Christmas Eve with FAMILY!

We celebrated Christmas Eve with Mom, Dad, Jeff, Teagan, Jett, Teagan's sister; Tina and boyfriend Tucker and Teagan's Dad, Walt. We had a wonderful time and so enjoyed watching Jett playing with his trains. It really took us back to when Zane loved trains, we dug out some old home movies which made us laugh and cry! I cannot believe how time flies! We enjoyed a huge meal and opened many gifts and had fun just visiting! Doug and the kids (and Blitz) are ending Christmas Eve with our new watching the Polar Express 3D...We hope you have a VERY Merry CHRISTmas and remember the reason for the sesaon!

NEW ADDITION TO THE FAMILY....

Doug and I have talked about a new pet for a while now but it has always been hard for us because we had the perfect pet. We still really miss Bean and had a hard time thinking we could find another pet to fit in as he did! The kids had really started asking for a dog more and more. Well after much debating, I wanted another lab and couldn't really picture us with anything other than a lab. Doug on the other hand wanted an indoor small dog, so we were really on opposite ends of thinking what was right for the family. Well, I had heard of a dog called a labradoodle and decided to look into it. It seemed like that was the perfect choice, part lab and part poodle so I started looking at them online. Long story short we found a woman (Kathy) in Anderson County that had several to choose from and had one that was smaller than the average labradoodle, she was 10 months old and already housetrained. We went to meet her and the kids fell in love with all of them! After a few days Doug and I decided we were ready to get her. We were going out of town 5 days after we met her so Kathy said she would keep her till we came back in town. So for the SURPRISE...Kathy delivered the dog to us and we walked her into the kitchen to show the kids. They were THRILLED to say the least. We had talked about a name after we met her and I thought we should name her after a reindeer and we all agreed it would be a "B" name. Doug didn't want a people name for her and so I asked about Blitzen. Natalie liked it but the boys didn't UNTIL Doug said Blitz, then Zane says that is perfect because it is a football play!!! So depending on who you ask, she is either named after a reindeer or a football play. She has really fit right in with us. She is a bit timid but opening up and immediately bonded with Natalie. Natalie has really taken on most of the responsibility and loves it. Blitz sleeps through the night and no accidents so far!

Visit with the Rector Family!

We decided to drive by our old house in Chattanooga. This really stirs so many different feelings. My Z was born in Chattanooga and brought home to that house. I can remember wanting to move "back home" so bad but then meeting the most wonderful friends and by the time we left, I was SAD to leave. I miss the Rectors and the Jenkins so bad still to this day!! Love you guys! On the way to the beach, we had extra time and Doug wanted to drive by, just happen to see Sheila at home and ended up having a quick little visit and seeing the kids together was funny!! Sad but funny, I know that if we still lived there, our kids would be such dear friends.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYCI...SHE IS ONE!!!!

We prayed for Kayci long before she was born. A few weeks after she was born we found out she had craniosynostosis and we prayed for a very detailed and extensive surgery and here she is today and 3 months after her surgery that was such a breeze. It is really hard for me to believe she is ONE!!! Happy Birthday Kayci, we love you!!!

Spring Break 2009 in the mountains

For Spring Break 2009 we headed to the Smokey Mountains with Granny and Pap. We stayed at the Riverstone Resort which we highly recommend. We spent time relaxing, swimming, putt-putting, enjoying Cades Cove where we saw over 100 dear and several turkeys. I've posted a slide show with captions to capture our trip. Our only tragedy was while we were driving through the mountains and found a picture perfect waterfall and we all got out to look. There was a wall that you could sit or prop on to see the river below. Si began this adventure thinking he was going to go fishing so he brought his favorite rod along on this trip and just happened to bring it along on this day. As we got out of the car he brought his rod and immediately got it tangled up and hooked in Doug's jacket. We take care of that and sent him on down the wall a ways and he starts casting into the river very frustrated that his line would not reach the water. His idea of making it work was to throw harder and he threw too hard and CAST THE WHOLE ROD into the river. I screamed because I knew the tears were coming...other tourists however I'm sure thought it was a child that went over the wall by the looks on their faces! Don't let anyone tell you that I'm dramatic that is Natalie!!! Anyway, that helped put it in perspective that it was just a rod that went over and not a child!! You can certainly tell which pictures I took just after this because of Si's sad face. We continued on without any major issues and had a wonderful Spring Break and we are sad that it is over!!

Catching up with FRIENDS from long ago!!!

Through facebook I have met up with friend from long ago!! It has been so fun catching up with everyone! We enjoyed this day so much and letting our kids meet each other. Thanks Debbie, Pam and Stacie...let's do it again!! Sarah and Kellie had fun looking at our "ancient" yearbooks and had lots of questions!

BRUSTER'S JAMMIE NIGHT with GRANDMA & GRANDPA

The kids are familiar with this but as Grandma was standing in front of Bruster's could not believe she was in the middle of town in a robe!!!