Lost Tooth!

Logan finally lost his first tooth. It was loose forever and we tried several times to pull that tooth. We thought it was finally going to come out on Christmas Eve, but it hung in there for a few more days. The Tooth Fairy did visit Logan and left him some $1 coins. Logan thought that was really cool. He asked me to hide them, so his sisters would not steal them from him. :)

Christmas Cards

So, how many pictures do you think that I had to take to get a picture for our Christmas Cards?

Would you believe 51? Yes, that is correct. 51 pictures. Not that I ended up with the perfect picture after 51 tries. I simply gave up. :)

Why is this so painful? I haven't figured that out yet. If someone knows, please clue me in.

Gum, anyone?

Okay, so here is the finished product. But, I have to admit that this one was "touched up".

Here is the original. This is what happens when you give the youngest child a candy cane during the process to try and convince him to sit still. Thanks for fixing the picture, Chris!

I put the rest of the cards in the mail today, so act surprised when you get it out of the mailbox.

Merry Christmas!

TobyMac Concert

We celebrated our 17th anniversary this weekend with a trip to Huntsville to attend a TobyMac concert. We took the kids with us, but we did get to go out to eat on Friday night alone, thanks to Laura. Neil and I had a nice dinner at Carrabba's, while the kids had pizza with Aunt Laura.

On Saturday, Laura and I took the kids shopping. Bad mistake! I was trying to find the kids outfits for the Hanging of the Green that is Wednesday. I had big hopes of finding those perfect outfits and getting great pictures for my Christmas cards. If my photo shoot goes anything like my shopping experience - well, you may not get Christmas cards this year. I did get outfits for the kids, but not before my patience was thoroughly tested and totally gone.

We made in home in time to watch the Bama game and well that didn't turn out any better than my shopping experience. :( I really thought they were going to win the game, but it didn't work out for us.

We left for the concert after the game and that did help lift everyone's spirits. The kids enjoyed the concert. Logan crashed at the very end of it, but prior to that, he was having a blast.

Sick!

I thought I would get my act together and post some pictures from Halloween, but it hasn't happened. I guess since it is nearly Thanksgiving, I will just have to skip Halloween pictures. I'm looking forward to getting together with our families this week. Logan and Lindsey have been sick with a stomach bug, so I hope the rest of us can stay well. I have spent lots of time washing sheets, blankets and wiping everything down with Lysol wipes. Of course, I have washed my hands so many times that they are completely dry.

I hope everyone else stays well and that everyone can enjoy Thanksgiving.

Braces and new glasses in one day!

Back last month, I took the girls to the orthodontist. Lauren was there for a follow-up and Lindsey for consultation. Of course, Lauren is ready for her second set of braces and Lindsey needs her first set. I told the doctor that we couldn't afford to do both, so we had to pick one. After polling family and friends, we decided to do Lindsey's braces. Lauren has already had her first set, so we wanted to get Lindsey started.

So, today was the big day for Lindsey's braces. It took several hours for them to get everything put on, but Lindsey hung in there. She is not feeling so good now, but I know she will be proud of her new smile when she gets the braces off.

After we finished with the braces, we picked up her new glasses. So, not only did Lindsey get braces today, but a new set of glasses! :)

Lauren decided that it was a good thing that she wasn't the one getting braces now after seeing how bad her sister felt this evening. Her turn is coming. ;)

JSU Game

We finally made it to our first JSU game this season. Of course, the kids aren't happy unless I spend a small fortune on concessions and junk. We did manage to make it through the game only spending $10. I really can't take much credit for that. I only had $10 cash. :) I didn't even have to pay for the tickets. Thanks, Kelly!

When I told Logan that we were going to the JSU game, he said he didn't want to go unless Callie was going to be there. Callie and Logan are second cousins and they are also in the same class together at school. They have become big buddies since school has started. So, we had to call and ask Callie if she was going to the game. Luckily, we found out that Callie was going to the game, but they were going to be late. We did not catch up with Callie until late in the third quarter and I thought I was going to loose my sanity before we did. Cell phones can be a good thing! :)

There was a group of guys that were shirtless and each had painted one letter of "Gamecocks" on their chests. In the fourth quarter, they were going around the stadium with the mascot, chanting cheers. When they came by us, one of the guys gave Logan a small football. Logan was thrilled. When we got home, Lindsey runs in the house and says to Neil, "Logan got a football from a half-naked man!" I have no idea what Neil was thinking at that point, but I'm sure he was wondering what happened at the game. Ha-ha! Maybe he needs to go with us next time. ;)

Disney on Ice

We went to Huntsville Friday night to see Disney on Ice. The tickets aren't too terribly expensive, but the souvenirs are outrageous. This is obviously where they make the money. The kids each had $20 to spend from Ma-Maw and Pa-Paw. The girls did fine, but Logan really struggles with the concept of money. He thinks money is unlimited. He spent $18 of his $20 on a light up sword that had a little Stitch character that "surfs" down the sword. About midway through the show, Logan then wanted a cup with a snow cone ($12), some cotton candy (I have no idea how much that was - I'm guessing at least $8-10), a coloring book ($5), a little mermaid light up wand - I think he was desperate at this point. He knew he had money left, but I was having trouble explaining to him that $2 was not enough to buy these other items. After Logan realized that we weren't buying him anything else, he finally stopped crying and enjoyed the rest of the show.

So, it was fun despite Logan's drama over the souvenirs. One day when he is grown, I can tell his kids these stories. I know he is going to love that! :)

Lots of updates!

Soccer really been wearing me out. With three nights a week dedicated to soccer, that doesn't leave much time to do anything else. Logan and Lindsey have thoroughly enjoyed playing, so I can't complain too much. I will be glad to see the end of the season on October 23rd, however. :)

Here is Logan and his friend, Kaitlyn. She is in his class at school and they are big buddies. They are on different soccer teams, but that doesn't bother them.

We have had a new addition to our family. Neil's cousin, Heather, had her baby on October 2nd, so we got to visit with Ada. She is a beautiful baby. The kids all wanted their chance to hold her. Lauren was mad that she didn't get to see her because she had to be at the ballgame to help with the band.

Neil's birthday was September 22nd. The kids and I made him a cake this year and we quickly ate some before Logan's soccer game that night. I'm sure Logan had plenty of energy.

Logan has enjoyed dressing up like a football player. He told me that he is going to be a football player when he gets big. So, here he is dressed up in his Alabama gear. Roll Tide!

Logan's First Soccer Game

Logan had a blast at his first soccer game! Neil said that Logan scored the first goal of the game. I missed the goal because I had to run Lindsey to soccer practice, which was going on at the same time as Logan's game. I dropped off Lindsey and ran over to watch a little bit of Logan's game and then ran back to Lindsey's practice. Whew! I'm worn out!

Logan's number is 1. I'm not sure how he got that number, but he was very tickled about that.
Logan is definitely one of the smaller kids out there, but he has no fear!

I was able to get a lot of great pictures because Logan's group (7 and under) play on the small fields. Lindsey's group plays on the big fields and it was much more difficult to get pictures of Lindsey in action. Lindsey has another game tonight and Logan and Lindsey both have games on Thursday night.

As if I don't have enough to do during the week, Logan came home last week asking to go to Karate two nights a week. Hmmm....Maybe after soccer. :)

Lindsey's first soccer game

Last night was Lindsey's first soccer game. Her team was winning 4 to 1 when we had to leave and make the mad dash from soccer to Lindsey's piano lesson. The first picture is the - "I don't want you to take my picture." I had to plead for the second picture. :)

I think Lindsey had fun - she was asking when her next game is. She doesn't have to wait too long. It is tomorrow.

No pictures, just stuff

Since school has started back, we have been very busy with homework and all the routine changes that school brings with it. Lauren is in the band and has signed up to be a "Runner" for the marching band. This means that she has to help at some of the practices and then attend the ball games on Friday nights too.

Lindsey started piano lessons with a new instructor Tuesday evening. Lindsey was nervous, but I think she is going to really like her new instructor.

Next week, Logan and Lindsey will start soccer practice. Lindsey has practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Logan has practice on Tuesdays. I'm not sure when we will eat dinner on Tuesdays, but hopefully we will figure something out. :)

U.S. Space & Rocket Center

We went to Huntsville this weekend to visit Aunt Laura and we visited the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Logan absolutely loves this place. We went twice last summer and he couldn't wait to go back this summer.

Unfortunately, my children where not in the mood for pictures, so I didn't get many good shots. Lindsey is acting silly trying to keep her hair from blowing.

This is the new Saturn V Exhibit. This wasn't there last year. Logan thought it was neat, but he was in a hurry to get to the "Kids Cosmos" area.

As you can tell, we made it to the kids area and the Logan and Lindsey had a blast! I think Lindsey and Logan rode the mini Space Shot ride twenty times or more. Unfortuantely, those pictures were blurry, so here is another silly picture of them playing.

Logan was finally big enough to do the rock climbing wall. He went right up the wall and came down like a pro. Lauren and Lindsey climbed as well.

I told Aunt Laura that she needs to go back to the museum when she can slowly walk through at her own pace and read the exhibits. The kids aren't patient enough to enjoy all that is there. It is quite an interesting place and to stand right beside one of the rockets or the shuttle is really something to see.

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school and Lauren is in the 7th Grade, Lindsey in the 3rd, and Logan in Kindergarten. It was a bit emotional for me. It was Lauren's first day at the High School and Logan's first day of Kindergarten. I really wish that we had a middle school and I think that would ease my mind considerably. Luckily for me, Neil dropped off Lauren this morning and I dropped off Logan. I think it would have been too much for me to have to drop both of them off.
I was worried that Logan was going to have a hard time this morning, but he saw one of his friends from daycare and he was fine. He went right into the building holding Jaelyn's hand. All summer Logan has been telling me that he doesn't want to go to Kindergarten. When I asked him why, he said, "You know I can't read." I told him that is what he would learn in Kindergarten and he said, "Well, I really don't want to learn to read."

Once Logan got to his classroom, he found some red playdough waiting for him at his seat. He quickly sat down and started playing. He told me bye and I headed off to work. Of course, as I was walking away from the building, I had that lump in my throat and a small tear in my eye.

This afternoon I went and picked up the kids and asked how their day went. Lauren said that she had a good day, but her shoulder was hurting from carrying all her books and stuff. Lindsey said that she had a good day, but she wants to ride the bus. Logan's comment was my favorite. When I asked how he day went, he said, "Today was the longest day of my life!"

Logan is in luck - he doesn't have to go to school tomorrow. In Kindergarten, they send half the class the first day and then the other half the second day, but next week they will all go every day. Next week could be interesting!

Panama City Beach

We had a great week at the beach. We have been going to Panama City Beach, Florida for several years and I don't think I have ever seen the water so clear.

We got to see several firework displays - right off our balcony.

The kids enjoyed lots of swimming and playing in the sand.

Logan pretending to be a crab.

Although they tried, they never did reach China. ;)

We saw a dolphin show - right from our beach chairs.

Later in the week we did a sand sculpture of a dolphin. We didn't win the contest but we had fun! Emily was the master designer. I was her assistant. Lauren, Emily, Braxton, Callie, Lindsey, and Logan all helped. Logan didn't want his picture taken. Can you tell?

We went to Margaritaville and found the "Lost Shaker of Salt." My kids had no clue what that was.

We even played Putt-Putt when it was way too hot to be playing.

Mike taught Logan how to swim. Yea! No more floaties.

And we took some pictures of the extended family. Neil thought we looked like geeks, but I think the pictures turned out really nice. Unfortunately, my digital camera accidentially got changed to a lower setting, so all my digital pictures are very low quality. We did take some pictures with my film camera, so I am hoping that those will turn out well.

Centri-Kid Camp Pictures

Okay, so I didn't get the camp pictures uploaded and posted to my blog before we left for the beach. Sorry about that! I did good to get the clothes washed up and re-packed for the beach Friday night.

Here is our group picture. We took fifteen kids to the week-long camp. I think another twelve kids went to the weekend camp two hours after we returned. Our Pastor to Children and Families (the tall guy in the picture) got to go to both camps. Seven straight days of camp! He is one dedicated guy!The Centri-Kid staff loaned us their golf-cart to transport Megan (middle front) to the different activities at camp. Megan lost her mom to cancer February 2007 and then in the Summer of 2007, she found out that she had cancer. She has been going through chemotheraphy and hopes to finish up her treatments by the end of this year. You can read more about Megan at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/meganbrittain.

Megan was in my room, so I got to spend a lot of time with Megan. Megan has been through more than any eleven year old should have to endure. Even through all her circumstances, Megan has a smile on her face and is truly an inspiration. To watch this child worship God despite her circumstances, really touched my heart. She really helped me put things into perspective in my life. I'm glad that I got the opportunity to spend time with Megan at camp.

How many boys can you fit in a Dodge Caravan? At least eight and two adults. :)

This is Jeff Slaughter. He writes the VBS music for Lifeway. He really loves spending time with the kids at camp and makes camp a lot of fun for the kids. On Wednesday, they had "Slaughter Salon." Jeff and the other Centri-Kid staff members "styled" your hair for a $1 donation to missions.

So, after a trip to the "Slaughter Salon" - we looked like we stepped out of Whoville. It took me three hair washings to get all that hairspray out of my hair. Then I took three ibuprofen tablets to get rid of my headache.

Hanging out in the snack bar after visiting the "Slaughter Salon."

I did enjoy camp, but it was very tiring. I was getting up at 5:30am and going to bed after 11:30pm every night. Yeah, lights out was supposed to be at 10:30pm, but that never happened. Especially after a trip to the snack bar at 9:30pm every night. The snack bar was my least favorite aspect of camp. Trust me, the workers in the snack bar weren't happy about it either. :)

I hope that I can do it again next year.