Baby Who?

Update- still handsome after all these years:)



Any Guesses on who this handsome baby is?????



Let's just say my second little guy is aptly named:)

Twilight part II

For those of you who don't know-esp Lyla :) - there is a series of books out by Stephanie Meyer called The Twilight Series. It is four books (plus maybe a few more to come-let's only hope!!!). Yes, they are about vampires. Yes, they were marketed as adolescent literature (although I am not sure that is how the author originally wrote them). Yes, they are almost 600 pages each- but they are the most addictive series I have read. Let's put it this way-we have been passing the crud around our house, and when it hit me with a vengeance on Saturday morning, what got me through the fever and horrible throat pain, was book 2 in the series-yes-almost the entire book in one day. But as I am still not well enough to venture out to a bookstore, I have been left with the torture of waiting for the next book. They are about love, the cheesy g-rated Romeo and Juliet kind of love, with the element suspense/science fiction with the whole vampire thing. But they are so much more than that! I am in a book club that got me hooked- but for anyone out there- GO GET THESE BOOKS!!! You will not be disappointed- and if you are let me know why! The movie comes out just before Thanksgiving and I am sure it is going to be great- but not as fantastic as these books. I love the titles of the books. I love the titles of the chapters. I love the characters and the setting and basically all of it! I love that on the author's website there are playlists that she heard/inspired her in her writing (she is a mother of 3 boys by the way) I especially love the symbolism of the art on the covers. So here are the covers of the first two:

Happy Reading!!!!

Twilight...

More thoughts on this to come- but I couldn't resist this! Thanks Ging!

Cheesegrits

I first remember eating these in Kindergarten at our Thanksgiving meal. I have LOVED them ever since. Mom would make these on the first day of school, Christmas morning, and other special days that she could get me up early enough to actually enjoy a nice breakfast. I brought them for my meal contribution at our girls trip to Gatlinburg this weekend- and they were a big hit! Here is the recipe girls:

3 cups cooked grits (4 servings on package)

1lb Velveeta

1 stick margarine

6 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup milk

2 t baking powder

Cut cheese and margarine into hot grits. Mix until melted.

Beat eggs in separate bowl. Add milk and baking powder. Add to grits mixture.

Put in sprayed casserole dish.

Bake 45-60 minutes at 350 degrees, until knife comes out clean.

Picture from Gatlinburg of the girls-

Cruisin'

So this is what happens when you buy ONE motorized go-cart at a consignment sale...


You end up with an Escalade from Craig's List...

Check out our skills in reverse...not to mention the rims:)

Checking out the Goodyear Tires! Who knew a 16 month old could drive?

Preview of the future.

Drive in Movie
You know that you have to charge those batteries 18 hours before it will actually drive? So we had to settle for a drive in in the living room while we waited the night before:) Can you see the pillow to make it more comfortable? There is also a cupholder inside that was put to good use.

Congratulations Ashley and Nate!

Ashley and Nate were married in a vineyard in wine country Sunday. I met Ashley at her cousin's birthday parties in 4th and 5th grade and when we started 6th grade were fast friends.

There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends.
--Homer

A delight indeed, friend!

Facebook?

Well- it took me long enough to join the blogosphere- but now that I finally have, I keep hearing/reading on blogs of friends who are on Facebook too. I just thought of that as something that was for the just high school to college crowd-but I have friends who LOVE it. I even know someone who got an account to check in on her step kids- and ended up having a blast with it herself! So what's the deal about Facebook?

Our bountiful harvest

For my entire life, my parents have had a garden. They have successfully grown everything from apples to zinnias-literally. I wish I had pictures of their yard/crop. I even have memories of my mother's grandmother's garden on their farm- with everything you might imagine growing there. Both of my grandmothers had small gardens in their yards as well when I was little. So, when we bought our house 6 years ago- I picked out my little area where I would have my starter garden. It was just a part of having a yard- nothing special about it really. In years past I have had enjoyed tomatoes, cucumbers, even okra freshly picked from the yard. I have had my own zinnias, sunflowers, moon vine, and other beautiful and aromatic selections to enjoy. Even with a newborn and a 2 year old last year-I managed to cultivate enough tomatoes that by season's end, they were used as bouncy balls against our fence much more than they were ever actually eaten.

So this year-I should have been all over my little garden with the cost of groceries increasing in conjunction with the movement of "going green" (does this phrase not invoke a memory of Kermit sitting atop his lily pad in a few moments of lonely solitude- I know it was not easy "being green"...but I digress). Well, we did a little kitchen remodel at the beginning of the summer- so I was certainly thrown off my usual summer routine- but I did get some plants out, though late. It is basically summer until October around here, so there was still plenty of growing time- so I thought. Perhaps I did not give them enough miracle grow, or water, or maybe we did not talk to them enough- but this is without a doubt my lowest yielding crop.

Behold the harvest:

Construction Party

Our friend Jackson had his birthday party today- and what could be better for a 3 year old boy??? Nothing but Construction Stuff!!! It was awesome! When we first got there, David shocked me by hopping on the baby grappler and riding all over the lawn in it!

Getting loaded in...

...and reluctantly hopping off.

Then there was the activity area...there were 4 sections, each with its own construction activity.David jackhammering in the tool area...

The birthday boy is painting, while David and Cal do what they do best- play with construction vehicles!

David taking a turn with the roller...

Cal joins in the painting fun...this is moments before we end up painting each other accidentally:)

And possibly one of the best activities- the wrecking ball!!!!

The photo opp.

The tables- complete with blueprints for table coverings.

A fun time was had by all!!!!! Please take note of the especially cute pink hats on the girls! It was a great day to play with friends from last years class too. Happy Birthday Jackson!

Which Wich?

If you happen to live in the 'boro- or know someone who does- be sure to tell them about the new WhichWich that opened TODAY!!! It is next to Barnes and Nobles in the new Avenue shopping center. There is one in Cool Springs and one on West End too- but the new one in Murfreesboro is owned by some of our dearest friends!!! Go check it out! DELICIOUS!

Dawson's First Day of MDO

My sweet baby was off to Mother's Day Out today. He will go one day a week- and he really seemed to enjoy himself! Of course, naptime was a bit of a challenge for the teachers this week- trying to explain to this little guy that he is to be still ...on a mat on the floor...with 7 other toddlers -will take a few weeks to sink in to say the least. The tears were short lived, for both of us:).

David HAD to get in a picture with him too- this is the best we did! He proudly announced to his teachers when hopped out of the car at his preschool that Dawson was going to Baby School today!!! He was so excited for his little brother! When Miss Dele asked if mommy was going to get a massage, nails done, or shopping- I replied truthfully that I was going home to do laundry and dishes:).

90210

OK- so you may say that you aren't going to watch it- but if you didn't already- you have it Tivo'd for later. I admit- I watched the whole thing. My verdict on the series is still pending- but here are the burning questions I am left with at the end of the premiere:

1. Who is the father of baby Sammy (Kelly's little boy)Brandon or Dylan?
2. What happened to Andrea Zuckerman's kid (she was on a WestBeverly tv show at the beginning of the episode)?
3. What is Kelly and David's little sister's first name- they just keep calling her "Silver"?
4. WHY ARE THE GIRLS SO STINKIN' SKINNY? Did anyone else notice that all any of them were eating at the cafeteria were small little salads with no dressing? Where were the burgers and fries at the Peach Pit???
   
5. I feel like West Bev was a little less scandalous in the original version...am I just getting old- or is that just today's tv?
6. Do you think that the NKOTB will be a musical guest at the Peach Pit AfterDark? :)

Thoughts?

Mini-Margaritas

And no-I am not referring to a smaller serving of a refreshing beverage. It is my high school equivalence of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood-the Margaritas. For each of our eighteenth birthdays we all gave each other a Margarita (daisy) ring- hence the name. After we started college, we began a Christmas ornament exchange as a way to keep in touch- I now have an entire tree filled with memories of these special ladies. Although we have all lived in separate towns for much of the past 13 years- when we get together we always pick up as if no time or space has been between us. David was Mini-Margarita #1, followed by Lucy, then Dawson, and now we are celebrating the fourth Mini-margarita birth, with Henry!!!! What a very unique friendship I have with these ladies!

Mini-Marg #4 Baby Henry...so precious!!!

Mini Margs #2 & 3-Dawson and Lucy dancing (Lucy's mom was a ballerina and Lucy started classes this week)

Margarita Mamas at recent baby shower...L-R Gini, Mandy, Ashley, Ashley, Jenni (I am sooo annual staff on this caption)

"Baby Hugs"

We've developed a new routine while getting into the car- Dawson usually goes in first and David goes in just behind him- but always stopping to give what he has named "baby hugs". Precious!

Now that's what I call Psuedointellectualism!

Back to School

So we started back to school officially this week. Can I just say that David could not get out of the car fast enough!!!! He has a great class and his teacher has already won him over!

All ready to go! Doesn't he look so BIG?????

Practically climbing out the window to get to school. You can see the line of cars in the mirrors...


So obviously this was through the window- and it doesn't do anyone proper justice, but I thought it was precious- that is his teacher this year holding his hand, and the lady behind him was his teacher last year (who is holding my nephew's hand- although you can't see him). These women are the most Godly women you will ever meet. What a blessing for your child to be eager to go to school!

David goes for Gold

While the men's team clenched the bronze and the ladies secured the silver, David spent the summer in a once a week "gym" class- where I would certainly give him the gold- for trying at least! While he loved to jump and run and slide, his rolling and cartwheel skills were...well, let's just say he loved to jump and run and slide:) The last week of class was one of the only times they actually tried any of the apparatus. GO USA!

The "high" bar

After weeks of watching the girls on beam and me repeatedly saying, "Boys don't do beam at gym class", much to my chagrin, the beam was a part of the last day of class.

And what medal ceremony would be complete without your buddy/partner in crime-Cal?

This and previous posts officially answer the ubiquitous "what did you do on you summer vacation?" School starts soon- where did the summer go?

A Fair Time

We didn't make it last year with a newborn and the heat- but this year's trip to the Fair was AWESOME-even the weather was perfect. David loved the "pretend" animals (the cow and chickens) as much as the real ones. Dawson was able to do more than I thought he would too- his favorite was picking apples. David rode his first ride too, but the camera had died by then. We can't wait until next year!

Driving/Riding the Tractor was certainly a highlight!

Dawson wanted to pick ALL of the apples.

No luck on getting both boys in a shot:)

Planting our corn...

Milking the cow...

Petting the "baby goat" (which really had another name, but we can't remember...)
Cheesin' it up in more ways than one!