for the momas

happy mother's day 2011!  we spent most of the day at home, but ventured out after our naps, and once papi got home from a call at the hospital.  today is his last day of call till june!  this afternoon we went for a stroll through the birmingham botanical gardens.  the roses are blooming, and it's just a magical place in the middle of mountain brook.  it's a two mile drive down the road, and your in a secret garden.  we had a relaxing walk around the gardens, checking out all the hidden paths, and what lay around the bend.  the boys had lots of fun.  joel took a dive, but papi was happy that he missed his teeth.  the way joel toddles around it's easy to see how he falls almost daily...i live in a constant state of fear with that one.
after our stroll we went for yogurt in crestline village.  it was a picture perfect afternoon.  i never thought i'd say this, but i miss not having sunday soccer!  it's just another example of how much more diverse and interesting life becomes because of your children.  now that i'm a mother, i appreciate things like soccer games, yogurt shops, and rough housing with the boys. 

here comes trouble...the kind you wanna kiss all over!

me and the boys.  the best thing i'll ever wear around my neck...their arms!

exploring the japanese gardens

it's so hard to keep them still.  they wanted to run across this stone bridge.  talk about danger with a capital d.

checking out what's in the water.

mima with her grandsons.

ringing the bell in the bell fry, but where are the monks?

a motley monk.

strolling boys

a special mother's day is one spent together.

remarkably joel didn't get pricked.

evan posing at the gate.

this is one of the couple photos that were taken.  joel just won't stay still.

as we were leaving evan wanted to show joel were the pollen was in these pansies.