Charlotte and PhotoBooth

Here are some of Charlotte's jems taken on PhotoBooth.  Yes, these are a lot of photos, but trust me, we are only scratching the surface here.  All of the photo effects and timing of triggering the shutter are Charlotte's doing.

A few days alter, Peter got into the act.  Again - these are Charlotte and Peter's creations.

At this point, I decided that things were getting a little wild around our Macbook, so I shut it down.

Hot Weekend

I'm not going to get into how hot it is here, because it is hot everywhere.  Thankfully, for Tennessee, it's a relatively dry heat.  109.8 yesterday on my front porch. Yikes.

My last day at Baker Donelson was yesterday, and I do not start at my new job in Michigan until July 9.  So, I have spent the last few days working with Niki on pre-closing issues related to selling our Tennessee house and inspection issues related to buying our new house in Michigan, as well as playing with the kids.  

More and more often, Charlotte and Peter will sit down and play with the computer.  It makes me nervous, because we rely on our Mac.  But, Charlotte really enjoys the photo programs and typing in MS Word.  In particular, she likes PhotoBooth, and can scroll through the different effects.  As terrifying as it is letting them fool with the Mac, it is very cute to see the two of them work together on it.

Here is a sample PhotoBooth picture.  

On Saturday, to beat the heat, we went to the Factory to attend one of Alicia's book-signings.  The Factory is an old stove factory in Franklin that has been transformed to an artists colony/public hall/farmers market/restaurant spot/etc.  It is a beautiful venue - very eclectic and industrial.  There is a Viking store there, some good restaurants, guitar stores, furniture stores, antique stores, law offices - you name it, it's in there.  It really is an example of a former factory property renovated.  One of the draws is the huge rocking chair.  It actually rocks.  I've tried it.

Niki and the kids overlooking a gathering area.

With Alicia at her book-signing.

After the book-signing, we went to Niki's favorite Mexican restaurant, West Coast Burrito.  She's on a first-name basis with the folks that run it.  I'm not usually a big fan of Mexican restaurants, but this one is pretty good.

Each evening, we have turned on the sprinkler and let the kids run around in it.  No matter how hot it is outdoors, it is really nice to settle in on beach chairs and listen the kids shrieking and giggling in the sprinkler.  

Peter running around.

Niki has also been doing a lot of sewing lately.  Here she is making a cape for Odie.

I will be in Tennessee until next weekend, and we have a lot to do, but despite the heat, I'm looking forward to having a lot of fun with Niki and the kids.

Anybody wanna come visit us here after August 4th?

(Assuming the inspection goes well!)

Charlotte's Pictures

On Sunday, Charlotte drew me pictures of our family on her MagnaDoodle.

Daddy - complete with stubble.  (I didn't shave on Sunday - and Charlotte was fascinated with my "face fur.")

Mommy - with curly hair.

Peter.

Charlotte.

Father's Day

What a wonderful day . . .

I spent today playing with my toddler son, talking with my daughter and enjoying her squeaky little voice, and hanging out with my wife and best friend, Niki.

Can't ask for much more than that. . .

Moving right along

Next stop: Michigan!  Posting has been spotty over the last few months because I have been working hard to get the house ready to put on the market and Corey has been working hard landing a great new job.  All of the painting and interviewing have paid off and the house is officially for sale.

It goes without saying that we are very sad to leave this beautiful state and our terrific neighborhood.  I have personally never lived in one house for so many years (we have been here for seven years!) and the roots we put down were deep.  Corey's new job will take him out of the frustrations of private practice and in-house at a private company.  We'll see if the grass really is greener out there!

To our Tennessee friends: we love you to pieces and will definitely see you all again.  To our Michigan friends: we're looking forward to seeing you more often!

Now will SOMEBODY please teach me how to wear a winter hat without my hair looking terrible when I take it off?