Chattanooga Marathon

Last weekend my family from Alabama came up for a visit, and to come to my dad's retirement reception last Sunday. On Friday, Jackson and Blake met everyone at Sticky Fingers for dinner, and Cold Stone for dessert. I stayed home with Claire (thank you hand. foot, and mouth funk). On Saturday, Blake went with all the guys to play golf, and all the girls took the kiddos downtown. We went to the Aquarium, water play area, Mellow Mushroom, and then the Creative Discovery Museum. It was a super fun day, but I do believe we wore the children out.

The Zoo...and I am going to have a Niece!

Yesterday, after preschool, the weather was way too nice to just come home, eat lunch, and take a nap! We met up with the Coffman's and had a picnic at Warner Park, and walked around the zoo again. We had the best time. The children all rode the carousel, and just enjoyed being outside. They have the nicest little playground there...we stayed in that area for over an hour.

Last night, we went to Brad and Lydia's house for the gender reveal! It's a girl!!! We couldn't be more excited!! We are so excited to meet Josie in August! We are thankful we can start praying for her by name each night. Ribbons, and Bows, and SHOES, oh my! :)

Fun at the Zoo

Jackson's school offers Stay Day on Tuesdays, which means they have the option to stay and play on the playground and eat lunch until 2:00. He has never wanted to stay before, but decided he wanted to stay on Tuesday. I am sure it had nothing to do with his buddy Cheng Yu staying. Ha!

While he was at preschool, Claire and I met my friend Amy and her daughters, Kenzi and Livi, at the zoo.

Claire liked the ducks and coyote, which she referred to as a dog. Mostly, she liked the playground.

We left the zoo, and met Blake at Taco Mamacita for lunch. He didn't have students on Tuesday, so that was a nice treat. I have never been there to eat and it was so delicious!! After that, we made a little Target trip and it was time to pick up the Jack-Man! We missed him, but he was having a great time, too!

Museum Day

Yesterday, Blake and I took Jack and Claire to the Discovery Museum. One of the neat things about Blake's job is that he gets a Museum Passport for our family, and we get to go to all of the museums in town for free. I love free! This passport is a total blessing to our family, and we use it often!

On the 19th Day of Christmas: He Knows My Name

Today's Advent Reading: Luke 2:1-7

5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:5-7

We talked today about why Mary and Joseph were traveling. We also talked about how even though there are lots and lots of people in the world, God knows each and every one of us, and has a plan for us. He knows our name!

I know this Advent expereince that Blake and I decided to do with Jackson was designed for a preschooler, but it is touching my heart in many ways, and has been such a blessing to me this Christmas.

Normalpalooza 2011

Saturday, we went the morning at Normalpalooza. It is a festival put on at Blake's school as a fundraiser. I wish I had my camera, but Blake took a few pics with his phone. Some family came in from Alabama this weekend to visit my grandmother (who is temporarily living with my parents). James, Sherry, and Sawyer stopped by for a little while. Sawyer and Jack loved the bouncy house and tricycle races. Fun times!! :)

Happy Birthday, Abby!

Saturday, we went to Abby's birthday party at Pie Slinger's. We have never been there before, and I immediatly grabbed my camera after two people carried out the largest pizza I have ever seen. Crazy!

After eating pizza and cake, we headed over to the Pumpkin Patch Playground to play. Jackson and I have been before, but this was Blake's first visit. Such a beautiful place!

A Day at the Museum with Jack and Claire

Jackson woke up Wednesday and requested a trip to the Museum. We did not really have any other plans, so we all got dressed and headed downtown for the day. He really liked the "Bob the Builder" exhibit, so we spent much of our morning upstairs. Claire enjoyed "The Little Yellow House." This was her first trip where she was old enough to really get out of her stroller and enjoy. We such a fun time...the only minor catastrophe happened while we were walking back to our car...Claire's blankie fell out of the stroller...I realized it when we were almost back to the car...we parked several blocks away....luckily, it was still laying on the sidewalk. I am not sure who would have been more upset, Claire or her mama. She loves that blankie.

I really enjoyed my time with Jackson on Wednesday. He is becoming such a little boy. So curious. Always asking questions. He wonders why things work the way they do. He is growing up, and I love the little guy he is becoming.

Sunday Snapshots