A Lunch Fit For A Birthday Girl!

Since Camden's actual birthday was on Friday, June 22nd, we decided to treat her to one of her favorite places to eat... GattiLand!  Pizza, Breadsticks, and Pasta are some of her FAVORITE foods!  We practically had the entire place to ourselves, which is nice since Camden (and Carter too) can get a little loud at this place!  GattiLand is soooooo much better than Chuck E. Cheese!  They have good food, it's very reasonably priced, the staff are always so friendly and helpful, and the game room is never too crowded!  It was the perfect treat for our little birthday girl!     

 I LOVE to eat!

 All smiles on her birthday!

 Miss Chubalicious with cheese sticks in each hand!

 Carter loves to play skeeball!  He's getting pretty good at it, too!

 Trying out the Kiddie Coaster!

 Carter and Grandaddy playing air hockey! 

 He laughed the entire time!

 Carter was so excited to score against Grandaddy!

 Camden tried to play basketball like Carter!  She usually just carries the ball around with her!

 Carter is getting pretty good at basketball, too!

 The Birthday Girl EATING her tickets before she traded them in for a prize!

Camden was so worn out she fell asleep soon after we got in the car... in her prize crown and all!

Farmer Fox's Blueberry Patch

Grandaddy came into town to visit on Wednesday, June 20th through Friday, June 22nd for Camden's birthday.  We decided to take Grandaddy to one of our favorite summer spots- The Fruit and Berry Patch in Halls!  We love going a couple of times each summer to pick fresh fruits and enjoy a few delicious fruit slushies!  We had a great time even though it was incredibly hot!  We were all soaked with sweat by the time we left but it was totally worth it!  See you next blueberry season, Farmer Fox! 

 Carter patiently waited on us to head to the blueberry bushes!

 Our little professional berry picker... he's been picking blueberries since he could walk!

 Camden was more interested in playing with the sticks...

 and in the dirt...

 and sampling the sticks and dirt!  (She's not a fan of blueberries like Carter.)

 Carter and Grandaddy!

 Generations of Lancasters!

 All smiles... while smooshing berries!

 Camden enjoyed the slushies too!  She LOVED being able to use a straw!

 We always stop by the goats and give them a few blackberries and blueberries to eat!

 Carter loves all types of animals!

Our lovely family picture on the hot humid day!

Happy Father's Day 2012

When I asked Carter what he wanted to get Joe for Father's Day (Sunday, June 17th) he said, "A shirt and candy."  So... that's exactly what he and Camden got their Daddy... a handprint shirt they made and a Snickers candybar (Dad's favorite)!  For dinner that night, we decided to grill out chicken and corn on the cob.  Whenever we say "grill out", Carter thinks he needs his grill set up outside too!  He typically likes to have the same types of food that Joe is grilling (plus a few extra items!).  We had a great Father's Day dinner at home enjoying time together!  Carter and Camden are so blessed to have such a wonderful father and I am so blessed to have him as my husband!  Happy Father's Day!  

 Carter had to grill out with Dad!

The BEST Daddy in the world with the 2 most precious little people!

Birmingham Zoo June 2012

 Since we weren't able to go to the Birmingham Zoo on Sunday, we thought we'd try Monday before heading home.  We woke up Monday, June 11th to POURING rain but within a few hours it seemed to be clearing up.  Joe called the Zoo to find out what the weather was like there and they said it was nice so... to the Zoo we went!  It turned out to be a GREAT family day!  It rained on us a few times but we were able to take cover until it cleared up.  Since all Birminghamvillians thought it was bad weather, we practically had the entire Zoo to ourselves!  We saw several shows put on by the trainers and were even invited backstage to feed the sea lions!  Carter and Camden don't even realize what lucky little people they are to have all these up close and personal experiences with these amazing animals!  We ended our day at the splash pad area before we changed and headed home.  We truly enjoy "MawMaw's Zoo" (as Carter calls it) so much each time we visit!

 Carter always loves feeding the flamingos!

 Camden was in awe!

 We had a front row seat for the alligator feeding!

 We have never made it to the Sea Lion show so we were glad we got to see it this trip!

 This Sea Lion could do so many tricks!

 Backstage at the Sea Lion show! (Carter is holding a little fish to feed to the Sea Lion!)

 The Sea Lion was so fast at gobbling up the fish and squid we fed him!

 All Aboard the Choo-Choo Train!

Of course, we ALWAYS ride the train around the Zoo!

 Our front row seat at the lion cub feeding! 

These cubs were so cute and so playful!

 The cutest little lion cub of all- Carter!

 We took a look at the new giraffe home that was going to open the next week!

Carter loved the giraffe statue!

 Camden didn't know what to think about it!

Carter was excited to be getting his regular clothes wet instead of changing into his bathing suit!  We didn't see a point in changing them since we'd just have to change them again anyway.

Sweet Visit Alabama!

We drove to Alabama to visit MawMaw and PawPaw the night of Thursday, June 7 until Monday, June 11th.  We were excited because Joe's sister, Elizabeth, and her family were coming into town to visit too!  We couldn't wait to meet our newest neice, Landri Anne, who was born in April.  She is absolutely PRECIOUS!  She is such a tiny little thing compared to our big babies!  We had a great time going to the outlets, letting the cousins play around the house, and riding the carousel at the Galleria.  We planned to go to the Alabama Zoo on Sunday but it was rainy all day!  We wish we all lived closer because Carter and Chase have an absolute blast together! 

 MawMaw and PawPaw with the grandkids!

 Chase and Cater having fun on the hopscotch slip and slide!

 Carter thought this was the perfect size toy for him!

 Camden decided to join the fun!

 Carter got brave and tried to slip and slide!

Our little family with Chase and new baby Landri!

Safari Splashing!

On Thursday, June 7th, Courtney took Carter and Camden to the new Safari Splash at the Zoo.  Amy and Katie Brantley joined us for the morning adventure, too!  It was nice visiting the zoo with pefect weather and not much of a crowd!  We had a great time with the Brantleys and can't wait for our next outing together! 

 Katie and Carter had a ball running around the zoo together!

 Too cute for words!

 Carter LOVED playing at this new splash pad!

 Miss Chubbalicious... she may kill us one day for this picture!

 Camden found the squirting water and was perfectly content!

This is the best attempt at a group picture with an almost 1, 2, and 3 year old!