more pics

Nothing special about these pics., just playing with the new camera. I will read some of the book, get the filter, then play some more. Again, hopefully I will be better about my posts.

Old-New

The first picture was taken with my Nikon Coolpix. I love that little camera for trips and keeping it handy but I wanted something better again. Now the second picture is with Nikon D5000 the color is so much better already even without a filter. I will buy the filter soon; I was just playing around yesterday. I will end up playing some more and hopefully will be better at posting things, especially now that summer is coming. Here's hoping! :-)

Halloween Preview

My babies!

Frankie is my little "abeja" (bee)and Mara is ready to fly in the space shuttle!

Disney Trip

Well, we went to Disney World again. We just couldn't pass up the great deal they are doing this year! We also went to Kennedy Space Center which Mara loved! Frankie was very crankie that day so we didn't get to do as much as we wanted. :-( Also, Mara spent her birthday at Epcot, her favorite park. While there that day we ate at the castle in Norway, which was the princess meal. We met Belle at the door then Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora, and Arial all came to our table. So much fun! We love it there and can't wait to go back!!!

September Tennessee Trip

Our trip to Tennesse was a lot of fun. It rained almost the whole time we were there so we did some indoor activities. We went to Ripley's Believe it or Not, Charokee Tribe, The Aquarium, and to a park in the Smokey Mountains. The cabin we stayed in was great, although we did have a honey bee problem. Mara actually was stung by one. This was her first bee sting and I think all in all she wasn't to "drama" about it. :-)

Frankie's Smile

Well, I finally got them! A couple of pics of Miss Frankie smiling! WooHoo! Maybe the days of being grumpy are starting to fade! (I say fade not gone b/c she is still somewhat grumpy during the day.) :)

Mara's Ears Pierced

Mara got her ears pierced on Monday. I can't believe she did it! She is growing up way too fast! As for Francesca she is getting bigger and bigger! She is cooing and starting to smile. As soon as I can catch her with a smile I will get a picture of her and post it. For now I hope this one will do.

Update

June was a very busy month. :) Ben got his Master Sergent strip put on, Francesca surprised us two weeks early, and we have had lots of family coming and going. So, since she is sleeping I will post a few pictures. Enjoy and hopefully, it won't be too long before I post some more! Hope you all are doing well!

Baby Shower

I had two baby showers this month. One was at the home school cover group on Friday and the other was at Aunt Minnie's house on Saturday. I had a wonderful time at both but only have the pictures from Saturday. We got a ton of stuff from both showers! I have to say - We are truly blessed! I am 33 almost 34 weeks pregnant in this pic. I am with Kim and LaShunda two girls that I have know since I moved to Montgomery (the first time) back in '95. We use to work together way back in the day! :) And that same weekend Ben sprained his ankle (lower and upper). So, he is now on crutches and a boot. It is healing very nicely and should be ok by the time Little Frankie gets here. At least we hope!!! :)

April Update

Yes, here we are again with me not updating like I should. We did quite a bit in April but all the pictures I got were Mara with other children (I don't want to put their pics up unless I have permission). So, here's a rundown of April:

1. Ben and I went to a Montgomery Biscuit Game (minor league baseball). So much fun but so cold! :)
2. Mara had an Easter party. Some friends and their parents came over and we ate way too much!
3. Mara took a field trip to Jasmine Hill Gardens with her cover school group. The group is all boys except an 18yr. old girl. At first she was ready to leave but ended up having a great time. She learned about Greek Mythology (Greek statues are all over the garden) and realized that playing with the boys isn't so bad. :)
4. Oak Mountain - we went back there and hiked a small trail. The incline was pretty steep (especial for being 32 weeks along) but I made it and we all had a blast!
5. Strawberry Picking - Mara and Kira went to a field and picked a gallon of strawberries. They were so yummy! We will probably go back this week and get more. :)

Francesca at 29 weeks

Here are the latest pictures of Francesca (Frankie). She is 2 lbs 14 oz and doing great! In the first picture you can see that she does have hair. :) The second picture is of her profile.

Vulcan Park Birmingham, AL

Yesterday we went to Vulcan Park up in Birmingham with our good friends Jim, Kelly and Kira. We had a really good time but it was windy and a little chilly. (for everyone but me who is still sick so it was cold) Anyway, the park (small but pretty) sits up on a small mountain and overlooks the city. We not only were able to see the city from the overlook but we were also able to go up the statue and look from there. Ben and Kira took the stairs down while the rest of us were too lazy and rode the elevator. :)

The park and museum are for the steel manufacturing that used to be done in Birmingham.

Picture of My Belly

Finally, here is a picture of my belly. Ok, maybe I am not as HUGE as I thought I was.

Botanical Gardens Birmingham, AL

Back in January we went to the garden in Birmingham. There weren't a whole lot of flowers in bloom but it was a nice walk. As you can tell it was pretty warm here. Here are a couple of pictures.

Baby Girl #2

Yes, we are having another girl! Yes, we are very excited! And NO we will not try again for a boy!;) So, here is picture of our little cutie! So far we have a very slim name list. Our favorite is either Ivy Francesca or Francesca Ivy. The Ivy because we like it and the Francesca because it's the female form of Francisco (my grandfather's name whose birthday is this one's due date). Hopefully, I will get a picture of me up here by tomorrow so everyone can see my ever growing belly!

December

We have had a very busy but fun month of December!!! First, Grandma/Grandpa Durham came for a quick Christmas visit. I guess because it was so quick we didn't get any pics with them. :( Next my sister and her three kids came for a visit. Which was a blast! Between everyone playing, getting in trouble, and getting sick it went by too fast! Now our house is really quite without them. Then we had a nice Christmas together, then Christmas night was spent with my uncle and aunt here. The day after Christmas our good friend Mike came for a quick visit as well. (no pics again.) Then just yesterday (12/29) we went to Atlanta, GA for a quick, but much needed, visit to the Coke Factory. We had such a good time. But Ben said that we can't go back to it until someone comes to visit. So, please everyone plan another trip back! :) Click on the slideshow and it will tell what's going on in each picture.

Finally!

I am finally updating my blog spot. Sorry, it has been so long! Here are just four pictures of things that have been going on since my last update. First, is Mara at Calloway Garden(her grandparents (Silver) were here and it was her birthday). The second, is her on the velcro wall, at a fall festival, she had a blast on that thing!! Then last two are of her and Molly, her American Girl doll, in their matching pj's and dresses that her Grandma Lindsay made them.

I will try and be better about posting!!

New Addition

Yes, we have a new addition to our ever growing family! Our new little one is named Tybalt. He is so cute and so full of energy! Lucy was not to happy with him at first (honestly she was terrified) but they are best buds now. As for Mara she loves him! Mara still doesn't want either Lucy or Tybalt in her room, though. Big surprise!

We also inherited two fish, from our friends that just moved out of Montgomery. We are down to one fish now because one ate the other. We are not any good at keeping fish or plants. :(

Oak Mountain

We went to Oak Mountain yesterday. It was such a beautiful day we couldn't stay indoors. We got there and hiked up the mountain 2.2 miles - it was so steep in places but so worth it! Then of course, we hiked down 2.2 miles and yes, I fell, on a rock. Mara, however, did great! She got tired but we stopped, had a snack, rested then back down we went. She had such a great attitude even when her legs hurt she said she was having a wonderful time! I can't believe it! Maybe she has a little adventure in her yet! Then we checked out the rehabilation center. Then to the petting zoo. The baby goats where her favorite, even though one of them tried to eat her shoelace.

Dance Recital

Mara had her first dance recital today. She had lots of fun and did a great job. They danced to three songs, "It's a Wonderful World", "Who Said" and "Rock Around Clock". It was a very long recital but very cute!