Belated Father's Half Birthday

Today is a special day. It is my belated Father's Day and my Half Birthday! The above picture is a finger painting that Abby make special for me :)

Since Andrea was out of town helping Anna on Father's Day she wanted to make it up to me, so today was filled with wonderfulness.

It started out with sleeping in, which is a rare event with a toddler. Then we went to Cool Springs to get some Racquetball equipment for my half-birthday. Later in the day I took a nap and went to workout at the gym.

Thank you Andrea for showing me appreciation. I love you so much and enjoy being your husband and the father of our daughter.

Farrar Day Visit

Byron, Bertie, Mike, Donna, and Joann Farrar stopped by our neighborhood passing through on their way home from Kentucky. Carole and Moni made a wonderful lunch for everyone.

Joann and Abby enjoyed being together. They went to the neighborhood park and played on the swing, slide, and money bars.

I wasn't able to make it because I was at work, but I'm glad that everyone had a great time together.

For more pictures go to my Farrar Day Visit Picasa Web Album.

Paris Landing

Our friends, Josh and Melanie Cooper, invited us to join them for the weekend at Paris Landing State Park.

After having a little trouble finding the place (which is an understatement), we had a great time once we got there. The weather was quite hot, but while it was still cool we took a hike and we went to the pool. The rest of the time we mostly stayed inside relaxing and playing games. The Coopers brought their dog, Maggie, and Abby had fun watching and playing with her.

Thank you for thinking of us. We enjoyed the great outdoors with you all. I hope we can do it again sometime.

Barbara Sitting

While Andrea was out of town helping her sister with Joshua, Abby and I stayed at home. While I was at work a friend of ours, Barbara O'hara, offered to take care of Abby. I dropped her off in the morning and picked her up in the afternoon.

Abby, Barbara, and Jamison (Barbara's son) had so much fun together. They would go on fun trips to Publix, Costco, and Vanderbuilt, they would take walks, play hide and seek in the curtains, feed and walk Poker (Barbara's dog), and much more.

It was so great to have a friend take care of Abby during the day. We didn't have to worry about Abby and we felt comfortable leaving her with Barbara. Thank you so much Barbara for your time and energy.

In addition to Barbara's help, Abby and I went to see Pops and Nana (Andrea's parents) for the weekend. They helped me a lot too. I appreciate all you did!

We sure did miss Mommy while she was gone. I don't know how single parents do it. I did well keeping Abby fed, bathed, and alive. Other than that, I didn't feel like I had much more to give. I sure have a better respect for what Andrea does. Thank you Andrea.

For more pictures go to my Barabara Sitting Picasa Web Album.

Baby Joshua

Andrea went to help her sister, Anna Neal, in California with her newborn son, Joshua.

While she was there she did laundry, helped with cleaning, changed a lot of diapers, gave him bottles, put him to sleep, babysat while Ron and Anna went on a date, etc...

Ron took care of Joshua one afternoon which allowed Anna and Andrea some free time to go out and relax by getting their nails done and going shopping.

I think it is great that Andrea went out to help her sister. I remember how much we appreciated it when we had help come shortly after Abby was born.

For more pictures go to my Baby Joshua Picasa Web Album.

Atnip Visit

Ashley and Alana Atnip came into town for a brief visit. They recently moved to Texas for a new ministry opportunity. Andrea and Abby had a great time getting caught up and playing together.

Other moms and kids came too for the reunion. They had fun playing with water on our back porch and using the toddler swing-set that Andrea purchased from a garage sale.

For more pictures go to my Atnip Visit Picasa Web Album.

Flower Girl

We drove to Springdale, AR for Health and Caitlin's wedding. Andrea was the maid of honor and this was Abby's first experience as a flower girl.

Before we left Andrea checked-out several books from the library about flower girls and we even practiced several times in our living room (we set up chairs and had stuffed animals as guests).

Abby's great aunt, Beth, made her dress and boy was it beautiful. The day of the wedding came and everything seemed fine, however, I think it upset Abby to watch Andrea walk down the isle moments before her big moment. When it came time for Abby to walk, she was not happy. She threw down her flowers and was not going to budge. At that moment, my role as a flower girl assistant became very important. I proudly picked her up, held her flower, and carried her down the isle.

We enjoyed seeing family and supporting them in this special event. Congratulations Health and Caitlin! May God bless your marriage and draw you closer everyday.

On our way to and from Springdale, AR some of our friends let us stay with them to break up our trip. We stayed with the Wrights in Memphis on our way to Springdale, and we stayed with the Moores in Little Rock on our way back home. Thank you both for your hospitality. It was good to catch up with you all again.

For more pictures go to my Health and Caitlin's Wedding Picasa Web Album.