SmithAldridge Family Photos

For Mother's Day, Greg booked a family photo shoot with a great photographer he met while filming his last job. Michael Rivera (instagram heyitsfotomike, fotomiketv@gmail.com) does really beautiful work and made time for our little family.

…and everyone's personal favorite (including the photographer himself) - this is what you get at the end of a 2 hour photo shoot in the GA sun & heat when two toddlers have just had it. Greg titled this shot, "Myles finally gets out of his wheelchair."

Happy Mother's Day!

Myles was extremely impressed that I knew what this was. When I said, "Aww, Mother's Day flowers for me & your hands are the leaves!" He responded, "YES! Mommy…how did you KNOW that???" 

My only Mother's Day request - Greg's homemade chilaquiles (this included homemade roasted tomatillo salsa & corn tortilla strips!)

Spent the day in Asheville with my two boys and the boy that made it so.
(The North Carolina Arboretum)

Myles' Spring Pictures…hmm.

Myles had Spring pics at school. There were two shots. The first one, let's call it "the good one," is fine (though his arm is blocking his chin, it's still cute.)

 Then there's this one. I mean, I dunno, I just, wha? Where did his neck go? Where are his bottom teeth? It makes Greg & me laugh so hard every time we look at it. We love it.

The Boys Enjoy Springtime

April brought much warmer weather & more time to enjoy the outdoors! We've been taking as many little day hikes as we can. We hiked to this lake & Myles walked the entire 2 miles on his own all the while explaining "this is too much hiking."

Any rain shower creates this giant puddle in the driveway.
We bought boots just for this puddle.

"'Sup, yo."

Mr. Cheeks

Happy 4th Birthday, cousin Wyatt!

Our sweet nephew, Wyatt, turned 4 & had a Minion birthday party in the park! 

Myles, cousin Kenley & a hiding birthday boy -
 they were all born within a few months of one another

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WY! WE LOVE YOU!

Spring Break Road Trip!

 April brought Myles' first Spring Break from school. The SmithAldridges decided to take a road trip to TX to visit Banzai with some stops along the way!

 Our first big stop was New Orleans! Hands down one of the best US cities, this visit included a day at the Audubon Butterfly Garden & Insectarium!

Leaf Cutter Ants

Myle's Favorite Beetle - THE DUNG BEETLE!

And per usual, a visit to the butterfly garden means
Myles has butterflies landing on him constantly

Though Ollie made a friend or two as well (unbeknownst to him.)

Ollie fought boredom by cleaning the gift shop floor with his back.

No NOLA stop is complete without beignets & cafe au lait (or hot chocolate for the kiddos!)

O's first beignet. Took to it quite well.

and entertained us with this trick.

Myles, studying his butterfly card

Next big stop, TX! We spent the day at the Frenchak Farms Zoological Conservatory 

(aka Banzai's new home!) She was beyond excited to see Greg. She heard his voice and came running. Since we stood outside the fenced perimeter, my video of their reunion is really crappy, but you get the gist...

Reunited and it feels so good!

The boys had a blast seeing the rest of the Conservatory, interacting with some of the animals & playing with the Frenchak's daughters.

Ollie loved this tortoise & wanted to ride it home.

Myles helped a barefoot Hunter across the yard.

Then he took Rowan for a tractor ride.

On our return trip, we stopped at Gulf Shores, Alabama where our beachy part of the trip was a rainy one. But fun was to be had nonetheless.

His love for turtles continues, even on statues.

Met some local wildlife. Trained it. 

Digging for shells in the drizzle.

Routine restaurant stop - Myles looks at iPhone pics while Greg colors the kiddie menu.