Firetrucks oh my!!

Ok so this our first blog posted without pictures.... and do we wish we had pictures. Today we decided to get Randy's Pizza for dinner because we were hungry and didn't want to fix dinner. So Chris, Davis and I met after work and when we pulled into the parking lot I noticed two firetrucks spread across the lot. (No lights and no sirens... yet) Of course we pointed to the trucks and Davis smiled and said "vroom vroom". We walked into Randy's and there were about 8 Durham firefighters eating dinner. We of course said hello and I told the men that we were admiring the trucks in the parking lot and that our son Davis was excited to see the trucks. Soon 3 firefighters quickly left the restaurant and another firefighter said they were responding to a call and encouraged us to go watch as they were going to turn on their sirens.

Davis and I quickly walked outside and eagerly awaited the "lights and sirens" but nothing happened. Our friendly firefighter came out and told me it a false alarm ---- bummer I was thinking until he said here bring him to the truck we will turn on the lights. As we got closer the lights came on and then he invited us to hop in for a closer look. Davis was scared at first and wanted Daddy to come in with him. We were standing in the back of the truck where all the bucket seats are for the firefighters and they were letting Davis look and explore the truck some. We only stayed inside for a minute or so but it was cool. We were invited to come to the Fire Station whenever we would like to have a tour of the trucks. We ate dinner at the same time as all the firefighters and when they left they waved goodnight and Davis said "bye bye". He made several friends tonight.

Thank you to the Durham Fire Station #1 Firemen!!! We will come to visit soon.

Memorial Day Visit

My parents were able to come to Durham for a quick two days earlier this week. They were staying in Williamsburg for the week so it was a little shorter of a drive for them (~3 hours). We were happy they could come spend time with us and Davis. On Memorial Day we headed to the pool for Davis's first swim of the season. He enjoyed the pool and preferred to stay in his float. Chris and Davis were the only ones to brave the water, even though Chris said it was not too bad.

Pool pictures

On Tuesday Davis played "hookie" from daycare and spent the day with his grandparents. They had a busy day from riding his bike, planting flowers in the front yard, going to the local library, and then to Costco for snacks. In true grandparent style they allowed him to drink raspberry iced tea and orange Sunkist and eat lots of different snacks. (Not sure exactly what transformation happens when parents become grandparents but I don't think they would have let us drink this when we young.) Needless to say it took some time to go through "grandparent detox" after they left. They actually witnessed a pretty impressive tantrum before they left on Tuesday. Davis is quickly approaching age 2 and has learned how to use the word "No" or "Nooooo" after basically every sentence. We are working on patience and praying for wisdom.

Gran and Pappy thanks for coming to visit !!!

Davis's First Bike (ok Trike)

Watch out folks Davis coming through

We had a big weekend with family in town for Chris's graduation. One important part of the weekend was a trip to Target to pick out Davis's first tricycle. He has been able to ride on them at daycare and whenever he sees kids on bikes he points and says, "bike". After looking at all the options Granddady Newlin splurged on this awesome Radio Flyer Tricyle. We splurged on the cool helmet (safety first... trying to establish good habits!).

Davis was thrilled when we got the bike assembled. He jumped right on and tried to pedal.

His feet reach the pedals but he has not been able to master pedaling yet..... He loves to have you push him around. Here Pappy Stickley is giving him his first pushes.

Sitting pretty

Thrilled with his new trike

Pappy taking Davis for a spin around the yard... Yes we got the version with the adult steering bar. It looks silly BUT man it comes in handy. No back breaking pushing. We have been able to push him around the block and go on walks and he loves it. It is helpful to be able to steer because Davis does not always keep his eyes on the road and he sometimes over compensates or steers off course.

Pappy teaching him the proper bell ringing technique.

Aunt Aimee taking him for a spin around the cul de sac.

Thank you Gran and Granddaddy Newlin.... I love coming home and getting to ride my bike.

Chris's PA Graduation Weekend

Graduation weekend started out on Saturday morning at the Duke Park with a picnic lunch. Mark and Aimee were playing on the playground.

It was hot and sticky - classic Durham humidity. Davis was sweating as you can see by his spiky hair.

Davis with both of his grandmothers- Grammy Stickley and Gran Newlin.

Family pictures

Chris playing guitar with his father. Our Saturday ended with a wonderful dinner with family. Mark prepared filet mignon which was delicious!!

Davis playing ball with Uncle B.

He loves to wear our softball gloves.

Throwing with Grammy.

I took a couple pictures before Chris left for his graduation ceremony on Sunday morning.

Davis was really into having his picture taken.. can't you tell?

We all headed to the BIG Duke graduation which occurs in Wallace Wade Stadium. We were not sure how Davis would do but he did great. The ceremony lasted about 1.5 hours and he only screamed out several times. He spent time coloring, eating, playing in his diaper bag, and eating some more.

Chris's parents, Dave and Betsy (aka Granddaddy and Gran)

Davis eating with my mom, Elsie (aka Gran)


Aimee and Mark

Karen and Bryan

Pictures directly after the ceremony

Davis played hard and fell asleep on the way back to the car.

Chris and his parents.

Playing at the PA Graduation.

Chris getting hooded

Chris officially graduated with his Masters of Health Science. Now he has to complete two more rotations and final coursework.... then onto the Boards!

It has been a busy day... Here are a couple family shots.

Chris with his friends Paul and J.J.

Chris and Paul

Time to head home.
Congrats Daddy!

Easter Egg Hunt

Getting ready for easter egg hunting.

Gotta get the glasses just right.

Looking ready to go play golf. He made me think of Pappy Stickley. Watch out Dad!

Examining the eggs. I was getting him ready with his little basket and some practice eggs.

Nothing inside the practice eggs. Look at those cheeks and belly.

Practicing throwing his softball.

Daddy and Davis

One of my friends from work invited us to her church Easter Egg hunt at a local Durham Park. The weather was great and we thought it would be a fun family adventure.

Davis had fallen asleep in the car and when we got there the "hunt" had already started so he was a little behind. It was too cute they had the different areas marked for the various ages. The youngest children basically had eggs laying all over the ground and they would just walk to pick them up. Davis only had one egg in the picture above so the other little boy felt sorry and shared an egg. It was too cute and it made them both smile.

Now Davis started getting into this and smiling.

Finding the eggs.

We had to slow him down.

Pleased with all the eggs.

Aunt Aimee met us at the park and Davis was eager to show off his eggs.

All smiles after the hunt. He got to taste some sugary goodies- like jellybeans which were inside the eggs.

Of course at this point my camera battery got low so I took pictures on my phone but have not transferred them to our computer. He enjoyed playing on the slide and other park favorites.