Zoo Adventure!

Michael actually had the day off on Friday (1st day off in 11 days), so we all loaded up and went to the zoo! Michael said he couldn't believe he was out with all the "stroller moms", but he had fun explaining all the animals to Josiah. He and Katie have such a neat perspective on all the animals since they've actually seen them in the wild during their time in Kenya. I kept hearing them say "remember the ..." which was always followed by a story about Kenya. Things that we can only imagine or see on the Discovery Channel! Overall the morning at the zoo was a huge success! The boys were able to focus in on some of the animals, especially those at the Savannah exhibit (giraffes, ostrichs, zebras, etc). I think this is because there weren't a lot of trees or fencing to distract them. Eli especially loved the giraffes, which was my favorite part too!

The Davis family: Katie, Michael, and Josiah
Me, Eli, Josiah, and Michael. Eli started out in his stroller, but liked being in the carrier better because it gave him a better view! I think he liked watching the other kids at the zoo better than the animals!
Oooooooo! Zebras!
My favorite part: the baby giraffe!


Katie's favorite: the water lillies!

Michael's favorite: the alligators! They had this man-made sludge and the alligator was soooooooo creepy swimming through it! I got cold chills and even had to take a video so that I could show Jay! Ugh!
Michael explaining to Josiah about the Monkeys
Michael and me and our boys!
Eli and Momma!

Eli and Josiah!

This past week, Eli and I had a fabulous adventure in Birmingham! We went to visit Michael, Katie, and Cousin Josiah. It was so wonderful to watch the boys interact with each other, as well as to be able to observe how different their personalities are already! I nicknamed Eli "The Spaz" this weekend for a very good reason! He has such an enjoyable and social personality and loves receiving attention. This is wonderful and good, until the attention comes from his very defenseless and confused cousin Josiah! Whenever the boys made eye contact, Eli would start laughing and flailing arms and legs in excitement. Unfortunantly, Josiah usually ended up on the bad end of that deal! Josiah has a very thoughtful and observant personality. He is very pleasant and will actually sit still (amazing) and watch the world around him. He is always very interested in what is going on and you can just see his little world expanding every day! We had a great trip and I am so looking forward to watching this relationship evolve as the boys grow-up together! God has truly blessed the Davis family! Here are some of my favorite pics of Josiah and the boys together!

Happy Birthday Sailor-girl!!!

This weekend started the season of 1st birthday parties! Sailor turned 1 on Friday and we all celebrated Saturday with a Birthday Luau! It was tons of fun, and really it is our first "kids" party with Eli. I must say "WOW"! Nikki did a fantastic job planning the party and was able to keep 18 kids ages 2 weeks to 13 occupied and happy! We had a terrific time and can't wait for the next one! (Cole... next week!)

Isn't Sailor too cute in her Luau dress?!
Cole has become a HUGE fan of Eli's Wubba!
Kellye and Eli
Here's baby Maddox, Noah, and Eli! Maddox has a little catching up to do, but it won't be long! It's hard to remember Eli was that little once!
Here's all the kids at the party! I can't believe we got them all in one picture! Yes, count them.... 18!

More Pics from the Fair!

I just could not resist sharing some more of my favorite pics from the fair!

" Are you looking at me?"
Cole watching the cow show through the fence slats! Isn't he cute?
The best seat in the house!

A Day at the Fair!

What a wonderful day for the Cumberland County Fair! Saturday's weather was fabulous and the Owings/Hinch families had a great time hanging at the fair. Kellye's nieces, Jacy and Jenna, are really into showing cows (as well as hogs and sheep) so we all headed to the fairgrounds to see the Junior cow competitions on Saturday. The girls did such a great job and won lots of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons! Jay, Kellye, and I learned tons about farm competition and we enjoyed lots of great food. Can you say FUNNEL CAKE?! The trip definitely made a lasting impression on me and I loved watching the cows, but next year I want to go see the hogs! :) Here's some pics of our big adventure!

What in this picture does not fit? (me!) Eli had fun watching all the animals!
Isn't she pretty! She drools almost as bad and Eli and Cole!
This sheep was more interested in Jay than us!
Jenna introduced Eli to her baby, "Black Honey".
Jenna and Jacy in the showmanship competition!

Hair... finally!

Here's the hair! I told my friend Carrie that I had to build up the courage to put pics out into cyberspace, because once you do you can't ever take them back!! The pics don't really capture the pink (okay cranberry) highlights underneath, but maybe I'll get one in outdoor light to show yall later. I'm really lovin it now and may even keep it this way for a while. We'll see... I think Jay might even like it now! :) He wants my hair long, and spiral curly like it was in highschool when we first met. Isn't he too sweet! Unfortunantly, I don't think that is EVER going to happen. But I'll never say never!

Kelli, Baby Maddox, and me (aka "Glamour Mom" aka "Hollywood")
Me and Baby E (and my not so neat kitchen)

Mommy Reflections!

"And even the very hairs of your head are numbered." Matthew 10:30

My precious Eli,

How awesome to know that God knows us so intimately to keep count of the very hairs on our head! Sometimes it is easy to feel so small in such a BIG world. How much can God really know about little ole me when there are gazillions of people out there? Well, Matthew says it all! God knows us, inside and out, with just a glance. I think this is much like mothers... in just the small time we've spent together I can already recognize your cries and laughs, and know your little hands and feet instantly (even though they are always in motion). God knows you even better than that because He made you and loves you enough to keep up with the "hairs of your head". Don't ever feel like you are alone, because no matter where you are in life, God is there with you. I love you gazillions!

mom