Meet the new Hannah

Andrew says this was an experience he will never forget!

After the campout the guys got home-hungry, wet and tired. It rained all night. They had trouble with fire, mud and staying dry. They called me while they were driving home and said make some food. When Andrew prayed for our food-he mentioned how we were thankful for a great experience at the camp out but hoped next months campout would be a little bit easier!!

Blake's friend Bryce Caten from McMinnville came and camped with them and spent the next day visiting.

They seemed to recover fast!

The boys at the Predators game

Girls NIGHT!

While the boys are away......

The girls must play!!!

Steve, Blake and Andrew went on a boy scout camp out last night in the rain and cold!!! Sounds like fun uh! My twinners, mom and meredith- met up with us last night for some girls night shopping. Lucy and Rachel turned 14 this week. So they came for some party time in the boro!

We had so much fun. I am so glad to share this fun time with them. Leah Beth and Caroline LOVED it!

Andrew's birthday gift!

fruit loops and Cheetos at the front door!

At the strike of March 22..The doorbell rang. We just happened to be still awake. Steve-Blake-and Andrew started running down the driveway to catch the gift giver!!! A SUV dark in color-with what seemed to be a load of boys...but maybe it was girls. We really didn't get a good enough look. As far as we know The Hale's were just getting back from Disney-Matheny's were at Mama C's---Who could it be? Andrew's teacher Ms. Jones is our #1 suspect! She won't answer her phone. Is she on a trip or hiding from us? If anyone knows who left Andrew with a yard full of work for his birthday ...we'd LOVE to know!

Andrew's big day at church

Today Andrew received the priesthood at church and became a deacon! He was so excited. I think even a little bit nervous. I am glad he is taking it all very serious though. His dad gave him the sweetest blessing. Steve and I kept going over all the things that were said. I grabbed a couple of photos in his new suit. I wanted to share a few.

We were so excited to share this day with Nana, Papa, GMA, Uncle Bruce's gang. Andrew's all about family! It was an extremely special day in his life. I have this serious problem...I can't stop crying every milestone each of my kids reach. You would think I would get used to this but NO....I couldn't get the water off for awhile. Finally I had to make myself stop thinking about it! This is such a neat time in our life.

Happy Birthday my Sweet Boy!

Today Andrew is 12! I can't believe 12 years ago I held my little guy for the first time. Andrew you have brought me years of laughs and so much joy. It is like we have a constant comedian in the house! I can't imagine my life without you. Your fun love and humor has gotten me through the hardest times of my life. I love how you have a strong sense of family and want family peace! I am so proud of your hard work and endurance with every single thing you do. I think it is so neat how you are a good friend to everyone you meet-age or size. I love how you value your friends and family and always show love and gratitude to all of us! I thank my Heavenly Father every night that I have been blessed with an incredible little man that has taught me so much. How did I get so lucky! I hope your big 12 was fun and just what you wanted. I love you!

Q marries U

Friday March 7 Q and U became QU!!!

The beautiful maid of honor!

The maid of honor taking her place to the beat of the music!!!


Q gives U a ring made of pipe cleaner!They leave for the reception. The maid of honor has to hold on to the best man's arm. She said Jack really doesn't want me to hold his arm but Mrs. Burgess says he has too! Caroline grabbed hold and told him "Let's Go!"
Wedding bliss. I think they had more cake than my wedding! What a fun day!

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Andrew crashing

Blake crashing!

I woke up this Sat. morning to Andrew at 6AM. Mom look outside. We had a blizzard!!! Next followed the other three. Can we go out now? By 8 AM all my photo shoots had cancelled but one. SO out we go! We have not had enough snow to sled...really...I don't know if we had enough this time. Maybe just barely enough. Some spots we were more or less muddin' down the hills!!

I missed living beside the Galloway's today. The last really big snow we had we were with them and we played for hours.

We met up with the Bargatze boys to have some fun. Our four were all smiles the whole time. I kept thinking in my mind. This is one of those days I wish could last forever!

Andrew's feet in the air again!Andrew crashing again!

A good end!

We ended our biggest loser competition tonight a couple of weeks early. Everyone has had a great start on their weight loss. Mckenzie and Zack were the winners. We were 2nd. Our percentage together was 13.35%. I was so proud. Steve lost 40 pounds with 14.4% and I lost 18 pounds with 11.4%.I wanted to drop 20 before the competition ended but I am still going to try and get the last 2 alone! I feel so much better and I am so so glad we did this. I would have never done 7 weeks without my friends to motivate me!

I am just praying for sleep tonight. No one is sleeping here with all this sick stuff going around. Maybe since they are all on meds now maybe we'll start getting a little better.

Sickies!!!

I've got a bunch of sickies around here. It started with Blake on Friday. He missed his Regional wrestling tourn. this past Sat. Then on to Caroline and now Leah Beth. I am taking them all to the doctor today! I am guessing FLU..since Blake is still fevering!


On a better note Andrew took 3rd in the regional wrestling tournament on Saturday. He gets to go to STATE. His first time ever! So for the next two weeks he will be working so hard to get ready! He is so excited.
Steve has the pictures so hopefully I can get them from him to post later.

Monkey bread and Choc. chip cake

monkey-bread chocolate-chip-cake

Go check out the monkey bread recipe and chocolate chip cake over on the solomon cookbook.

Late Valentines post!

I am behind on my blogging. This has turned out to be a very busy week. But I seem to do better when I am busy. Grandma has the flu. Leah Beth has her recheck at vandy today. Blake tried our for soccer so we are overlapping sports again. We only have 4 more weeks of wrestling though.

I wanted to post about our Valentines package we recieved from Aunt Chrys. I was home getting ready to leave and I heard the mailman stop. I looked thru the peep hole in the door. I kept thinking I haven't ordered pictures. Lo and behold we got a package. It has been forever since we have gotten a package in the mail that wasn't pictures. I was so excited. I felt like a kid...I ripped open the box to find lots of valentine goodies for all of us. I took it with me to pick up the kids. They were so excited. We all felt so loved. Thanks Aunt Chrys for thinking of us!!!

Happy Birthday William

Happy Birthday sweet 16! Can boys have a sweet 16 too? I can't believe it's already time for 16! That really makes me feel old! My favorite memory of William is having him come to Johnson City and spending a week-end with me right before the twins were born. We meet Uncle A half way. Steve and I didn't have children yet and we were so excited to have this little man come hang out with us. He totally got spoiled rotten. I took him to work with me. We went to the mall, out to eat...anything he wanted I bought him. I was a working woman then! We had the best time.
Another funny memory of William when the twins were born he was in his car seat in the middle of their vehicle. He had an infant car seat on both sides. I guess the story went something like this...the babies were crying so he decided to pull both their noses. He said he was honking thier nose. The babies cried harder and he laughed! Sounds like his Dad. See what us little sisters have to endure!
I love you William. I hope you have an incredible Sweet 16!

We Won!

Last nights weigh ins turned out to be successful! I don't know about that Demos meal after the weigh ins! I am so excited. It keeps me motivated each week when we go to the weigh ins. I think Steve and Zack have lost 30 something pounds. WOW! Our total group weigh loss was something like 180 something pounds. I don't have all the exact stats-but I thought that was really great. We need to call the newspaper. I thought it was so funny yesterday all my shoes were too big. I guess my feet were fat too!!!

15 year Anniversay!

Today is our 15 year Anniversary. I feel like the Shania Twain song....Looks like we made it...look how far we've come my baby! I can't believe it's been 15 years. I feel like I have blinked and my life is a whirlwind. The last five years are the ones that have really zoomed by! Life with my honey seems to get better each day!

(Stole from Katie's blog on her anniversary.)

15 things I love about my hubby!

1. He loves me...and some times that has to be really hard. I am a bit bossy! (Adrian no comments please )

2. He loves his family.

3. He's passoniate about whatever he is doing. He does it with all his heart.. now this could be four wheeling-remote control cars, ufc,FHE, working out, scouting, Whatever he is doing he does it with all he has!

4. He is Blake and Andrew's scout leader and takes them camping to do the BOY stuff!

5. He lets the girls fix him up. He loves it when they get all dressed up with make up and dolls and dance around the house.

6. He doesn't quit something when he starts..once he makes up his mind he really tries hard.

7. He is a HARD worker. He works two jobs. I love a hard worker.

8. He is not concerned with my clothes or hair...just whatever I like he's fine with!

9. He is fun to hang out with.

10. He's happy to eat where ever I choose!

11. He watches sappy love story movies with me...although I know he would rather have an action packed.

12. Some times he gives me yellow roses for the kids birthdays because he says It's because of me that they are here.

13. He would love to have 8 more kids.

14. He's always protective over me and the children. He cares where we are and what we are doing.

15. He likes to hear me sing Karoke!!! He loves it when my Dad sings with the guitar.... And lately he's been singing Karoke too! WOW big step for ole Stevie boy.

I love you Steve!

Six months one year AnniversaryWe're having a baby!!!!Newborn Blakepregnant with AndrewSteve's scoutNewborn AndrewFour Years!!!Five Years! On this anniversary we were still in college with two little boys. We lived in a small 800 Sq. Foot house that was so cold and old (but I really liked it-Steve hated it) It cost $250 a month!!! Both of our cars broke down. We had to borrow nana and Papa's car to get to work and school!Our first garden!Our first house!Pregnant with Leah BethNewborn Leah Beth
Blake's first day of school! This was one of the hardest days for me!!! I think I cried for two weeks!Six years! We went mountain bike riding. Nana watched the kids. Leah Beth was still nursing and cried the whole time! Poor Nana! Pregnant with Caroline
Sweet little blue Caroline!

Nine years