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Fun Fall Times

It has definately been a while since I have written anything on here, but I will try to keep it brief. My life has been a whirlwind since going back to work October 17th. My students have been great, but man...I AM EXHAUSTED! I think I am starting to adjust, but I just forgot how exhausting being a teacher, mommy and wife can really be. I love teaching, and I have had a fairly smooth transition back into the classroom. I feel this is a gift from God for me to be able to teach upper elementary students, so I hope that I can take advantage of the time I have with them, and hopefully be a Christian example to each one and let me light shine!

On to my boys! They are so much fun and so funny! Lane is a super big brother, but can get a little rowdy at times. Colt loves to lay in the floor with Lane and "wrestle" as Lane calls it. Colt is scooting around everywhere and is trying super hard to crawl. He is 7 months old now and is growing like a weed. His last doctor visit he was up to 19.8 lbs (at 6 months). He loves to eat oatmeal, pears, pumpkin apple, blueberry apple, sweet potatoes and squash.

In September we visited Jesslyn and Michael in Collierville. While we were there we visited "My Big Backyard" at the Memphis Botanical Gardens. Oh my word! That is the neatest little place. It is a glorified playground with so much to do for little ones. Lane had a blast and we will visit again!

We had a great Halloween! My mom made the grandchildrens costumes to go along with "The WIzard of Oz. I must say she did an awesome job! Lane was the lion, Colt was the scarecrow, Michael was the tinman, Rylee was the good witch and Taylor was Dorothy. They all looked precious and we had a blast at all the fall festivals and trick or treating. We also had a great time visting the Pumpkin Patch with Luke, Brooks, and Griffin. They are all such funny boys!

We are looking forward to the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. It is always great to be with wonderful friends and family and to celebrate all the wonderful blessings we have to be thankful for!

These are the days...

Camping...I love camping! I have not been camping in 7 or 8 years and finally got to go this past weekend with the family. Austin and I got brave Friday and packed up both boys, one of our dogs D.J., and enough gear for a week in the woods (we only stayed one night)! We drove down to 2nd Creek in Waterloo, picked the perfect spot, and started unpacking and setting up. We could not have asked for more beautiful weather, and had a nice breeze blowing off the water. Ken, Crystal, Tressa, Jesslyn, Michael and Aly (J and Ms lab) joined us later in the evening.

We roasted hot dogs and made smores for supper. I bought these Super Huge Marshmallows and Lane thought they were hilarious (this child loves "muffalows" as he likes to call them). We stayed up late watching Austin and Michael fishing off the bank, and Lane explored the tent with Jesslyn, Cicle and Colt. The night air was perfect and we woke to a fairly cool morning. Lane and Colt slept surprisingly well for their first night in a tent.

On Saturday morning Austin, Michael and Lane took this old flatbottom boat out into the water (trust me, they did not go far) to fish. I think Austin caught one fish. By late morning we were fishing off the bank. I decided to fish from one of the lines that Austin cast and got robbed a couple of times. But, I must say, I cast out my own line and caught a pretty nice catfish! WoopWoop! It has been a while since I have been fishing so I was thrilled with my catch!

Both of the following pictures are my catfish...I REFUSED to hold it!We had a great time and I hope that we get to go again before I go back to school in October. I guess the main point of this post is to encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the great outdoors and GO CAMPING!

4 Months Old

Colt was 4 months old last Thursday. Time has really flown by, but I am soaking up every minute with both boys. I took Colt to his 4 month check up and here are his stats...

Weight: 15 lbs 12 oz (75th percentile)

Height: 25 3/4 inches (50-75th percentile)

He has rolled over from belly to back several times, but is perfectly happy not rolling over :). He adores Lane and watches his every movement and smiles and "talks" at his big brother. He enjoys being outside, in his stroller, and playing with Lane. While on his belly he can scoot forward with his arms(early crawler in our future)! Oh dear! Overall Colt has been a very laid back baby!

I am thrilled to say that I am taking the first 9 weeks off from this new school year. I do love my job, but am happy to spend a little more time at home with Lane and Colt. We are having a difficult time getting Colt to take a bottle. Anyone have any suggestions? Lane was much easier to get to take a bottle, Colt prefers not to take a bottle. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated...I have 9 weeks to get this worked out :)

Hooter Hiders??

So while browsing through a website searching for better nursing bras, I come across this add for "Hooter Hiders" nursing covers! Really?? I went to the website and the video cracks me up! Anyone up for a Hooter Hider?

2 Months and PC

Colt went for his 2 month checkup yesterday and weighed in at 12 pounds 14 ounces and is 23 inches long! He is a very laid back baby, is full of smiles, laughs and coos! He loves to watch and smile at Lane, he loves bathtime, enjoys his paci, his swing and his bouncy seat. We are having a blast with Mr. Colt!
On another note we are heading back to Point Clear, Al in a few weeks! I am so excited but a little anxious about taking a 3 month old on this kind of trip. We took Lane to Point Clear when he was a year old and we had so much fun. I am just excited that we are going somewhere...now to lose some of this baby weight! Lane and Austin on the beach area at Point Clear.

Nanelle Visits

Pops and Colt at Spring Park

Nanelle and Crystal

Dana and Nanelle at Spring Park

Sis, Nanelle and Lane

Colt in his life jacket! This cracks me up!

LOVE!

Lane taking over as the captain!

Lane and Dana

Splash Pad at the Marriott

Sis and Colt

Nanelle and Colt

Austin's grandmother, Nanelle, his great Aunt Sis, and his cousin Dana came to visit with us from New Mexico. Lane was almost 8 weeks old the last time that Nanelle and Dana saw him, and they were thrilled to get to see him as a 3 year old big brother. Lane had the opportunity to go to Memphis with Crystal two weeks ago to pick up "his friends" from the airport. He was able to spend some one on one time with them for a couple of days in Collierville (with Jesslyn and Michael) before heading home on Friday before Memorial Day weekend. Colt and Lane were such troopers the last two weeks spending so much time with such special family members and staying super busy with some fun activities in Florence (I never knew there was so much to do for out of towners). They are heading back to Memphis today to spend some time with Jesslyn and Michael before they fly out early Wednesday morning. We will miss them dearly and cannot wait until we can make a trip to New Mexico. We love you Nanelle, Sis and Dana!