The Abacos

After Christmas, we flew down to Treasure Cay in the Abaco Islands of the Bahamas. It was beautiful! So warm and sunny, and the water was the prettiest blue/ teal color I have ever seen. We had a blast boating and island (or Cay) hopping. We went over to Baker's Bay a couple of days (it is developed by the same company that did Mountaintop in Cashiers). Dad, Bo Daddy and Andy went sport fishing while Mom, Gogo and I stayed back on the beach. Diane Sawyer and Mike Nichols were there, and I got to meet Diane!!! She and I played patty-cake on the beach, and she called me "impossibly cute!" I (well, really mom) will never forget it! We had a great trip, and I hope to go back sometime soon.

Christmas in Amelia

We had Christmas this year in Amelia Island! I loved getting to see Gogo, Bo Daddy, uncle Andy, Ba, Uncle Hank, Aunt Patti, Little Hank and Cliff. We had a great tree that Gogo put up- it had tons of bright twinkle lights on it (and plastic ornaments, yeah!). I had so much fun crawling (yes, I am finally crawling now) around, and playing with the presents, the ornaments, the lights, the tree and every door and cabinet knob I could get my hands on. I am really into everything right now- watch out! My favorite present had to have been the TMX Elmo. Not only does it laugh when you tickle it, but it falls on the floor and kicks and screams. We had a great Christmas lunch that Andy whipped up, everyone left very full. It was great meeting Aunt Patti, little Hank and Cliff, and I really wish that I got to see them more often. Ba is finally feeling better after her terrible broken arm accident. She had a stylish sling on, and was in a wonderful Christmas spirit. Merry Christmas from Florida!

Christmas playgroup

Corinne, Catherine, Patrick, Emerson, Andy and Carter

My "big brother" Sage

I get so excited on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30 when Sage comes over. He is my nanny Teresa's son, and he really makes me giggle. He is 5 years old, and is already teaching me lots of cool things.

Elizabeth Stanton Means!

I am a little late posting this, but my cousin Ryan and his wife Heather welcomed a baby girl just before Christmas! Elizabeth Stanton Means, they are calling her "Ella." She is so beautiful, and I know will grow up to be such an amazing little girl. I hope to meet her soon- come down for a visit!

Barton's Christmas Brunch

The Bartons, the Gatelys and the Maddens
holding hands

Andy, Kate and Henry

We went over to the Barton's house yesterday for a little Christmas brunch. As always, Miss Biss is the best hostess, and we always leave their house very full. I got to meet a new friend, Henry Ledbetter. He is exactly 4 months younger than me, and I know will be a good friend. I just wish that I got to see him more often! (the Ledbetters live in Rome, GA).

9 month check up

(I forgot to post this last week)

9 month stats

Weight: 20 lbs. 5 oz (50th percentile)
Height: 29 1/4" (80th percentile)
Head circ.: 19" (95th percentile)

Golf

Gogo taking me for a "walk"

My new friend Avalana Brock (her dad does business with my dad and Bo daddy)

I loved the putting green at CCC. The flagpoles were just my size- I was able to practice standing up on my own. Although I am just now starting to crawl, I love "walking" around holding onto someone's hands. I may just skip right on through all the crawling? The weather was amazing this weekend. 80 degrees in the middle of December? That is what I love about the South!

Santa

We went to Capital City on Sunday to have brunch with Santa Claus! Corinne and I got to sit on Santa's lap together, and we were not scared at all. I loved getting to see all of the other kids there, and even met some new friends!

Spend the night party

I spent the night with Gogo and Bo Daddy last night. We had a blast during bathtime (I stayed in the tubber for 30 minutes), and then we played on the bed. Look at all those teeth! I am working on #6.

Caroline's 3rd Birthday

The birthday girl
In my big boy chair

I love to stand

We went to Kangazoom for Caroline Gately's 3rd birthday party. I enjoyed the toddler exploration area, but it was the giant blow-up slide that I really had my eye on. I can't wait to hit that place when I am a bigger boy. Happy Birthday Caroline!

Belly Laugh

My Christmas Tree

At first I really did not want to pose in front of the Christmas tree, then I warmed up to it

Dinner out

Mom and I went to the wild wing last night with Gogo. I love going to dinner with gogo because she lets me get away with doing things I am normally not allowed to do (like playing with the dinner knife). I guess that is one of the great things about grandparents!

Jailbreak

totally fitting his pjs are striped

We knew this day would come, and we had waited almost too long. At his usual waking time of around 6 am (he is a Madden after all!), we went in to find Mr. Andy sitting up in his crib attempting a jail break. He has gotten pretty skilled at reaching up high, and is not far from being able to pull himself up. He was just so proud of himself, I had to get a shot of it. Thankfully, we went ahead and lowered his crib so that he does not pull a Houdini on us.

Will's 1st Birthday

On Saturday, I went to Play2Grow for Will Kennedy's first birthday party. It was great watching all these older kids crawl, walk, run, and jump all around me. I am still just sitting, so I had the best view in the house. I did love "jumping" on this mini trampoline. Happy Birthday Will!!

A Celebration...

of Helen's life was held after a private mass on Tuesday. I got to meet some of my cousins (and second cousins) that I have never met before, and visit with some that I have not seen in a while. It was a nice chance to celebrate a wonderful lady; we had a blast looking through old photos and scrapbooks. I did not know that my great grandmother was voted "wittiest" in her senior class superlatives. I have a lot to live up to!!

My older cousin Stafford
Look at me with all these girls (don't worry, they are all cousins!)

Little Helen caught me at a rougher moment

Uncle Bill

I loved tickling the ivorys Me and Mojo

Great Grandmother Helen

My Great Grandmother Helen went to Heaven on Friday to be with Big Al and her friends. It was a very sad time for mommy and the Means family. I know that she will be missed greatly by everyone, but that she is in a better place. I am glad that I got to see her last week; I know that she loved having her family there to celebrate Thanksgiving. For we are truly thankful for her.

Although I never knew her in her glory days, I will enjoy reading her life story as told,

"The Lurlene set sail from California bound for Hawaii. Helen Stanton Means boarded the ship with a UC Berkeley pre-med diploma and an adventurous spirit. The year was 1939 and sailing across the Pacific was a romantic and daring endeavor. Little did she know that a chance encounter with a roguishly charming FBI agent named Al Means would lead to a storied life together that spanned over fifty years, five children, fourteen grandchildren, and nine great-grand children.

One of her grandchildren very much remembers the strength of her hands. Throughout her life Helen’s hands were forged by

The grip of a tennis racket in a competitive match against her daughter in-law.
Crafting ceramic tiles of a mosaic table.
The firmness of a fishing reel fighting a marlin off the coast of Mexico.
The care with which she knitted all of her grandchildren’s Christmas stockings.
The light touch of a putter on the lush greens of Hilton Head Island.
The agility with which she shucked low country oysters.

All the while, her other hand held a martini.

In 1967 Helen and Al settled in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Their days passed with entertaining friends, playing legendary rounds of golf, and heated tennis rivalries. Their children’s photo albums are chockfull of pictures of grandkids driving the Chris-Craft, feeding the golf-course alligators marshmallows, and shark-fishing from the beach. But it was Helen’s wild California spirit that filled the house with joyous laughter and rollicking fun.

Finally the time came for Helen to say goodbye to Big Al. It was late summer when the family gathered on Sea Pines. She bid farewell in a grove of low country Palmettos and live oaks graced with Spanish Moss. And on that day, Helen set forth on a new journey.

At the age of seventy, she traveled to India, Australia, New Zealand, China, Israel and Egypt. She played the links of Ireland and shot in the 90’s and still played a mean game of tennis. And as an avid baseball fan, she cheered her beloved Atlanta Braves and her grandchildren’s sports teams.

Today we celebrate the storied and adventurous life of Helen Stanton Means. Her passion, her zest, her love, and her spirit will be an inspiration for all those that she knew.

And under the low country Palmettos and live oaks, Helen will again be forever joined with Big Al."

Happy Turkey Day!

We met Ashley, Scott and Lilly Brooks for lunch- isn't Lilly yummy?!

Mimi's favorite pasttime... reading!

Pop's favorite pasttime... hiking!

Silly boy

Drew and Babs (or is it boobs, ha ha!) Meyer

My favorite Aunt Katherine

We went up to Richmond for Thanksgiving this year! I had a long break, and some quality time was spent with Mimi, Pop, Aunt Katherine, Uncle Jeff and all the Meyer clan. I loved it!

Gooble Gooble!