Bittersweet......

Today was bittersweet for me. I'm happy I have 2 beautiful, healthy children that can walk themselves into school, I'm sad because our summer is over and they're both big enough to walk in by themselves. These 2 were ready, and oh so excited! Charlie is so happy he can finally be dropped off in carpool line and Reese is so excited to start 4K. Hard to believe they started 3K and 4K today -- where has the time gone? They both had great first days and had lots of fun stories to tell me when I picked them up today. Reese will be going to school 5 days a week (sniff, sniff) and Charlie will still go 3 days. Mia and I are getting a lot of time together here lately!! Poor girl had to be woken up at 8:30 this morning and whisked out the door -- didn't even get to eat her breakfast!!! Reese and Charlie -- we're so proud of you both! Can't wait to see all that this year holds for you two!!

August 20, 2012

We're Ready!!

We've gotten back to school haircuts, shoes and a cookie -- we are ready for school!!!!

August 18, 2012

Oh Mia......

This little girl is into EVERYTHING these days. She has mastered walking with her walker and her favorite thing in the world is to unwind ALL of the toilet paper off the roll and play in it. I forgot just how busy little 10mo old babies can be......geez!!!

August 18, 2012

Gatlinburg Tennessee Trip!!

We just got back from a week long trip to Gatlinburg and it was A.W.E.S.O.M.E.!!!!!!! We rented a chalet near downtown Gatlinburg and made lots of amazing memories! We hiked, rode go carts until we couldn't see straight, ice skated, rode the alpine slide, zip lined, went to Dollywood twice (love!!), and ate some of the best food in the world (mostly fudge!!)!! The kiddos were troopers, especially Mia, there wasn't a night they were in the bed before 10pm and poor Mia had to nap on the go all week. She is such a good baby! I took LOTS of pictures, but here's just a few of the favorites! Can't wait to go back again -- already miss those cool mountain temperatures!!

 From the top of Grotto Falls -- it was 1.2 miles both ways -- the kids did so good!!

 From the top of Ober Gatlinburg -- lots of rides, the alpine slide and ice skating!!

Good Morning from the Pancake House -- such a yummy breakfast!!

 We went to the aquarium in downtown Gatlinburg -- one of the kids favorties!! They had a live mermaid show -- I thought Reese's head may spin off she was so excited!!

Go carts, Go carts, Go carts......a family favorite!! Reese and Charlie were tall enough to drive the little ones by themselves this year!!!

Aunt Kristen finally joined us on Thursday -- Mia was so happy to see her!!

Joe is no fun to ride with -- he will spin you out in a heartbeat!!

Exhausted!!!

One of the scarier things I have done in my life.......zipline. And these weren't little bitty, short lines. These were 1/2 a mile long, 30 story high zip lines. I still get anxious when I think about it. I will not be doing this again. ;)

The kids were such troopers -- they loved every minute of it!

Dollywood -- this was also a family favorite! I had no idea all the fun things they have to do there -- if you get the chance, go, it's wonderful!!

Charlie loved these old mini cars -- He was so happy to be "driving me around!!"

Poppa and Reese drove a golden car -- Reese was not impressed that she didn't get the pink car :(

Loved this little roller coaster!!

Mia fell asleep on the way out of Dollywood our last night -- it was 11pm by this point. Bless. Her. Heart.

Charlie in his Dukes of Hazard shirt in the Dukes of Hazard Go Cart! This is Joe's dream!

We even got Mimi on the Go Carts!!!

Can't go to Gatlinburg without getting a "Fannie Farkle!!"

 Joe won this Spiderman for Charlie -- he now sleeps with him everynight!!

August 7-12, 2012

My Heart

It has been one year since my sweet girls heart surgery. We had her one year check up today and in Dr. R's words, "her heart is beautiful!" She is perfect, she is healthy, she is a blessing. I am so happy to be where we are this year, happy and healthy. Reese has done wonderful and unless I told you, you would have no idea she ever even had a heard defect. She has been cleared for 2 years, then Dr. R wants to just have a look at the "hardware" and make sure all is well. Reese Lynn, you are so perfect. Mommy and Daddy love you more than you'll ever know and love watching you grown into a perfect little diva with a big ol' heart!!!! Mmmmmmwwwaaaaaaaaa!!!

August 4, 2012

BeBe Gun!!

My Charlie has a new obsession with Bebe guns!! My dad pulled his bebe's and gun out this weekend and he and Charlie shot coke cans......Charlie was in love!! He's actually a pretty good shot for a 3 year old!!

July 29, 2012

Birthday Fun!!

Saturday we had Maggie's Birthday Party to go to and it was such a blast! It was at a farm and the kiddos rode horses, made lassos, crafts and even got tattoos! Reese had such a good time! We have such a cute little school group of friends -- Happy Birthday Maggie!!

July 28, 2012