4th Of July 2009

As we have done every year for about the last 6 or 7 years, we spent 4th of July weekend in Atlanta. It is sort of an annual event for us and is definitely something we look forward to every year. I usually take a week of vacation, but with all that has been going on in 2009, and in light of my recent maternity leave, I cannot afford to miss a week of billable hours. The compromise was taking today off, I know, one day, how pathetic, but that is how it goes...

At any rate, although the trip was shorter than usual, it was great. I got to spend a ton of time with these guys, which is always a good thing:


I ran the Peachtree Road Race for the 5th (I think) time and, though woefully under prepared this year, I managed to finish without walking and without medical intervention. It was a blast and deserving of its own post one day when I have ten spare minutes to write it.

We also managed a few hours with friends we see too infrequently after the race on Saturday. There were a couple of quiet mornings sleeping in and a peaceful afternoon together drinking coffee and looking at books while Nana and Papa-T watched the kids.

As always, it was tough to come back to NOLA after being in the suburbs of Atlanta where the store clerks are polite and actually want to help you, the public parks are state of the art, and you aren't too scared of getting shot to tell your neighbors to call it night when they are shooting off fireworks after midnight.

La Luz had a great time playing with her cousins. As always, Liam was a perfect gentleman and never tired of La Luz's endless bossiness. Pete, on the other hand, might prove to be a bit of a challenge as he gets older.



Pete, running the Zingo table, he isn't even two yet...


James was the absolute center of attention. The boys could not get enough of "Baby James" and I guess I can kind of see why:


Liam holding James


Liam, dispensing wisdom on how to care for a newborn.


James put everything he could get his hands on in his mouth this weekend, spoons, bottles, shoes, you name it. He has to be teething.

All in all it was a lovely trip and I am going to miss this:


The only picture I could manage with all four kids in it. I think you can see why.