sweet time

where are we going?...play park!

phin was always suspicious of me...as you can see in this photo.

swinging

phin and huntleigh

it was so good to see jd and rusty, but our sweet babies were sick all week. here they are being lethargic together.

Sweet Home Alabama

Huntleigh and I recently had the privilege of visiting some of our good friends the Miltons in Alabama. It was the first time I had been on an airplane with her since she was 8 months old and I was a bit apprehensive about how she would behave—especially since she and I were traveling without Josh—but it was one of those times where she made me so proud. I bought Hunts a new Dora dvd, new books and a new backpack for me and we had a great time on the plane reading about Dora and then watching Dora and Boots. After an obnoxiously long layover in Atlanta, she cried on our second flight until she fell asleep. It was the loudest airplane I have ever been on and honestly, I couldn’t even hear her and she was sitting on my lap. She was so exhausted that she fell asleep in the middle of a cry.

To all moms out there: the biggest saving grace of my whole trip was a simple item I ordered from this website. It is a Go-Go Babyz device that hooks on to almost any car seat to make it a stroller. I saw a woman with this at an airport in Dallas a few weeks ago and I chased her down to ask her where she had found it. When I got home I ordered it immediately and I have to say, it is the best $80 I have ever spent. Huntleigh lounged in luxury as I pushed her (or pulled her) around every airport. I heard so many people say behind us “Oh, look at that…the car seat is a stroller…”, it was hilarious. I felt like I was a walking advertisement! But I would highly recommend purchasing this item—especially if you need to bring both your car seat and your stroller and you are traveling as a single mom. Just make your life easier.

u.n.c.l.e. s.c.o.t.t.

it is really sweet to see my brother play with huntleigh and love her.

Yee Haw!

My two favorite boys and I went to the rodeo on Saturday. It was the Professional Bull Riders. Those guys are crazy. Whoever thought that it would be a good idea to ride an angry bull for 8 seconds and then jump off in such a way as to not get kicked in the head, must have never ridden a bull in his life--namely one that has some rope tied around his you-know-whats. And to think that we pay to watch this....sport? But in all honesty, we had a great time drinking big cups of cheap beer. It was quite the cultural experience.

all cowgirls must have red boots

at least the camels didn't spit on us.

Zoo-rific

We enticed Josh to come and meet us at the zoo in the middle of the day. These kind of daddy times are priceless.

crayons and Dora

first pigtails

she cried the entire time i put her hair up. but you have to admit it was worth it. the cuteness could just make you blow up, couldn't it?!

oreo goatee

Okay. I am sorry that I posted this picture. But I suppose not so sorry that I chose NOT to post it, so I don't know if that means I am Indian-giving my apology or what....I was set on never taking food pictures of Huntleigh because I always thought they were so gross, but now I just think they're funny. Letting my child teach herself to eat is, I think, one of the most difficult things for me as a parent. I mean, when we were in the baby food stage, Josh and I would actually have contests to see who could feed Huntleigh without getting a single drop of food on either her face or her bib. Seriously. For those of you who know me well, you know that I am somewhat obsessive-compulsive about cleaning my house. I truly enjoy cleaning (I kind of love it), but crusty food cleaning is not one of those things I just love to deal with. But now, it's just a part of life. Notice the oreo in her ear. And those marks on her forehead...that's from scratching her face.

valentine's day party

we were invited to a little girls party for valentine's day this year. it was fun to be with so many of my friends who have daughters. lots of pink. here, huntleigh and i are doing a little project together.



although it was not edible, here she is eating our project.

little pink riding hood with a big fat lip

B gave Hunts this sweet pink hoodie. Hunts gave herself the fat lip by falling down the stairs. Boo.

Dewey's and Audrey

This is Audrey and Huntleigh at Dewey's Pizza. (Here is where I would put a link, but I think my blogger is messed up, so I can't do it.) Audrey is our fun and wonderful friend who coined the phrase "the Hunts," which has become our most affectionate term for the babe. You would never know Aud is a native of Nebraska (that's one of those fly-over states--somewhere in the middle, I think) because she's so chichi and is so "cultured, dah-ling." But seriously, she loves Huntleigh so well and hers is the face Hunts is so excited to see after nursery on Sunday morning because it means powdered donuts are just around the corner. Thanks, Audrey, for how you love our little family. We love you, too!

the group at Pica Zuro Lodge

Our trip to Argentina was an incredible experience--one I never could have imagined taking, but am so grateful to have been given the opportunity. Argentina is a beautiful country and far surpassed any expectations I may have had for it. Thanks for bearing with me as I posted the remainder of my pictures!

in Argentina with my boyfriend

post-lunch siesta

lunch in the field

where the doves are

Fernando.

This was my guide in Argentina. We decided that he was the quintessential Argentinian Marlboro man. He had this amazing, leathery skin and he never broke a sweat....even with his long-sleeved shirt and heavy canvas pants. He was quite supportive of me as a hunter and never failed to shout "Bueno!" when I hit a dove. (Or "No bueno" when I missed....) He was awesome.

colors of the city.

La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires

to B.A. and beyond

Josh and I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Argentina the last week of January. We got to leave the babe with my mom and we took off to go, of all things, dove hunting. The dove population in Argentina is just out of control and they have managed to turn this problem into a tourist attraction for hunters who are willing to help cull the flock. We were crazy enough to make the journey and if numbers are worth anything, then I think it was well worth it all. I got 502 birds and Josh got 1,940. You will be pleased to know that at the end of the day, the guides pick up all our doves, take them to a nearby village for cleaning and then the dove breasts are given as a gift to orphanges to feed the children. I was glad to discover that what was for our pleasure became a means of providing for those who need it most. We were able to spend a day in Buenos Aires on either end of our time hunting in Cordoba. Here are some scenes from B.A.

crazy dance

i feel as though i have been gone from blogging for so long. here's a little gem until i have time to tell you about where we were. this is how huntleigh dances. i have no idea where she got it from...