Thanksgiving 2009

We alternate Thanksgiving between our parents each year. This year we had Thanksgiving with Dan's side. The weather didn't cooperate this year and give us warmth to play outside. The girls (and their cousin) found plenty to do inside.

Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all. Gooble Gooble.....

Happy Fall Yall 2009

The fall season started off with a hunt for Halloween attire. After much debate over the P-E-R-F-E-C-T Halloween costumes, Emily decided to be a pajama mama and Anna Kate was a cupcake. Em was smart to pick a pair of Aero pjs that could be worn after Halloween. The cupcake was a perfect fit for a little girl who proudly shares her name with every stranger..."Anna Cake".

And the season just wouldn't be complete without picking out the P-E-R-F-E-C-T pumpkin. Our church has a pumpkin patch every year. The girls love to go look at all the different shapes, sizes and colors of the pumpkins.

We love our little pumpkins! They are such fun and the memories are priceless! :)

Fall Festival

I'm trying to catch up...AGAIN!


AK's school had the annual Fall Festival. AK had a blast...I mean what is there NOT to love about face painting, jumpy things and carnival candy & drinks.

She is ready to climb....

And she is off to the top...

And down she comes...

A fall festival is just not complete without a rose painted on your cheek. :)

Emily didn't want to go to the fall festival this year. It won't be long until she doesn't want to be seen with us in public. ;(

Activities

The girls started their activities in August. Emily has chosen to take ballet and jazz/hip-hop. She has class every Monday. I worry about her getting home so late and then having to be at dance until 8:00 ~ makes for a long, long day! I don't have any pictures because the studio hasn't had parent night just yet. I will post some when I get them.

Anna Kate decided she wanted to play baseball. We signed her up for t-ball and she has just loved it. She is such a competitive little girl. She got number 22...It's pretty special at our house. My brother that passed away, Chuck, was number 22!

Enjoy the pictures.

First Day of School ~ 2009

I'm a couple of months behind in my blogging (again) and I'm trying to catch up!

Em started middle school this year and AK started Kindergarten. I did not want the girls to start school. I just really enjoyed being with them over the summer and didn't want the early rises to interfere with our time. Both are extremely excited about starting school.

Their backpacks were ready to go...

So excited to go to big girl school...I hope she is always this excited to go to school! :)
AK could hardly wait for me to take a couple of pictures before she was off to the bus ~ I'm not sure what she is most excited about...school, recess, lunch or the B-U-S!Em was very excited yet nervous for her first day of middle school. She has such a long day but seems to love being in middle school.They were welcomed home with a special treat...their favorite cookie cake!

The BIG 4-0

Well, I reached another milestone in my life. I made it to 40 in one piece! I was surprised by Dan and good friends with a birthday get together at my most fav place to eat...P.F. Changs. I knew that I was going out to eat with Dan and Jason & Ami but I had no idea that when I got there neighbors, SunTrust friends and my nursing buddies would join us. It was such a fun, fun time! If turning 40 is this much fun then I can't wait til 41. Thanks to everyone that spent their Saturday evening with me. AND keeping it a secret...you all did good!

I actually turned 40 when we were in Chicago....When we got home, this was my view when we drove up...Thanks Ami for decorating my house! My neighbors and tennis pals...didn't leak a word! Thanks y'all for helping plan such a wonderful time :) Dan could not have pulled it off w/out your help!

My favorite SunTrust buddies...I really don't know what I am going to do without them after I leave ST! And these stinks couldn't answer my calls for almost a whole week because they were afraid they would spill the beans....

My nursing pals...See why they have the reputation that they have?!?!?!?

Tara, Andi & Holly ~ thanks for being such great classmates & making every class so much

F-U-N!

Everybody was told to dress in black (why not pink?)...Even Matt and Jason dressed in black! Dumb me...I didn't get it until I was looking at the pictures after the fact. I think I was in such a state of shock and excitement that I failed to notice what anyone was wearing (shocker, huh?).

Thanks Dan (and everyone that helped) for throwing a party that I didn't think I wanted. It was a total blast! Since it was a couple of weeks after my actual birthday, you made sure I got to celebrate my birthday for just about an entire month...something I seem to love to do! But hey - I only turn 40 once, right!?!

Chicago ~ July trip

We had the opportunity to go back to Chicago in July. We spent quality time with the Chicago peeps, Grandmother & Poppa and celebrated my 40th birthday.

Mother, Nichole and I were downtown Chicago on my actual birthday. When we returned to Nichole's house, my girls, the Chicago peeps, Poppa/Daddy & Dan decorated the house with streamers, balloons and signs. Louie was in charge of the directional signs telling me where I was to walk, etc. Emily and Gracie were in charge of the sign that told me how to ring the doorbell and how to enter. Anna Kate and Charlie were the supervisors and told Dan/Daddy/Uncle Danny and Poppa/Daddy what to do. :)

These two waiting anxiously for my arrival....

And these two could have cared less when I arrived - I mean there was something really good on TV...plus making signs and giving out orders are tough jobs. :)

I can't find the pictures of the decorations....more to come later!

We did a lot of swimming ~ Nic's next door neighbor has a pool and let the kiddos use it. During this trip, we took the GA/Chicago peeps (minus Charlie) to Navy Pier.

Navy Pier has a really cool ferris wheel. We all really enjoyed it ~ it was so neat to overlook downtown Chicago.

Anna Kate is just not real sure about the ride. Emily and Gracie really liked it.

And of course, the boys liked it...Here are best buddies sitting away from all the girls!They had to ride the swings...Anna Kate wasn't tall enough to ride (which broke her heart).

But the heart break wasn't for long ~ she got to ride the Lighthouse ride on Navy Pier and her facial expressions says it all. We had such a good time! We can't wait to see the Peeps again soon! Thank y'all for making my 40th birthday such fun, fun, fun!!