April 30 - Wild Animal Safari

Today we went to Wild Animal Safari in Pine Mountain, GA with our friends the Richters. We got to see lots of exotic animals up close, and it was perfect sunny day in the mid 70s. Here's a family shot in front of the zebra van we drove through the park.

The tour started off with a bang. This giraffe was our first encounter. It was so huge and so close that I couldn't even get its whole head in the shot as it was reaching in the van for a treat.

This zebra was quite aggressive. I like how this shot looks like it is trying to eat Lucy.

I'm easily amused by photos where it looks like my baby is about to be eaten. Here's another one.

This is Ellary feeding a giant cow thing. The bovines had the most horrendous breath. Poor, pregnant Monique's gag reflex was triggered quite a few times by the smell.

After the driving tour we picnicked and played a bit. L to R: Ellary, Lila, Nellie, and Shila.

After lunch, we toured the walking portion of the park. The baby giraffe was the most adorable thing I've ever seen.

And because I just can't resist one more shot of Lucy being eaten by a wild animal (photo by Monique). Cruel, I know.

In 2006, Lila napped in Rick's arms. This is one of my favorite photos.

On this day in 2010, we were at the Hearn's house with the Richters, but I don't remember why.

April 29 - Wedded Bliss

Today was our 11th wedding anniversary. We started the day with watching the royal wedding.

Nellie was a princess and a photographer. Multi-tasking!

The weather was perfect, so we ate dinner on the patio at Cheesecake Factory. Having three kids along probably wouldn't qualify this as our most romantic anniversary dinner, but we had fun and enjoyed each other's company.

Here's Rick with our 10th Anniversary present.

Lila took this shot of the old married people.

Here we are in 2000 at our wedding.

Our 9th anniversary in 2009.

April 28 - Zoo

We met up with Miriam and Ewan and some playgroup friends at the zoo today.

We finally got a good view of baby panda Po.

After the zoo, Lila had violin class. After 11 weeks of plucking, the students have earned their bows.

On this day in 2006, Lila put herself in a dog crate.

In 2008, we continued to celebrate Ciera's 18th birthday.

April 27 - The Tortoise and the Storm

We picked up our friend Caitlyn from school today. She had taken a box turtle in for show and tell, and the girls had fun playing with it in the back yard. At one point, they forgot about it, and it got away. It didn't get too far away, and they were able to find it after a fun, giggling search and rescue mission.

Due to our lack of a basement and my weather-related anxiety, we went to the Richters house for safety during the massive storms that were supposed to strike tonight. The girls had fun playing together and were oblivious to the potential danger of the storm.

Sadly, the storms turned out to be just as horrendous as predicted. Luckily for us, the path skirted the metro Atlanta area so we headed back home at about 3am.


On this day in 2008, Rick wore a sleepy baby Nellie in the Ergo.

On this day in 2009, the girls and I visited Ciera in her new apartment for her birthday.

In 2010, I took the girls to Fernbank.

April 26 - Salon Mommy

We got to tennis a few minutes early today, so we took some photos of each other. Here is Lila, the tennis superstar.

Lila took this shot of Nellie and me.

She also took this shot of me cutting Rick's hair this evening.

On this day in 2008, we went to the Hard Rock Cafe to celebrate Ciera's 18th birthday with her and her friends.

On this day in 2009, Nellie got stuck in her play kitchen.

In 2010, the girls played with dolls and strollers. Yes, Nellie is completely naked for some unknown reason.

April 25 - Holistic Moms Open House

Today was the closest I've come to forgetting to get a photo for the day. It was a frantic day getting ready for an open house for my Holistic Moms group. Luckily, I remembered to snap a couple of shots before the meeting and the day ended. We had a great turnout at our event and my co-leaders and I are excited to get the chapter up and running again. The man in overalls speaking in this shot is The Chicken Whisperer. It was pretty cool to have a celebrity at our meeting!

On this day in 2008, Ciera began her 18th birthday celebration. This was the ensemble she wore to school.

On this day in 2010, I caught one of those rare shots of Lila and Nellie both smiling at the camera.

We also went to the Alpharetta street festival for Taryn's birthday. Here are the kids eating ice cream in honor of Taryn. I just noticed that someone is missing from this picture. I can't figure out where baby Konner is!

April 24 - Easter Sunday

My mom bought an embroidery machine a few weeks ago and her first project was monogrammed Easter outfits for the grandkids. They turned out so cute. Here is Goggy with her neatly labeled grandchildren.

I took so many photos today that I was exhausted. I just wanted one shot of my girls together looking at the camera and not screaming. I failed, but I had some success with individual shots. Here are a few of my favorites.



After our first unsuccessful photo shoot, the girls hunted for eggs in the back yard.


Here they are checking out their loot. We need Ewan and Lucy to take part next year. There were way too many goodies for just two girls.

I tried again for a shot of everyone together. This pretty much sums up my efforts.

This was the closest I got to a good shot. I think I promised them a trip to the moon and a pony to get these smiles. Clearly, that didn't work for Lucy.

Snuggling with Goggy after an exhausting day in front of mommy's camera.

On this day in 2009, we toured Cagle's Dairy farm with our friends the Hearns.

April 23 - Cupcakes, Kitty Cats, and Easter Eggs

Lila and Nellie have so much fun at my parents' house. They're always up to some adventure. This morning their cat Spot climbed a tree for a reprieve from their loving, so they spent several minutes coaxing her down.

This photo is deceptive. While it appears that they were helping her down, that is not the case. She jumped down and they played with her for a while then tried to put her back in the tree which is what is going on here. Poor kitty.

The girls helped my mom make cupcakes. Well, they helped lick the batter.

Good ole Goggy made both chocolate and vanilla. What a grandmother!

Next up, decorating Easter eggs! Here's Nellie hard at work on one of her eggs.

Pretty colors! Note Lila's orange hand.

We skyped Rick in on the fun since he always enjoys egg decorating.

After the eggs were done, we decorated the bunny cupcakes.

Mom bought the girls these matching polka dot outfits. I was excited to finally have something matching for all three of them. Despite being mostly white, they survived egg dying and cupcake decorating with no major stains. It was truly an Easter miracle.

My brother John came over this afternoon, and we had a fun afternoon and evening hanging out with him. The girls love their Junkle (Uncle John), but we all missed Aunt Karen who had to work. The girls really wanted to see her belly with their new baby cousin growing inside!

The Easter Goggy decided to go ahead and give the kids their goody baskets this afternoon.

She scored big with Nellie and Lila by giving them cheerleader Barbies and nail polish!

We closed out this very busy day with a bath together.

On this day in 2009, Aunt Miriam showed the girls her engagement photo slideshow.

On this day in 2010, we had a pajama party with our friends.