We spent the first weekend of October visiting the Grande Ole Pumpkin Patch. We have been to the patch every year since Brodie could walk. I guess it has become a family tradition that we all look forward to each year. Brodie and Roger enjoyed a tractor ride and pony ride. We all enjoyed sliding down the inflatables and a hayride to the patch to choose the "perfect" pumpkin. A first for Brodie this year was the roasted corn. He ate all of it by himself and still wanted more!
September- We took a family trip to Gulf Shores to celebrate my 3-0! I can't believe I'm not twenty something anymore. But I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be than the beach. My parents and sister were also able to join us for the weekend. We did all the usuals; relaxing under the beach umbrella, shopping, going out to eat, and racing at the track. Our first this 
year was to ride the ferris wheel at the Wharf. Brodie loved it and kept rocking the cart much to my dismay. It was a happy trip and a great way to celebrate any age.
One boring saturday morning we decided to head to Atlanta. We were on our way to the Georgia acquarium for something new to see and do. Our dare devil child quickly spotted the tops of the Six Flags roller coasters from the interstate. Apparently we chose the wrong attraction for the day. The acquarium was interesting but, not the best we've seen. One of those places we can say, been there done that.
We went for a quick weekend beach trip with my in laws and the Robersons. Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate much. But we managed to make the best of the few hours of sunshine. Brodie enjoyed the beach as usual and discovered many fish, seagulls and jellyfish. Thankfully he was never stung but his daddy wasn't so lucky. Thanks to Bea (Roger's mom) Brodie had a jet ski to ride the waves in, until he crashed. And that was the end of his wave riding career. According to the Smith boys, it's not an official beach trip without stopping at the track for a little racing and arcade games. We enjoyed time at the pool as well between storm clouds. Brodie's new favorite trick is going under water with his "ski" goggles. He thinks he is so grown up now!
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After celebrating the fourth of July at home with friends & family we decided to take a little weekend trip to Memphis. Soon after arriving we went to the Peabody Hotel to visit the infamous ducks and then enjoyed a delicious dinner at our favorite rib place, Rendezvous. Most of Saturday was spent at the Memphis Zoo ,which was fabulous. We quickly realized how much better the B'ham could and should be. Anyway, the animals were easy to see, awake and playing together. Our favorite exhibit were the polar bears. It was great to watch them swim by and see how large they really are. After a fun and exhausting day at the zoo we enjoyed more ribs for dinner this time @ Corky's. (Being in Memphis, we had to have our own rib taste test.) On Sunday we went for a scenic downtown tour on the Memphis Duck. It is an interesting ride on a half vehicle half boat that showed us historic parts of the city and then splashed into the river for more interesting facts and then drove back out to the street. To end our Memphis weekend we had a yummy lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe.
