Catch Up...

Long time no blog!  A month to be exact.  But it's been a little busy and unfortunately the blog is the first to get the cut.  I'll have to continue to work on my blogging habits :).  But here's a little catch-up on the Archibald household...

Since my last blog we took a family trip down south to catch some Georgia softball and spend Spring Break with my parents and sis.  One of my goals for the Spring was to be able to go to the Georgia vs. Alabama softball series in Tuscaloosa.  I had very fond memories of Alabama's stadium and fans when I played there with the Salukis, and really wanted to go back and see some great softball in an SEC series.  So we did, and man were we blown away!  Alabama softball is incredible!  Their crowd is incredible, their facilities are amazing, and the atmosphere can't be beat, other than the WCWS.  Such a great place for college softball and our sport.  If you haven't been and you are a softball fan you must go!! 

Anyway, the series didn't go as we wanted it to for the Dawgs, but it was still good softball none the less and we had a great weekend with my family and enjoyed some beautiful 80+ degree weather, which was much needed in the middle of March.  I was also able to go prom dress shopping with Geri Ann which made the trip even more special for me!  After a great weekend we dropped Bryan off at the Birmingham airport and he headed back to Chicago to work, and the boys and I headed to my parents to enjoy Spring Break Georgia style.  I am so thankful to have a husband who will allow me and the boys to spend so much time with my parents and let the boys get so much quality time with their grandparents!  Really means the world to me.  Thanks Babe!!

As always the boys had a blast down south with my parents!  Aidan and Papa got their daily batting practice in on the field.  Aidan was really proud as this trip he was able to hit the ball past the G in centerfield.  And Papa was pretty proud to as he had to step off Aidan's farthest hit and tell us all it was 160 FT!!  We spent a lot of time playing outside in the wonderful weather.  Mama took the boys on 4Wheeler rides. 

Aidan desperately wanted to drive himself...

And we spent hours just playing outside, going to the park, and hanging out.  So relaxing and much needed quality time with my family.  We also took a trip to Chuck E. Cheese, which Maddux nicknamed "Chunky Cheese sticks" and it will forever be called that in our household from now on!  So cute! 

While in Georgia I took Maddux for a much needed haircut.  They had a really cute kids salon that Maddux loved.  It had all his favorites, Toy Story capes, cars to ride in, and slides to play on at the end!  What else could a 2 year old ask for!!  So the haircut was a huge success and he looked adorable afterward.

Before the haircut... (Yes his hair is in his eyes!)

Check out his cool car he picked to ride in!

And AFTER!! Much better!

So the trip to Georgia was a great success and we made it home safe and sound.  Since then, we've been trying to recoop, battling some colds, but all is well now I think.  We've been enjoying some Spring weather, so nice to be able to get the boys out and let them run!!  Here's a few shots of them in action...

Payton is walking 99%  of the time now.  So he is right there with the big boys, trying to do everything they do.  This particular day he was headed to ball practice! :)

Aidan posing on the skateboard!!  He is the happiest to be out and about.  And I am happiest Mom to have him there, when you keep this kid cooped up, your walls are in danger as is everyone inside them!

Maddux enjoys the outdoors also.  He loves to RIDE things, tractors, cars, four wheelers, etc.  But he also would just as well be inside watching a movie.  He doesn't last as long.  So sweet how they all have their own personalities!

Other than that we've been going through the normal rat race, Bryan working, my lessons at night, and chasing these super active boys.  With Payton walking now it only gets crazier around here!!  But it's so fun and we wouldn't change a thing.  And with that, gotta go get Aidan from preschool!  Bye for now!!

ROADTRIP!!!

Last Thurs. the boys and I loaded up the car and headed for a LONG roadtrip to see my family in Georgia.  This trip is always bittersweet as we all miss my parents and my sister so much, but the 12 hour drive to get there is simply miserable with 3 young boys!  But this weekend was Geri Ann's 17th birthday and my Dad's UGA Bulldogs were opening their season so we decided it was would be a great weekend to make the trip.  Unfortunately Bryan was supposed to have to work all weekend so he wasn't able to make the trip.  So that left me to pull off the 12 hour drive by myself. 

As desperately as I wanted to see my parents and G, I was having a very hard time convincing myself to get in the car and go!  Even after having dinner with Bryan and loading up the car to head out I asked Aidan again, "Do you REALLY want to do this?".  Of course he said YES!  And then he said, "Don't worry Mommy, I'm going to be your helper and I promise to be very good and take care of my brothers in the backseat....and Mommy I never break my promise."  So needless to say, we were on our way.  And he definitely kept his promise!  He was such a big help, giving the babies their binkys and bottles, and toys.  And we made it safe and sound.

We made it to Athens on Fri., rested for a bit and then headed to the stadium to watch the Dawgs!   At 6 pm it was a little chilly outside so we were lucky enough to be able to sit in the Suite in the press box.  Can you say spoiled!  It's so nice to sit in the heated box, filled with snacks for the boys and let them run wild while we watch the games.  This box was meant to accommodate the AD when he is in attendance, but it sure works nice for my crazy family as well!  Thanks DAD!  The boys spent the majority of their time playing with the cooler in the room.  Not sure why this was so fun, but they played in this thing for hours like it was a sandbox.

Saturday was Geri Ann's Birthday!!  My baby sister is 17!  This just doesn't seem right.  I can remember Mom bringing her home like it was yesterday.  I was so proud to hold her and take care of her, she was like a real life baby doll!  And she looked like one too!  Geri Ann was the cutest baby ever.  And now she's all grown up, but I still think she's pretty special! She is a tremendous softball player, a beautiful young lady and her nephews absolutely adore her!  Happy Birthday G!  We love you! 

Saturday morning we went to Cracker Barrel for her birthday breakfast.  Dad was able to meet us for a few minutes before rushing off to the field for the day.  So he and Mom gave Geri Ann her present.  She got an IPAD. I was pretty jealous, but she was very excited.  How pretty is she?!!  Love her!

After breakfast it was off to the field for Dad's games.  It was so nice to be out in fresh air after being tied up in the house for months here in the Chicagoland area.  It was in the mid 50s -60s all weekend and the boys thought it was summer! :)  They had so much fun running around, collecting rocks, and Aidan even got a little batting practice in with PaPa before the girls came in for batting practice. 

Here's a pic of the boys talking to PaPa before the game started.  They think it's really cool to see him out there coaching!  They are very proud of him and so am I!  UGA is such an exciting place to watch a game, and to see my Dad out there on the field playing such a major role in their success gives me chills every time.

Here's PaPa's #1 fan for the weekend!  He looked so cute in his new jersey MaMa got him!

Maddux felt the need to take a break from the action.  So he pulled out all his necessary belongings and spread out in the bleachers.  He requires many items to rest!

The Dawgs won both games on Saturday!  Saturday afternoon, Geri Ann took me to see the Gym Dawgs. (Georgia's Gymnastics team)  WOW!  This was quite an event.  They are ranked 4th in the country and they were competing against Florida who is ranked #1 in the country.  These girls were amazing.  And the atmosphere was even more impressive. The basketball arena was packed, they shoot off fireworks, and the fans love these events!  It was very exciting.  I learned gymnastics is a BIG deal in the SEC.  Made me kind of wish I had a little gymnast!  Not happening though! :)

Sunday was filled with one more game before heading home.  But before we could leave we had to drag Maddux off the fourwheeler!

He loves all things that GO!  But unfortunately this was not working and wouldn't go.  But he didn't seem to care.  He sat on the fourwheeler, with his helmet on, and pretended.  He would have sat there for hours if we'd have let him!

It was another beautiful day Sunday, PaPa gave the Dawgs their pre-game speech and they came out ready to go.  They played so well on Sunday!  Aidan loved all the homeruns! 

Maddux enjoyed cuddling up with his Great Grandpa during the game.  Maddux is in LOVE with Grandpa Gerald and it is so sweet to watch them together!

Between the games Dad snuck out to play with the boys for a minute.  They were so excited.  Papa is obviously very busy on game day, and it was as if the boys knew how special it was that he snuck out of the dugout for a moment to come play with them!  They had so much fun!

They are the only thing I've ever known to be able to distract my dad from softball! 

But it was quickly back to work!  And other than getting a few, or a lot :), of players thrown out at third base! What a great job they did!  GO DAWGS!!  We're really hoping to go to OKC this year so keep up the hard work!

It was a great weekend!  Full of lots of FUN!  And as soon as we loaded the car on Sunday afternoon, these fans were OUT!!  It was a pretty quiet trip home.  So although the roadtrip is never fun, my boys created memories they'll never forget with their grandparents, and Auntie G.  And that's what it's all about!