Chillin' in Ohio

We had the chance to visit my parents over President's Day weekend. The weekend went so fast. I wasn't used to the cold and all of the snow. This is the first time I have used a heavy winter coat all winter. The boys loved playing in the snow and sledding. My parents had about 18 inches of snow at the cabin. Chris put the boys on a sled and pulled it with the 4 wheeler. I know, real safe!

We enjoyed visiting Shiloh Chapel on Sunday morning. It was wonderful to see all of our old church friends. Hopefully we can plan a longer trip in the future.

Snow Day!

We had our first snow day in Tennessee. Since I am back to teaching now, I got to stay home with Ethan and Tyler. Both the county and city school systems cancelled school last night with just the threat of snow. We ended up getting about an inch and then it turned to rain by the afternoon.

Ethan and Tyler couldn't get outside fast enough. This is the first time all winter that we had to break out the heavy winter coats. We have yet to use the snow suits.

See Rock City

The weather was so warm here last weekend, so we went to Rock City. It is about 30 minutes from our house. We have always seen the barns and signs on the side of the road advertising it, but we have never been. We loved it so much that we ended up buying a membership. (Thanks Grandpa & Grandma Dick for this Christmas gift.)

There was a Fat Man Squeeze. Chris and I had to lean to the side to get through. You can see that Ethan can reach both sides of the rocks. There was also an underground Mother Goose village. Tyler loved looking at all of the lifesize statues and figures.

The scariest part was the swinging bridge. We were on top of Lookout Mountain and if you did run or jump, the bridge would shake! Tyler was fearless. I can't wait to go back in the Spring when all of the flowers are in bloom. I'm sure it will be beautiful!

Christmas Angel????
Ethan gave Chris and I a calendar for Christmas. It had this picture and poem at the top of it. I thought it was very clever and I wanted to share it. I also thought that Ethan really did look like an angel with his blond curls. He made it in his kindergarten class. I thought his teacher was very creative.

Merry Christmas

We hosted Christmas this year at our house. Amber's parents drove down from Ohio. We were also blessed to have my brother, Aaron, his wife, Virginia, and their children with us as well. We rounded out our crowd with my sister, Jessica, from Nashville. It was a wonderful holiday. The weather was warm and beautiful. (Pictured: My mom, Virginia, My dad, me)

Ethan got a Columbus Bluejacket's Hockey Jersey with his name on it. He loves it! He also got a pair of rollerblades from his grandparents. He got a pitchback to practice catching his baseballs from mom and dad. I think his favorite was the first season of Wonder Woman on DVD.



Tyler got everything Thomas the Train. His papa also got him a punching bag with boxing gloves. (Thanks, Dad!) Chris got me a new Coach purse and I love it!

It was great to have Aunt Jessie here for the holidays. She had a great time playing with all of the kids. (Pictured: Ethan, Ireland, Riley, Tyler, Aiden, Aunt Jessie)

Horsing Around

We went to South Carolina to visit Chris' parents for Thanksgiving. The boys had a great weekend, spending time with their grandparents. Ethan got to ride the big horse. He seems to be a natural. He did a great job steering the horse and did not seem scared at all. Uncle Jamie came out and took Ethan and Cousin Dylan on the four wheeler.

Tyler got the ride the minature horse, Cupcake. He loved the horse and was feerless. While we were there, Papa bought a pony and a wagon for the kids to ride around in. They both seemed to love it. Chris is taking the boys back to visit next weekend and the boys are going to ride in a Christmas parade with the new pony and wagon.

I'm sorry the postings are a little sporadic. I went back to work at the beginning of November. I am teaching math at the local high school. Our schedule is very busy, but it is nice to be back at work. Tyler is attending a local preschool and he loves it! I am really looking forward to Christmas break!

Happy Thanksgiving

Things have been rather hectic around here. I went back to teaching two weeks ago. Cleveland High School offered me a temporary math position. I am filling in for a teacher on maternity leave. Tyler loves his new school. He attends La Petitie Academy. He talks all the time about "Tyler's school."

Ethan's school had a Thanksgiving day program and dinner for the families. Since I am working, I was unable to attend, but Chris went. Chris said that the kids sang a song and read a poem. Ethan was so excited that his father was there.

We are headed to South Carolina next weekend for the holidays. The boys are excited about seeing their grandparents. I hope the weather is nice so the boys can ride horses.

Happy Halloween

Ethan and Tyler were the Lone Ranger and Tonto for halloween this year. Ethan was so excited because he had guns with his costume. We took the kids to the YMCA on Friday night for their celebration. There were games and food. Ethan loved the big blow up toys that he could jump on. Tyler was the hit of the event with his wig.

On halloween night we went across to our neighbor's house to trick or treat. We then went to a big party at First Baptist church. The boys has such a good time. We definitly missed all of our family and friends.

Fall Break
I took the boys to Ohio for a quick weekend. Ethan had Friday off school for Fall break. I'm sorry to all of our friends we didn't get to see. It was too quick of a weekend. We went to Young's Dairy on Saturday with Aunt Virginia, Cousin Ireland, Riley and Aiden. Mama and Papa Douglass took us. We had a good time. Tyler loved the train ride. He rode it twice. Ethan visited the batting cages and got hit on the hand with the third pitch. After a few tears, he was fine. We celebrated Tyler's birthday and he got alot of Thomas the Train stuff. We also celebrated Papa Dick's birthday by going to Dave and Busters. Happy 58th Papa! We love you!

Tyler's 2!!!

Tyler had his second birthday on October 12th. He had an all Thomas the Train birthday. He is obsessed with trains. We just had a small party at home with our immediate family. The day after his birthday he climbed up on the kitchen counter and pulled the rest of his cake onto the floor. It landed frosted side down. I was not very happy. He didn't understand why we had to throw the cake away. He now walks around the house and says "Tyler two." He is talking so much; now if he would only grow.