This is a photo dump from October to December. Jimmy has talked me, against my will, into getting an Android phone. I've been a loyal iPhone girl for years but mine has died a slow death and can no longer be saved. Jimmy's was ancient too so when Verizon had a BOGO deal at Christmas we both decided it was time. It should be delivered any minute and I'm honestly worried I may never "phone home" again. Technology is not my friend. Anyway, before wiping out my old iPhone, I got all the pictures off and onto the blog.
It's currently New Years Eve and I'm sitting on the bed with 2 fur babies and a sick little girl while the boys are out hunting. Here's a look at life lately...
Keatyn had a great cross country season and improved SO much from start to finish. Her and Emerson actually qualified for the State in Knoxville as the only 3rd grade girls!! We were really excited for them and super proud of Keatyn's growth!
We celebrated my precious Nanny's 91st birthday at O'Charleys on October 14th. She is so amazing and we feel so blessed to still have her!
4 generations...
How many shots does it take to get a good one?!?
We gave up.
Family picture! Minus Kadi and Van who were in the corner breastfeeding. Lol!
Sweet Marilyn has been coming for Nanny's birthday for years but wasn't feeling up to it this year, so we sent her a miss you message...
In mid October we went to State in Knoxville with the 4th and 5th graders.
I don't think these 2 made it on the Mexico blog post but I love them so I'm including them here. This was at the spa pool at the resort.
At the end of October, Kadi and Andy had a wedding in Florida so I spent the night at their house and kept the boys. Mom and I took Roman and the kids to the Creative Discovery Museum. Such a fun afternoon!
Halloween wasn't like our traditional one. The weather was TERRIBLE with heavy rains, the Dierks were sick with pneumonia and Trace had wrestling practice until late so we just picked up a pizza and wore something we already had and trick or treated in our neighborhood. Not nearly as much fun as going to Nana and Papaws with everyone like we're used to, but we made the best out of it...
Keatyn was the dinosaur this year and Trace was the blue blob. They could barely fit on the porches together. Lol! I think she made it to 3 houses in that costume before heading for home. Trace went to every house he could.
Sheila and Rick came to visit and brought them a puzzle of pictures from their wedding. It was so cool! They love a good puzzle and spent hours on this one.
So Trace starting wrestling for this first time this year. I can't even express how proud I am of this kid. It's hard to go against kids that have been doing something for years and years and step out of your comfort zone to try something new. He ended up really liking the sport and ended the season with 4 pins!!! Leslie snapped this picture at the Charger Clash at school. I will admit, watching your son wrestle is TOUGH. I have vowed to stop watching and recording at the same time. I scream and grunt and twist with his the entire time and that just doesn't work when you are trying to video it. Lol! I wish the videos would load on her so I could keep them forever but I don't know that I could stand to hear my voice over and over again. Love this boy SO much!!
Coach Wheeler was amazing! He pours into the kids so much and was wonderful to always pull them aside and explain stuff or pray with them. He was one of the main reasons Trace loved it. That's what a good coach does!!
Leslie and I working the concession stand...
The kids were out of school the entire week of Thanksgiving, so on Sunday the 3 of us headed to Destin to meet mom and dad who were already there. Jimmy stayed home to hunt and then Andy and Kadi got there with boys on Tuesday. We headed home on Thursday to be with Jimmy on Thanksgiving and celebrate with Jim and Sylvia. I absolutely cherish these family memories...
We ate lunch at the marina on Thanksgiving morning before the kids and I headed home. It was hard to leave but we made it home in 6.5 hours. That's the day to travel!
Sweet babies first Thanksgiving! LOVE that boy!!
That weekend, we went to see Frozen 2. I'm pretty sure Frozen was Keatyn's first movie at the theater. I think she was barely 2 years old and sat completely mesmerized by the movie. I also remember I had JUST bought my first pair of Uggs and the kids spilling their bucket of popcorn all over them during the movie. I scrubbed movie butter popcorn out of them for days. Ha!
On Saturday we had Thanksgiving at Granddaddy and Sistys house...
Playing poker while watching the Iron Bowl...
On December 5th, we celebrated Timber's 5th birthday. I love this picture because it looks like he's blowing out the candles. I promise we gave him a bag of birthday bones. Is it mean to make a plate of brownies that dogs obviously can't have on his birthday? Love that dog and all the joy he brings to our family.
And on December 6th, Jimmy and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary. Sadly, celebrated is too strong a word. We haven't been on an anniversary date or even exchanged cards yet but we will make it happen soon!! (I hope...the cards are still on the counter :) Best "yes" I ever said on December 6, 2003. As tradition, we watched our wedding video and our kids marveled at how young we once were ;)
And Cheeky finally showed up... with a letter and new sign in hand. He was far tamer this year than he's ever been.
Grandparents Day at school was a little different this year. They did lower school in the morning and upper school in the afternoon. I met them all at Clyde's for lunch to get Keatyn and then they took Trace back for his. The grands are absolutley the BEST and we are so blessed to have them!
More wrestling fun in November and December...
When we were in Destin, Kadi and I planned to get the kids picture made at Coolidge Park to give my parents for Christmas. We met one Sunday and then let the kids ride the carousel...
Keatyn's Christmas program at school... That smile ;)
More wrestling...
He got a pin at McCallie in front of all the grands... there may have been tears from one or more. They were so proud of their boy.
This deer. Jimmy has been hunting THIS deer for 2 years. It was a big deal. He worked SO hard to get this thing and I was so happy for him. It is a HUGE 10 pointer. Didn't love that its head ended up in my freezer or on top of my island but...
Shooting his crossbow...
My favorite nights around the Christmas tree, snuggled up watching a movie...
And before we knew it, Christmas was here! Christmas pajama for the win!
And The Office pajamas...
Christmas party at school...
Then we met sweet Thatcher and his mom for hot chocolate and ice skating... Love these sweet friends.
I went back to school to get Trace, Jack and Alex because they had a full day of school and then tortured them by not allowing them to ice skate. They found a big ice block to play on while Keatyn finished up. I owe them one. Lol!
We met my girls and ALL of our kids at Lupis for lunch and our 11th annual holiday party. I can't believe we started this tradition when Trace, Jack and Abby were a year old making Christmas cookies. Oh I love these people! We have since done, gingerbread houses, pottery, and now glass ornaments. This is the first time in years we've had everyone present. Landon is now in college (thank you for obliging a few old ladies) and baby Henry is due in February. Hello age gap. :)
Our dishwasher died and I forgot to add the installation part to my Lowes order. Oops... sorry honey.
Making sausage balls...
This timehop on Facebook nearly brought me to tears. Keatyns first Christmas. One day I'm going to try and round up all the past Christmas cards and take pictures to put them in order.
We celebrated sweet Henry at a shower for Leslie. I can't wait to meet this baby boy!
We did a family date night at Stir and then on to Ruby Falls to see Santa...
They come by this naturally. Jimmy loves to scare his mom to death any chance he gets.
After Ruby Falls, we drove to Soddy Daisy to see this house covered in Christmas lights. The kids climbed onto the sunroof to watch. The lights were synchronized to music and it was AMAZING. The Hallelujah Chorus, Little Drummer Boy, God Bless the USA. We watched the entire cycle, about 40 minutes. If that didn't put you in the holiday spirit, nothing would.
Exchanging gifts with Sisty and Granddaddy...
Then Christmas Eve at Nana and Papaws...
Then later that night... Santa came
Later on Christmas Day, we headed to Alabama. I love Christmas there. Mimmies 10...
Keatyn loves taking pictures...
Family picture... I can't believe we pulled this off!
After we left the next day, Jimmy and I decided to stop in Huntsville at the Embassy Suites and go to the U.S. Space Museum the next day. I literally say everytime we pass it on the way to Florence that one day we will stop. Keatyn was still a little too young but we loved it and stayed most of the day!
The Virtual Reality space walk, the planetarium movie and the wind machine were some of our favorites.
The wind machine was not kind to his hair. LOL!
We have 4 hours left in 2019. It had been a wonderful year and I will cherish these memories forever! Our kids are growing up SO fast and I don't want to miss a minute. Cheers to 2020!!
