New Camera!

Here are some family photos that we took with the camera JJ got for Christmas from my parents. I think they bought it so that we would post more pictures on this blog, so I wanted to get right to it!

Thankful

Another Fall Hike

This time we hiked a little closer to home at a mountain/park. We thoughtfully chose to hike a loop that was only 0.5 miles and we definitely did not regret it. We let the kids go at their own pace, and it was slow by anyone's definition and beat all expectations for necessary rock and stick pick ups, leaf admiration and log walking. All told, we all had a blast and the kids did great. We got a few pics in as well.

This is "Turtle Rock," which the kids (and I) loved climbing on and sliding down.



Kids pics





JJ, just lookin' good (it is only fair as she previously posted a "great," picture of Brooks).



And the whole gang.

This house looks just like the cabin.

Sweetness

Just having a little snuggle while Lew reads.
She really loves him.
It's really sweet.

One more of the baby

The first picture is Aiden at about 4 or 5 months just like Cate is now. They look SOOOOO much alike to me, but it's hard to find a picture that shows how much alike they look. They have COMPLETELY different personalities (night and day), but they look almost identical. Except Cate is smaller. (Where is that dress?!?!?!?!?)

Veteran's Day

We went to a parade on Tuesday. Part of the oldest Veteran's Day celebration in the country. I am so proud to be an American and so grateful to all who have been willing to serve our country and fight for freedom.

Oh, and I saw this on the way for you, John.
Cool, eh?

batman?

Autumn Hike

We drove an hour and a half to get to a nearby state park and go hiking this weekend. We had to get up early to get out there and back before the big Alabama/LSU game started at 2:30. Otherwise, I would have nothing to talk about around the watercooler on Monday morning at work, right? Actually we did make it back for the second half and got to watch Alabama squeak out a win over LSU. Anyway, we love this time of year when the leaves change colors and the hillsides are splattered with reds and yellows amidst the evergreens. Our hike was beautiful; the kids were troopers and made it over a mile before we stopped and ate our picnic lunch on what Aiden called "the family rock." She also made sure JJ and I promised that every single time we go on that hike in the future we will stop and eat at that rock again. JJ and I both had no problem making that promise. The kids then hiked back to the car, making sure to stop and inspect various leaves and mosses along the way. They even found some time to get in some quick acrobatics. We loved being outdoors with the kids, and we are so glad that they love being out there as well.

What Aiden is up to these days

Aiden loves to write notes and lists. Sometimes, instead of asking me a question she will write it down and then draw a line after it where I am supposed to write my answer. I MUST not go past the line.
This is a chart she made that shows the different seasons and we were supposed to choose our favorite.

This one shows how many push ups each member of my family can do. She called everyone to get correct numbers. I had to write a few of the names because she was running out of room. There is a spot on the right where she has made a star to put the winner's name.More notes and charts. One is her morning routine because she struggles to get moving in the morning. I got the idea from the book The Strong Willed Child which I highly recommend for parents with a strong willed child like Aiden. Except I'm not sure about the spanking part. Another chart if a list of the songs that she and Brooks listen to. She writes the name of the song and then checks who liked it and who didn't.

"Mom, if you were me, what would you choose? I can't deciiiiiiiidddddeeeeeeeeee"Aiden is doing really well in kindergarten. She is reading and writing really well and her strong willed, independent nature is treating her right. There is a "ring-leader" mean girl type in her class who has successfully convinced 2 or 3 of the other girls in the class that they have to wear what she tells them to wear, play what she tells them to play, and on and on or they can't come to her birthday party. Well, if you know my girl then you know that she prefers to give orders than receive them, so she isn't going for it. Instead, she is left out (which is FINE with me) and has befriended a special needs girl in her class. Aiden sits by this girl while they do their work (one problem is that A sometimes DOES the work for her) and in circle time. Aiden helps her to be quiet, to know when to sit down and stand up, etc. She has been so good to this little girl and I am so proud of her. Like my mom always told us, the most important thing is to be nice.

Halloweena na na

This is how our Halloween ended up. Notice the huge inflatables in the yard in the picture, notice that Lewis is pushing all 3 kids because they were wiped out, and notice that Aiden is obviously related to Jordan. The kid can't keep her eyes open for a picture.
Again, the eyes!!!

Brooks liked the "spoooooooooooky houses" and Aiden cried.Cute little trick or treaters.

I forgot to post these pictures from the REAL Halloween. We decided to trick or treat over by our great friends the Morlandt's house because we heard there was a really fun street where they blocked off the road and decorated really well. It was the craziest thing I have ever seen. The street was blocked off and there were police walking around making us feel safe. We saw lots of great spooooky houses. Our favorite was the house that had Shrek playing outside on a huge tv and the home owners were dressed as Shrek and Fiona. They were really convincing. We also saw lots and lots of great costumes. There were literally thousands of people there. The people who live on the street had LINES of trick or treaters and HUGE buckets full of candy to give away. We didn't do any trick or treating on that street, but we had a really fun night and all that walking wiped the kids out (and me).

Shrimp and Grits?

Lew made us some sweet southern food on Saturday. Yummy.And..........

He likes it!
I want to talk politics, but luckily Lewis reminded me that our blog is for keeping in touch with our family and friends and not for driving them away with politics. But we're happy this morning. Can I just write one thing? I think our political views have been so molded by our circumstances and our belief that all people deserve opportunities (and access to health care). We have been so blessed with families that have supported us and encouraged us in following this path, but there are so many who don't even know their potential. And we believe America deserves someone new.

VOTE, People, VOTE!!!!

I am off to vote. But before I do let me share this little gem with you. At the gym this morning (yes, I do exercise and I know it doesn't look like it but whatever) someone said this to me "I think that the democrats should win every election because they totally have a head start. I mean, since all the famous people support the democrats I honestly believe that people say 'I will vote for Obama because Will Smith is going to vote for him'." She continued saying that people only vote for democrats because famous people support those candidates!!!!! And then it got even better, she said that the people who vote republican are the free thinkers, the people who decide on their own who they want to vote for.

Whatever your political persuasion, please vote today and make your voice heard! Even if you live in a crazy place like me.

And now someone wants to type his name: bbbbbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrookkkkkkkkkkkkssss

Just because she's so tasty

For your Sunday viewing pleasure, I proudly present little Miss C:

Here she is "eating her ice cream cone" as Brooks likes to say. Cate chews on her thumb and pointer finger or sometimes just her whole fist. Please excuse Aiden's messy face. That child is perhaps the messiest eater on the planet.
"What?"
Tummy time is no problem for C. She just lays down and goes to sleep! (But will she ever roll over?!?!?!??!! ;)
Sleeping in her sweet pig pj's that I got her for Christmas. (but they fit now so who can resist?)



Aiden totally made me take this picture. "Look at my BIG muscles!"Oh yes, and please vote so we can decide what we will eat for Thanksgiving dinner this year.