War Eagle from NOLA

So, Colin and I went to New Orleans (NOLA) 2 weeks ago for his firm's retreat.  We had such a good time - I didn't take 1 picture.  Seriously, not 1.  Luckily, someone did.  Between meetings and meals we had a great time walking the streets of NOLA.  I attended a cooking class (which was the opposite of what I expected it to be - but still very cool).  Initially, I was surprised that the instructor was already cooking when we arrived (and, no, we were not late).  She made each dish entirely differently than the recipe suggested (which caused great confusion amongst our class).  It was still very cool and informative (even if part of the fun was at the instructor's expense).  On Saturday the Auburn fans defected from the planned dinner at the Aquarium and went to some hole in the wall bar across the street from the alumni bar at the end of the earth (Tulane).  The one picture from NOLA after an AU victory over Kentucky.  The bar was so excited to have our business they took down the LSU balloons and swapped out Orange and Blue ones!  (I should mention that NO ONE - not one person - was in the bar when our group arrived).  Also notice the randoms on the right . . . why do people enjoy getting in other people's pictures?? 

This Veggie Piggy (Part 2)

You may remember Connor's Piggys from several months ago.  Well, this little piggy (Connor) is sooo funny.  While we were trying to get Connor comfortable and Mary Casen's house, we were watching the Alabama/ Florida game (the game was so depressing I can't write about it).  The hilarious GEICO commercial came on about the piggy crying weeeee, weeeee weeeee.  If you haven't seen it, you need to keep the television on until you do.  Connor adores the commercial. 

Chrissy: "Connor, what kind of animal is that?"
Connor: "Pig" (said in his super deep voice)

Chrissy: "That's right.  What does a pig say?"
Connor: "Weeee, Weeeee, Weeeeee.  All the way home!"

No Oink, Oink in our house.

Peek-a-Boo

I see you . . .

Connor had a very fun weekend at home.  We have been on the road the past month and decided to stay at home this weekend.  Good Decision. Colin actually had a ton of work to get done (at work) and we needed the rest.  Colin and I went out for dinner on Friday night (courtesy of my parents and brother) babysitting/ taking Connor to eat chips, salsa, cheese dip and then on Saturday we planned (in advance) to go to Chrissy and Josh's house for dinner and drinks.  We assumed that the babies would go to sleep and we could hang out - we were WRONG.  Connor has spent numerous nights in hotels, grandparent's houses, etc, but he would NOT go to bed at Mary Casen's house.  I was seriously shocked!!!  And disappointed.  Our night out ended at 8:00 p.m. (early) when my bribes of picnic at the park were unsuccessful.  Connor was chanting "Connor, home" for awhile when I finally relented and we headed home.  He went to bed, as usual, easily.  Guess, next party is at our house.  Kids, gotta. love. em.  Chrissy quote "Our Kids are Awesome!" which is true, just didn't think so at the time. . . the Ravens won (so did Auburn) - good football weekend too.  Although our Florida Gators didn't show up against Alabama . . . Colin and I are headed to NOLA this weekend for his work retreat.  We are sooooo looking forward to this.  Now, I just need to decide on a wardrobe.

Meet Red

Gibbons Red is his more formal name . . . and Connor's newest toy.

check out the hair flying in the "breeze" !

Thanks to Pop Pop and Grandma Cathy for a fun visit.

Rewind . . . on Saturday morning the 3 of us flew up to Baltimore for a quick visit.  We met Colin's mom and the airport, borrowed her car and headed to Fairfax to visit Kevin, Leslie and Daniel for Daniel's 1st Birthday party.  Travelling went so smoothly that we actually made it to the party early (this is certainly a first).  We stayed and played with Daniel until dinner. 

I know Colin doesn't look thrilled in this picture but, as he knows I choose the one that is best of the kids (or me!)

The Birthday Boy!

 We packed up again and drove to Hagerstown to stay with Colin's dad for the night.  We arrived just after the Auburn game started (which we had DVR'd), gave Connor a bath, read books and then off to bed.  Colin and I ate delicious Taco Bell and enjoyed some red wine to get us through the slightly stressful Auburn win over South Carolina (maybe it was the wine and a/c but this game was a little easier to watch than last week vs. Clemson).  Connor woke up to the green light on Sunday morning and after breakfast he was introduced to his new horse - which he promptly named "Red" (like any good Auburn fan, right?) and we formally pronounced his name "Gibbons Red" in honor of Cardinal Gibbons School where the Moorhouse men attended and sadly recently closed.  While Connor was busy with Red, Colin and I left for Baltimore to see the Ravens play.  2 hours later, we were tailgating in the rain - something Colin promised he would NEVER make me do again - at least it wasn't freezing like the last time it rained at a tailgate.  Despite the rain, it was surprisingly enjoyable and the rain stopped and the sun appeared just in time for the game. 

 Whew!  After the game, we quickly checked into our hotel, set up Connor's gear and then headed to meet Connor, Pop Pop, Grandma Cathy, Mike, Mary and Karen and Scott for dinner at Chammps.  It was delicious - but a little long - the kitchen allegedly lost our order twice.  After installing the car seat once again in our vehicle, we headed back to the hotel and crashed for the night.  Connor slept pretty well considering the a/c in the room would cut on and off every 3 minutes - a little annoying but I was too tired to try and fix it.  He slept through the green light - unheard of!  Yippee! and again today once we got back to Birmingham at naptime!  Proud mama!

Happy Fall Ya'll!

It is 90+ outside!  Starbucks is serving up Pumpkin Spice Lattes.  The pool has been closed since Labor Day (and it has been an average of 90 each day in September)!  I did partake of pumpkin spice goodness in the privacy of my car, blasting the a/c - but honestly, I think the pool should remain open until the temp drops below 80 and Starbucks should hold off on the holiday spice drinks until we can enjoy them!

Did I Miss It?

Colin reminded me this past week that Connor was 25 months old.  Did I make a post, like usual?  Nope.  Here's why: I am so excited to count by years, rather than months.  Connor is talking up a storm.  Nearly all of his conversations are 3 or 4 (sometimes 5) word sentences/ commands.  He is fairly bossy - surprised?  He loves music, dancing to music, carrying his ipod with speaker like Silver Streak (I really need to get a picture of this), and playing music (piano, drums, guitar).  Jumping is what he does when he is excited . . . and he jumps, and jumps, and jumps.  Connor also started taking naps by himself - I know - AWESOME!  It took about 18 months but he did it.  We are so proud of him - and he is proud of himself too!  The trick (besides buying a nice queen size "naptress" (mattress for naps)) was this clock my friend Heather told me about.  It is wonderful.  You program it to turn on a yellow night light for bedtime and a wake-up time when the light will turn green.  So, Connor knows that if he wakes up and the light is still yellow - he needs to go back to sleep, or play quietly until it turns green.  It took about 3 tries to get it - but he got it. 

Speaking of Heather - Heather and Matt welcomed baby Ella Marie last week.  She is such a beautiful baby.  My cousin Matt and his wife Rachel also welcomed baby Charlotte Elizabeth - I haven't seen her in person since they live out of state, but the pictures are so sweet and darling.  Congrats to the new parents!

I have been slacking on the blog a bit - mainly because I have been working on the napping and travelling.  We were at the beach last weekend and the lake/ Auburn game this weekend.  Next we head up to Baltimore to visit baby Daniel for his 1st birthday (guess he isn't such a baby anymore)!  I haven't been to a BIG Auburn game in quite awhile.  Our Auburn Tigers took on the Clemson Tigers - Auburn looked awful - other than a few plays.  The game went to a slow nail-biting overtime.  Clemson missed a Field Goal (barely) and Auburn stole a "W".  It was 1000 degrees all day and night - seriously, I haven't been that hot in forever.  Luckily we won because it made the nearly 4 hour game worth sweating through.  It is going to be a long season if Auburn doesn't come up with some new plays or defense - LONG.

We went to the game (my Mom was so sweet to keep Connor) with our friends Kelly and Will and my Dad and brother.  Here are a few pictures from the weekend at the lake:

Kelly, Trey, Alexy & Will

Trey

Connor and Me

Connor and Alexy (he LOVES her)

Now for some beach pics . . .

Connor and his Daddy

I Love this beach - gotta go back soon.

Quick Pix

For the start of football season and to celebrate Labor Day we headed to the lake.  Colin and Connor bought me a new lens for my big camera.  I am certainly still a work in progress but here are a few cute shots of Connor from this weekend.