Monday, October 24, 2011

School Project

Lauren's homework assignment was to make a diorama with an animal habitat.  She chose a monkey for her animal (I think it was inspired by her love for Curious George).  She loved the entire process of making the diorama.  I was very proud of her work.  She was, too!  Way to go girl! 


Lauren with her diorama

Lauren painted the background scenery in sections and glued them in place

She made the monkey (with only a little bit of help) and snakes and bananas with modeling clay

Daddy helped her with the trees and hanging the bananas on the trees


Thursday, October 20, 2011

Kisses

Last night as I was putting Allison to bed she gave me a big hug and kiss and as I was kissing her back, she whispered to me, "I love your kisses."  She certainly knows how to melt her Mommy's heart!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Oakes Farm

I love fall for so many different reasons, but one of my most favorite reasons is going to the pumpkin patch!!!  We had a spectacular fall day to enjoy Oakes Farm (my all-time favorite pumpkin patch.  We also got to enjoy it with the Watsons.  (This has become a tradition for our families....that we all seem to really treasure).  I posted sooo many pictures here because I really had a hard time leaving out any of these. 



This was a new activity this year.  The kids had a blast rolling this huge tube.  I have a video that I'll try to post later.


Saturday, October 1, 2011

Fabulous Fall

I really do LOVE all the seasons, but Fall seems to be especially wonderful after a scorching hot summer.  Yesterday was a perfect example of why I love Fall so much.  I started my Friday morning taking Lauren to school before heading off to the the gym with Allison.  I am proud of myself for going to the gym, since I had not gone one time all week.  (Usually I would just rationalize skipping since I hadn't worked out all week, why go just one day!?)  After a good work out, Allison and I came home opened up the windows and made zucchini muffins.  She was so excited to get to help me with all the measuring.  The smell of fresh baked muffins and a gentle breeze (well actually it was a strong chilly breeze) filled the room.  The sun was shining brightly and I was enjoying every moment of the morning.

Cindy and Julia came to visit us and we enjoyed a nice lunch together.  Allison absolutely loves Julia.  (Me, too!)  Here's a sweet picture of Allison holding Julia. 

Allison and Julia
After Cindy left, I started cleaning house.  Housework is not so bad with the windows open.  I had to stop cleaning to go pick up Lauren from school.  When we got in, the girls had a snack and then headed outside to play.  All their neighbor kids were out playing as well.  Bill got home from work and stayed outside playing with the kids so I could finish cleaning the house.  As I worked, I could hear the kids playing and having a great time.  I would go to a window to look out and watch them. At one time I counted nine kids playing together in our back yard.  The sound of the children having fun as they played with Bill was such a sweet thing.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband.  The neighborhood kids love to play with Bill and he is just like one of the kids out there.  One of the neighbor moms today was talking about Bill out there yesterday and she said he had such a great laugh.  He really is a terrific dad and the best husband!  I wanted to capture the kids running and playing in the back yard.  If you click on the picture you can see them a little better. 
 
Matthew and Chloe (hugging), Madison, Allison and Carissa

Allison, Chloe, Matthew, Kenleigh & Carissa

Chloe, Matthew, Allison & Lauren


Matthew, Chloe, Lauren & Allison

I could have just watched the kids for hours as they played.  I am so happy to live where we do.  The girls and I thank God every night for our home and our neighbors. 

Today was pretty busy, too.  Bill took the girls to the Bounce House this morning (they have been asking to go for a while now).  After lunch Uncle Bill came over to visit and we went to the Melaleuca store.  When we got home the girls played outside with Carissa for a while before we went to eat dinner with Bill's family to celebrate his birthday.  After dinner we went over to Dave and Jen's to enjoy their fire pit in the back yard.  It was a great night for a fire.

Tomorrow our H2H group is going to the Tomlinson's for a bonfire!  It doesn't get much better!  Life is good.  God is good!  


Monday, September 5, 2011

The Movie Theater

We have had a wonderful rainy day here in Knoxville!!!  We started our morning with a work out at the gym, then dropped by the mall to get Allison an umbrella (her's was broken), went to Fudruckers for lunch, then took the girls to their first movie at the theater!  We saw Winnie the Pooh at the $2 theater.  (All four of us saw this movie for less than I paid to see the last movie I saw with my friend, Cindy T)  As I expected, Lauren loved the movie and Allison was pretty wiggly during the show.  She said she enjoyed it, but she's not all that interested in sitting still and watching a show for that long.  It was a cute movie, but then again, I always loved Winnie the Pooh.
Lauren was so sweet all morning before we left for the theater and was so appreciative for us taking her to her first movie.  It really does not take much to entertain that girl.
Despite the fact that it POURED rain and our clothes got wet, and my feet were soaked (probably because I wore flip flops), we had a wonderful family day together.   

Monday, August 29, 2011

Pool Party for Lauren's 6th Birthday

Here are a some pictures from Lauren and Mackenzie's Birthday Pool Party.  The two share a birthday and have talked about having a party together for over a year now.  So this year they got to celebrate together.  We had a total of about 30 kids there, including our H2H group, and other friends the two girls invited.  I thought the party was a huge success and I really enjoyed visiting with all the parents while the kids enjoyed swimming. 
Madison, Lauren and Mackenzie getting ready for birthday cupcakes...love Lauren's excitement!

Lauren and Mackenzie blowing out their candles
Sam, Will and Mackenzie

Lauren and Josiah's back

The birthday girls swimming

Allison, Madison, Ava, Coy and Egypt in the Kiddie pool

Allison and our neighbor Chloe

Arionne and Egypt

Dylan with a sweet smile

Clara with a sweet smile

Lauren and Matthew, our neighbor

A bunch of kids swimming

Allison trying to warm up...she had some major goose bumps!

Madison basking in the sun
Lauren opening her presents after we got home.