Leapin' Lizards...

Anna's first trip to Leapin' Lizards...a place near my sister's home where the kids love to go when we visit. She was so rough and tumble. If the older kids tried it, she tried it. Even if she was too little to reach or climb -- she'd get one of the older kids to take her up so she could slide down with them. Here she is going back up (this time she's convinced her cousin Quinna to carry her up).

And here she is in a "jumpy" with her big brothers. Of no concern to her that she is getting slung from one end to the other!! :-) She loves doing what the others are doing and being in the mix!

Kite Flying...

Anna flew a kite for the very first time on Memorial Day weekend at Aunt Kathy's! She and Spencer spent the better part of 30 minutes together trying to give Anna the chance to hold the string while the kite was actually in flight. It's hard to see -- but here she is actually flying the kite by herself!!

Sea World Day During Spring Break

Spencer and Kent really love the animals at Sea World so we took Anna there for a day while we were at Disney World. Anna loved the animals too! Here are some shots of her "viewing" the animals with Baba.

This photo is in front of the "Tree of Life" at Animal Kingdom in Disney World. Very meaningful this year.

Anna playing in a park at Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

Spring Break Trip to Disney World

Sping Break at Disney World was so much fun. And honestly easier with the three kids than I ever dreamed it would be. It was fun showing Anna Disney for the first time ever. She enjoyed it but wasn't wild about the characters (she would start crying if they started coming toward us). So I had to grab a shot of her with Winnie the Pooh while she didn't know he was behind her :-) Whatever it takes, right? The week was marvelous. Now Russ and I need a vacation from our vacation!!

Hanging out with Granny at Disney World

Part of the reason the visit to Disney world with three kids (8 yrs old and younger) was so easy is because Granny Reba came down during the week to stay with us! It is always so wonderful to have her with us. She is incredible with the kids and they love her so very much. She hung out with Anna while she napped each day and that allowed Russ and I time to go do the more "advanced" rides / shows with Spencer and Kent. Lord knows I love my mom! She is a role model for me and I hope I am able to help my kids with their children the same way she is helping me.

Anna's First Portrait

Here is Anna's first portrait. Forgive me for saying it, but I think it is so precious. She's adorable! This week at Day School, Anna moves from the "Tots" Class to the "Early Preschool Class". Of course, we are thrilled with the progress that she is making and are so proud of her. Yesterday, Ms. Tershana (her new teacher who also taught Kent) told me that the other kids were trying to pick Anna up and carry her around -- they were thinking she is a baby (because she is so small compared to them). Ms. Tershana had to explain that they cannot pick Anna up and carry her around!! :-)

Anna Comes Through Two Surgeries in Less Than One Month...Beautifully.

We thank God that Anna has come through two different surgeries in the past month beautifully. One surgery was extremely easy - ear tubes, bonding placed on teeth, and stint built. Second surgery, cleft palate repair....not so easy. Apparently, Anna's cleft palate was extremely wide. So the surgery was quite complicated. We are so grateful for the expertise that we have using Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and the Cranio-Facial team there. Dr. Williams, head of the Cranio-Facial team, performed the surgery.

Anna says: "no photos please!!"

Scary times as she came out of surgery - these are on day 2 - after lots of the swelling and bruising had gone down. And this is Anna's favorite part of the entire adventure...moma and Granny Reba circled the 2nd floor of the hospital MANY times with Anna in a little red wagon and all her equipment in tow!