Carter's first Haircut

We made a trip to Macon for Matt to do some work at my dad's farm/land in preparation for hunting season. While we were there Carter received his first "big" boy haircut. Matt has been trimming it every so often to keep the back neat, but this was his first all over haircut. I couldn't think of anyone better to give him his first haircut than our friend, Wendy. She gave Cori (my niece) her first haircut and Ella Catherine her first haircut. So it seemed only right that Carter have his first haircut at Miss Wendy's too. She does such a fabulous job and is so quick. :) He was a BIG boy and sat still while she did her magic. He got a little nervous about the clippers on his neck but I think it surprised him more than scared him. I miss his little curls but he is sooo cute with his big boy haircut. My little guy is growing up WAY too fast.

Sitting on mommy's lap while Wendy gets started

Watching every move in the mirror

LOVE the look on his face. It is a "When is this going to be over" look. He might have thought it but he was good as GOLD

A trip to Macon wouldn't be complete without a ride on Pop's tractor

Taking a ride with Pop and Daddy on the golf cart

Elway couldn't resist hoping on for a ride :)

Shower time!

Matt introduced Carter to the shower a few nights ago and he absolutely LOVES it! Anything to make bathtime smoothe is ok with me. So, he now prefers to take a shower in mommy and daddy's shower than a bubbles in the tub.

Tennessee Aquarium

Labor Day weekend Mimi and Aunt Katie came for a visit(somehow Katie escaped being photographed this weekend...she won't be so lucky next time :) ). While they were here, we headed down to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. It is a must see if you are ever in Chattanooga. They have multiple exhibits that are interactive. You can pet sharks and sting-rays and even feed the sting rays. It is a wonderful family day/activity.

Carter reading "The Napping House" on the car ride

Mimi reading to Ella Catherine on the way down to Chattanooga. Mimi sat in the back with the kids and did a wonderful job keeping them entertained on our voyage.

Matt showing Carter the Parrots

Carter then showing Mimi the parrots

And here they are...Beautiful blue parrots

Riding the escalator like a big boy

Ella Catherine watching the Penguins. She had one that LOVED her! He would swim right up to where she was standing and just gaze at her, swim off and come back to gaze some more.

Mimi pointing out the sharks to the kids

One of the sharks. Carter LOVED this tank, we had to pull him away from it every time we passed on the different floors.

Carter and Matt taking a upper level look at the Otters

Ella Catherine enjoyed watching these otters play on land and in the water

Beautiful tank of rainbow trout

Carter in front of the trout

Matt showing Carter how you can pet the shark

Matt helping Ella Catherine Pet the shark

Matt helping Carter pet the shark. This did not go over so well and was followed by a blood curdling scream. Hoping it doesn't scar him. :)

He recovered just fine! He and Ella Catherine playing outside and getting some pent up energy out before we got in the car to head back home.

Take me out to the Ball Game

Watching the game with daddy

My little man being a big boy and sitting in his own seat.

We met some friends and their kids at the Nashville Sound baseball game Saturday night. It was the last home game of the season and they were playing the Memphis redbirds. It was a wonderful night. They promised a spectactular firework show afer the game and it didn't disappoint! It was Carter's first firework show (he was in bed 4th of July). He was a little taken a back at first but once I covered his ears he loved every second. Ella Catherine LOVED it and had fun pointing out all the different colors. We were all set to go after the fireworks we had 2 tired munchkins but then the announcer came on and said that they were letting all the kids that wanted to down on the field to run the bases. Matt looked at Ella Catherine and asked her if she wanted to do it, without hesitation she said "yes". So, Carter and I went to the 3rd baseline to wait and watch while Matt stayed in line with her. WOW were there a lot of kids at that game. she waited patiently and when it was her turn she took off running and didn't stop until she hit home plate. So proud of her!

38 and feeling GREAT!

Me sporting the beautiful necklace Ella Catherine made me for my birthday.

Working in the healthcare field can really make a girl feel grateful for another year. I celebrated my 38th birthday and my family made me feel like a queen. I am one lucky LADY! Looking forward to the wonderful year ahead.

Just LOVE this fun lantern from my parents. It is 1 of 2

Equally LOVE this one! Love having these unique accents to decorate our home

I've been saying that I am going to have the blog printed to document our lives for the kids and somehow I never get around to it. Well my wonderful husband went to blog2print and did it for my Birthday. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

Dance, Dance, Dance!

I'm not sure who is more excited about Ella Catherine starting dance lessons. You see when I was just about her age I started taking dance and continued to dance until I graduated from High School. I would never have made it on "so you think you can dance", but I loved it. I have such fond memories of dance class with my besties. So when she started asking about taking dance lessons in the spring I was all about signing her up. :)

Of course before we could start, we needed a little shopping trip.

Ballet shoes first

Trying to tie her tap shoes

The plastic straps are going to be key! Ribbons are pretty but not practical with a class of 4 year olds.

Taking them for a spin

Accessories are key! Gotta have the ballet bag.

One happy little shopper

Getting ready for her first class. She wanted some lip gloss

Me and my girl heading out for her first class.

Besties! Her sweet friend Taylor is in the same class which makes class twice as fun.

King of the Castle

When we were parting ways in Chattanooga, Carter knew something was up when "E" got in the car with Nana and Pop. He started balling and saying "my sister, my sister". He was so upset! He followed my parents car with his eyes and was crying, pointing and screaming NO my sister! It broke my heart. Luckily it was short lived. It lastest about 10 minutes. Then we got him calmed down and on to other things. At this point I was a little nervous at how the week would go. He seemed so lost without her, but it was also when I realized exactly how good this week would be for him. He needed to learn a little independence from "E".

Matt had driven down to Chatty and so I offered to drive back to Nashville. Carter has always been our quieter child so we thought Matt would get in a good nap on the way back. Well....not so much. Turns out he isn't quiet at all. His big sister just suppressed him a bit. He didn't stop talking the entire 2 hour ride home (or the whole week for that matter). Needless to say, Matt didn't get in a nap. :)

The rest of the week, he was king of the castle! He enjoyed having mommy and daddy all to himself. He would wake Matt up at 5:15 wanting to play golf. So, they would hit balls until I came home from the gym. It was precious and he has a good little swing. Then it was off to school. I decided to take Friday off work to have some one on one time with him. We went to the zoo, met daddy for lunch and after naptime "E" was home!!!

Hitting balls

Lefty or righty? Not sure yet.