Donny, Kami, Samuel, Scarlet and Vinny Smith: October 2010

Monday, October 25, 2010

Pumpkin Patch!

So...I have always wanted to go to a Pumpkin Patch! Come to think of it...I wonder now where my parents got the pumpkins that we carved when I was little because I don't ever recall going to a pumpkin patch and picking a pumpkin! I guess in the 80's and early 90's the Piggly Wiggly or Hoggly Woggly (as my Bigmama called it) would be the place to "pick the pumpkin." For the past couple of years I always thought, when I have a baby...I'm definetely taking he/she to the pumpkin patch. So...on Saturday we decided we would take Samuel. I got him up and dressed him in his little pumpkin smocked outfit (to which I can not post what Donny's comment was). Don't worry it wasn't cursing or anything that could hinder Samuel's intelligence. Donny thinks that on game day you should be decked out in total Alabama attire or a t-shirt and diaper (for Samuel of course).

We drove over to Niceville to the Methodist Church who has a wonderful Pumpkin Patch. Samuel was a little unsure at first but warmed up rather quickly to the dirt and pumpkins and actually resulted in Donny carrying him to the car with his feet kicking...at least he wasn't screaming but rather pushing Donny away and trying to get down on the ground to play in the dirt in his Strasburg smocked pumpkin outfit. We stopped off at Pompano Joe's for lunch and then home for his mid day nap before heading over Destin Commons to enjoy the afternoon.

Also, did I mention that Samuel didn't just start walking...he actually prefers running or walking fast and swinging his arm for momentum. We never went through the "first steps" or walk a few steps and fall...he literally starting walking and never looked back. That is the disclaimer for most of the pictures where he is either running "away" or "to" the camera!

Happy Fall!

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Samuel turns the big 1!

I just honestly can't believe that my baby is 1! It is very bittersweet to have a little one grow up so fast! When he was 3 months, I could not WAIT for him to roll over. When he rolled over at 4 months, I could not WAIT for him to sit up alone. When he sat up alone at 6 months, I could not WAIT for him to crawl. When he crawled at 8 months, I could not wait for him to pull up. When he pulled up at 10 months, I could not WAIT for him to walk and when he tooks his first step at 10 months and 3 weeks and then was walking full force at 11 months, I wanted it all to stop and for him to be a newborn again.

Isn't it funny that we wish our life away and then we want it back. Samuel has taught me more about life than I could ever imagine but the one thing that I will hold onto since his birth is time. Time goes by so fast and I have learned many valuable lessons over the past year. One of those lessons is that you should cherish every minute, hour, day, week, and year and create wonderful memories in the meantime.

So enough of all of that...those of you that know me, know that I am not the sweet and sappy type but hey...having a baby changes things so bare with me.

Moving on...

I have had a CRAZY busy life the past 2 months with little time to plan an extravagant birthday bash that is expected of you when you are from the south. Now...Destin doesn't care what you do but I still have family to live up to so I did the best with what I could. I flew in from a business trip to Milwaukee (which will warrant a long and detailed post soon to follow) on Thursday and had done very little planning except for the invites and Samuel's shirt (only because I have a genius cousin, Natalie Pinson, who saved me from embarrassment by making the cutest ever invites and shirt. So...on Friday...Donny and I headed to Party City and many other places to gather birthday supplies for the party. Our best Alabama friends Ashley, Jeff, and new baby Kiptyn were arriving on Friday night to join the fun. The birthday party was at the Crab Trap on old 98 (which is only appropriate since this is the location on the beach where Donny and I shared our first kiss...hahah!) and the theme was cupcakes on the beach just for our close family and friends. Samuel is only 1 and doesn't have any interest in friends right, but he does love

his cousins who happen to all be female. His only male cousins were involved with sports...Chandler, Donny's nephew, plays travel baseball and had back to back games all day. Aunt B, Andrew's mom, decided to go to an Auburn game and already had tickets so she is excused!

To make a long story short...Samuel got too many presents and had 2 days worth of cupcakes. He was allowed to eat non-organic and got to have cake so that should have been b-day enough for him! Trust me...he was a on a sugar high for days afterwards!

Samuel had a great 1st birthday party! His actual birthday was the next day on Sunday the 17th. Gran and GrandSam came back and took him out to Cantina Laredo which was only appropriate since I ate that the for dinner when I was in labor with him.

Samuel is so active now and walking everywhere...he is very independent and doesn't want help with anything! This past year was so much fun and I can only imagine what fun the next year is going to be. I do know one thing though...I will slow down and cherish every minute with him because it won't be long and I'll be planning all over again for the 2nd birthday bash!

Disney World Labor Day 2010

As you will see...I have been extremelely busy and have to update my blog all in one sitting...uhhh...I am hoping that will change very soon. Anyway...Labor Day weekend we decided (Samuel, Me, Donny, Gran, and GrandSam) that we would take a trip to Disney. We had lots of fun! I wanted to get Samuel's haircut but you know that old saying...you can't get your first haircut until your are 1 year old! My boss and some of my co-workers disagree with this old wive's tale but I know that my Bigmama would role over in her grave if I got his hair cut so I backed out! Bridget, Jeff, and Andrew Danford (my cousin and her family) ended up going with us. It was a blast!

On the morning of our arrival we ate the Ohana Breakfast at our Resort, the Polynesian. Samuel loved everything about breakfast and ate and ate and ate!

We also went to the Ohana' Feast our last night there, which we have done many times. It was great, just like always.

Samuel loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse...or should I say LOVED? That was before he met him face to face...

Samuel loves his Aunt B and got to sit with her for a while and play. He loves everyone that lets him do anything he wants so that means he pretty much loves everyone in our families!

It seems like we eat ALOT...yes that is true...if you know anything about the Williams' family and their Disney trips you will know that we go ALOT so we don't feel the need to ride every ride or see every show...we feel the need to eat!