The Smokies in the Fall

We met Bella, Grandpa, Auntie, and Uncle Mike in Gatlinburg (in eastern Tennessee) during Wesley's fall break in October. It was fun to get to spend time with everyone! Unfortunately we had a few crummy things happen, including Auntie breaking her ankle, Wesley getting the stomach flu, and Evelyn not sleeping at night while we were there. However, there were many high points (as you can see in the pictures below), including, hiking, the aquarium, making a haunted gingerbread house, celebrating Bella's 35th :) birthday, and the Guesstures championship game, to name a few.

First Days of School

Below are pictures of the first days of school for Evelyn and Wesley, back in August. Evelyn goes to "school" every Tuesday. She goes to the same school that Wesley went to when he was 3. Her teachers, Ms. Kathy and Ms. Jessica, are wonderful and her good friend, Chloe, is in her class. Wesley started first grade this year and is doing great. We all love his teacher, Mrs. Barber. He has already gotten his first report card and got excellent marks! He is becoming quite a good reader and especially likes to read comics and non-fiction, question and answer type books.

A Trip to Michigan to Celebrate Gram's 95th

We went to Michigan in July to see our families and to celebrate my Grandma's 95th birthday. Below are a collection of pictures from our trip. The first group is from the day we spent in Detroit at my sister and brother-in-law's house, the zoo, and the Rainforest Cafe.

Wesley and my Gram in her apartment.

Evelyn getting a mani/pedi from Auntie and showing them off afterwards.

Wesley with Anna and Chase Winter. The Winters are our friends and old neighbors in Michigan.

Gram's Open House: Pictures of Gram seeing the Scrabble cake for the first time, Gram and Evelyn, and my Aunt Georgia ("Curious Georgia" as Wesley called her when he was little) chatting with Evelyn.

Various other pictures from the trip, including marshmallow shooting, finger plays with Grandpa, the Children's Museum, reading, and Grandad's garden.

Rest and Relaxation

Phil and I went to an all-inclusive resort in Mexico to celebrate our 10th anniversary. The following pictures are kind of boring, because we did a whole lot of NOTHING on our vacation. We read, slept, ate, swam, and relaxed. It was a wonderful trip, but we missed the kiddos, of course!

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Evelyn Turns 2!

Below are some pictures from Evelyn's birthday. They are out of order, but include pictures from her party with friends, birthday donut, cookie cake, and using her two favorite gifts: a trampoline from Grandma and Grandad and a water table from Phil, Wesley, and I.

Catching Up...

Well, I have no excuse for not posting for over 4 months, except that life is crazy busy! However, I have recently come to the conclusion that life will only continue to get busier as the kids get older. There will be no "down time" until they are adults and off on their own. But, I am going to miss this when that time comes. So, I will NOT wish it away! Besides, I love the crazy busyness of life with kids! All of that to say, I am once again WAY behind on posting pictures. In the past 4 1/2 months there has been summer vacation, Evelyn's 2nd birthday, Phil and my 10th anniversary trip, a trip to Michigan, Wesley's start of 1st grade, a trip to Gatlinburg, Halloween, and much more. Get ready for a LOT of pictures. Here we go!

Summertime and the Livin' is Easy!

We have been really enjoying the lazy days of summer, despite quite a bit of illness in our house. Poor Wesley has been sick since before school got out...I finally took him to the doctor yesterday and found out that he has bad ear infections in both ears and a bad sinus infection. Hopefully he will be sleeping better soon!

Wesley has been wanting to put Evelyn's shoes on her lately and Evelyn sits so patiently for him while he's working on it. I was listening in on them the other day and heard Wesley say, "Evelyn, you have rocks in your shoe...Oh, that's not a rock, it's a raisin. Silly Evelyn, you are supposed to put your toes in your shoe, not raisins." Too cute!

Here's Evelyn enjoying a little chat with Bella on the phone, during her morning milk.

A picnic in the shade of the house on a HOT day!


Phew it is hot!!!

Wesley made his own raft for our wading pool. He enjoyed his apple juice popsicle while lounging on it.

This is how Wesley came down dressed for the first day of VBS. He said, "Mommy, I want to be extra handsome today."

At the Birds and Bees exhibit at the Memphis Zoo. Wesley has practiced a lot the last couple of years, holding very still so the birds won't fly away.

Evelyn, on the other hand, doesn't quite have the patience, yet, but Daddy helped her out.

I hope you all are enjoying your summer so far!