September 2013

September was a great month, and we were able to do a lot of fun things!

 

At the very beginning of the month, we visited my Mamaw (the kids' Great Mamaw).  I shared a couple of pictures from this visit in Nora Kate's weekly updates, but here are a few that include the boys!

 

Dawson LOVES riding his bike right now.  September was full of neighborhood walks and trips to the park so that Dawson could ride his bike.  Usually Dawson rides his bike, I carry Nora Kate in the carrier on my front-she's happy and warm and sleeps the whole time, and Carter rides in his push tricycle. 

 

On one of John's off Thursdays at the beginning of the month, we decided to take the kids to Gym Bugs to play.  I wore Nora Kate in the carrier on my front where she slept most of the time.  The boys had a blast jumping and being wild there.  Best part...we ran into our friends Charlie, Olivia, and Andrea AND Colt and Alana!  It was great!

Above:  Olivia and Carter on a slide!

Above:  Dawson loves to go, go, go and be busy all the time, but in September I did manage to have a few at home days to play and enjoy a calmer morning (I'm hoping to allow for a few more of these in October!)  Anyway, I took Nora Kate to change her diaper and when I was coming back to the playroom, I noticed it was very, very quiet.  I snuck a peek and Dawson was "reading" to Carter.  They sat like this about 5 minutes Dawson "reading" and Carter listening intently, until they realized I was watching.  Sweet brothers!

 

 

This month we also celebrated Grandparent's Day!  I took the kids to visit each set of Grandparents, and we delivered a little craft!

Above:  Grandparent's Day Craft-It is almost impossible to get a newborn to make a handprint with paint, so we settled for a fist print! :)

 

When we visited the Knoxville Zoo this month, we took Nana with us!  The kids had fun showing her all the animals and fun things they do at the zoo!

 

While at the zoo, we got to feed the budgies!  They put seeds on the end of a stick, and the birds eat them.  The boys enjoyed this!

 

Below:  John was feeding this bird, and Carter reached out to touch it.  This scared the bird and it flew INTO Carter's face!  (All of this happened as I was snapping this picture!)  When it happened Carter announced, "All done!"

 

It was a nice morning so we took advantage of the playground and sand area at the zoo too!

Above:  Nora Kate's second zoo visit!

Above:  Petting zoo fun!

 

Since we went to the Tennessee Valley Fair last September, Dawson has been asking when the fair would be back and has literally been counting down the days!  So on a Friday night in early September, John and Grandad took Dawson to the fair!  All three had a blast!  Dawson had A LOT of stories to tell about the rides, animals, and trying cotton candy when he got home!!!

 

I think we're finally falling into a routine with Dawson having school two mornings a week.  I still miss Dawson so much, and it seems so weird when he isn't with me these mornings, BUT he LOVES school!!  I have really enjoyed getting to have a little one on one time with Carter.  One Wednesday morning we met friends at Tumble Bears to play...every picture I took of Carter there was a blur!  Here he is on the inflatable!

 

Above:  Nora Kate slept the entire time we were at TumbleBears, and so did her friend, Gianni who is 6 days older than her!

 

The weekend of September 21 was a fun and busy one with John's sister getting married!!!  Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of the actual wedding to share (yet-hopefully soon!), but it was beautiful.  AND I do have a few from the pre-wedding festivities...

Above:  Nora Kate and I headed to the bridesmaids luncheon on Friday.

Above:  Dawson, Nora Kate, and I at the rehearsal.

Our family at the wedding rehearsal (or as Dawson called it the "practice wedding.")  (For some reason, Dawson kicked his shoes off as we were taking these pictures.)

 

And a couple more pictures from the rehearsal...

Notice Nora Kate and I in our matching dresses! :)

 

Friday, September 27, we celebrated John's 29th birthday!  That evening we had Grandad, Nana, Lolly, Pop, Uncle Logan, Aunt Emily, Eric, and Drew over to celebrate with us! 

After much debate on what kind of cake Dawson wanted to make for his Daddy, we decided on making a football cake!  We grilled steaks, ate dinner, had cake, opened gifts, and then played outside and roasted marshmallows and made s'mores over the fire pit!  We had a great time celebrating! 

 

On Sunday we continued celebrating John's birthday, with a trip to Dollywood!  We hadn't been since about a week and a half before Nora Kate was born, and Dawson has been asking to go EVERYDAY!  So he was thrilled when we told him at breakfast our plans for the day!  The last time we went it was SOOO hot (and I was pregnant), but this time it was a mild fall morning that made for a perfect Dollywood day.  It wasn't too crowded, so we got to do a lot!

Nora Kate's first visit to Dollywood!

 

Carter prefers riding with Dawson, so he's looking a little lonely here.

 

Since I have been pregnant the whole season going to Dollywood, we haven't gotten to go on any of the big roller coasters or adult rides, so this time John and I switched out and got to ride the Tennessee Tornado and the Barnstormer!  Dawson informed me that it was okay for the to do these since Nora Kate had already gotten out of my tummy.  :)  While we switched out watching the kids and riding the roller coasters, the boys LOVED this little play area!  Look at Carter's sweet smile!

 

And finally, Carter fell asleep about half way through our walk back to the van!  This is what a long, fun day at Dollywood will do to you!  :)

 

Every Monday night in September, we also enjoyed going to Dawson's soccer games and practices!  I'm going to wait until the end of the season and do a little soccer post, so I haven't included any pictures here just yet. 

 

September was such a fun month!  October is looking to be just as fun with a visit to the pumpkin farm, the Foothills Fall Festival, and, of course, Halloween festivities all planned!