Last Days in Birmingham

We spent our last few days packing frantically, and keeping Samantha busy as usual. We liked living in Alabama, and will miss the weather the most! Samantha and Woody were the last things to get packed.
Here are some of the UAB soccer players that helped us immensely with loading the truck! We could not have done it without them.

Nala loves to lay on Baxter, and snuck in a little nap while we packed. There was an episode with Darby, our other kitty, getting into the inside of a sofa. We couldn't tell if she was still inside, and then I began to panic that she was stuck. After some hours, I finally found her hiding on the front porch. I was very glad that she was alive and ok.

Woody opened one birthday present from Nana before we left. I am a little glad he won't remember the craziness. We plan on next year being as normal as possible, but you never know with this crew.

Samantha is very happy to be walking around in daddy's shoes. She did a very good job, and they are on the right feet.

Our Columbus Excursion

We visited Grandpappy, Gramma Donna, Aunt Darcy, and Katarina(their foreign exchange student from Germany) the weekend before we moved. It was a little crazy, but it was nice to be away from all of the packing. Samantha, Woody, and I flew out of Birmingham on Thursday morning, and had one layover in Chicago. They both did very well in the airports and on the plane. Samantha had her own little bag to pull around, which helped with keeping her busy. The first flight went well, except for Woody falling out of his seat into the middle of the aisle. The second flight was much better, but of course I got a nose bleed. I always say we are like a circus wherever we go. I made Samantha go with me when I had to change Woody's diaper. It was a little crowded in the airplane bathroom!

This was our stop in Chicago. Samantha and Woody had a little snacky.

Samantha loved going on the people mover. We did it over and over until we were ready to board the plane to Columbus. I was told on our way home that I wasn't supposed to be on it with a stroller. If that person had only seen us this day!

Woody and Samantha loved the plane. She would watch her DVD's, and Woody fell asleep right before each landing.

We spent a little time at this indoor play area that is in a mall. Samantha needed to get her wiggles out, and I think some of the family needed a little rest. Woody was just hanging with Gramma Donna.

Samantha loved playing on all of the planets, which was the theme for the area. It was a little busy, but it was the weekend.

Samantha had a great time watching Aunt Darcy swim at her meet. She still talks about Aunt Darcy swimming fast. It was at The Ohio State natatorium, and we were there for most of the day. Aunt Darcy went on to win at the State meet for the fourth year in a row and got female swimmer of the meet. She will be attending Auburn next year, and we are a little sad that we won't be in Alabama to visit her. I am sure we will make it down there during her collegiate reign.

Of course Woody took a little nap during the meet. I put him under this little wall so no one would step on him.

Samantha actually fell asleep first, which is on par with her falling asleep during the circus. Maybe she would start taking a nap again if I made a lot of noise:)

This is everybody right before we left. Woody had a little medical issue while we were there, and we had to take him to the doctor. Both of his ears were infected, and his eyes were a little goopy. He came out of it pretty well, except for we are still trying to clear his ears up.

Grandpappy and Samantha in their winter coats. This was a little taste of what we were getting ready to move to in Wisconsin.

Samantha didn't get to spend a lot of time with Aunt Darcy ,since she was busy before the state meet. She attacked Katarina whenever she got the chance, and snuck a little time in with Aunt Darcy and her team mates.

Grandpappy took us to the airport, and we all crossed our fingers that Woody was feeling better.

Woody passed out on the second flight, and Samantha was fighting to stay awake. We made it home in one piece! Samantha now wants to fly everywhere, and swim fast like Aunt Darcy. It was a good trip!

Last month in Birmingham!

We went to as many local parks as we could, so Samantha could tell them all good bye. We tried to prepare her as much as possible about the move. She did very well, but every now and then she wants to get on an airplane and fly back to Birmingham. We used to like to go to a restaurant on Sunday's because kids ate free. Samantha called it her "Cheese Taco Place," which is what she calls a cheese quesadilla. She was savoring her last bite: We loved going to this park in Trussville, and Samantha always had a great time. She actually let me get a good picture of her eating her snacky.

She climbed up the back of the sea monster, and we held Woody on the head. It looks like she is getting ready to attack a clueless Woody.

Woody and I were adorning our Indiana gear for the day. There will always be a little Hoosier in all of us.

Woody is trying to figure out how to get one of those water pouches. He still needs to work on making his way up the food ladder.

Woody liked hanging out in the whale. It made me a little nervous because he could slide through frontwards or backwards. We cannot wait until he can play with Samantha at the park.

Woody loves whatever Samantha is doing. He views her as his own personal show. She loves to play with him and make him laugh.

His hair still sticks straight up! I keep waiting for it to fall down, but no end is in sight.

Woody got a hold of Samantha's wand, and was not letting go. He eventually got it into his mouth, and then confiscated.

Samantha loves to play with her princess dresses, and then climbing on anything she can get her hands on. This time it happened to be daddy.

Woody had a long day at the park!

Samantha and I took one or our last walks down to the soccer field while Ernie was teaching a private lesson. She walked Daisy in her stroller, and I had Baxter and Woody. Samantha is showing Daisy her favorite graffiti along our way. We won't miss a few things about Birmingham.

This is a park that is part of an elementary school. We liked to go there because the one down the street was always crazy busy. Samantha was shouting something about the fire truck.

She liked swinging on this, which is meant for walking. Samantha marches to her own beat and don't you forget it!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

We spent Ernie's birthday at Outback, and to make a long story short we got a gift certificate for it being such a bad experience. It took forever to get a picture, because Samantha was not in the mood. This is the best one I got: This is a perfect picture of our "little lady!" She is picking her nose and letting everything "hang" out. Woody loved the buzzer and figured out how to get it in his mouth eventually.

Ernie had an indoor game a couple of nights before his birthday, so we went to watch the championships. His team won, but I didn't see much chasing Samantha around the complex.

Samantha is really watching her daddy, note the sarcasm;)

There is our happy little guy just hanging in the stroller. He is easy to please, sometimes.