Ryan “The Lock Man”

One funny story that I meant to include with the porch pictures…but forgot…

We were meeting with the contractor last week and had gone out on the deck to discuss the plans. We purposely shut the door behind us and left the kids inside because there were no stairs leading from the deck nor were there any side rails. It was basically a platform in the sky. We didn’t want any children or dogs even on the platform. Kevin went to open the door to go back inside and we realized that Ryan had locked the door! Panic began to set in, but the contractor was still talking details so I was trying to focus. All the while Kevin is yelling to Ryan and pointing through the door, “no honey, turn it the other way” and “no that’s the wrong one – try the other one”. It was hard not to laugh. About that time Ryan looked up at Kevin and then shut the blinds. We all busted out laughing – how could we do anything else? Finally my friend showed up and we had to yell to her to come and let us in. We were saved! Funny stuff!

Neighborhood Fun

Our sweet neighbors, Carolyn and Simon, have a contract on their house and will soon be moving out of our neighborhood.  We had a little gathering for them on Sunday, so as soon as we walked in the door from Burge Plantation, we headed out back to play some more!  It was a delightful afternoon and a wonderful way to end a great weekend!

 
Katharyn has started reading and the kiddos enjoyed listening to her!




Both sets of twins

Ryan and Simon ate more than everyone’s fair share of pretzels



Our latest project is that we are extending our deck and enclosing it to make it a screened in porch.  We’ve talked about doing this since we moved here 4 1/2 years ago and decided to finally pull the trigger!  It started about a week ago and has already come a long way!  We now have a roof, new location for the stairs and the extension is complete!

New stair location and landing

Web Albums Added:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20100425FarewellToCarolynSimon#
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/201004PorchProject#

Weekend in the Woods

We were lucky enough to join the Cole family this weekend at Burge Plantation.  It was such a treat to be in this relaxing and peaceful place with great friends.  It was just about an hour outside of Atlanta, but we felt like we were a world away.  It stormed on our way there, but after about an hour it cleared up enough for us to explore.  We went to the skeet shooting course and played on the bocce ball court.  We saw lots of hunting dogs, beautiful horses and even a couple of mules.  The cabin was gorgeous and sat right on 2 ponds.  There was a great fire pit too!  We explored a lot and there were too many photo opportunities to pass up (as you can see).  The kids were great – other than not being sure about sleeping in a new “scary” (Riley’s new word of the week) place.  Thank you Coles for the very generous invitation!  It was a great weekend!

So many great things to point out!
 
Avery LOVES to hold hands! 
It’s great that she is both Riley AND Ryan’s friend!
 
Sweet “Baby” Margaret!
  
Horses – Up Close & Personal!
 


They were even a little “scary”!

  
Our Awesome Tin Roof Cabin

The pond right outside the cabin

They loved going over the bridge!  Mama wasn’t so excited about being over the water without any rails




The awesome fire pit! 


Lots of RUNNING! 


Exploring on Sunday morning

This is what you get when you ask 3 2-year olds to “put their arms around each other”



 

Caught in mid-air

Balance Beam performer in training (she was really good)
 

This captures Riley’s “look”
 
What a great way to end the weekend – kissing Daddy!
 
Web Album: http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20100424BurgePlantation#

Happy Birthday Mee Maw!!

Remember to pause the music player on the left side so you can hear the singing!

Potty Update

Riley = Rockstar!!!

We are 2 days in to big girl panties and there have only been 2 accidents!!!  Riley is doing great and best of all she is SO PROUD of herself!  They have been putting her on the potty every 30 minutes and then in a pull up during nap time…and she is waking up from naptime dry!  We are all very proud of my baby girl! 

On another note – we are extending our deck and enclosing part of it with screens.  They just started this week and it’s all coming along nicely.  They are supposed to start the roof tomorrow!  I can’t wait to post a few photos and better yet I can’t wait until it’s finished – hopefully before it gets really hot!

Potty

When I picked up the kiddos from school yesterday, their teacher asked me to send Riley with some big girl panties today! She kept on the same pull-up all day yesterday and it was dry every time they checked!!! Yay! We only sent her with 2 pair, so we’ll see how the day goes. I let her pick the 2 pair she wanted to take and she was very excited. Ryan (of course) wanted to take some too, so sweet Riley offered to let him carry 1 pair of hers. (the teacher emphasized that he is just not ready yet) How funny – two kids walking into school carrying (Dora) panties! We should have taken a picture - especially of Ryan! I can’t wait for the big report this afternoon!

Mee Maw’s Birthday lunch at Serenbe

This past week got off to a very rough start.  Riley and I were both sick, but luckily I bounced back fairly quickly.  Riley had some sort of stomach bug and was so sick.  She couldn’t even keep down water for 48 hours and was so pitiful.  We were home Monday and Tuesday but by Tuesday afternoon she was feeling better and bounced back pretty quickly once the “stuff” was out of her system.  I’m thankful to see her happy and healthy!

We had a great time at a “music class'” on Saturday morning.  We had a “play date” for the multiples club and there were over 100 people that came to the class.  The kids were notably quiet as the class began, but as soon as they came out of their shell there was no turning back.   They literally ran in circles dancing to the tunes.  Very Cute!  Unfortunately I forgot my camera, so no photos…I know – hard to believe.

Saturday evening Mee Maw came over and spent the night with us.  We all went to church this morning and then surprised Mee Maw that we were going to Serenbe for lunch to celebrate her birthday.  None of us had ever been there, but we were all very impressed.  We ate at The Farmhouse Inn and had an incredible lunch of fried chicken, pole beans, garlic mashed potatoes and squash soufflé…all fresh from the garden!  The area is about 25 miles south of the Atlanta airport, so it wasn’t a long drive from our house.  What a treat and we felt like we escaped to another land driving into this beautiful planned community.  What a perfect day with so many beautiful flowers in full bloom! 

Happy (early) Birthday Mee Maw!  We love you!

 

 
Ryan studied the menu like he was really reading it
 
We all loved the amazing biscuits!
 
The kiddos were so very well behaved.  I wonder if “the talk” I gave them before we went in was the reason why?!
Strawberry Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream
Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream
The garden where our food was grown

The fun play house (with a trap door and all)
The Koi Pond was very impressive


Web Album Added:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20100418MeeMawSBirthday#