Zoo with the Butlers

Yesterday, Leigh Anne and I took all 4 kiddos to the Montgomery Zoo.  We got there when it opened at 9:00 a.m. to try to beat some of this heat.  I must say, the Montgomery Zoo is very nice.  I really like it better than the Birmingham Zoo because I feel like there is more hands on activities for the kids and there is this super cool playground (always a hit with this bunch).

Georgia, Jack, and I got in the wind tunnel and it was literally a blast.

The train is always a huge hit.

Everyone wanted to push Banks' stroller.

Banks loves giraffes.  They have a Giraffe encounter and you can feed them.  The kids really had fun doing this and so did we.

Daniel decided not to participate...just watch.

Even Banks fed the giraffe.  He thought it was super funny.

The 100 degree heat plus humidity does wonders for Banks' hair.

After we left the Zoo, we went to Chick Fil A and look who we ran into......Noah!!  It was such a nice surprise to see our friend.  

Montgomery House

So many of you have been requesting pictures of the rental house, so after straightening up a bit here and there, I was able to take some pictures today.   These are in no real order, so sorry if I skip around a bit.

Here is Banks' room.  It is a very long room (over the 3 car garage) but is is great for everything.  His furniture and toys.  

One of the guest rooms.  This was our Master Bedding in Birmingham (on a King bed) and Pat downsized the bed skirt to a queen..  I "made-do" with the drapes from the old house, putting a set in here and a set in the dining room.  

The other guest room.  Can you believe Pat made this bedding (and drapes) 13 years ago!!!????

Upstairs hall bath.  HELLO GREEN Walls!

Master Bedroom.

I had a headboard made and got all new fabric and had Pat make new bedding.  The valences are old (from 13 years ago, guest room) and again, I am making what I already had work here....since it is a rental.

I do LOVE our bedroom.  It is big and bright. I even had room at the end to put my piano in there. 

I did not take a picture of the master bathroom.  It is white and cream, with a shower and garden tub.  Nothing really to see, just nice and spacious. 

Dining Room and Living Room.  

All of you know that I am a big fan of the formal living room.  I like having a room without a TV, where you can just sit and visit with your family and/or guests.  

Lucky for us, this house has an upstairs den/loft where we have our TV and Bryan and I hang out up there at night.

My Living Room in Birmingham was cream and gold and I wanted to do something a little different in this house.  I knew I could use the blue drapes from my Birmingham master bedroom, so I got 2 blue chairs and I think it came together quite well.

I hung the oil painting of the Birmingham house my Daddy painted in the foyer.  I love it there and it makes me happy and a little sad to see it, but I think it is perfect for that spot.

It sure is nice to have a kitchen that more than 3 people can fit in.

This kitchen is open and bright and we actually have enough cabinets to put our glasses and our dishes in.  It also has a really pretty view of the golf course. 

This is the view out of our back door.   Very pretty.  

You can't tell, but in the distance, there is a lake.  The other day, I had Casey outside and just went upstairs to put Banks down for his nap.  When I came down, she was SWIMMING it in!  oh. my. goodness.

The next day, Bryan installed the invisible fence.

This is our upstairs den.  When you get to the top of the stairs, it is sort of a big loft area, but it is just so much more spacious that our real den in Birmingham.

That is about it!  We really like the house and the neighborhood.  Bryan really likes his job.  Now, we just have to work on me finding some friends and we will be all set!

My Boys

Basil

One day soon hopefully, I will be able to do a long post on Basil, recollecting some of our best times, but for now, I wanted to share this poem my vet shared with me.  I am still having a difficult time coming to the realization that my precious pug is no longer with me.  It has been harder than any words can express.  She and Casey were my best friends, roomies, and "kids" for so long and being without her has really been tough.  She was very old and tired, suffering in her last days and it tore me up to see her like that.  I know she is not in any pain anymore, but telling myself that still does not make it easier.   I will never forget her or stop missing her.

Rainbow Bridge

author unknown

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When a pet dies who has been especially close to a person here on earth,

that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are beautiful meadows and grassy hills there

for all our special friends so they can run and play together.

 There is always plenty of their favorite food to eat, 

plenty of fresh spring water for them to drink,

and every day is filled with sunshine so our little friends are warm and comfortable.

All of the pets that have been ill or old are now restored to health and youth.

Those that had been hurt or maimed are now whole and strong again,

just as we remember them in our dreams of days gone by.

The pets we loved are happy and content except for one small thing.

Each one misses someone very special who was left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes

when one of them suddenly stops and looks off into the distant hills.

It is as if they heard a whistle or were given a signal of some kind.

Their eyes are bright and intent.  Their body begins to quiver.

All at once they break ways from the group, flying like a deer over the grass,

their little legs carrying them faster and faster. 

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet,

you hug and cling to them in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.

Happy kisses rain upon your face.

Your hands once again caress their beloved head.

You look once more in to the trusting eyes of your pet so long gone from your life,

but never gone from your heart.

Then with your beloved pet by your side, you will cross the Rainbow Bridge together.

My handsome nephew, Jack Butler will be 5 on July 17th.  Leigh Anne and Michael had his birthday party Saturday at Pump it Up and it was crazy fun!

Me:  "Jack look here at Toe Toe for one minute"

Jack:  "Toe Toe, we have enough pictures."

 This little guy embraced Pump it Up with open arms.  I mean, he was OBSESSED with the slides and bounce houses. 

 I got so tired from climbing up that long stair sequence, Banks begged Michael to take him down.

You know Georgie had fun!

 Daniel and Zadie

 Fearless and on the move!

Group Shot

Our attempt at a cousin shot.  Clearly, Jack was melting down and the other were just not interested. 

Banks kind of liked the birthday party food.  Cheetos, cake, and Sprite.....definitely not a normal snack for the Sir.

Banks was asleep in the car before we got out of the parking lot.  Whew, it was exhausting chasing after him, but it was FUN and they kids all had a blast. 

Happy Birthday Jack!