10 Year Anniversary

June 16th John and I celebrated our TENTH wedding anniversary!  It's absolutely crazy to me that we have been married 10 years already!  We had always told each other that when we had been married for 10 years we would take a trip without the kids to the beach or somewhere semi-far for 5 days to a week long so we could completely relax and enjoy each other's company.  Well, as our anniversary got nearer and nearer we still hadn't booked anything because we were nervous about leaving Clayton very long since he had been weaned from nursing for less than a month.  Also, keeping a 14 month old, 3 year old, 5 year old, and 8 year old is not easy for anyone so we knew we would have to divide the kids up for the grandparents to keep them and that a week was too long to ask anyone to keep the kids.  We still have high hopes of going on a week long trip just the two of us one day, but I don't foresee that happening any time soon.  BUT we did get to getaway to celebrate for two nights!!  It was absolutely perfect because I wouldn't have wanted to be away from Clayton any longer (and NK and Clayton ended up being a little sickly (summer colds and Clayton's first ear infection) so it was nice to be nearby and only gone for the weekend.

We went to Gatlinburg Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.

We left Friday around lunchtime and went to Gatlinburg through Townsend so that we could stop for a delicious lunch at the Burger Master:

I love the above burger master picture-look how relaxed we look knowing we are just beginning a weekend of relaxation! Haha!

First activity was a hike.  We planned to do Grotto Falls, but first we did about a mile hike through some of the area of the mountains destroyed by fire last year.

It was odd how you could still smell the burned smell, but neat to see that even in all destruction (the ground was even burnt) you could see green plants beginning to grow again and we saw several deer in this area too.

See the deer in front of John.

Then we headed on to hike to Grotto Falls.

It was absolutely beautiful and such a fun hike.

You could go behind the waterfall.

So pretty!

Yup, there's the waterfall! Haha

After our hike we headed to our hotel in Gatlinburg to get cleaned up.  Then we went to the Island in Pigeon Forge.

We have wanted to have dinner at Paula Deen's Family Kitchen for a couple of years now, so we decided this was the perfect time. We did late dinner reservations for 7pm (seriously, we were living it up not having bedtimes and bathtimes to work around haha! We NEVER, I mean, NEVER eat dinner at 7pm because the kids would be STARVING haha!)  

Obviously Paula wanted her picture taken with me while I was at her restaurant.

John and I have been working to eat really healthy, but we splurged and had dinner at this restaurant-well, we were absolutely stuffed!  The food was delicious!

The next morning John and I got up and went for a 3 mile run together through Gatlinburg.  Then we went to Dollywood without the kids (shhhh....don't tell them!).  We got there before they opened for the day, and we rode 3 grown up rides-The Lightening Rod, the new Dropline (wow, this was intense, but fun), and the Mystery Mine.  You can see the Dropline in the picture behind us.  It is SO high-our ears popped at the top!  It was crazy but we did the 3 rides we wanted to do and left Dollywood 45 minutes after they opened!  We just wanted to do those 3 that we never really get to do, and then we headed to the outlets to do some shopping and have lunch.

We had a relaxing afternoon and then headed out to dinner that night.

Sunday morning we got up and worked out together in the hotel gym before packing up to return home to the kids.

We had to snap one last picture in our hotel room (pretty cool hotel-it had a fireplace), before leaving--this was our first try at using the timer on our phone for a picture.

We had an amazing weekend celebrating our 10 year anniversary!  It was perfect-perfectly relaxing, the perfect amount of time, and the perfect distance away (not too far from the kids).  We enjoyed each other's company and being and to talk, exercise, hike, shop, and have fun together!  On the beautiful drive home through the mountains we both agreed that we need to get away for a weekend more often as it was so refreshing.  I am so thankful to have such a wonderful husband-10 years has absolutely flown by!

Clayton at 14 Months

Our sweet baby is fourteen months!  What a joy Clayton is...really!  He is always so easy and happy.  He brings us all so much joy!  We are beginning to see his personality more and more each day, and I think we have another silly one on our hands!  Clayton will make the silliest faces and just laugh and laugh.  He absolutely loves to be "chase" in the house.  If he hears you say, "I'm going to get you" he takes off running and squealing very loudly the whole time.  And boy is he fast!  He's such a great walker that he's really running and speedy now, although he still takes the occasionally tumble to the ground.  He loves being chased by me, John, or his siblings-probably his siblings the most.  Clayton really brings great joy to his siblings as they love playing chase with him, and now that he's beginning to really watch their every move they are overjoyed when they can "teach" Clayton something!  They will show him how to use a toy, and he will copy-then they beam shouting "I taught Clayton how to..."  It's so sweet!  Clayton watches their every move though, and I'm convinced he thinks he's somewhere around their age and size the way he plays.  If someone is in his way he has started pushing (semi-gently) to get them to move out of his way...especially if they are between him and Mommy or Daddy.  
Daddy is still his very favorite name to say, although he will say Mama, and has said words that sound like Dawson and Carter.  Every time we come down the stairs I always point to each person's picture on the wall and say their name.  This month Clayton has started saying "KATE" as soon as I say Nora Kate, he probably only does this 25percent of the time, but it's still sweet.  Nora Kate is the absolute sweetest with him.  She really "mothers" him like he's her live baby doll.  She kisses, pats, cuddles, and snuggles him all the time.  She will always say, "I'll watch Clayton for you Momma!"  Carter loves to show Clayton silly things or play "rowdy" with him.  Dawson loves trying to teach Clayton to do new things and use new toys.  Speaking of playing rowdy with Clayton, he has started a new thing where he will throw himself down and spread out on the floor on his tummy when he's wanting you to play rowdy with him.  It's so funny how he gently throws himself down.  He does it for John and the boys the most.  So funny!  
He loves playing with all his Little People, his cars and has gotten into trains this month, loves the ball pit, and his outside ride-on car, and he still loves being read to.  When I pick up a book he comes and works his way onto my lap (even if NK or Carter are already there).  He uses his sweet little round fingers on his little dimpled hands to point to things in the books.  
We have a few adorable "lovies" that I was hoping Clayton would get attached to as his comfort item, but he has really taken to a random, but soft baby blanket.  He loves sleeping with it and will look all around his crib for it, if it's not in there.  We had been having a big problem at church and not been being able to stay for Sunday School and church because Clayton was getting so fussy in nursery, but the past two Sundays I have sent this blanket and he's been great!  I'm hoping this blanket is the key!
The biggest change that happened this month was weaning.  Clayton is now completely weaned.  He will now drink cows milk and water from cups.  He nursed for the last time on May 12th, and we only had a few rough nights, and then he started sleeping through the night a couple of days before he turned 14 months old.  I'm missing our sweet time of me holding him while he eats, but it is going to be so nice to sleep through the night and I know I will still sneak in cuddle time with him-especially since he's so happy to sit on my lap and read.
About half way through Clayton's 14th month, he got strep throat-Yes, again! :( It's uncommon for babies to get this unless they have older siblings, but this time (unlike last time) Clayton was the only one sick (until he passed it to me).  He had been a little fussy for several days, but he hadn't had a fever, had been eating great, and fussy for his isn't really fussy at all so I didn't think anything about it until he woke up with a rash that looked just like the rash he had a couple months ago with strep.  I took him to the dr, and sure enough he tested positive for strep.  UGH! I felt horrible that he had had it for several days probably to have already developed the rash.  Thankfully no one else got it other than me.  I still can't believe he's had this twice now and is only 14 months old.  So, he didn't have a check up this month but he ended up seeing the dr. anyway because of this.  We will go back at 15 months for his next official check up.  
Clayton is such a good sport and happy baby about just going with the flow, so he attended lots of fun things this month-a couple trips to Dollywood, meeting up with some friends in Pigeon Forge who were in town from Alabama, end of season soccer party, lots of playdates, park outings with friends, walks in the neighborhood in the nice weather, and lots of playtime in the playroom.  He's really enjoying anything he can play with on the train table and has learned how to push cars and trains across it or the floor making "car sounds." So sweet!
Oh, I could just go on and on about our sweet boy.  Our Mr. Baby (as we all still call him, I'm sure one day he won't be so thrilled his big sis gave him that nickname), but our Mr. Baby really is an absolute joy!
Here's 14 Month Old Clayton...

Our sweet Mr. Baby had a little bruise on his left cheek when I took these pictures, but I love all his little expressions I captured.  He loves playing outside.

May 2017

May is always such a whirlwind of a month with fun events, and this year was no different.  We had numerous family birthdays, Mother's Day, the end of school and preschool, birthday parties to throw and attend, travel for John for work, soccer games and soccer end of season parties, Scout camping trip/baseball game, Boy Scout meetings end of year party, and-finally, when we think we are beginning to loose it- the much needed, always anticipated- beginning of SUMMER VACATION!
(The pictures are even more out of order than normal, but after getting them all uploaded, I think I found a solution for my next post! So maybe I can resolve the issue!)

Soccer was still in full swing this month! Carter scored 6 goals at his first game of the month!

Clayton(on the right) looks so much like my sister, Erica (on the left) looked!

John traveled to Cincinnati for work in early May.  It was a week where our calendars were jam packed every day...crazy week.  He was so thoughtful to send these beautiful flowers while he was gone.  Dawson wanted to take a picture of me with them to text to his Daddy.

While we were trying to keep up with everything back at home, John took some neat pictures of the city to send to me and the kids.

May also meant kindergarten registration for our big boy Carter!  He was SO SO excited.  He walked right in to registration.  They told him, "You can color or watch a movie while your mom fills out paper work."  Carter said, "I'll do both! I'll watch a movie first then color." Then he chatted with many people in the room while I filled out paperwork.  He's so outgoing and really enjoys talking to others.  He was so excited.

He is also excited that he will be at Lolly's school next year (and Dawson's too), so we had to see Lolly while we were registering.

After registration and getting the red kindergarten bag!

SANITY HAS ARRIVED in the form of this gate!  Clayton doesn't love it as much as I do, but it's so nice to be able to keep Clayton in the playroom when we are all in there playing.  This way he's not trying to constantly sneak to the stairs!

This boy...so sweet.  I love how his sweet little lips look so round when he sucks his thumb.  We have never had a thumb-sucker and it's just so sweet.  Always the left thumb though!

Heritage Sunday at church meant farm animals!

And rock walls....that's Dawson up there.

and Carter up there.  They both did it numerous times!

...and face painting!

I had a Junior Service League event to pack toiletry products for those in need, and the boys were so thrilled to get to come and help.  They were awesome workers.  Their friend Colt (in blue) was there helping too!

Kindergarten prep means kindergarten check-up complete with two shots.  Poor guy was so brave!

Dawson earned his Bob Cat Badge this month at Scouts.

Troop 81

FIELD DAY!

"Mama, take a picture of the back of my hair with my side pony tail."

Love this girly girl!

Carter received a soccer trophy at his end of season party!

Proud of this boy for his hard work, focus, and determination this season!

I don't know if I've mentioned this before or not, but his team name was the Spidermen! 

We had Cookie Cake (per Dawson's request) at his birthday party, but on his actual birthday he wanted white cake, white frosting, and sprinkles!

Candle in your breakfast on your birthday.

(Do all 8 year olds like to make crazy faces?!)

Birthday presents at breakfast for Dawson!

(Carter has been picking out his own clothes, and he goes for comfort or humor instead of appearance.  This outfit appears all.the.time....ahhh)

As I mentioned, Dawson's birthday was on Mother's Day.  We celebrated both by going to Cade's Cove...a place we both enjoy.

The kids-especially Dawson-LOVE the old buildings, churches, and cabins!

(Clayton is barefoot 99% of the time.  He has shoes but constantly takes them off.  At least it's warm weather.)

What a great Mother's Day/Birthday Surprise...we saw a Mama Bear and her two cubs EXTREMELY CLOSE UP!

b The park rangers described the bear as "disgruntled" and were moving everyone back from her and the cubs, but it was still so neat! NK was afraid she was going to get us.  When the rangers told us to get in the car, NK ran ahead of me and hopped in her carseat! Sweet girl wasn't about to get eaten by a bear! Haha

We also had a close encounter with several deer.

Lolly and Pop stopped by with donuts for the birthday boy (and his siblings).

 Dawson was a good brother and let Carter help blow his candles.

Dawson requested I bring brownies to share with his class on the day following his birthday.

Our first swim of the year!

Clayton likes the water!

Dawson started a series of golf lessons at Green Meadow this month, and he is absolutely loving them!  We sit an watch from a distance and he seems to be doing well!

Carter was thrilled to make these little goodie bags for his classmates!

The fidget spinner craze has hit our house!

Friends invited us over to swim.  Here is Dawson and his friend Alexa!

And more fidget spinner maddness

Lolly's birthday celebration at our house!

I think I snapped this picture right as the kids sang the lovely version of the birthday song "you look like a monkey and smell like one too."

b We took Nora Kate to register her for preschool next year.

She will do the program Carter did this year.  She will go two days a week 3 hours each day.  We LOVE these sweet teachers, and we couldn't be more thrilled that she's going to have the exact same teachers Carter had.  While we were filling out paperwork, she went in a separate classroom and colored this picture which is still proudly displayed on our fridge...she says it's her schoolwork and that she made it with one of her teachers Ms. Polly Ann.

Look how big she looks!

She will do two years of preschool since she will just turn 4 in August.

b After Carter's checkup with the pediatrician he had to go to children's hospital for a couple of additional test...everything came back absolutely perfect which was an answer to prayers.  This boy has always been so healthy (and still is), but because he's always been healthy he had never had to have more bloodwork done than a simple fingerstick.  Well, at the hospital they had to take blood from his arm.  He handled it like a champ, but I know it hurt and was scary for him.  John took the afternoon off to go with him.  We took Carter out for lunch after his appointment.  Here his is giving us a thumbs up for how brave he was.

And here's the thumbs down for how it felt having blood taken out of his arm.

b We drove through the UT Campus this month to see my freshman dorm being torn down! When we drove by the had actually just knocked my room down...I was the very top far right room in this picture that is missing! Bye, Humes Hall!

Dawson had a Scout camping event Memorial day weekend, so he and John practiced setting up the tent (with Nora Kate's "help") prior to the outing.

The kids got a balloon animal making kit, and John is VERY good at this!

He can now make dogs, dinos, and an octopus! (proud wife, haha!)

Carter with his teacher on the last day of school.

He has loved being in Ms. Suze's class!

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL for Carter

LAST DAY OF 1st GRADE

When I grow up I want to be a Farmer

First day, last day

Dawson with his TA Mrs. Jordan (left) and 1st grade teacher Mrs. Connell (right)

b I have so enjoyed reading through all of Dawson's writings from this past school year that he brought home at the end of the year.  There are several entries about his future farm. This one is a favorite....those rowdy goats!

IT'S FINALLY SUMMER BREAK AND THAT MEANS...

breakfast on the patio

b On the first day of summer break we had breakfast on the patio, went to the public library to sign up for the summer reading program, and went to the duck pond to feed the ducks.

Then that night Dawson and John along with Carson and Casey and other scouts attended the Smokeys baseball game and got to camp on the outfield after the game!

LOVE these two!

Look at all those tents in the outfield!

The boys LOVE being outside, NK doesn't love it as much.  Lately she's been complaining about there being too many gnats and spiders.  I was pulling weeds when Dawson told me he had solved her problem.  He said he taped this to her to keep the gnats from flying at her face and gave her the stone to use to smash spiders!  She probably walked around outside like this for a good 30 minutes.

Oh my this boy.  He can climb anything.

All of our kids have been climbers.  His latest accomplishment is climbing to the top of this door face in the kitchen.  Makes me so nervous.  

Speaking of climbers, Mr. Baby realized he could climb on the outside of the steps this month.  AH!  They love to make me nervous (but look at those cute baby legs!)

Making cupcakes for the Memorial Day party we were invited to.

Carter is now proud to say he can crack the eggs for recipes like Dawson can.

Memorial Day fun with friends!

The second (non weekend) day of Summer Break we headed to Dawson and Carter's school to begin the summer reading program which they always thoroughly enjoy!

Then that afternoon to golf lessons...

For some reason, this sweet girl loves going to watch Dawson's golf lesson.

While we were watching she requested I take a picture of her curls.

I do love her curls!

Green Meadow Golf lessons

Then Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (days 3, 4, 5 of break) Dawson and Carter attended a great golf camp at Concord Park.

This was Carter's first camp, and he was oh so excited!

They were also excited that Alexa got to do the camp and ride with us!

The camp was in Knoxville and only lasts two hours each day, so not enough time to go home.  We made each day special though instead of just killing time.  The first day we had "girl time with Clayton too" as she called it, at West Town Mall.  She got a new fancy and a cookie.

Post camp picnic by the lake at Carl Cowan.

And a few more last day of school pictures that got way out of order....

We are so thrilled that it's summer break, and we have lots and lots of fun things planned!  I'm so excited to have everyone home everyday! I miss them so much when school is in session!

Happy Summer Break!