Bikeapalooza with G & G

A couple of weekends ago, my parents decided, during a skype chat with Ben, that they needed to see the real thing, so they hung up and drove to Birmingham! The weather was beautiful (a rarity when they come to town), and we just had a really fun visit. So glad they're close enough to be able to make that quick trip, and really wish the same were true for Tyler's parents. But we'll see our Northern family in just a few short weeks!

If I could boil our weekend down to one central theme, it would definitely be bikes. Well, bikes and eating. The latter, I'd expect, as that's just what we like to do, but the first is a new theme for our family that really just spans the generations.

While walking around Homewood Village, Ben spotted, and felt a magnetic pull towards the tricycles outside the toy store.

"Well, I can't see over my cheeks, but otherwise, it's awesome!"

"And I don't know what this is, but I'm feeling pretty tough on it."

That evening, we headed for the one place Tyler and I are always confident Ben will fill his tummy... a Mexican restaurant.

No captions, just lots of shoveling, chewing and slurping.

Mom made a sweet little jacket for Ben, but we noticed that when the hood is up and his jeans are baggy, he turns a little ghetto fabulous!

"Yo, yo! I gots my chair cover, and I'm ready to bounce!"
(oh, and he also sat in his juice, explaining the juicy bottom)

The next morning, "Pampa" (Grandpa) and Ben talked bikes,

and then we went to see bikes. My father became a sudden, and unexpected, Harley Davidson enthusiast a year ago, and enjoys a visit to the HD dealer on most trips to Birmingham. I have to say though, I'm not sure who had more fun, my dad or Ben, who attempted to touch every motorcycle on the floor.

Anyone with Photoshop access want to take a shot at putting this picture into a pumpkin-patch background for me?!

Conveniently, a Cracker Barrel happens to be right next door to the dealership, so got them nice and full for their three-hour drive home!

Making good use of the wait at CB.

If you feed your child tofu and carrots, just look away.
(for the record though, he basically just licked the ketchup off the fries)

Getting sleepy snuggles with "Mawma" (Grandma) before saying good-bye.

Now, Mom, try to fight the urge to jump in the car right now...we'll be home in just a couple of weeks!