LOTS TO CELEBRATE

We've had a very busy last few weeks. I think we're all finally feeling better - everyone in our household has been sick in the last month - and after many Dr. visits for both Grady and myself, we're finally feeling good!

The weekend of September 19 we took Grady to Atlanta for the first time. We made our usual reservation at the Perry house where we always love to stay. Their daughter Hadley was sweet enough to give up her bed to Grady and her room to Andy and me. While Andy and I headed down to the GT campus to tailgate before the game, Grady stayed with Aunt Jenny. They read lots of books, finger painted (his first piece of art is hanging on our refrigerator!), played with her dogs and took a bath. We had a great time tailgating and an even better time at the game, thanks to our friend Mark who gave us tickets. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful and the game was a great game to watch. After the game we headed back to Aunt Jenny's to hang out with her for a little while.

Saturday night was spent at our good friends, the Dahlby's house, where they hosted everyone from our old supper club - 12 adults and 8 kids. Times have definitely changed - we used to sit around and drink beer and wine and watch football all night - this time we were all chasing kids and leaving around 8 because it was bedtime. It was great to see everyone and the Dahlby's house was perfect for getting so many people together - they have a beautiful basement with a playroom and media room so that we were all comfortable and entertained.

On Sunday morning we headed to my friend Lauren's house. She and her husband Robin are newlyweds and have a beautiful old house in the Collier Hills area of Atlanta. Lauren and Robin hosted us, Natalie and her family, and Jen and Paul for brunch. The food was delicious and it was so good to be able to spend time with everyone and see how much Natalie's son Alex had grown and of course show off Grady. Grady was a rock star the entire weekend - he was in a good mood, slept great, travelled great and was just a really good baby and charmed everyone he met.

The last weekend of September was a crazy one also. Grady had his dedication at church on Sunday morning and we had everyone in town to celebrate. Nana came from Asheville on Friday, on Saturday Mimi and Granddaddy arrived from Arkansas, Aunt Jenny came from Atlanta and Aunt Lou Lou came from Charlotte, and then Pop showed up Sunday morning. The church service was really good and the dedication was very special. The Pulaski's, Sampsons and Kayce and Jason also attended the dedication which made it even more special. After church we all headed over to Mimi's Creekside - an adorable restaurant that sits on the water on James Island - for brunch. We had a big table outside on the deck, under trees so that we stayed cool and right next to a really good band. The weather was beautiful, the music was great and the food was delicious!

We all rushed home to get ready for a baptism at the beach on Sunday night. D-Daddy and Grandma showed up Sunday afternoon so that they could attend Andy's and my baptism that evening. We got to Folly Beach around 3:30 and had so much fun watching Grady on the beach and taking pictures. The baptism started at 5:00 and I can't think of a better place to be baptized than in the ocean. It was a really wonderful ceremony and the whole church celebrated afterward with dinner.