The cottage

The cottage belongs to Gran and Papa.  They built it when my mom was tiny and we have been going there my entire life.  It seemed like we spent entire summers there and it's so much fun to watch our children enjoy the same things we loved as we were growing up.  It is such a blessing to be able to share such a special place with my babies!

Mom was kind enough to take on the task of driving my 2 year old and 5 week old down to the cottage for our "spring break"(can a 2yr old really have a spring break?).  I wonder if she realized what she was getting into?! I would never dare go that far by myself! 

The first night there we got to spend some time with a lot of the fam: Gran and Papa, Ellen, Molly, James, Julie, Ryan, Jackson, Tate, Katie, Mom, Rivers, Harper and myself.  If only we could do it more often.

I must say that this trip was an adventure and I have a few pictures to prove it...

Rivers taking care of business.

So, we did make a trip to the after hours clininc in Gulf Shores.  Rivers decided to stick a pea up his nose at dinner.  We tried everything to get it out... even shook some pepper under his nose to try and make him sneeze it out.  After waiting for an hour and a half in the waiting room (mom and I traded off kids depending on when Harper needed to eat) we finally got to go back to see the doctor BUT it was all for not... while the nurse was asking me questions about Riv's health history, he innocently sneezed it out onto his shorts.  Nice!  The nurse burst out laughing and stole the pea from me to go and show all of her fellow nurses while repeatedly shouting "no charge, no charge!"

Rivers decided that he was not the only one that needed to feed a baby. 

James and Rivers visiting the puppies down the street on our walk down Council Lane.

Haper doing her thing. 

Uncle Ryan & Harper

Papa & Harper.  This was Harpers first time to meet Gran, Papa, Molly, James and Ellen.

Molly, Rivers and the singing fish.  Rivers loved the fish but refused to get close.  Can you tell?

Tate & Rivers.  Rivers woke up each morning at the cottage and asked for his tennish shoes and either Jackson, Tate, Molly or James.   He loved it!

Growing too fast!

When I was pregnant with Rivers, people always told me how fast he was going to grow up.  I knew it was true but didn't know how true.  I feel like he was just born.  I really cannot believe I have a 2 year old!  I guess time flies when you're having fun!! :)

Rivers with his new wiggle rider.  He refuses to ride it... maybe one day. 

The baseball tee from the Hallas.  Big hit!  So were the three sets of balls and bats from the rest of the family.  I guess everyone knew what Rivers wanted!

Opening the tee with a little help from Jackson and Tate.

Cousins!

Blowing out the candles!

Notice the chocolate arm...



Harper Jean Perlis

Harper is here! 

 7 pounds, 3 ounces, 20 1/2 inches

She has actually been here for a few weeks...

Harper-just a few minutes old. 

Rivers meeting his baby sister for the first time.  He was just a little hesitant.  He would not come sit with me but he did give me a kiss on his way out to the gift shop for a popper and a new football

baby girl!

 Harper under the lights... a little jaundice.  Thankfully she only had to stay under them for 1 night.

 4 days old.