WOW, What a weekend!!

We started the weekend Friday night with a birthday celebration (luau) for Izz with a few of her friends (pictures are below). We had a great time between hula hooping, playing games, and jumping in a blow up thingy (don't you love my technical words). Then on Saturday, we had a soccer game and then headed to Cola for a USC football game (P's first!!). We really didn't know what to expect or how he would act there, but it was wonderful!! In fact, he didn't move or get down for 2 HOURS!! By the time we left, he could get some of the cheers (first down, Game-Cocks, defense) and could spot Cocky almost anywhere ("Oh, My Cocky, my Cocky"). I wish I could have gotten them on video but it didn't work!! Even 3 days later, he is still talking about football!! I love it!!

Birthday Girl-

Here are some pictures from the party...

Labor Day Weekend

This past weekend was great! It seems like we have been running so much lately- between K having meetings, appointments, visiting the sick, and the normal sermon stuff; Izz having school, friends, and soccer; and p and I just doing doing the normal day to day things- life has been alittle chaotic to say the least!But this weekend, we tried not to do much of anything, except spend time with each other and visit family!!It was great and something we really needed!
Here is the fam relaxing and watching tv together friday night after dinner.

And here the kids were watching Saturday morning cartoons. I remember doing this as a young child!

It's Football Season Again!!

I just love the Fall- the cooler weather, the beautiful leaves, the apples, and of course-football!!

We had our Sunday School Class and their families over to watch the first game last night-18 people all in our downstairs because it was raining. But we had a blast- the kids running in and out to cheer when they heard us, all the food, the fact that we not only won the first game but shut out State, and just spending time with friends! Here is a picture I took right before of the kids (Nana-the pants almost fit!) :)

So far the Gamecocks are off to a good start, 1-0! Let the games begin!! Go Cocks!

Just enjoying being outside...

After it has been so warm today, it was nice tonight-well, not the wonderful cool fall days that we love, but bearable. While the kids were playing beside me, I was experimenting with my new camara phone. I finally learned how to take the pictures and then send them to my e-mail, which just thrills my soul! Now maybe I won't miss those cute snapshots and memories just because I forgot my camara!! Isn't technology great!

Izz and her teeth

Let me start off with alittle background...after our last dentist appt, he wanted us to go see an orthodonist for a consult about Izz's crossbite (which I wasn't all that surprised since I got some of my braces early too). So that is where we went yesterday. We learned some interesting things about teeth, the way they grow and their order, and different ways to fix them- specifically they were thinking about putting an appliance in the roof of her mouth to stretch her palate, allowing the top teeth to sit in front of the bottom. After talking to us, taking x-rays and pictures, and then the ortho examining her; he decided not to put anything in her mouth at this time since the crossbite was really just over the 2 teeth on the left side. He will check it in a year because he is hoping that as her mouth grows it will correct itself. Thank goodness!! Not only for the $700 that we will save, but for her having to endure that and braces later on. Now, below is one of the pictures that they took of her teeth. Personally, I think it looks kind of neat because of all we learned, but K and Izz just think it is funny! And everytime P sees it, he says, "Oh, sissy's teeth"! :) Funny!

My new craze!!

k has always told me that he wants me to pursue hobbies/interests and that he would encourage me in it. Well, I think he is regreting those words. (especially since it is involving money every time) :) I have found E-bay! Now, to stop the sarcastic remarks from the peanut gallery, I always knew it was there. I have even bid on things thru other people, but I now know how easy it is and have found a few really good deals.

While I was searching and looking last week, I made a decision on the boys' room (doesn't that have a neat sound to it). :) Since P absolutely loves anything on wheels, I thought it would be cute to put these all thru the room (and still use the bedding from his stuff with the trains too). Here is a picture of a clock I found for $8 with shipping.

I thought it was just precious! So this is what I have been up to in the past week. No, we are no closer to a name for Buster (I just can't get used to calling him Bubba). But at least I will have cute room to put him in! :)

And the Tie Breaker is...

Yes, we have all been waiting for the big announcement....
Is it a boy or girl?????
Well...
It's a....








And everyone should have known that it was going to be a boy as soon as Kelly started saying girl! :)
Oh well, can't be right on everything! (ha,ha!)

One tired little boy

I love this picture! And I have been meaning to get it up for the past 2 days. We went swimming Saturday and this is what happened to Little Buddy afterwards. He was even too tired to move his arm...

Nana's Birthday

Friday night we traveled to Aunt Lauren's house to celebrate Nana's birthday. We had a great time with family, which always goes by too quickly, and I loved seeing Aunt Lauren's house and all the touches she has put into it! We are so sorry the CO crew couldn't join us, but ya'll were in our thoughts and talk (Big G- I would love for you to see Cocky come out of the 'moke too!!)

First Day of School

Izz was so excited about today!! Between getting new clothes, (thank you again Mamama!!) making new friends, buying school supplies, and meeting her teacher she was about to burst this morning!! She even woke us up this morning 20 minutes before our alarm went off because she wanted to go ahead and get ready! Hopefully this year will be as good as last if not better! I can't believe how fast my little girl is growing up!!

The Baby Update

Well, this week the pregnancy will be halfway through!! WOW! It seems to be flying by. It has been a pretty good, uneventful pregnancy so far (which in our case is a good thing). The kids are starting to get excited (well, Izz is. Buddy justs pats my belly and says baby- which is sweet when he does it to me, but is HILLARIOUS when he does it to Kyle). I have never been much of a person to get shots of my belly, but someone was asking that doesn't get to see me much, so here it is... Sorry it is alittle blurry, Izz is learning how to hold my camara. Now everyone has a week and a half to make their predictions before (hopefully) we find out and place it here. I would love to hear what you think!!

Lake Party

This Saturday our Sunday School class spent the day at Lake Wateree. We had a ball spending time with friends and family and just relaxing! What a fun day!!
This is how Kyle got to relax! Finally getting to enjoy and use his boat, floating around the lake with his feet
hanging out!




Both Izz and little Buddy got to ride the jetski, the speed boat, and drive the pontoon, but I just put a few of the pictures here. But you would have thought that my kids were raised on boats and a lake the way they took to it! Papa, you would be proud!

The Crew

I can honestly say that life is never dull around my house! Here is a picture of the kids I keep so my family (that hasn't met them) can see what they look like.
Like right now we are listening to Sesame Street Dance songs (ever heard Elmo sing the Macarena?) and they are having a musical parade down the hall for me! Ha! And the funny story for the day...while I was changing the smaller girl's smelly pull-up today, she looked at me and said, "Holy Moly"! That summed it up pretty well! :)

The bike!!!

Izz got her "big girl bike"! Mamama got her an early birthday present so she could learn to ride during the summer. And as you can see has picked up on it quicker than I remember doing it! This is her favorite thing to do outside now, and has only fallen once since getting it (but boy was it a great show of road rash though!). Watch out Tour de France (and Uncle B) here she comes! :)

The Birthday Boy!

Little Buddy turned 2! Wow! We got to celebrate both at the beach with family and at at our house with a few friends! We had Bob the Builder everywhere!

A little Perspective can do wonders!

I have been alittle frustrated with my 2 year old. Nothing bad, just normal(drive mama crazy) 2 year old stuff. My family went out for dinner tonight and as I was sitting there there was a family with a boy in a wheelchair. His mama was so sweet and good to him, talking to him the whole time and he would respond by grunting or hollering (but you could tell he was happy and talking to his mama!!) :) As I was eavesdropping on their moment, Pete leaned over to me, grabbing my arm, said love you momma! WOW, what a much needed smack! Here I have been frustated on what he has been doing instead of thankful that he can do it!! In a nice way God reminded me of my special children and that it is my job to train and guide them with those abilities! So God, thank you for my children - for their curiosity, for their special desire to "fix" things, and for their desire and abilities to want to do it themselves!!

The Beach

Just a month ago, we found out that we were going back to the beach this year!! YEAH! 12 people (and Maggie) in a 3 bedroom condo sounds bad, right? WRONG! It was so much fun to have the whole family together! I hope to get some pictures up of the kids playing and swimming, but for now- here is one of all the cousins. I just wish I had gotten one of pumkin-head gumming it! HA!

Lauren's Wedding

Our crazy month of June started with my sister's wedding. It was beautiful with details that matched Lauren and Charlie perfectly! Here we are going into the reception...
(Thanks to Erika and her mom for the picture of Daddy and Lauren!!)

Here We Go...(again)

As I was reading both some of my family members posts and an online journal yesterday, I became inspired to start this up again; so...

My goal is to include both pictures and a journal to keep friends and family updated. Hey-I can try right?!

Here is a snippet into our life...