the bradberry family

So I had this crazy idea... The constant rain we had been having in Chattanooga starting a couple weeks ago made we dream of sunny skies. I am not usually a spontaneous person at all, but I casually mentioned the idea of spending a couple of nights at the beach to my friend Jessica. Knowing that one close friend had just returned from the beach, and another was there, made us even more jealous! We got to talking about it, and decided to start looking for places to stay "if" we decided to go. We even called our friends Brittany and Ashley who had recently enjoyed the beach to see if they were up for a repeat trip. Although they were sadly not able to make it, to our surprise, we found a deal on a three bedroom condo that we could not pass up. On top of a fabulous rate, they were offering us one night free! So a day and a half later with three kids in the back of my car, we were on the road!

We had such a fun trip. It was worth every second of the drive down to sink our toes in the sand, wake up to the sound of the ocean, and soak up a little sun. The kids all did surprisingly well! Anna Kate had not been a huge fan of getting sand stuck on her the last couple times we have gone to the beach, so I was a little worried about how things would go. To my surprise, She followed her buddy Reed out, and did not flinch! They were both covered in sand the whole time, but loved every minute of it! Anna Kate also love being with her friends all the time. The first thing she said when she woke up every morning was "Maa-eee?" "Dee?" (her -ever so cute- version of Molly and Reed).

I took way too many pictures to choose a couple to post, so here is a slide show to enjoy! Believe it or not, Jessica and I were there, although somehow we came back without a single photo of either one of us on the beach.

May 27th, 2009: AK's first ear infection (this is more for my records) :o)

The smile seen below on our little girl's face did not last long after this picture! After a fun lunch and playdate with her buddy Isabelle, Anna Kate's mood got progressively worse. After screaming through dinner, I brought her her home to discover that her temperature had risen to 103 degrees. An immediate call was placed to the on-call pediatrician. Following orders of a luke warm bath, and rotating Tylenol and Motrin, we got her fever down to 101.8 by about 8:30 p.m. At that point I put her to bed with the intention on checking on her every hour. When I went to check on her at 10:15 p.m. she was burning up to the touch. I picked her up to take her temp, and to my horor it was elevated to 104 degrees! Minutes later we were in the car on our way to P.M. Pediatrics clinic. One look was all it took to confirm that our baby had her first ear infection! Still so fevered and yucky feeling the next day... all she wanted to do was lay on our bed and read books, sleep, and watch Elmo.

A little better by Wednesday, but still laying in bed! I was thrilled when she ate some applesauce and cheerios!

That night she ate a good dinner and seemed to have her appitite back. We were stir crazy, so we took AK out for a treat. Baskin Robins was having the 31 cent per scoop night!

Finally well enough to be out and about on Thursday! Off to a yummy lunch with friends!

Last week, we were blessed by a visit from our sweet friends the Davis family! After a long 16 hour plus drive with two little ones, they arrived in Chattanooga on Thursday night. It was so good to finally hug their necks and see them face to face!

This was little Emma's first trip to her big sister's birthplace, and she met lots of her family's old friends for the first time. It is absolutely stunning and somewhat heart breaking how much she has changed since I saw her in November. I was so glad to get some good snuggle and playtime in with this little cutie.Isabelle and Anna Kate were so cute together this time. Although they both have very similar "strong willed" personalities, they got along great. Anna Kate was in awe of her (nine month older) friend "Bell" and looked up to her. She followed her around with a grin on her face and wanted to do everything she did.
Isabelle was also a huge fan of "Eddie Tate." She wanted to ride in the car with her, be in the same room with her, and play with her all the time. Seeing little friendships blossom is precious!

We had a fun playdate at Coolidge park with Isabelle, Emma, Reed, Molly, Jackson C., and Jackson I. (missed you Ada)! We were so excited to see the fountains on for the first time this year!

Caught them holding hands in the backseat!

Playing in the backyard. Anna Kate was still a little leery of her pool...

but she adores her water table!

Good morning friend!Playing blocks before going to church on Sunday.
Peek-A-Boo!
An uncooperative group shot. :)

sweet, sweet Emma

Fun on the slide at Chick-Fil-A. Anna Kate had a blast climbing up the slide after Isabelle and the coming down with her! Little did we know that she would be running a 104 degree fever that night!

We were looking so forward to a group photo shoot with Brittany (aka Moncrief Photography) on Monday, but because of Ada being sick, Anna Kate being sick, and trying to work around so many schedules it did not work out! We can't wait to schedule it for next time they are in town! Although we did not get the pictures we were hoping for, Courtney and I did manage to snag one together.

Miss you so much already friend! Can't wait to plan more for our trip up north this summer!

Ever try to get your house ready for company with a toddler underfoot? A pool in the playroom with a water table in it worked like a charm for me today. She thought it was funny and so much fun! Hey, it kept her occupied and I got more accomplished! Sometimes mommies have to be creative. :o)

My friend Kimberly and I finally coordinated a time to go to the Creative Discovery Museum! A potentially stressful day of four kids vs. two adults turned out to be very relaxing and fun! All the kids were very well behaved and we mommies even got in some time to chat!

Here is baby Cole (7 months). He really is a perfect baby. His mommy is very thankful for this.Ty is about 6 weeks older than Anna Kate. He is very sweet as well. Although, I've not seen it, his mommy says he has a temper to match his hair! He loved playing with the vacuum and broom, much like out other friend Reed!

Gracie (who just turned 3) is so cute and love to take care of her friend Anna "Cake."Anna Kate in the "kitchen" pretending to eat an apple. If only she was not picky about her real food... :o)

Gracie and Anna Kate preparing our dinner.

My dinner that Gracie made for me. All chocolate! She thinks like a true woman.

Ty and AK sliding together! Awwww.

Gracie helping Anna Kate in the sand pit. AK is not a big fan of sand on or off the beach.

This is quite a milestone! Thanks for coaxing her out there Gracie-girl!

Anna Kate's favorite part of the museum!

Such a little mommy. She wanted to give "the baby" "milka." Thanks Kimberly for letting her feed Cole! It made her day! She love babies SO much!

Easter weekend has come and gone in a whirlwind of activities. The fun started early Saturday morning with meeting Mr. Bunny himself! Boyd Buchanan High School hosted an Easter egg hunt for their alumni with children. Since Chris and I both graduated from there, we thought it would be fun to go see a few familiar faces and let Anna Kate hunt some eggs.

Not quite as leery as we thought she would be, Anna Kate decided to shake the Easter bunny's hand!

Look Jackson was there! Jackson's daddy Chad is also a BBS alum and LONG time friend of mine and Chris (although, not a BBS graduate, we've known Ashley for a long time, too!). So glad that we are all still so close.

After warming up to this giant white rabbit, she could not get enough of him! She followed him around waving. They even took turns dancing!

Anna Kate found her friend Wil, too! Wil's mommy and daddy are another BBS-made couple, just like me and Chris. We have also known James and Ali since middle school! It is so good to keep in touch with good friends. Who would have thought we would be back twelve years later with our kids? Crazy.

The three kiddos.

As most of you know, Anna Kate cannot go anywhere without her doll, Lily.

After the egg hunt and a few errands, we met Anna Kate's cousins at YaYa and Granddad's house for lunch.

Liam is growing up so much! He changes every time I see him, and I can't believe he will be ONE in a couple months.

And Addie is almost FIVE! Seems like yesterday that she was born. She has grown-up so much this year, especially.

the pretty gals...

I say it every time, but it is SO hard to get a decent picture of these three. Someone always seems to have a silly face, not be looking, or wiggle away at the last second. Out of the umpteen hundred I tried to take, this was the best.

Addie and her big (prize) egg.

Anna Kate LOVED hunting eggs. I think that we may have many more egg hunts before next Easter. A great way to keep her entertained!

examining her "loot"

bunny-Liam... so cute!

keeping themselves entertained...

Here she is in Granna and Granddaddy's backyard on her THIRD egg hunt in a little over 24 hours! She had fun each time!

some "fun with flower" pictures...

Allergies? Oh goodness! Thank goodness for Zyrtec.