Christmas Parade

This year was the first time we've ever gone to the Christmas parade in Collegedale. Michael and Andrew's cousins (Ryan, Katie, and Cameron) were on a float this year. So we went to support them. Little did we know it would be as much fun as it was. I think the kids ended up with just as much or more candy as they did at Halloween. The weather was perfect too, nice and sunny. It was a great way to start off the Holiday Season.

Marching Band-And Michael begging for candy :)

Only in TN... decked out tractors!!

Cousins float

Santa!!

Thanksgiving 2008

Turkey cookies!

Michael and Papa in their jerseys.

Michael very intent on the game.

Jess, Michael, and Dad

Thanksgiving Day

Martz Family shot

Campfire roasting and hot cocoa

Chocolate face!

Sisters

Where's Waldo?

I know it sounds cliche, but I really do have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. First and foremost, my wonderful husband. There isn't a day that goes by that I'm not reminded of all the wonderful things he does for me and our family. I am also immensely thankful for my two beautiful boys and their health. I am thankful for my loving parents and their health. And Jeff's parents as well. I'm happy to have two sets of loving grandparents for my boys. It is so important to have them in our lives. I am thankful to have both of my sisters live here in Chattanooga with me. They are wonderful Aunts to my boys and I am blessed to have them as babysitters too :) This is just the tip of the iceberg, but you get the idea.

This year for Thanksgiving we drove up to my parents home in Ohio. We left Tuesday afternoon and stayed through Sunday. Wednesday night we took Michael to his very first hockey game. He absolutely loved it. He even has a Columbus Bluejackets jersey (to match my dad). Within the first 10 minutes there was a huge fight that broke out, and in typical boy fashion, he thought that was the coolest part. Thursday both sides of my family came over for Turkey day and the feast began. As always, there was tons of food and we ate way too much. But that's the point right?! Saturday night we had a mini-campfire out back and roasted marshmallows and had hot cocoa. The kids had a lot of fun, as did the adults. It was a wonderful relaxing week with family.

The Wiggles

A few weeks ago we took the boys to The Wiggles. It was their first "live" performance. They had such a good time and had fun singing the songs and doing all the motions.

The Abbotts Visit

November 2008

Greg, Sarah, and Ben made the long trek down here to spend a long weekend with us a few weeks ago. We always have so much fun with them. And my boys LOVED having Ben around to rough house with. Friday was kind of a lazy day. We just let the boys play and Greg and Sarah recooped from getting in late the night before. And we went out for Mexican that night. Saturday proved to be a day of surprises for me. It started by going over to the Hockings to visit and hang out with the Lemons and Guajardos too. Jenny Sue, Jenny and Lisa made BEAUTIFUL cupcakes for my birthday (the big 3-0). We had a wonderful time visiting and letting the kids run around and play outside. Then that night, Jeff arranged for a babysitter (my sister Mindy) for the boys and we went out for what I thought was a nice dinner with Jeff and Greg and Sarah. But when we got there all our friends were there. I was totally surprised. We had a great dinner and then all went to the Comedy Catch. It was a really fun night!! Sunday we took the kids to the aquarium. They boys had a blast and loved watching the sharks in particular. It was a really fun weekend. We look forward to the next time we get to see Abbott's. Maybe Greg's 30th :)

Happy Halloween

Michael the Pirate...Arrrh!!

Andrew as Nemo

August 2008

August was full of fun and firsts. To start the month off, Jeff and I vacationed for a long weekend with Greg and Sarah Abbott in Florida. We had a great time! One day we rented scooters and rode over 100 miles that day. We rode out to Sanibel and Captiva Islands and back. The weather was great and the company was even better.

Michael had his first day of school this month too. He is now an official preschooler, and he loves it! His teacher is Miss Martha, and he has 9 other boys/girls in his class. He goes Tuesday and Thursdays from 9-2pm. It's been kind of a bitter sweet experience. He has been so excited to finally go to school...but I miss him. And so does Andrew. But he is having a great time and meeting lots of new friends. Plus, it gives me some one on one time with Andrew; something he's never had. All in all, it's been a great experience so far.

Andrew also experienced a first...his first hair cut. Yes...some of the curls are gone. But it's not bad. His hair was getting so long it was becoming a little too much like a mullet for our liking. I didn't get any pictures of the actual haircut b/c he was sitting on my lap and Jeff and Michael were also getting haircuts at the same time. But he did great and didn't make a fuss.

Michael also had a 4th b-day this month (on the 26th). We had a couple little parties this year instead of one big one. We celebrated the weekend before with Jeff's family and all the cousins. Then we celebrate on his actual b-day with our family and my sisters. And for playgroup we all went to Pump-It-Up. Michaels' favorite place ever!!

Waterfront Triathlon

Jeff with the boys after his race.

Jeff and Jess right after he crossed the finish line.

Ahhh...He made it!!

Off for the run.

Coming in from the bike ride.

July 13, 2008, Jeff participated in the Waterfront Triathlon that is held downtown (in Chattanooga). It's a 9/10 mi. swim, 28 mi. bike, and 6.2 mi. run. It was actually a rainy overcast day. But proved to be great for the race because they didn't overheat. It was a little difficult for us, the spectators, because we got wet. But we wouldn't have missed it for anything. It was a lot of fun to cheer Jeff on.

Happy 4th of July

July 4 2008

The week of July 4th, we made the long drive up north to Jeff's parents in Michigan. Michael fully understood this year where we were going and that he would be going fishing, on boat rides, waverunner rides, and much more. He was very excited!! We also decided to take our nephew Cameron along as company for Michael. They had an absolute blast together. The weather started out a little iffy but we had an absolutely beautiful last few days. Makes it hard to leave when you have weather like that.

It was so good to see all our family up there. We get kind of stuck in our own little bubble down here in TN sometimes. And forget how much fun we have with everyone and just how much we miss them until we are all back together.

I also tried something new this time. I had almost 500 pictures (including ones Jeff's dad took) so there was no way I could only choose a few to post. So hopefully the way I've posted them works. Hope everyone is having a great summer.

June 2008

Here's what we were up to in June.

Both boys out cold.

Campmeeting at church.

Michael & Ellie Sue

Swimming at G-ma and G-pa's pool

Happy Father's Day Daddy!!

Andrew after eating a choc. covered strawberry.

Memorial Weekend

We drove up to my parents (in Ohio) for Memorial weekend this year. We hadn't been up there since Thanksgiving, so we felt we were due a journey north. The kids traveled great-thanks to DVD's. We had a wonderful long weekend. We grilled out with family for the actual holiday. We played at the park, played LOTS in the backyard, and even made a trip to the Columbus Zoo. Thanks Nana and Papa for a fun long weekend. Can't wait to see you again real soon!!! Our next road trip is for the Fourth of July. We are going up to Michigan and can't wait to see everyone up there.

Family game of croquet.

Andrew with Great-grandma Jean

Boys playing at the park

No fear!! Andrew going down head first :)

Michael found a friend on the deck.

Andrew with Great-grandma Alma

Andrew loved this tiger at the Zoo.

Michael's favorite thing about the zoo...watching
the bears play.

Andrew and Daddy.