December Fun

December is a busy month, isn't it? I would have to say, though, that it is one of the most exciting months of the year! There have been times in the past where I dreaded the hustle and bustle of the month, but this year I seemed to have embraced it. It has been so much fun!! Here are a few shots of what I have captured. The kids decorated the lower half of the tree with their handmade ornaments (thank you MDO!!).


The Christmas parade

My older 2 plus the Wheelers older 2 at the parade.

Our FIRST snow (we are hoping for a whole bunch this year)!! What you can't see is that Catherine has on Lincoln's hand me down boots and Coleman has on Catherine's hand me down boots. Hand me downs are GREAT but the boots Coleman has on are PINK! :)

This is the book Catherine got from her book swap at Mother's Day Out.

Coleman and Catherine with Santa at MDO. Catherine thought about being scared of Santa. Thankfully, she found some courage!

I really try hard to get a good picture of my children. I somehow fail every time.
This is the only one where Lincoln's mouth is closed. :)

Brad and I took a day to spend with just Catherine and we had a GREAT time. We went to the Radio City Music Christmas Spectacular. She loved it!! I did too- it was my first time as well. She liked the "girls and guys dancing and singing", "baby Jesus", and Mrs. Claus. It was a great show!

The 3 of us before the show starts!

Thanksgiving 2009- Tullahoma

Thanksgiving was in Tullahoma this year. Everyone, from siblings to first cousins, was able to come. I think it was everyone's on year. There were 18 adults and 17 kids. Thankfully, the weather was nice- the kids stayed out all day. Everyone brought dishes and the meal was DE-licious! It was a GREAT day and it was so good to see everyone. The kids loved playing with their extended cousins!

Here are some pics from the day.

Below- Coleman watching TV in the kitchen. Note-I was never allowed to lie on the counter.

My 3 playing outside before all of the cousins arrived.

Cousins- Molly, Catherine, and Kathryn.

Sarah's daughter Molly hanging upside down.


Coleman trying to copy Molly

Greg, Brad and I decided to take the little ones for a walk (the big kids had their own game of wiffle ball going on). Below, Greg with the girls.
From left Molly, Kathryn, his Madeline, my Catherine

Coleman and Brad caught up.

We let the kids throw rocks into the pond, roll down the T-box on the golf course, hike through the fields, and then went back to the house where the girls went upstairs to play dolls.

Here are all the cousins below- each row in order by age.

Back Row- Shelby, Olivia, Tyler, Riley, Reagan Anna Lea, Landon

Front Row- Ty Ty, Lincoln, Jack, Catherine, Madeline, Kathryn, Molly and Coleman.

Not pictured- Tucker and Maddox- they were napping. :)

Below-First Cousins

Jeff, Amy, Sandy, me, Sarah

Greg and Susan

Halloween 2009

Halloween 2009

The kids in costume and Papa and Gran's house.

I am not sure if this is Trick or Treating or a hold-up. :)

Coleman with friends Elijah and Anzly at Mother's Day Out.

Catherine in the leaves at Papa and Gran's.

We were so glad that Megan was with us this weekend. She was able to take the kids door to door while I drove the car. That was extremely helpful. Brad was with us for the majority of the time- right up until the UT game started. :)

My first Half-Marathon

I am so happy to be crossing the finish line!!


For the past several months I have been training for the Putnam County's YMCA Haunted Half Marathon. One year ago, had you told me I would be running 13.1 miles this October, I would have laughed at you. See a few years ago, Brad ran a half marathon and then a full marathon with a friend. I thought he and my other friends who were running were CRAZY to run for 2 to 4 hours straight. Who would want to do that???!!

Well, here am I an accomplished Half-Marathoner. I did it in 2 hours 15 min! I came within seconds of Brad's Half Marathon time- which is an accomplishment! It was a cold morning (40's) and it was windy. I kept a 10 min per mile pace (which I had never done before) for the first 10 miles, but started slowing down a little once I was by myself (my running partner had strep and another had the flu. My faster friend went on ahead to achieve a new personal best). The last 3 miles were torture as we ran into the wind the entire way (I regretted not having my iPod). My take- if I can do decent in these conditions then just think how I might do if it were less windy? I may try another one or two next year. I enjoy competing.

I learned a couple of things during this training. One is that I looked forward to running because it was something I did for me. It didn't involve the kids, Brad, the house, groceries, cooking, and it was OUTSIDE. I forgot that I LOVE being outside. Two, before I started training, I laughed at people who said it was easier to train on the road vs. the treadmill. It is so true and having a friend makes it even better. Three, there are days when running 3 miles is a breeze and days when it is like you've never run before and that's okay. Just keep going! Fourth, I was reminded continually to be thankful to God that I was physically able to complete such an event. It is easy to take health for granted.

About a mile from the finish line, I passed the Johnson's and Brad and the kids. Lincoln's encouraging words to me as I ran by? "Mommy, you aren't last!"

He was still trying to really process why I wasn't going for first place.

Later I told him thank you for cheering me on because it was special and he said,

"That's because YOU are special." :)

My official result:

Place 151 Time 2:15:09 Pace 10:19

Kidside Fall Fun Night at Amazing Acres

Amazing Acres in Sparta, TN

Some of the kids on the hayride.


Coleman, Will and Foster- 3 to watch as they grow up!

Catherine and Shayla on the .... Cow Ride (pulled by a 4 Wheeler).

Visiting the Herren's in Savannah,GA

Over Fall Break, we had the opportunity to go visit our friends Joey and Sharon Herren. They have two girls Kylie (6) and Kadie (3). It was a weekend trip that went way too fast. It made us miss them even more, and we look forward to seeing them over the holidays. Lincoln took a picture of us at this yummy pizza place in downtown Savannah. Lincoln ordered a salad (At age 5 he decided he didn't like pizza. It's the tomato sauce. We don't always show him sympathy.)

Brad and Joey looking for gators at the Wildlife Refuge.

To their delight, we saw this one just under the surface.


Looking for gators (this was not a warm weekend in GA)

Sometimes, Catherine's hair turns to ringlets around her face. I love it!

Tybee Island, GA

Tybee Beach

Coleman doesn't like the ocean. He thinks the tide is really taking him into the ocean as it receeds back over his feet.

Coleman and Catherine's little toes.

Brad and Joey took the kids (minus Coleman and Kadie) to the top of the
lighthouse. The adult you don't see at the top is Brad. He has a fear of heights- he gets it from his mom. I am proud that he let our children out of the tower to see the view. Lincoln and Catherine did not get the fear of heights trait but I think Coleman did. :)

Kylie, Kadie, Catherine, Lincoln, and Coleman

A tuckered out little guy!

Blackbirds having Small Group

Returning home from errands, I noticed a flock of blackbirds in our trees. As we passed the trees, I pointed the birds out to Catherine and Coleman and rolled down the windows so they could hear them "singing." As we pulled into the garage Catherine said "Mom, you know those birds in the trees back there? Maybe they are having small group." Yes, Catherine, maybe. :)

(Background: We just had our small group from church over to our house this past Sunday night. It is something we all love!)
_________________________
This is something I posted on Facebook already. I just don't want to forget it.

"Well, Catherine just missed the potty. I heard a kid moving upstairs- looked up there and spotted Catherine , pants down, tinkling at the top of the stairs like she was on the potty. It is making me laugh- Bless her heart. She won't remember this in the morning. :)"

The next morning I asked Catherine if she rememberd tinkling at the top of the stairs. She grinned her sweet grin and nodded her head yes. She then immediately asked me where her rainbow pajama bottoms were- you know the ones that got wet and I removed the night before. Yeah, she remembered alright! ha ha :)

A Perfect Weekend for.....

Flying a Kite

A little of this....

and this...

A front yard bonfire


with hotdogs (and smores of course).

And a little peek a boo from my hard to catch 2 year old.

A beautiful weekend to be outside!