The Memphis Belle

Today, Harry, Alaina, and I headed out to the Concord Airport to see the Memphis Belle (not the real plane, but the one used in the movie; the real Memphis Belle is not in flying condition). It was an amazing airplane. The weather didn't really cooperate (it was rainy all morning) but that worked out in our favor because we were able to tour the airplane since it couldn't go out for flight tours (we couldn't afford the flight tours at $450 per person for a 30 minute flight). 

This is the Memphis Belle (yesterday) flying over our house.

The Memphis Belle, today (notice how the weather changed).

This gun turret was underneath the plane and SO tiny! I had to take the picture because the area was too small for Harry to climb underneath the plane.

 Due to the bad weather, they opened up the airplane to ground tours while we where there... bonus!

This is where the bombardier sat. It was in the front of the plane underneath where the pilots sat.

The cockpit

Alaina and me at the radio operator table. On a side note, this is the first airplane Alaina has ever been in... that's going to be a funny story later on. 

This was how you accessed the rear of the plane (the rear gunners and the tail gunner had to walk down their tiny plank over the bombs to access their equipment. It was scary to walk over without it being airborne, loaded with active bombs, and being shot at. I can't imagine what it was like in battle. 

The hatch for the gun turret underneath. 

Rear Gunner

 Harry at the rear gunner window. There was another gun directly to his left, as well.

Alaina and me at the wheel (not the steering, but landing).

Fishy, Fishy

Today, Alaina was all about fish. Harry, Alaina, and I started the day running at the Huntersville Business Park. While Harry extended his run, Alaina and ran and played at the pond in the park. She was excited to look for turtles, cranes, and fish while eating her goldfish.

Here is Alaina, holding her fish, sporting her Clemson t-shirt.

The rest of our fishy afternoon centered around getting Alaina a fish. She loves feeding the fish at Stephanie's (her babysitter) each day and we thought it would be a nice pet for Alaina to keep in her room. We were able to get her bowl set up today, but need to wait 3 days before putting a fish in so the fish will be healthy.

 

This is Alaina's bowl, sans fishy. She picked out the castle and the stones herself. The bowl has a lid and lights up different colors so when Alaina does get a fish, it will be safe from Joey and Phoebe. Alaina was so excited about getting a fish she was yelling "fishy time" when we went to the pet store. 

The Water Table

Harry and I got Alaina a water table for her birthday and she has been enjoying it every evening when we get home. Check out her playtime this evening.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Alaina!

Today, Alaina turned two. It is so hard to believe that our once little baby is now two. We celebrated by playing outside, having a picnic and presents, and cookies. She loved it and so did Harry and I. 

Princess slippers and a pinwheel... our little lady is all girl. 

But this little lady isn't afraid to get dirty; she will use the grill while still hanging on to her pinwheel. 

Pure Joy

Daddy Hugs

Helping mommy do laundry (not really, just playing like we do when we do laundry). 

Presents! 

Cookies! Alaina doesn't like (or won't try) cake so she had a sugar cookie with 2 candles. 

A picture with mommy just before bed.

Happy 2nd birthday to our sweet little girl. We love you Alaina!

The Lake Davidson Triathlon

Today, Harry completed his second triathlon. It was a beautiful day in Charlotte so Alaina and I were able to go along and cheer him on. Harry took about an hour and forty minutes to complete the triathlon, but thanks to my photography skills (sorry the pictures are blurry) you can watch him like it took just a few seconds. 

Harry and Alaina on their way to the transition area/starting line. 

Harry, getting everything ready for the transitions. He has his bike shoes laid out (socks in them), helmet and towel ready for when he returns from the swim. He also has his tennis shoes ready for when he comes in from the bike ride. 

Harry completing the swim. 

Here he is coming out of the transition area ready for his bike ride. 

Alaina, do you like triathlons? Yeah! They are awesome!

Harry leaving the transition area while attaching his running number (and saying hi to Alaina). 

Finished! Way to go Harry!! We are so proud of you! 

Alaina enjoyed spending the morning out in the cool air cheering for her daddy (and I did, too).

Turning Two

It has been almost 2 years since Alaina was born. It seems hard to believe! Time sure does fly and our little lady is getting bigger every day. Today we had Alaina's birthday party and we were blessed to have family and friends with us to celebrate.

Balloons! I love balloons!

Alaina and Austin at her water table. Austin is the son of Alaina's nanny, Stephanie. The water table was one of Alaina's birthday gifts from Harry and me. 

Alaina also got a big wheel from grandma and grandpa. 

Minnie Mouse was the theme of the party so Alaina had a chocolate Minnie cake and pink frosted yellow cupcakes. She didn't eat either (Alaina won't try cake) so the cookie bow was for her.

She also got a bike helmet from us that she insisted that she wear to blow out her candles. 

Harry and me (dressed in our Clemson colors)

Our cool (almost) 2 year old.

Her actual birthday is on Monday, September 10. Happy Birthday, sweet Alaina!

Rain, Rain Don't Go Away

Alaina really enjoyed our rainy afternoon today.

It began with a rainbow. This little lady LOVES rainbows. She loves wearing her rainbow shirt and when we see one (usually out the back door) she is in Heaven. We see rainbows a lot more frequently lately. 

At the end of the rainbow video you may have noticed she was trying to play in the water on the table. That meant we headed outside for some puddle stomping. 

One final puddle stomping video. My nickname from my Aunt Annette growing up was Mud Puddle Mery... this just may be Mud Puddle Alaina.

Random Photos

I haven't had much time to post this past week since starting back to school, so I have a few photos to share from the past few weeks.

Alaina and me after a long day. 

Alaina loves "sock hands." She puts socks (hopefully clean ones, not always) on her hands and goes about her daily routine... like eating goldfish. 

Yay! Sock Hands!

Alaina and Harry earlier today. 

Alaina showing off her new shirt. Anybody who knows me knows I LOVE bunnies. Yesterday when shopping at Belk I found this bunny shirt AND the bunny has glasses on! Those two things (for Alaina) equal the best shirt ever! I only wish I could have found it in larger sizes, too.

Alaina's Saturday

The weather was beautiful today in Charlotte so we headed outside to enjoy the cooler temperatures. Alaina and I went for a run and to the park while Harry was on a bike ride and then we all went to the pool together this afternoon. 

While at the park, Alaina went through the tunnels and down the tunnel slide by herself for the first time (in the past, the tunnels have scared her). I can't believe how big she is getting and this video reminds me of that. 

This second video is her in an airplane. Madison, Luke, Alex, and Weston... Alaina has a message for you at the end. :-)

Insulindependence

Many of you may know, a few may not, that Harry is a diabetic. He has always wanted to become involved in the diabetic community but never really found his niche... until now. He is starting up the Charlotte chapter of Insulindependence. The mission of Insulindependence is to inspire people with diabetes to set personal fitness goals, educate them on adaptive management strategies though hands-on experience, and equip them to explore their individual capacities. He wrote a guest post on his friend Kerri's blog "Six Until Me". Check out what he wrote by clicking here! Alaina and I are so proud of him and we hope that the Charlotte chapter of Insulindependence is very successful!

Last Day of Summer Vacation

Today is my last day of summer vacation. I have really loved spending the summer with Alaina and I am going to miss her SO much when I return to work tomorrow. That being said, we decided to have an enjoyable day together doing something special.

First, we visited a friend and her new little baby. Alaina loved seeing such a tiny little guy. Then, we headed up to Jetton Park for a picnic and some play time. We used to live only a few miles from Jetton Park and this is where we spent the last day of summer vacation last year.

Alaina and I at the picnic.

Alaina swinging; I told her to say, "cheese" and this is what I got. I think it is very much an Alaina face.

Fun Around the House

Alaina and I hung out around the house today and had a TON of fun. 

We had a tea party and danced to the song the teapot plays. Alaina also learned to shadow dance.

We played outside in the sprinkler, too! Alaina had a blast!

A Night With the Panthers

On Friday, Harry came home from work and announced that he won Panthers tickets for the first preseason game of the 2012 season against the Houston Texans. The seats were great and we were excited to get out for some adult time. Harry's parents came to watch little A and we were off for a night on the town. 

The game wasn't that great (Panthers lost) but we had a really nice time. We got to sit near people Harry knew from work and we were on the 6th row!

We left after the 3rd quarter and headed to the car. We got in and as we started to pull away we heard a deafening explosion in the rear of the car. We turned around to see most of our back window missing. I went to talk to the traffic police who told me to call 911 to get an officer to write a police report (I felt weird calling 911 for a broken window but I was following directions). We waited for over an hour for the police to show up which gave us plenty of time to inspect what happened. As it turns out, somebody wrapped a parking cable around our rear window wiper (which is attached to the window) and when we pulled away it pulled the window out. Harry finally chased down a wonderful police officer and he told us that we could file a police report over the phone. After he very kindly knocked out the rest of our window so it wouldn't explode on the highway, we were off for home.  

 Harry's dad had been kind enough to clean out 1/2 of our garage so we could park inside (it had been raining last night, too). We already have 1 quote to get it fixed and have another call in for a quote tomorrow. Hopefully with help from our insurance it won't be too much. 

Thanks to Harry's parents for staying late with Alaina and for their help tidying up our garage!

Story Time: Monkey Edition

Today's story time was probably Alaina's favorite because it was all about monkeys! She also got a surprise visit from Daddy at the library. Talk about a great day.

Alaina listening to a story about monkeys in a tree getting snapped up by a crocodile.

Oops... Wrong Video

Yesterday I posted an "Alaina running" video to show how she bolts in public places when not strapped in, but it was the wrong video. Here is the correct video. Whoopsie!

A Week of Alaina Videos

Don't worry, I'm not posting a whole week of Alaina videoed (is that word?); however, here are a few videos I've taken of Alaina that I've meant to share. 

The first video was taken outside of church. Alaina has become a runner. If she isn't in a stroller when she is in a public space, she bolts. This is a good example of that. 

The next video is Alaina playing peek-a-boo with Harry. Her laugh is awesome and always makes me smile.

This last video is one that my family will appreciate, especially my sister Martha. Here Alaina is organizing her crayons in her crayon box. It reminds me so much of my niece, Madison, who would line up her little people in a similar organization... perfect. It's a little crazy that a 23 month old is doing this!

And finally, no... this isn't Alaina, this was our dinner tonight (my parents are visiting so we were trying something new). We cooked beer can chicken and grilled some veggies; it was delicious! I love this picture because it looks like the chicken (if it still had a head) is checking how the veggies are cooking.