Cherub Choir

Sunday at church our precious Cherub Choir serenaded the congregation with, "God Made Me",  "Praise Ye the Lord", and "God Is So Good".  They were so sweet and well behaved.  I was so proud of them!

Five!

He's 5!

Luke says "Cheese"!

Singing "Happy Birthday" at church.



For Miles turning five has been an experience full of excitement and pride.  I feel like he now feels a little bigger and stronger.  Ever since his birthday one helping of lunch or dinner won't do, he needs two.  So along with the birthday comes a growth spurt.  For me Miles turning 5 means that what seemed like yesterday was five years ago and that is just incredible to me.  Little ones have so much to learn and do and Miles has been no exception!  He spends everyday making his way through life the hard way (instead of listening to his most knowledgeable parents)!  He figures things out and takes his punches which I think will be a good thing down the road!  We are so proud of him and I could just squeeze him everyday.  We love you Miles!  Every growing inch of you!

Charleston!

I love water fountain pictures!

Really?

Barnes with his Bulldog!

Up to no good!

Sweet Gam and Pop!

Sae Sae!

If anyone can get us around Charleston they can!

Barnes  is so sweet!

Trying to see who is taller! The penguins or the boys!

Miles and Maria Pearl make great captains!

Sae hiding so she could surprise Maria Pearl.

Safety First!

Barnes and his pal "MUD"
Our family went to Charleston to see The Blue Hose of Presbyterian College play The Citadel in football.  Clay graduate from PC and Dean is a Bulldog so it only made sense to check out this game!  The boys and their girl had an awesome time.  Sae wasn't the only girl for the entire trip, our friend Maria Pearl joined us and kept Sae company!

Friday night we had dinner at the Buccaneer which was all things pirate and a huge fish tank.  The kids enjoyed the atmosphere!  A dinner party in the room above us was playing music from the Star Wars soundtrack so Miles was in heaven.  Pirates and Star Wars-it doesn't get any better for Miles!  He thanked me for taking him there!

Saturday we went to the SC Aquarium or "quarrium" as Barnes calls it!  It is absolutely wonderful!  Everyone loved the otters and the sea turtles!  I think the kids enjoyed the shrimp boat the most!

Then we headed to the BIG Game where the kids danced to the band, ate too much, and cheered a little too loud (even for a football game).  After stepping and leaning on every possible stranger around us it was time to go!  Barnes wasn't leaving without getting a picture with the mascot so we had to go find the Bulldog so Barnes could go home happy!

When we got back to the hotel (or apartment) as Miles called it, the kids went wild on the terrace!  Shoeless but not sockless, Barnes chased Sae, the raggamuffin Citadel Cheerleader, and Miles antagonized them both!  After a long night we crashed so we could get up Sunday and get some family photos!  Those went as well as you would expect.  My family is so sweet but they are not the easiest people to work with when it comes to pictures-If only the guys would realize that one day they will look back and be so glad they did it!  

Thanks Gam and Pop for taking care of us in Charleston!  We had a wonderful time and can't wait to do it again!

Open House

The boys had open house at their school a few weeks ago.  Barnes is loving it and had his picture taken with his teachers Miss Sue and Miss Rebecca.  Miles wasn't interested in having his picture made but I think he really likes his teacher Miss Denise!  School is off to a wonderful start and we are busier than ever.  Barnes loves to play dress up and Miles is trying really hard to stay out of trouble and make it to the treasure box every Friday!  We will see!  They are both learning so much and I am proud of how much they learn and grow everyday!

Dove Shoot 2009

Saturday was the annual Dove Shoot at Gam and Pop's.  Gam and Pop so graciously host a crew of folks for the entire day.  The kids play while the ladies chat and the gentlemen hunt!  It is just a great ritual that we look forward to every year.  I think rituals are so important for family no matter if it is a little day like this or a yearly vacation!  It is so wonderful to see how much little ones have grown from one year to the next.  It is also great to see the new babies each year and to hear about and see babies on the way!  We love this day each September!  Thanks Gam and Pop!

Go Big Red!

This year our family is participating in our community's tailgating event for our local football team.  We eat and then head to the end zone where the kids can run and play and cheer.  The boys "played football" and the girls cheered.  Sae and Ellis looked so cute in their uniforms.    I think Miles and Barnes, Luke and Lan, and Daniel ran the entire time we were there.  They were so dirty when we got into the car!  B fell asleep on the way home and Miles wasn't far behind.  This is my kind of event, fun for all and then fast asleep! Go Team Go!

First Day of School

For me back to school is back to work.  For my babies it is a day full of excitement and "new" friends, teachers, and supplies.  Last week we backed our backpacks and headed for school.  Unfortunately,  I had my own little ones in my classroom to deal with so Clay took care of the first day responsibilities.  He took the pictures and a video!  I am so proud of my little ones for venturing off bravely without tears or fears!  I don't know if that is a good thing or not!  I am also so thankful that they have a sweet Daddy who steps in and takes on the role of both parents during this time every year.  He wakes them and gets them ready many mornings and I am thankful for that!  I am also so grateful for Gam who gets them everywhere they need to go!

Miles came home and had little to say about his first day.  With him most things are a secret. I am looking forward to how much he is going to learn this year.  His mind just seems to absorb so much. He is my little sponge.

Barnes however, told us everything.  He colored, heard stories, played with Sae and Matthew and dressed up like Cinderella.  

When they finally got home we celebrated the first day with balloons and surprises.  I want them to always look forward to their first day of school!