Play date

Today we had a play date at our house. It is not an easy endeavor to host anything way out here in the country but we tried. Alyssa Kate was so happy that so many of her little friends came to play and I was so happy that so many mommy friends came to play! :) I was fearful it would rain but it held off and was just warm and quite humid. The kids did not mind and ran their little tails off swinging, throwing the balls, playing golf, driving the Jeep and riding various other toys. After playing for was while they ate their lunches picnic style outside, the mommies were smart and ate inside away from the humidity. After lunch were ice cream sundaes made to order. Inside while the kids played we all talked about what else but our kids and played with each others babies. There were 6 babies, all quite adorable and very smiley. There were a few minor injuries (mostly Alyssa Kate) and few squables but all in all it was very nice! I count it such a blessing to have wonderful Christian women to not only hang out with but to share this time of my life with while attempting to navigate this winding road of motherhood!

Jake and Griffin hanging out

Eden cheesing :)

Some of the big kids swinging

Caroline all smiles--see the tongue--check out the next picture

Apparently it is a family trait to stick out your tongue when smiling :)

Alyssa Kate, Greyson, Noah and Dalton

All of friends playing

Picnic Fun

Ryder Ray-too adorable!

When I was in the shower tonight Alyssa Kate came into the bathroom and said "Mommy, I had a lot of fun playing today, I love you" then quickly ran off to play. That was a perfect thank you :)

April Fun

I thought I would post a few new pictures from the past month. The girls are growing up so fast and learning so many new things these days! I hope you all enjoy these!

Caroline talking to Scooter through the door

Caroline's first time riding in the Barbie Jeep

Riding around the garden

Alyssa Kate swinging on MawMaw and PawPaw's wooden swing

Caroling clapping for Alyssa Kate while she was swinging

Alyssa Kate put together a puzzle we got from the Georgia Aquarium, it was quite difficult but she had a blast!

Caroline and Alyssa Kate watching a bird show at the Zoo today.

My girls watching the Elephants

Caroline watching the fun bear

As you can tell Caroline was DONE by the time we got the Grizzly bears who are no longer hibernating (the bear is the brown blob in the middle of the picture on the left)

Easter Fun

Easter 2009 was a fantastic family time for the Heltzes! I was off from work which meant I was able to go to church with my family!!!!! I was so excited and this morning with the chance of rain we let the girls get their Easter basket gifts then hunted eggs. We were all still in our pajamas and Alyssa Kate choose to wear her rain boots, it was priceless! We took tons of pictures and videos, both girls had fun and we made it before the rain! Then we went to church and I felt so much warmth and peace being able to worship with my family! I really have missed church and the few times I am able to go I really cherish! After church we went over the Mimi and Pops and hunted eggs and attempted to get our first picture of all of the cousins, it was great! After a nap we went over to Wes's families and ate more and played. The day was fun and exhausting! I am so thankful for the time with my family!

This is a random picture but Caroline has recently started letting go and standing while holding onto nothing. She is growing up toooooo fast :)

Trip to Atlanta

Last Wednesday Mom, Alyssa Kate, Caroline and I embarked on an adventure to Atlanta, GA. I was headed to the Society of Pediatric Nurses annual conference to present a poster about a research project I did last year. Mom's best friend lives north of Atlanta so we decided to make a girls trip and spend time with her too. We planned quite well for provisions with lots of snacks, DVDs and toys. Google maps said the trip would take 8.5 hours, very optimistic. We left Wednesday morning with two kids in their pajamas at 4:45 am. We didn't stop the first time until after we made it through Memphis. After breakfast we continued with full tummies and a long way to go. We made it to Atlanta at about 3;45 pm. While it did take us 11 hours it was a great trip. The girls were in great moods and spent most of their time watching Diego and Dora. I don't know how we ever traveled before without a DVD player! That night we went to a fantastic mexican restaurant Mama Nimfa's, the best fajitas I have ever had! After dinner we took the girls swimming in the hotel indoor pool. It was so much fun! Thursday I put up my poster and attended some session and visited a few vendors, then went to IKEA..I was on cloud nine :). Friday after my second presentation we took the girls to the Georgia Aquarium. It was amazing! I think mom and I had as much fun as the girls. Caroline spent the whole time shaking and squealing. She tried to grab the fish when they swam by and got frustrated when she couldn't get them :) After the Aquarium went across the street to Centennial Park and played on some playgrounds and around the Olympic fountain. Saturday we went to visit mom's friend Eve and shopped at the Mall of Georgia. That is one thing I miss about living north of Atlanta, all the great shopping!. We left Sunday around 5:20 am (Little Rock time) and while there was a little more whining that day it took us only 10.5 hours to get home and the girls did great. We were all exhausted but happy to be home. Wes greeted us in the driveway waving a Razorback flag and blowing a noise maker...I think he missed his girls :)

Caroline sleeping like an angel

Alyssa Kate snoozing

The world's largest McDonald's playground in Birmingham, AL (that's Alyssa Kate in front of the red square)

Caroline was very excited to be out of the car in the hotel!
Alyssa Kate was excited too jumping on the bed!

Loving fajitas with Mimi

Caroline doing her "cute baby" pose

My poster

Swimming with the girls

Mimi and Caroline watching the beautiful whale

Walking through the cool tunnel of fish and sharks

Caroline trying to "grab" the shark swimming by

Both girls talking to the fish

Alyssa Kate with "Milky the fish" and Caroline with her "Mimi whale" from the aquarium

Playing at Centennial Park

Alyssa Kate with her "Auntie" Eve

Caroline playing with her "Jam Man"