A break from winter

Unfortunately for Rod, I get to make escapes from the long dreary winter while he's stuck here, working.  In late February/early March I went home to Alabama to get away.  I did this last year, and had 70 degree weather.  I was hoping for the same - but instead, it was about as bad there as it was here.  Bummer.

Airport greeting

Painting toenails

Birding at the refuge

Bouncing with Mega

Reading a "New Baby" book, which has become one of her faves

Got to spend about 18 hours with Uncle Michael

I got to visit my friend Sarah

Charley got to visit her friends Jack and Emma

Nana and Pops had Easter early, since they wouldn't get to have it with Charley

Getting ready

My little Auburn Tiger

Nannie stayed with us a few days

Mega made Haitian rice and beans, and plantains - yum!

Ava came to play

Making chocolate chip cookies

Playing golf

Feeding ducks

Charley loves to swing

Visiting Mammaw Capps

Four generations

I got to visit with my friend Heather

CCC, round two...

We always have to make time for artsy pics...

Indian Creek hiking and Golden Eagle

The girls got together for a hike up Indian Creek one morning with the dogs.

And one day, on the way to town, we found this Golden Eagle feeding on a mule deer carcass, and Rod got some great shots.

Let's Make Dough

Anyone who is reading this blog by now knows we're expecting our second child.  Here is Charley, announcing our exciting news.

Here are Rod and Charley, filling the bird feeders.

Sometimes Charley says "Let's make dough."  I throw some flour, water and food coloring in a bowl and let her have at it.  Entertains her for at least 20 minutes.

My first spring flowers were daffodils.  We picked some to bring inside.  What an adorable face!

Charley and her best bud Layla

We spent a morning swimming, eating pizza and then ice cream.

Valentine's Day - a weird post

I found this in my drafts folder...  I never finished it, but here's what I'd started!

Okay, so it's March and I'm just getting to this, but...  better late than never!

Dada bought this "porcupine" (it's a hedgehog, but since she's seen and can relate to porcupines, that's what we call it) for her her first V-day ever, but since it was full of beans, I was worried it might pop open.  I tucked it back, and he regave it to her this year.  She promptly named him Saw, which is what she named the refuge's real porcupine.

Gramma sent C a card that Dada helped her punch out and make this little critter, which she named "Lee".  She carried him around everywhere!

Grandpa sent her a card with stickers, and she quickly removed all the stickers from one side of the card and stuck them to the other - she had a great time!

Nana and Pops sent a card with photos of family members - she stared at that card for what seemed like eternity!  (Okay, 3.5 minutes, but for C that's an eternity!)

Then, we went to a playgroup Valentine's party in town - she had fun with the other kids that showed up, including her buddy Layla.  To see those pics, check out this link:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151236295796534.442069.648201533&type=1&l=30d3505b6d

And, to see her riding the bus, click here!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151236305506534.442070.648201533&type=1&l=43ca33ee9c

Finally, posting again - and catching up!

Grandpa sent Charley a Valentine's Day card, and she had fun moving the stickers around.

One day in town, a friend from my mom's group, Amanda, offered for Charley to come play with Cassidy while Rod and I ran errands.  It was a Godsend!  And she sent her home with a Kinder egg - what fun!

THANKS to the BEAUTIFUL weather we've been having (80's!), this is probably the last pic you'll see of Charley in her snow pants!

Charley has something to tell you...