Good friends are like homemade samoas

Away from me, you evil temptress

I was in a few pictures but no one told me my cleavage was out of control in my new Target shirt. It may blind your eyes so I will not post it.

Dalton, Mom, and grandmother Jeannie

Lindsey, bff from high school, flew in from New York on a whim (I selfishly believe it was only to meet Dalton). She stayed with me for three blissful nights and I turned her fun, hip, New York schedule into mommy-baby schedule :). I think she got along just fine especially because I let her use our fabulous noise maker. On a site note, this really is the best noise maker around. I loved it so much, I purchased two. One for Daltie, one for us. I digress... so I made Lindsey homemade Samoas. I originally saw them on pinertest (time sucker!) and had to make them. Lindsey made me homemade pop tarts, it was only appropriate. These are very decadent, but worth it. May I say they have a lot of butter in them because the cookie itself is like a shortbread cookie. Cookies dipped in chocolate, topped with a coconut caramel sauce, and drizzled in chocolate. Shame on me. I toasted the whole bag of coconut, which turned out to be a delicious treat and topping for the rest of the week. Lindsey and I tried it on yogurt, cereal, ice cream, the possibilities are endless. Here is the recipe from once upon a plate.

Beverly, MA

This past weekend we headed 40 minutes outside of Boston, MA to Beverly. A charming New England town, full of adorable houses, breathtaking ocean views, and adorable shops. My best friend, Jenny, got married and I was honored to be a bridesmaid.

The flight attendant gave Daltie his first set of wings!

Dalton and Jack went with me, so it was Dalton's first plane ride!
He did great and was the hit of the flights. I couldn't believe how good he did, especially when at times he only had about a 15 minute nap in 6 hours (very unusual for him!). The way there he even got a comment from a lady that she didn't even know he was on the plane, score. There was a little fussing on the first flight back, but was quickly terminated once Jack walked him around. He loved greeting people up and down the aisles.

All dressed up. Wait, I don't want to go.

The weekend was one of the most laid back weddings I've ever attended. It was cool to see that Jenny and Jamey planned all of it largely because they are in their 30's and paying for most of it themselves. The rehearsal dinner was at a Yacht Club outside by the water. Dalton and Jack stayed behind because it had been a very long travel day and Dalton was ready to hit the hay. I did get to dress him up before he decided he didn't want to go. The best thing we had was new england clam chowder, it was delicious. I was just thinking how I hated that wouldn't get to have any chowder while I was in Boston, but Jenny read my mind. Wait, I shouldn't be calling this a rehearsal dinner because this was a "pre-wedding" dinner. There was no rehearsal. This is amazing!
The day of the wedding, we didn't have to be there until 2:30, so we had breakfast in Salem and walked the streets. Lots of witch stuff, but lovely houses and shops, too. They have sidewalks and parks there along the beautiful water.
Jenny was gracious to get Dalton a babysitter for the night. The wedding was so sweet and the reception was a blast. More dancing! The dj looked like he walked right out of a SNL skit, too bad I didn't get a picture. There were several speeches, but my favorite was her new father-in-law who talked about how Jamey and Jenny chose 9/11 to replace bad memories with joyous ones. They also spoke of the Jewish tradition of naming children with the first letter of a beloved family member lost. They chose J and if it was a boy, Jamey, if a girl, Jenny. Obviously it was a boy, but years later they finally got their Jenny. Okay, tears.
It was first Jewish wedding and I hope to attend more. I loved all the symbolism and tradition.

Site of the pre-wedding dinner

What I was waiting for. It did not disappoint.

The ketubah-sort of a marriage contract signed by the bride and groom and two witnesses. Jack and I had something similar to this at our wedding, based on this tradition. It's in our hallway, if you ever want to see it. 

The handsome couple

Some call it a "chuppa"

Baby's Best Friend

Abby and Stella have proved to be quite the entertainers for Dalton. He loves watching them and will start smiling and laughing out of no where. I think he loves Stella the best because she's always sticking her long nose in his face or wanting attention. Abby just wants to lick up spit-up. And poopie diapers. It's true. Sorry. TMI. Dalton also loves Winston (we dog sat this week). He was right at his level when he's in the exersaucer. Laughs galore.

Lee lee and Dogga's Dog, Jesse. She wants Sophie the giraffe.

They also love Dalton.

War Eagle! Football Season has officially begun.

Iron Bowl. It's on. Our star player, Dalton Barrett, is on the play.

Sidelines are packed. The fans are getting rowdy. No fighting, you guys.

Got my pads on Mom. Put me in, Coach!

The crowd goes wild. Dalton makes the tackle for the stop.

Barrett gets the fumble and brings takes it 50 yards for the winning touchdown! 

I can't believe it. We are witnessing history in the making. The ref is even congratulating him!

"Hey Newton, I'm the one who should get all the credit, I made the stinkin' touchdown."

Thanks, guys. I couldn't have done it without the fans. Auburn fans are the best.

My football hero. Shoulder pads and all. My niece, Dory, was even kind enough to get in the pictures with her Alabama gear (I only allowed this since in this pretend game we clobbered them). Jordan Hooper made his hat. Those who are super observant will notice in the first set of pictures the hat was too little, but she made a bigger one for the next one.
Auburn did win on Saturday, but too close for comfort especially against Utah State! WAR EAGLE!

5 Months!

Dalton turned 5 months on Saturday. Crazy!
Current happenings:
*First time in the pool-loved it!
*Rolling, scooting, and moving. It's gonna get crazy soon.
*Making sounds with his lips
*Cackling. Our favorite activity is laughing in mommy or daddy's face.
*Touching your face
*Reaching for anything he can
*Found his feet and insert into mouth
*Loves watching the dogs (more on that to come) and other babies/kids
*Finally getting better at putting his giraffe pacifier in his mouth, but prefers his thumb
*Doing mom a solid by sucking up his spit up with his thumb. I still get soaked 95% of the time though.

This is how he prefers to get his cereal down

Read This

This blog entry will make your day. A beautiful story of God's faithfulness and intricate ways of how he works for the good. I really needed to hear and be reminded. Get out your tissues!

Swim time

Dalton's first trip to the pool was a success, even being tired from being at Dee Dee's all day. Jack worked on the house all day while we lived it up. He loved it! 

I didn't intend to get in the pool with my shirt on, it just kind of happened. No extra hands to remove shirt, etc. This does bring back memories of me as a kid, sunburnt, with a t-shirt on in the pool. 

The kid loves fingers in mouth!