Atlanta Botanical Garden.

This may be my new favorite place in Atlanta (although the Georgia Aquarium is AMAZING). But, I could honestly spend hours at the Botanical Garden. It is gorgeous and you would never think that something so beautiful would be right in the middle of the city. It is located next to Piedmont Park (also another favorite) in Midtown. Here is the link to my photos from the day...all taken with my manual settings! BJ and Kaitlin were good sports, as it was hot outside. Some of the pics at the end were taken @ Piedmont Park on the way to the car.

Botanical Garden

Marietta.

We are really enjoying our new city. We knew living outside of Atlanta was going to be different than living in the heart of Buckhead, as we did before. But, really its not so different (other than BJ's commute to work). We have absolutely everything we could possibly ever want/need within just a few miles. And we are close enough to enjoy all the benefits that Atlanta has to offer, without all the traffic. Since I am not working right now, I am really trying to get to know the area. Cobb County has approximately 700,000 residents and Marietta is the county seat. Marietta is a charming/quaint southern city with a lot of history. Kaitlin and I took her dad down to Marietta Square Saturday and Sunday. Marietta Square is a park (Glover Park) in the center of the city surrounded by restaurants and boutique shops. Every Saturday morning there is a Farmer's Market, so we headed there after the gym. Here is an iphone pic of BJ and Kaitlin (I was rushed out the door and forgot my camera):

Sunday we took Maddie and Kaitlin to East Cobb Park. Growing up right across from a park, I have always loved parks. Fortunately, we have MANY to choose from close by. But, East Cobb park is really pretty and seems the most kid friendly. Everyone was out enjoying this beautiful day. Watching some kids kick around a soccer ball. Reminds me of Ritter Park with the creek.

After the park, we decided to head back down to Marietta Square for some outdoor lunch and drinks. It was a great day!

Margaritas and live music...sounds like a great day to me.

After lunch, we walked across the street to Glover park for some photos.

I am so excited for Spring and Summer. There is so much I want to do!

Fun with my favorite person.

This child will seriously melt your heart. She is the sweetest thing and just so happy.

Spring fever.

After a long, bitter cold winter, we are finally seeing signs of springtime. Although I love the snow, the short days and dreary weather really depress me. The days are getting longer and the temperatures are getting warmer and I could not be more ready! And by the time we move, there will be summer-like weather in Atlanta. Kaitlin had some fun playing outside with the dogs...

Waving hello to the neighbor (I thought my flash was on...but it obviously was not).
Watching the dogs run around.

Sweet face.

There's my happy girl!

New Year. New Beginnings.

My loves.
My heart.

Another year over...the year of Kaitlin's birth. The best year I could ever imagine. Although it is sad to see it end, I am also hopeful and optimistic about our future. BJ and I have been through so much and at times it feels like I am going to fall apart. I am stressed out 99% of the time and I get frustrated and depressed over how hard my life is right now. I recently experienced a very eye opening event. Kaitlin and I were in a very serious car accident this past week, and I can honestly say that it was God's will that we live through it. I have replayed it in my head over and over again and the only conclusion I have is that God was watching over us and it was not our time. It was the most terrifying experience I have ever had and I am sure to have nightmares for awhile. But, I am so beyond grateful and thankful. As I saw my life flash before my eyes, all I could think about was my precious girl in the back seat. Oh my, I can't even talk about it. I don't want to be too dramatic, but the only reason I can think that this happened to us and we survived it is because God was trying to open my opens and make me realize what is truly important in life. Had I not been running 10 minutes late, this would never have happened. So, I learned an important lesson a very hard way. I need to live life to the fullest, appreciate all the wonderful people and gifts I have been blessed with. And at the end of the day, realize that all that really matters is how you treat the people you love and who love you back. And finally, families belong together...not separated by hundreds of miles.

So here is to a happy and healthy 2011, filled with love, laughter, and new adventures!

Fall Fun.

Sunny, crisp and cool, fall...perfect for a drive through the West Virginia Mountains. BJ, Kaitlin, Maddie, and I jumped in the car Saturday morning and headed up Route 61 on the country roads. WV really is a beautiful state. We stopped at Gauley Bridge, Kanawha Falls, Hawks Nest, and The New River Gorge Bridge. The leaves are just starting to turn, but the scenery was still gorgeous. Maddie was so happy to be out and about and Kaitlin was a great little road warrior. Before heading back we stopped for dinner @ Pies N Pints, a pizza place in Fayetteville. It is very well known and lived up to the hype. Perhaps we will take another fall foliage road trip in 2-3 weeks when the leaves have peaked. What a perfect day!

End of summer...into Fall.

It is always sad when summer is over, but the fall is such an exciting season. After experiencing a record hot summer, we enjoyed cooler temperatures with bright blue skies for the opening of football weekend. We are looking forward to many things this fall...Kaitlin's first Halloween and Thanksgiving, football, the Mountaineers, and maybe a half marathon in November. Below are some new pictures of Miss Kaitlin. She is almost 6 months old! Enjoy! :)

Mountaineer family...getting ready to watch the season opener.

Daddy's girl.

Love her to pieces...

Katie bug and her Godparents...Josh and Natalie were in WV last weekend and we got to see them for lunch! :)


Happy as can be...

Sweet, Sweet, baby...

Almost sitting up on her own, but not quite...

Bed head!