Fall Planting

We have been meaning to re-do some of the landscaping in the back of the house for a while now.  Finally, today we made it to Bates Nursery to see what we could find.  Since the Titans aren't doing well this season it is not worth wasting a Sunday afternoon in front of the TV.  The kids had fun at the nursery! We bought some foundation and accent shrubs as well as some new wave pansies.  I am anxious to see how they do.  They are supposed to be similar to the wave petunias that bloom all summer.  Now, that we actually have the shrubs bought it will be interesting to see how long it takes us to get them planted!  We worked on it a little bit late this afternoon, but there is still lots to do1

Weekend Happenings

Last night Paul and I enjoyed a night out!  Both kids spent the night with BopNene.  I met Paul at Carraba's in Green Hills after work.  We enjoyed a great meal.  We love going there, but had not been in awhile.  We strolled around the mall afterwards and then hit Trader Joe's to look around.  Next, we met Virginia and Jason for a night cap at Amerigo's.  It was fun to enjoy an "adult" night out.  The kids had a blast of course.

I had to work this morning so Paul dropped me off before going to the farm to hang out.  Luke had a game at 1 so we were back to Goodlettsville in time for that.  He fell asleep on the way but seemed to perk up pretty quickly once the game got going.  His team remains undefeated but he still hasn't quite gotten the hang of it.  He does say he has fun so that is a plus!

Who Is That?

We have quickly gotten back to reality around here.  I was back to work Tuesday.  Paul took advantage of an extra day off and got a lot done around the house.  That was really nice.  I am gearing up for a new project at work that is going to take up most of my time the next few weeks.  I am trying to prepare as much as I can this week.

The kids are already talking about what they are going to be for Halloween.  When I came in the kitchen this morning this is what I saw -- Katherine wearing a ladybug hat from her 1st Halloween while eating breakfast. Silly girl!

Packing it All In

Funfetti pancakes!

Breakfast with Pop

Family time on the beach

Katherine loves being buried

She loves the new float Nonna got her

Baby goes "night-night"

Bedtime story courtesy of Uncle Andrew

Katherine enjoyed bedtime with Aunt Mandi

Vacation S'mores are the best!

We really tried to fill every minute with fun today!  The weather has remained absolutely perfect!  This morning Paul cooked everyone a great breakfast - funfetti pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon.  Katherine has eaten most of her meals on the balcony - big surprise.  We went back to the beach and pool.  Nonna finally got Luke to get in the ocean.  Still not really sure how she did it, but he liked it.  The kids got to go to a splash pad area that they loved.

This afternoon Mom, Mandi, Katherine and I went to hear Andrew play in a concert.  He is in the Emerald Coast Community Band.  They played at an Air Force retirement village for widows.  The concert was really fun!  Katherine enjoyed herself.  Several people came up to us afterward to comment what a cute, good baby she is.

Tonight, we had grilled beef tenderloin, baked potatoes and salad. Luke suggested we have s'mores for dessert. It was perfect!  We all had fun making them over the charcoal fire.  We took one last go in the lazy river.  It is so fun at night.  Katherine took a tumble on the concrete before we left.  I had wrapped her up in a towel while I got our stuff ready to go back to the room.  She tried to walk and tripped and went head first on the pavement.  She seems ago, but is going to have a nasty bruise.

We hate to see our vacation come to an end but we all agree this has been the perfect trip!

Lovin' Florida!

We have had another fun day today!  We started the day eating at The Neighborhood Cafe.  It is a "must do" on our list every trip.  It is just a good mom and pop place for b'fast.  The kids both enjoyed Mickey Mouse pancakes.  A trip to a park was next.  While we were there Paul went to buy the beef tenderloin for tomorrow night's supper.  The park was fun -- the kids played on the swings and monkey bars.  Andrew tried to teach Luke how to play catch without much success, so he and I played catch.  It has been a long time since I have done that.

Bill and Paula arrived today!  The kids were so excited to see them!  We are so glad they are going to join us for the remainder of the trip. The beach and pool were on the afternoon agenda as well as naps.  Andrew and Mandi had a wedding tonight so everyone else went out to eat.  We ended up at a Tex Mex place that I probably would not recommend.  We came back in time to see Auburn almost beat LSU -- the season is still not looking promising at all.

Relaxing....

Finally on the beach!

I think this will be my favorite -- lazy river!

Luke loves it, too!

The kids were worn out after our busy morning!

Uncle Andrew helping with the new Lego set

Katherine was a little too involved with the Legos

Our first full day was fabulous!  Paul, Katherine and I went to the grocery early this morning then came back and cooked a yummy breakfast. The beach was up next.  Luke didn't really go in the water but Katherine loved it.  We built sandcastles and waded in the ocean. The weather is perfect -- sunny and warm.  We stopped by the lazy river and pools before going back the room for lunch.  The water wore the kids out.  Katherine asked to put her "nammies" on when we got back.  She and Luke took long naps.  I snuck a nap in too which was fabulous!  Mom and Andrew went to the shooting range.  Andrew has taken up shooting recently and Mom enjoyed trying it out with him.

We got pizza for supper and stayed up late with Andrew and Mandi playing cards.  So far Luke is doing great sleeping in the top bunk and Mom in the bottom.  Katherine is in the king bed with us and it has been fine.  Luke has been waking up early, early though.

We Made It!

Supper on the beach

Lunch at Props

We were all ready to get out of the car!

We killed time touring the resort before we could get in our room.

The remainder of our trip this morning was uneventful which was great.  I drove this leg of the trip.  Mom continued to entertain the kids in the back with coloring, reading books, stickers and watching movies.  We were told we could get in our condo anytime today since it was not rented the night before.  Of course, that is not what happened. To make a long story short, we ended up waiting a couple of hours before we could get in.  We grabbed lunch and toured the complex.  We were all so ready to get in to our room.  Overall, we are very pleased with the resort and our condo.  It has a nice view and is nicely decorated and appears well-equipped.

Cousin Cynthia is vacationing down here this week, too so we met her, Andrew and Mandi at The Back Porch for supper.  The sunset was absolutely gorgeous!  It reminds me how much we enjoy it down here.  The food was great.  Paul, Mom and I got seafood so we are getting our fix in early on in the trip!

South Bound!

Katherine's treat for the trip - an owl pillow!

The Lego obsession continues....

We are heading south! I was off today and took advantage of doing some last minute laundry and packing.  I also hit up my favorite consignment sale.  I was a little disappointed at first.  The lady in line in front of me headed straight to the 2T rack and picked up anything that was remotely cute.  I got frustrated and headed to the boys section where I picked up Luke a few things -- nothing too exciting.  then I went to the girl's coats and what did a find??? A red wool Rothschild dress coat for $8!  It was in excellent shape.  I was beside myself --- I would like both kids to have dress coats this Winter.  I scored Katherine a few pairs of shoes too, one of which were a pair of never-worn Willits.  So, I left there a happy mommy!

Paul and I both picked the kids up early from school and then stopped by to pick Mom up. We didn't hit much traffic so we made good time. We stopped for supper halfway to Montgomery.  We stayed at the same little hotel we have stayed in the past few times and it works great.  We are beyond excited to be starting our vacay!!!

Beach Baby

She's ready!

We are in the middle of packing around here!  Paul found Katherine a Minnie bathing suit on clearance at the Disney store.  She had to model it when it was clean tonight.  She loves it!  We are beach bound in a few days and can not wait!

Soccer and Football

.

Katherine fell asleep this morning

Picture day!

Group shot

Paul left right after breakfast this morning to head to Knoxville for the Florida game.  That left me on double kid duty.  Luke had a soccer game so Mom came with us.  Luke's team won again!  Luke still really doesn't seem to know what is going on but enjoys himself.  Katherine is good at the games so far and entertains herself.  We went to Chik-fil-a for lunch again then home for naps.  The naps really never happened.  We /played the rest of the afternoon and Mom came and brought supper.  We watched the UT game and it ended up being a better game than anyone thought. Paul will be home late, late and I have to work tomorrow so the busy weekend  continues.  I am glad he got a chance to see some of his old college buddies.

Touchdown Friday

Every Friday is Spirit Day at school.  This morning the kids dressed in their Titans apparel.  We realized that Luke's only short sleeve Titans shirt is too small, it worked for today though.  He has a new long-sleeve one that will work great when it gets a little cooler.

Tonight, we headed back to Opry Mills after school/work.  It is just a convenient, fun place for us to meet for supper and entertainment.  We ate at Chuy's again (outside at Katherine's request).  Paul took Luke to the Lego store.  He got to pick out a new set and if he is good between now and the beach he can open it when we get to the beach.  He only wants Uncle Andrew to work it with him.  Fingers crossed he is good between now and then.  The kids got some fall shoes.  Glad Stride Rite was buy 1, get 1 50% off.  Katherine measured at a 5 1/2 - yay!  Her feet are finally growing.  Luke is now an 11.  He needed new church shoes and she got some everyday fall/winter shoes.  We hit a few more places before leaving. Every store Katherine and I would go in she would say "no want this store Mommy".  So, shopping for me wasn't too enjoyable.  I did get a couple clearance summer shirts for myself.

Eat Outside, Mommy

In the last couple of weeks Katherine has decided we should eat every meal outside on the porch.  We have eaten breakfast, lunch and suppers out there.  She is pretty insistent.  Some mornings she eats out there by herself!  Usually after we eat she and Luke play with playdough.  They are back in that phase again. It is fun, but messy!

The Countdown is On!

We have been counting down the days until our vacation since the beginning of September.  Every morning Luke erases the number and writes the new one!  It is a fun activity for us.  We are so excited that our trip will be here soon.  Katherine insists on wearing her "beach hat" most everyday and asks to go the beach anytime we get in the car.  She also thinks any playground is the beach.  We hope she is not let down when she is actually at the beach!

2 and 0, 0 and 2 and 2 and 0

We think the after game snack is his favorite part!

Katherine got Bop to read her a book

Well our day was all about Sports!  We weren't sure if the Green Bandits would have their soccer game because it rained most of the morning.  It actually rained out their picture, but unfortunately for Paul and Luke they didn't know this until they got to the park.  Katherine and I joined them in time for the game.  Luke did pretty good.  He and Connor had spent the hour and a half before the game running and playing so they were worn out before the game ever started.  Their team won though so they are 2-0!  Bop, Nene, JonJon and Meme all came to see him play which was so nice.  Afterwards we went to Sam's Sports Grill to watch some football and eat lunch.  It was almost 4 before we got home so we all rested for awhile.  We stayed in the rest of the night and watched football. 

Auburn is now 0-2....it is going to be a long season for me.  On an upnote though UT is 2-0 for the first time in a long time, so I guess we do have something to be happy about around here!

Weekend Kick Off

Strawberry Sweetie!

We were all glad it is Friday!  We decided to eat at Jet's Pizza.  We have been once before and enjoyed it.  It actually takes a while to get it once you order.  The kids both ate well, which is unusual.  Sometimes neither one of them will eat pizza.  We walked over to the Verizon store afterwards because we realized this week I am eligible for a new phone so I wanted to see what is out there now  Trying to decide between another Droid or to try an iPhone.  I am not in any hurry so we left without making a decision.

Next the boys went to Dick's sporting goods while K and I looked around in Old Navy.  They had their Halloween costumes out and she had a fit.  We had to try all of them on! First, she wanted to get the owl one, then the strawberry one, but her favorite appeared to be the cupcake.  We ran into a lady I worked with years ago at Van Heusen and ended up talking to her for a long time. By the time that was done I decided to wait on purchasing a costume because I am sure she will just change her mind again!

Lazy Labor Day

Anxiously awaiting his pancakes!

Picky girl ate applesauce and  part of a biscuit

We had a very relaxing, bordering on boring Labor Day.  The weather put a damper on any outdoor plans we had.  It has rained most of the weekend.  We went to eat breakfast at the Red Rooster this morning.  It is a mom and pop place in Hendersonville.  It was good.  You could definitely tell they have a "regular" crowd.
We did very little today but did manage to get the house clean and all the laundry done.

Thomas the Train

Smiles all around!

This boy still loves the train

Both kids were planning to have an overnight and BopNene's last night.  The school called me around 3 and said Katherine had a temp of 101 and needed to be picked up.  Paula was planning to get the kids around 3:30 anyway.  I called to give her and update and we decided she would pick them up as planned and I would go to their house when I got off work to get her.  When Paula picked her up the teacher said there was a stomach bug going around.  Katherine had not had any diarrhea.  She seemed a little quiet when I got there to pick her up.  Paul and I were a little bummed about our change in plans, but it worked out fine.  Katherine's temp was 102.5 when we got home.  I gave her some Motrin.  UT was playing NC State on ESPNU.  We don't get that station, but mom does so we piled in on her. We left at halftime.  Katherine still really didn't act like she felt bad.  Her temp dropped close to normal.  She got Tylenol at bedtime and she slept like a baby. 

Luke got home about 8:30 this morning and had a great time!  He seemed tired and couldn't quiet get excited about Thomas.  It didn't take long once we got on our way though.  The weather was the best we have had.  Overcast with a nice breeze.  The train ride was fun and the kids enjoyed all the activities.  We stayed for a couple of hours and then ate lunch at Five Guys before heading home.  We have had an uneventufl afternoon.  K and I took a nap while Paul cut the grass.  It is opening weekend for college football --- so we are spending quite a bit of time in front of the TV!