first trip to the zoo!

Yesterday we decided to pass up on going to the St. Patrick's Day Parade (a friend had given us VIP tickets...) to spend the day with family. Most of the people who read this blog know us, but for those of you who have just stumbled on our blog through someone else's, I will give you a brief history of part of our family...

Tommy and I are both "only children". Four years ago this past January, Tommy's dad, Billy, passed away. He fought cancer for about 2 1/2 years before it won. About a year and a half later, Linda (Tommy's mom) married Billy Lewis. Yes...2 Billy's. I told her that at least she wouldn't mess his name up! Billy Lewis lost his wife the day before Linda lost Billy. She had a massive heart attack (if I'm not mistaken) and died instantly. Billy and Betty Lewis had taught Sunday School with Billy and Linda (are you lost yet on all of the Billys?), so the two spouses that were still living instantly had something in common, even though it was sad. Linda and Billy #2 were going through the same thing and were there for each other.

Billy and Betty Lewis had/have 2 daughters, Amanda and Kate. Amanda is a year older than Tommy and Kate is a year younger. They were in youth group and grew up at Colonial Heights together. So when Billy #2 and Linda married, it was a fairly easy blend because it was a family that Tommy knew and respected.

Well, thanks to all of this, Mary Peyton can/does have cousins! See...good things do come out of bad circumstances. Brady was our first nephew. He was born while we were on vacation in New York! Why Kate couldn't wait just a little bit longer, I don't know. ha. Layton was born just a few days after Mary Peyton. OH...and their husbands/daddy's... Amanda is married to Kevin Wiggins and they live in Tallahassee, Florida. Kate is married to Brook Stuart and they live in Pearl.

ANYWAY..........now that the history lesson is over.........here is what we did yesterday!!!!

Amanda and Layton came home to Mississippi on Friday evening. Saturday morning, we all met up and took the kids to the zoo. It was a rare occasion that we were all able to be there together. Except Kevin. He is a youth pastor and isn't able to get away as easily.

The weather was beautiful. We could not have asked for a better day! And Mary Peyton bugged Brady to death. She absolutely LOVES "Badee". Not quite sure if he feels the same way.

I'll quit rambling and let you look at pictures. Hope you had a great weekend!!!!

First stop....the giraffe's!

Brady and Kate. Isn't he precious!

Amanda and Layton. I told him that he and Tommy have the same haircut! He's so cute!!!

The three grandchildren looking at the monkeys. Mary Peyton was probably wondering why she wasn't in the cage! Tommy calls her monkey all of the time. This picture also has them in their birth order...Brady...Mary Peyton...Layton.

Mary Peyton looking at the alligators. She likes to wear her sunglasses on her head like her Mama!

Brady after looking through the mole hole.

O.k. please notice my child's pointed finger in this picture.... A little girl was crying behind us wanting to see the turtles (Mary Peyton and Brady were looking at them) and her mother was telling her to be patient and wait her turn. She pitched a huge fit when her mama wouldn't let her go, so Mary Peyton turned around, put her finger to her lip and said "SHHHHHH!". It worked...The child was quiet after that!

Tommy (a.k.a. Uncle T), Brady, and Mary Peyton haing a snack by the flamingos.

For those of you watching Julia & Mark's wedding pictures on here.......stay tuned! I will put up some from the wedding day soon!!!