Birthday weekend in the Noog

Jess is home from California for a month and a half! This weekend, Ben and I drove up to Chattanooga for her 24th birthday spectacular...which in our language is lounging around the house, going to the Christmas parade, decorating cookies and drinking cider, and topping it off with a hearty meal at Cracker Barrel.

Birthday girl living it up at the Holiday Tinsel Parade.

You so crazy!

We also had the opportunity to see some of our other favorite Chattanoogans (except the Radnoti's - next time guys, next time):

new homeowner Linsay, but I forgot the pictures, dangit,

newlywed Tracey,

And new mom Arlyn with 10-wk baby Georgia!

"Um, little girl, there's no squawking during photo shoots."

see slideshow below for more of the hoopla...

Happy Birthday Dad!*

Today is my dad's birthday! Happy birthday, Dad! Don't get too crazy at your party tonight! (He's visiting my grandparents and aunt in South Dakota...things can get out of hand in the Plains.)

Me and Dad at my sister's wedding.
Don't mind my wide-eyes; I was a little hopped up from the coffee bar!

*I may get in trouble b/c I didn't post a bday message on my Mom's birthday, but she gets a lot more shout-outs than Dad on here, so I think a quick birthday post is acceptable! And happy belated birthday, Mom!

Ben, the beach, and the birthday boy

To live in Birmingham and only make it down to the Gulf one time during the summer is, I realize, a disgrace. But, my how times have changed. :) Thanks to my parents though, we were able to properly close out the summer down at Seagrove Beach over Labor Day weekend!

Jess and Michael, who have been living it up on the West Coast, flew in on Thursday, and the five of us squeezed into the Mazda for a record-breaking, one pit-stop trip to the beach!

"Lunch on the go - yum!"

After Mom and Dad met us at the condo (on a scooter!), we picked up some grub and headed out to the beach. It was time for Ben to meet the ocean and learn where that noise he hears on his sound machine really comes from...

Road tripping, ocean swimming (and sting ray sighting!) can sure take a lot out of a baby. And getting reunited with his aunt and grandma sent him right into a sunset siesta.

We've come a long way since our last beach trip, as Ben actually slept through the night during our stay and took reasonably lengthy naps everyday! In between those naps and eating and playing with his toys, we even got him out on the beach a couple of times. I just noticed that he's holding his fish in all of these beach shots, which is really appropriate, because he seriously would not let go of that fish! Well, until it fell into the ocean one too many times, at which point it was replaced by a ball...as you'll see in later photos.

"At the copa, copacabana..."

"Oh Dad, it tickles, it tickles!"

Ben also did a lot of flying over the weekend, as the following montage demonstrates!

It's a bird!

It's a plane!

It's Super Ben!

Super-Cute Ben that is.

Fortunately for us, Hurricane Gustav didn't make his presence known until late in the day on Sunday...and you can see our response in the video on Jess's blog. But 28 years ago that day, someone else made their presence known too, and I'm oh so glad he did. :)

Happy Birthday, Tyler! As your wise old wife, let me tell you that 28 ain't so bad! Since I didn't get you a card (what?!), I'll just tell you here that I love you and am so glad that you're my husband. Ben and I are thankful for everything you do for us and look forward to lots of fun with you this year!

Happy Birthday to Me (and way to go, Mom!)!

Sunday was my 28th birthday, and yes I can say that without inducing a panic attack. I know I'll step on a few toes saying this, but just a few years ago, late 20's seemed so old! But now I'm smack-dab in the middle of them, and I certainly don't feel old. I'm still me...just married, with a baby, a much earlier bedtime (and waketime), more sensitive ears to really loud, obnoxious music and a lower tolerance for unfamily-friendly activities. Hmm...

Anyhoo...it was a great weekend of no traveling, schedules or anywhere to be, and I took full advantage of it. Tyler occupied Ben while I slept in both days, which I've already mentioned is a gift in itself. Then as I shuffled out to the living room to feed Ben on Sunday morning, my bleary eyes fell on a brand new jogging stroller from him and my parents! Now, to anyone without children, I know you're thinking, "what kind of birthday gift is that?! It's not the baby's birthday!" But it was very exciting and has already created a false sense of security while I eat my bowl of ice cream, knowing that I'll run it off tomorrow. (unfortunately, my stamina and muscles aren't quite able to compensate just yet for this "eating for two" mindset I've still got.)

And I'd like to close with a special shout-out to my mom. After all, if it weren't for her, my birthday wouldn't be possible. Being born is hard work, for mom and baby! And it's definitely something to celebrate. So, thanks Mom, I know you're feeling much better today than you were this time 28 years ago! Love you!

My birthday presents

This one's my favorite :)

"Happy birthday, Mommy!"