Boo at the Zoo

We missed our annual zoo day this year (Aug 28th) because I was a little busy trying to adjust to having two kids.  So we postponed it and went on Friday (Oct. 29).  JaJa and Jonathan (Unca) were able to join us and it was perfect weather to see all the animals.

Chillin'

LK fed the goats one piece of food at a time (like she would do Reese)

Our annual pose on the elephant

Aubrey loved being out and about- "She's an outdoor baby!"

Aunt Rachel had to work and wasn't able to meet us, so after the zoo we stopped by her office to see her!  It was so great to see where she works.  Then we all met up for dinner before our long drive back to Charlotte.

I Like to Move It, Move It!

Both Stephen and I are admittedly just big kids...so when Stephen got Move for the PS3 for his birthday we all had to have a turn playing it.  (It is motion sensor controllers for the play station ).  

Root for the Home Team

Being married to a huge sports fan, we try to take advantage of every opportunity to "root for the home team."  Tonight the Bobcats held an open practice so we went Uptown to see Rufus!

Aubrey's first LYNX ride

The only way to travel to see the Bobcats (according to Lily Kate)

Go Bobcats!

Thankfully Rufus was there and he was actually out front greeting fans.  Lily Kate got to fulfill one of her childhood dreams...she got to hug Rufus!  She greeted him twice and made sure to ask if he was going to come inside the arena.  Later while we were watching the team practice she saved a Cheerio to share with him (she was disappointed we didn't see him again to offer it to him.)

Boo!

 We are getting ready for halloween...are you?  I've never been a huge fan of the holiday (I was seriously frightened as a small child and it has never been the same since)...but since having kids I feel like I need to decorate a little and get in the holiday spirit.

To say that Lily Kate is ready is an understatement. She stated yesterday "I'm going to Pa's house tomorrow to trick-or-treat).  

Now if I can just put the finishing touches on their costumes, we will be set to jet.

Free at Last!

As a mom to two very good sleepers I swear by the kiddopotamus swaddleme.  Though some may call them straight jackets, I think they help newborns get a good nights sleep!  Since the AAP no longer recommends them past 3 months we had to transition Aubrey out of hers (yes, she is almost 4 months).  Here she is happily sleeping with her arms free!

Out of the Mouths of Babes

"When you get the tangles out of my hair are they rectangles?" -Lily Kate

Raise Up a Child

Sunday our church had a Baby Dedication Service.  In case you aren't familiar with the concept; it is really a parent commitment service.  We promise to offer Aubrey to the Lord and to dedicate ourselves to rearing her for the glory of God.

There were 20 children being dedicated and the church does a really amazing job.  We were blessed that both sets of grandparents were able to be there!

Aubrey Jane Renfrow- 3 months old

Here is the Parent's Covenant that we made on Sunday 

(we did the same thing when Lily Kate was a baby)

A Parent's Covenant

As a parent, I willingly accept my child as a unique gift from God.  I understand that my parental responsibility involves leading my children into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and helping my child understand God's specific purpose for her life.  Therefore, I promise today that I will strive do to the following:

to recognize that my relationship with this child is a sacred trust which requires an investment of quality time and unconditional love,

to assume the primary responsibility to teach my child the spiritual truths and values of Scripture,

to pray consistently for the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of my child, 

to create an environment within our home which demonstrates the fruit of the Spirit of Christ.

Punkin Patch

Saturday night we met up with our playgroup at Aw Shucks in Monroe.  It was a perfect night to be outdoors and everyone really enjoyed all that Aw Shucks has to offer.

A much better viewpoint to figure out the corn maze

Aubrey loved sporting her vest

Trying to find the perfect pumpkin

We also went on a hayride, played horseshoes and corn hole, and got to see farm animals!

 The most precious part was watching the kids just play with each other- they were content just sitting in the grass.

Rediscovering Discovery Place

Friday we went to Discovery Place and everyone had a ball.  (Stephen and my dad were by far the biggest kids in the children's science museum.)  

Lily Kate playing in the huge water table, they had aprons and she stayed dry under the apron, but the rest of her was drenched!

Drying off her pants in front of the huge fan

We couldn't find Stephen and my dad...Oh here they are!

We all had to try this out...laying on a bed of nails!

This brought back a fond memory from our Campbell days.  Stephen walked in late to Physics class one day just as the professor was asking for a volunteer, so he raised his hand.  He had just volunteered to lay on a bed of nails and have a cinder block smashed on his stomach with a sledge hammer!

We stayed until Discovery Place closed and then walked a few blocks for a scrumptious dinner at Mert's Heart and Soul Restaurant. If you live in Charlotte and haven't eaten at Merts- YOU HAVE TO!  The southern cooking is the real deal.  We all loved our food (corn bread, barbeque, fried chicken, mac and cheese, shrimp creole, and the desserts...don't get me started on them!- we ordered chocolate cake, banana pudding and peach cobbler).  We needed to walk home from uptown after that delicious meal. (Our trip to San Francisco may have turned me into a bit of a foodie)

Breakfast with Belle

GrandDebbie and GrandLes flew out for a visit!  They got Lily Kate Beauty and the Beast and she could hardly wait to watch it with them. 

We ate breakfast and watched "Belle" as a special treat on Thursday morning.

Pretending to sleep

Sweet Sisters

Another Toy Story

When she saw the commercial 6 weeks ago, Lily Kate put on her shoes and was ready to walk out the door when I told her we had tickets to see Disney on Ice: Toy Story 3.  For our 2-year-old, October 9th couldn't get here soon enough.

Riding the light rail in, she kept saying "Chugga chugga choo choo!"

In a trance the entire show...she loved it! (we all did)
Lily Kate kept waving to the characters.  She tried to get Jessie's attention to show her her shirt.

A San Francisco Treat (Part 2)

I had to get our picture in front of a Nordstrom window display filled with butterflies.

Stephen having fun with photography on our ferry ride to Alcatraz

Alcatraz

The Sea Lions at Pier 39

Our last day in SF, we all got up and rode the cable car to eat breakfast at Mama's on Washington Square

We got there right when it opened and it wasn't a minute too soon.  This place is hopping and after having eaten here...we know why!

Our final night in San Francisco we had a date night.  We went to the Ferry Building, walked to Lombard Street, ate at McCormick and Kuleto's and then stuffed ourselves with chocolate at the Ghirardelli factory.

Lombard Street

You can't tell in this picture, but we are stuffed with chocolate!  We just downed a hot cocoa and a drinking chocolate in order to ride the cable car back to our hotel.

The Best Thing I Ever Ate- San Francisco

We walked miles every day, and I would have seriously lost some weight if we hadn't eaten such incredible food!

Volcanic Beef at Osha Thai 

Nob Hill Cafe was definitely worth the trek up Nob Hill

Chocolate Ganache and Tiramisu at Nob Hill Cafe

Chocolate Cinnamon French Toast at Mama's on Washington Square

Our chocolate and strawberry crepe at Pier 39

Our trip wasn't complete until we visited Ghirardelli.