Cousins Reunited

This past weekend a whole bunch of Hattie's fan base came up to Sewanee: her Great Aunt & Uncle Steve & Dawn, her Aunt Jewls, cousin Nyla, and Grandma Jan.

Quite an armful!

I had an armful whenever I'd try to hold both of these two in my arms. They both went straight for my glasses!

A visit from my Great Aunt & Uncle

Uncle Steve and Aunt Dawn got a double scoop of cuteness during thier first visit to Sewanee. The dentist and oral hygenist approved of Hattie "brushing" her pearly whites.

Sunday Afternoon

This afternoon was the LINK picnic for the School of Theology & the college. LINK connects undergrads & seminarians together for meals and such. In our LINK group we are lucky to have a great group of kids from the Diocese of Alabama, many of whom I knew from Camp McDowell and other Diocesan Youth Events. It's great, because they are always so excited to hold Hattie, and I'm always so excited to pass her off!

My New Rocking Chair

Hattie loves her new rocking chair, which was her Great Aunt Carma Lee's. She laughs and smiles every time we put her in it.

Blowing Kisses

It takes some convincing, but Hattie finally shows off her new sweetness.

First Flight

So I know this is supposed to be Hattie's blog. But since Hattie & Momma went down to Birmingham today and left the camera with me, you're stuck with my exciting pictures. Today I went flying with a friend from seminary, Eric Cooter, who used to be a full-time flight instructor down in Florida (he still teaches on the weekends). This was my first time in a plane this small, and I had a blast! We flew from the Fayetteville airport over to Sewanee, landed in Winchester, and then headed back home. I actually got to take the controls (thank God Eric was right there) a good bit of the time. Let's just say I could relax and enjoy it more when the plane was in the hands of the flight instructor.

Sweet, Sweet Girl

Though we don't have any pictures to prove it, tonight Hattie did some unbelievably cute stuff. We had our friends, the Krouse's, over for dinner and Hattie took a bath with her friend Caroline (see previous posts). Then after her bottle she was being particularly cuddly. She then blew us some kisses (a new trick of hers), and then, quite unexpectedly gave her daddy a big kiss on the lips. She did this several times and then, quite distincly, said, "thank you." She then gave her momma a kiss on the lips. Such a sweet girl! She's growing up so fast!

Saturday @ Play

Today Momma had to work, so Dad and I went over to our friends, the Krouse's, to watch some football and play. I don't even use a pacie anymore, but that doesn't mean I won't steal it out of my friend, Caroline's mouth!

My Gym Clothes

My Pawpa and Grandma Judy gave me some cute clothes for me to work out in. Here I am pulling up on the coffee table. Whew! I worked up a sweat! I have a lot of work to do because my cousin Nyla is visiting in a month and I hear she is already pulling up.

Best Friends, Part 2

Here are some more fun pictures with my best friend, Mary Clare.

Matriculation

Tonight was matriculation for the School of Theology. That means I am officially now a seminarian. It was a service of Holy Eucharist and we signed our names into the book which seminarians have signed since the beginning of the school; Pretty cool sense of my place in the history of Sewanee. The gowns are a longstanding tradition at Sewanee. Undergraduates must earn them as a type of honor roll, but as seminarians - since we already have bachelor degrees - we are honorary members of the Order of the Gownsmen. We wear them to class, chapel, and other special events...I just want to know when I'm going to get my wand and owl (ala Harry Potter). Here are some pictures of Liz and me, and also my sponsor, Jamie McAdams, a fellow Alabamian.

My Own Special Way...

Hattie was to be found this afternoon having fun with her Jumperoo from a different angle.

A New Discovery

Today, in an effort to entertain Hattie while trying to work in the kitchen, she was introduced to every baby's favorite - the Tupperware drawer! Actually it would be more aptly named the Gladware drawer as I don't think there's any Tupperware in there. Whatever you call it, Hattie was of course pleased with herself and it worked as a successful distraction.

Virginia Beach

This past Thursday through Sunday we traveled to Virginia Beach to visit Elizabeth's family and to pay respects to the life of her aunt, Carma Lee, who passed away last week. It was sad, of course, but Ric did a great job with the eulogy at the funeral and it was great to see family. A special thanks to those in the Sewanee community who held us in your prayers, as well as checked on our cats and cooked us dinner!

Me and My Buddy

Here's some pictures of Hattie with her arm around one of her favorite buddies - Brit. Brit has been very good-natured about Hattie's "playing" (perhaps more like a little pestering) with her. Overall there seems to be a mutual liking between them.

A Game of Fetch?

Hattie could be found this morning retrieving this blue ring then placing it in her mouth as she crawled around. Guess Brit's wearing off on her...

Saturday Play

It was just Mom and me today as Dad was off whitewater rafting. This afternoon we sat out in yard, under the shade. Well, the two of us sat and Brit chased rabbits. Mom tried to take Brit's leash from me long enough to snap a few quick pictures but I would have none of it, except once. Don't worry, though, she knows it's a possible strangulation hazard for me and she didn't leave me unattended with it.

A Slight Predicament

Hattie has now learned to sit up from a crawling position. This is her attempting that move only her toy basket sort of got in the way. As you can see, she managed a happy pose for the camera before she complained about being stuck.

Trip to Birmingham

This past week Mom and Dad and I took a short trip to Birmingham to say hello. These are pictures of me with GiGi and Papa. I have learned how to give a "high five" to Papa as you can see. Then there's Papa holding me and GiGi giving me my dinner - that's my version of a highchair when I'm away from home. I think it's much more fun than my regular old highchair. I also got to go to dinner with my friend Andrew (chaparoned by our parents, of course). We went out for Mexican and this is him and me with our dads - I'm the more outgoing one, can you tell?