday...this time after 7 hours, 1 gas stop, 1 lunch stop & 1 nursing stop later...and gladly let Kendall run around the house to wear herself out before we put her to bed. As much as we enjoyed seeing Lance and Alicia - coming home is always great isn't it??? Of course...I am just now finishing up the laundry and unpacking from our trip...but that is just because I am lazy and haven't dedicated myself to my tasks.

Well - along with my blog have been a few pictures from the weekend. FYI - Griffen is the oldest (11 years old), Aidan is the youngest (6 years old). And...last but not least...are two of the most wonderful people in the world (and God parents to our kids) - Lance and Alicia. Love you guys!