Sweet Home Alabama

I’ve been noticeably absent from the blog for a few days because we’ve been vacationing visiting with family in Alabama. I marked out “vacationing” because…well…as anyone with kids can tell you, traveling with kids leaves a lot to be desired in the R&R department. I like to say that vacationing with kids is just like being at home but with different scenery. In fact, I might even argue it’s harder than being home since your routine gets disrupted, and you don’t have all your creature comforts nearby. It provides for fun adventures nonetheless.

My dad’s house is just across the road from a sprawling cotton field, and because of all the rain this year, the plants are shoulder-height. Just amazing. I couldn’t wait to snap a few shots of Harper in the field. The first photo is of her with her Grandpa Jim (my dad), and the one above is Harper with Aunt Alli (my little sister).

As evidenced by the photo above, we’ve discovered that Harper has no fear of critters. She chased lizards, caught ladybugs, grabbed Granddaddy Longlegs (“itsy bitsy spiders”) and handled fish like a true southern tomboy. Apparently she is just like her mommy.

Ezra is having a great time, too. It was important to me for him to be able to meet his Great Gramma (above, my dad’s mother) since she is getting older and suffering from Alzheimer’s. He seemed at home in her arms and in the swing, too.

Harper looks really happy in the photo below, but this was right before she landed on her face on the ground. Two-year-olds apparently aren’t so great at holding on to the chains… (Don’t worry, she was fine.)

Growing up, my dad and I went fishing all the time. He lives on a lake that is stocked with catfish and bream, so this was a perfect opportunity for Harper to catch her first fish.

She was a natural with a bamboo rod!

…and not afraid of the fish at all.

Looking at these photos, I see just how quickly she is growing up. She’s really a little girl now – not my baby anymore. Even Chunk (Ezra) is growing up so fast. Someone stop them, or I might just need another one!

More photos to come…