Weekend fun

Not much is going on in the McPherson household. Andy finished up his last summer camp last week and is gearing up for football preseason (in a week). I am trying to enjoy the last couple of days of summer freedom and being with Alley, since I start work in a week as well. It seems our summer has flown by! We have enjoyed spending time with friends and family this summer. This weekend we had the last of the summer weddings to attend and my parents graciously watched Alley for us for the evening. Here are some pictures of this past week (when Alley and I didn't do anything - it was great!) and then Saturday at Mimi and Papa's house.

Alley reading her book at the computer table (while I am on the computer)

Alley playing under the kitchen table...she gets such a kick out of being under there..

Alley on the computer...yikes!

Playing the piano at Mimi and papa's house with Uncle John

Very intent on playing (we couldn't drag her away from the piano!)

Alley pulled her doll stroller up to the piano and sat in it so she could play while "resting"!

she was so proud of herself...hilarious:)

Cats Eye Photography

A really good friend of mine is an exceptional photographer who took some awesome pictures of Alley last weekend. Here is a preview of some of the pictures she took. She really captured little Alley in these shots!








We had such a great time getting to visit with Donnie and Courtney, we really miss having them near us! We are glad that we've been able to keep in touch even with the distance and the craziness of all four of our jobs. If you live anywhere near High Point NC, you should definitely check into Cat's Eye Photography! She did an amazing job with Alley (who has already started her "terrible twos" and loves to say "no" - yikes!).

Kiawah 2009

***WARNING - tons of beach pictures ahead*** :)

The beach...I don't enjoy leaving it each year. I don't really think anyone enjoys leaving vacation behind and entering the real world again. But, we must do it each year. What makes leaving doable, is all the memories that are invoked when you look back at the pictures that were taken. They allow you to relive the moments all over again...until next years trip:)

We had a wonderful time this year. It was definitely different (can we say 1 1/2 year old!), but still good. We got up really early (not by choice) and spent our mornings at the beach playing in the ocean and building sandcastles. Then after lunch and naps, we'd spend the afternoon and evening going on bike rides and just watching the three kids interact (which was hilarious!). Alley and Owen (Will's son who is 2 months younger than Alley) were like two peas in a pod. They were inseparable! They'd hold hands, hug, play "roseys" (ring around the roseys), fight over the plastic wagon, and be by each others sides every waking moment. I can't wait to see how they continue to interact as they grow up. I just really enjoy being around the family each year. This beach trip reminds me each year about how important family is and how I am so glad we are a close family. I can't wait until next year! As my uncle says, only 51 weeks until we hit the beach again....;)

Andy and Alley attacking the ocean (did I say how much Alley LOVES the ocean!! She would make Andy take her out really deep and then tell him "down" - the only thing she wanted to do was be in the ocean)

Digging in the sand making nests

My two favorites

A family photo

Alley playing with seaweed

Carlee Scott and Alley playing with magnetic bears - thanks for sharing CS!

Mimi reading a story to the "babies"

Playing roseys together

trying to escape up the stairs

Caught!

Our night in the town without kids - woo-hoo!

taking all her toys in the ocean

for some reason she kept trying to do head-stands on the beach (she's Andy's child ;) )

better shot;)

happy in a hole:)

All three kids wearing their Kiawah shirts

Papa and Andy working on our alligator masterpiece, while the kids try to destroy it

We also had a photographer come out and take some pictures of our family on the beach. He did such a great job!!! If you live in SC, look up Collin Smith!! Here are a few:

Around

Andy had to work a camp this past week, so Alley and I were on our own for most of the time. We busied ourselves with playing outside, swimming in the baby pool, as well as visiting daddy at work. It was a very low-key week (whew!). Alley is so much fun to play with. She tries to imitate everything you say and everything you do, which is cute (to a point). We definitely enjoyed pointing out every plane that flew by, all the birds who chirped (who knew birds chirped so much in one day!!), and of course every car that passed by HAD to be waved to and told "bye-bye"....and on and on;) It was fun though. I do love seeing her world evolve and I enjoy watching her grow up (even though it's sad to see my baby get so big and grown-up!). I love the summer from work!! :)

We did travel to Richmond on Saturday to do some shopping and to visit Mimi and Papa. Some times you just have to get out of Farmville...Below are some photos of the day.

Papa received a package in the mail and Alley thought she needed to climb in and inspect the box...she enjoyed it way too much!

"why are you guys looking at me??"

Alley was refusing to eat her dinner (which is extremely rare!) and kept pointing and fussing at us while we were eating...we finally figured out she wanted the corn. We gave her some and she went to town on it! Here's her first experience with corn on the cob!

Still yummy:)

Now the count down begins for the BEACH! 5 DAYS! I can't wait!

San Antonio

We are finally back from a long, but fun, trip to San Antonio, Texas. Andy had his annual conference out there and we love to tag along! This year Andy's whole immediate family tagged along because they all grew up in San Antonio! They all loved going back to visit. We had a great time relaxing and hanging out with family. The last time we all got together was around three years ago...so this was a needed family vacation! Despite Alley's struggle with the time change and long flights with looooooong layovers, she did well and we managed to enjoy the trip. We did a lot of visiting and sight-seeing (which I got very little photos of!). Here's a little recap of the week...

Our first day in the hotel, this is where we find Alley...in the cabinet under the bathroom sink! She couldn't get enough of hiding:)

BOO! (her new favorite word)

Our trip to Texas overlapped Will's R&R, so we got to see him!!!!!! We had such a wonderful time visiting with their precious family:) Thank you Will and Jess for taking time away from relaxing to spend an evening with us - we LOVED it! Here's the group

Owen and Alley holding hands...so cute:)

The siblings

Still holding hands...

Gma and Alley relaxing in the pool

Playing with Gma, Daddy, and the cousins (Katie and Avery - Andy's oldest brother's girls)

Half of the group out at dinner (Andy's middle brother and his family had to leave to goback home earlier than all of us)

Alley jumping into the pool...so brave;)

so cute...Andy and mini-Andy

We had a great visit and loved getting to visit with everyone! I am completely exhausted, but it was well worth it!