Labor Day

Sunday was definitely a day of rest. After a fun filled Southeastern adventure with the kids I was ready for some down time.  We left Thursday to go visit Laura and to meet the newest Holmes, Sarah Grace.  She is such a sweetie and Haley had a blast playing with Caitlyn and Emily…and all their fun toys!  From Huntsville we drove to Birmingham to visit with friends we hadn’t seen in a long time- it was great to catch up, Heather!  We rounded out the day with a less than enjoyable evening at Chuck E. Cheese.  The visit to the Birmingham CEC made me appreciate how nice and clean ours is in Cordova.  Always good to appreciate what you have!  Trey and Haley got to play with their little buddy, Griff, Saturday morning while we all got ready for GAME DAY!!

We got to Starkville in the afternoon and was able to enjoy our day in the Junction tailgating.  Haley got her face painted, some pom poms, and we enjoyed great barbeque in the alumni tent with Jason and KJ.  It was fun showing Haley how bulldogs like to celebrate game day. 

Sunday was spent bragging to all our friends (a.k.a. SEC enemies!) about our VICTORY over Memphis.  We were quick to comment that we have to celebrate all we can, just in case the season doesn’t turn out as great as we hope!

So, back to the day of rest, Sunday.  While lying on the couch and enjoying the afternoon, I watched at least one episode of Cupcake Wars.  Hayden and I have seen this show before and often pretend to "taste the essence of lavender" in our food.  Well, we were joking around at dinner about the different cupcakes they had made and we got inspired…or should I say challenged.  Next thing I know, Hayden is setting up lights and I’m google-ing cupcake recipes.  Of course a quick trip to Kroger was needed but then we were set.  Lights, Camera, Action.  Haley, Hayden and I got some great pictures making what we thought were going to be the best cupcakes on the planet…Unfortunately, they were very dry and salty…don’t know why they didn’t have sugar listed on the recipe (just called for one cup of brown sugar…which wasn’t nearly enough)!  But the Chocolate Whipped Cream icing was to die for.  So, we tried again today with a little more success.  I think we’ll continue on the cupcake challenge journey until we get it right.  Mostly because it will give me an excuse to keep eating the icing, which is basically Chocolate Mousse.  YUM!  Look out America, we may have our own cupcake show soon!

Happy New Year!

Well, its that time of year again.  Another year has clicked by and we’re on the verge of 2010.  Its about this time every year that I take a look back at what has happened over the past year and start getting ready for next year.  It always amazes me when I think about how much has taken place in just 365 days.  Makes me wonder what we’re capable of if we really live intentionally.  My goals for 2010 will come early next year, but for now, here’s a high level look at some of the things that happened in 2009.

• Trey was born
• Haley turned two
• Haley wears big girl panties and was potty trained
• Haley moved upstairs to her big girl room
• We crossed the one year mark of living in Lakeland
• Laura started teaching Sunday School
• I’ve started teaching Sunday School again
• We “officially” joined Bellevue
• I’ve performed in the Passion Play and a couple of Soul Mate Live’s at church
• I’ve joined a discipleship group
• I’ve started a discipleship group
• Laura and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary
• I completed a triathlon
• We built a deck and shed in the back yard
• I’ve managed to keep my weight the same as it was a year ago (which still isn’t ideal)
• We joined a gym that we periodically visit
• We’ve watched MSU football get exciting again
• I’ve had the same job role for a year (which hasn’t happened in a while)
• We’ve made a lot of fantastic friends
• We’ve fell out of touch with a lot of dear friends
• I’ve gotten closer to being the father that I want to be
• I’ve gotten closer to being the husband that I want to be

See you all next year!  Until then, have a cup of kindness for auld lang syne.

Fantastic Halloween

What a great Halloween.  It was so much fun watching Haley.  The practice we put in with her on Trick or Treating really paid off.  She was so cute running up to the door and knocking and yelling trick-or-treat.  Now, if we could just teach her to go for the Reeses Cups and Snickers instead of the suckers.  Guess since she still seems to be allergic to peanuts, she knows what she is doing.

Thanks to the weather changing so quickly during the day, we were able to let her wear both her Tinkerbelle outfit and Minnie mouse.  I guess she was really Mickey Mouse since we forgot the “bow” headband.

We also made a run at doing family pictures this weekend.  I got a new gizmo that lets you set up the camera to take photos at any interval you want.  I set up the scene and set the remote so that it would take pictures every three seconds.  It worked out okay.  Still, difficult to get everyone even looking in the same direction at one time.  All smiling at the same time???  Not going to happen.

Baby Girl is getting older

We had a happy and sad day on Monday.  Haley’s first day of preschool.  Haley is now going to preschool two days a week.  We were really nervous about whether she’d like it or not.  She seemed to flip flop when we talked about it. 

Her first day was a smashing success.  She was giddy that morning and squealed at EVERYTHING that night after her big day.  She even prays at night now for Ms. Debbie, Ms. Kimberly, School and her New Friends.  So sweet.  I know she’s only two and a half, but seeing her walking around in her backpack reminds me how short this special time with her is.  I’m so happy to be taking advantage of it!

Fun Weekend!

We had a great weekend!  It was fairly busy, but we got a lot accomplished.  We have a friend who writes a column for the Commercial Appeal that features a home and gives some details around the family that lives there.  Our house is going to be featured soon and the photographer was scheduled to arrive on Saturday at 10:30 in the morning.  So, you can guess how we spent a good part of Friday night.  We’ll post a link when the story goes to print.

Saturday morning started pretty early for me.  I managed to get in a bike ride, which was nice.  I’m trying to get back in the groove of doing some exercise.  The bike ride seemed like the logical choice since it is a part of the triathlon I’ll be doing in early August.  Not to mention, I need to get my legs ready for the MS 150 that is coming in October. 

After the photos were made on Saturday, Laura and Trey went to a baby shower.  Haley and I took off for the pool at Wellworx.  I’m not sure if Haley really enjoys the pool as much as she does moving from one pool to the next.  It didn’t matter which of the 5 pools we were in, she always wanted to be in a different one.  She’s got names for them all.  Baby pool, outside pool, warm pool, cold pool and bubble pool.  The bubble pool is the hot tub.  It is cute to watch her play.  I’d like to put her in swimming lessons soon.  I dunk her under some, but I want her to keep trusting me.  Something just feels wrong about dunking your child underwater. 

Saturday night was laid back.  I cooked chicken and shrimp fajitas and we relaxed…in a clean house! 

Today we went to church and took a nap.  I had another meeting at church at 6.  Laura, Haley and Trey went to the Daugherty’s for a pool party.  I met them there afterwards.  And here we are…another weekend done.  Time really flies when you are having fun.

I’m getting some new studio lights next week so I went on and set up the studio to prepare for the arrival of the lights.  I’m pretty excited.  We’ve been teaching Haley how to show emotions in her face.  I’ll leave you with “happy” and “surprised”.  You guess which is which!

Photos are up!

Photos are up in the Gallery.  Here are a couple from the last few days.  I’m sure more will be up over the next week or so.

We’ve gotten settled in and are happy to be home.  Thanks so much for all the support and prayers.  Laura’s moving around pretty good, but is still a bit tired.  Take a look at the picture of Haley when she was born beside Trey when he was born.  Wow, any resemblance?

Okay, enough posting.  I’m going to sit out on the deck with my family!

Almost time!

Well, we’re about to head to the Germantown Methodist to bring home a new addition to the family.  Thanks for all who have been keeping us in their prayers.  While we’re out, here are a few pictures from the weekend.  The first one is from the Neighborhood party that we had in the park on Sunday.  I like this one because the girls look like the Mod Squad walking towards us.  The next two were early Sunday morning - Haley getting ready for a bath and  a deer in the back yard.

About to Pop!

Well, our ETA is May 19th now.  Over the next few weeks, we’ll nail down a more solid date.  We took some pregnancy pictures of the “belly” a while back, but Laura wanted some new ones since amazingly her belly has seemed to get even bigger.  She’s gotten to the stage now that she is ready for Trey to be out.  I feel for her.  Our bed has got more pillows than you could imagine and Laura still can’t seem to get comfortable.  We’re working on getting a house cleaning company to come out and do a “deep cleaning” on the house soon.  That should take a little bit of the stress off.

Almost a Big Sister!

Well, Haley Girl is almost a big sister.  She’s probably got about three weeks to go.  I sure hope she’s ready.  I sure hope Laura and I are ready.  We’ve got everything done that “needs” to be done, but of course, there are still a million things to do.

Luckily, Haley has picked up potty training in the past few weeks.  We’re nearly accident free at this point.  There are still times it would probably be easier to have her in diapers, but in the long run, I think we’re going to be happy she’s potty trained before Trey arrives. 

We’ve got Soul Mate Live tonight at church.  I’m going to be in it again.  This time as James Bond.  I’m wondering if my dashing good looks helped them to type cast me for this role.  Doubtful. 

We also finished the deck about two weeks ago, but a combination of practice for SML and travel for work has kept us off of it.  It is a shame since the weather has been fantastic.  I’ll try to get some pictures of the deck posted soon, but until then, this photo of Haley on the deck will have to suffice.

Getting Close!

We’re counting down the days!  Little Trey is due in about 5 weeks.  So exciting and it is starting to seem “real”.  Laura’s in full bore “nesting” mode.  Its amazing what somone 8 months pregnant can get done in a day!