Barrett's Thanksgiving Feast

Today, Barrett had his Thanksgiving Feast at school. They all brought in various food items to contribute to the feast. Each child helped in making the fruit salad that we had. We had fruit salad, cheese, crackers, and juice for our feast. It was so cute! They made little placemates and turkeys for the table. They also sang a variety of Thanksgiving songs for us too. Here are a couple of videos from the program...sorry for the various kiddos running by the camera - they were a little excited that all the mommies where they watching :)

Carson....could he be the next Line Man for Titans?

Carson is participating in MECC After-school Flag Football Class on Mondays after school. He is LOVING IT!! He started last week, and he told me when I picked him up (last week) that I could come and watch sometime. So, yesterday Barrett and I went up there to watch them practice. He did soooo good! I was soooo proud of my Big Man!! He is really enjoying it - and I hope that he will be able to play "real" flag football next fall (if he is finally old enough).

Here are some pictures from his football practice yesterday.

Chuck E. Cheese will NEVER be the same again!

After a WILD, but fun party at Chuck E. Cheese - the boys were WORN out...and so were we! Barrett had 16 of his friends from church, pre-school, and play group to join him in a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese Monday night. I thought it was the easiest planning of a party - I have ever done!! I just emailed and reserved it...the rest was left in the hands of the workers there. Everyone seemed to have a great time...and most of all -- Barrett seemed to LOVE the whole experience! Both the boys love Chuck E. Cheese...and this was our first time to go to the one in Cincy. It was very nice, and had a lot of fun games for the kiddos. Needless to say - Carson has decided that he wants his party there too. Barrett got a lunch box, medal, time with Chuck E. Cheese, and many other things from the party....not to mention all the fun new toys!!

Here is a smilebox of pictures from his party:

Make a Smilebox slideshow

My Little Man is 4...where has the time gone?

Well, 4 years ago...we had added an addition to our family. Barrett came into this world fast and furious...and hasn't stopped since! I have made a slide show of various pictures of Barrett throughout the last 4 years, and man how he has changed. Our family is full of memories from both of our boys. God has blessed us with 2 wonderful boys...who are truly a blessing to our lives - and they give us the greatest joy each and everyday. I can't imagine our lives without either one of them! Each day brings many new milestones, and I have been soooo lucky to be a part of each of those with them!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Barrett's Birthday Party #1

Barrett had his 1st party (to celebrate turning 4) at pre-school this past Thursday...he wanted to have Bengals cupcakes to celebrate! Not thinking....I ordered cupcakes with orange, black, & white icing --- HUGE MISTAKE!! The kids loved them -- their parents probably had a different take when they picked them up!!! That morning, Barrett wanted his hair in a mohawk...to wear with his bengals jersey. I laughed until I hurt after we finished fixing his hair!! Here are some pictures from his party and his mohawk...the things we do for our kids!!!







Tonight, we will be having his birthday party with his friends at Chucky E. Cheese...and then we will celebrate with the family during Thanksgiving!!! I have never heard of so many birthday parties for one child, but it looks like this will be the only way to get it all in...we will have to do some downsizing next year!!!

Where Was I? Thanks Cameron B

Where Was I?
3 minutes ago: Reading Cameron's blog
3 hours ago: Getting on Interstate 71 headed to TN
3 weeks ago: On our way to TN for Davy's Dirt Bike Ride (we have been back to TN a lot lately)
3 months ago: getting use to the Ohio way of living....much different from TN
3 years ago: Trying to sell house in Henderson to move to Jackson, TN
6 years ago: Caring for my 6 month old baby Carson
10 years ago: Finishing up last minute wedding stuff for our Dec. wedding (YIKES...10 years already!!!)

I tag: Beth, Kim, Kelly

The Vandy vs. Florida Game...What a night!

Go Doors (as the boys would say it), we had a great time tonight at the Vandy/Florida game (even though Fl. killed them). The boys were just soooo excited about going...they could hardly think of anything else!! I did not pack clothes that would be warm enough for the game, so we made a quick stop by Target to get some fleece blankets to keep us warm tonight. I wore one of Ginger's coats (yes, I forgot my coat). I bundled the boys up good too! We all seemed to stay pretty warm.

Here are some pictures of us before we left for the game:




When we got to the game, we walked around to our section (well, we thought it was our section)...climbed up the stairs....and who do we run into --- Brian Vaughn, his dad, Jerry Ballard, and Jerry's son..Max. They were sitting right in front of us!! We were trying to figure out where our other seat was...and found that someone was sitting in our last seat. Once we started comparing tickets - we noticed that we were in the wrong section! SO.....we had to pack up all our stuff, and move to the right area. We got over there only to find out that we were in front of a CRAZY GATOR FAN! They were screaming and acting like they didn't care what we thought about their actions....at all! We finally moved after half time to some really great seats...and we set there to finish off the game. We enjoyed all the fun "ballgame food" like...pizza, popcorn, nachos, and then we had some hot chocolate! On our way home from the game both of the boys fell asleep!! They had a ball, but were VERY TIRED!!
Here are some pictures of the boys and their Gigi from the game!!







I am off to bed now...and plan to hit the road tomorrow after church!!

The Boys and their Gigi!!!

Thursday night - I drove to Nashville to go to court with Ginger on Friday morning. Davy did a great job of getting the kiddos to their designated places on Friday morning for me. He had already planned to travel to Ark. Friday night, so he just brought the kids to me at Ginger's house for the weekend. We actually met Davy by Opry Mills Mall to pick up the kids, so that he could hit the interstate again to head on to Ark. Ginger and I took the kids to Dave and Buster to play for a little while and then we grabbed a quick bit to eat in the food court. The boys love coming to Gigi's house to visit! They think it is pretty cool that they have their "own rooms" at her house. She has a bedroom upstairs all fixed up for them with twin beds and a t.v. Ginger was also able to get us tickets to the Vandy/Gator game for tonight...on the 15 row!! So, the boys are just busting at the seams with excitement!! I made them lay down for a nap this afternoon, so that tonight wouldn't be a bad night.

Here are some pictures of the boys with their Gigi:



While we were waiting to get our prizes from Dave and Buster's...the boys found these TN hands...they thought they were GREAT...even though they were UT orange!!!



This morning, the boys got up at 6:30 (to them it was 7:30..we are on ET at home). So, Ginger and I got up WAY earlier than we had planned!! Ginger and Carson enjoyed their morning playing on the computers in the bed - boy, they have it rough!!! After laying around this morning, we loaded up and went to pick up our tickets, visit some of Ginger's friends (where the boys were able to lay some tile), and then on to another friend's farm to feed the cows. We have had a very busy day so far!!

We will be heading out heading out tonight around 6ish to go to the Vandy/Gator game, so I will be sure to take lots of pictures of the boys from this. This is their first college football game this season....to think about it - this is Barrett's first college football game ever. He has gone to NFL games, but not college games before tonight!! The boys and I will be heading back to Cincy tomorrow after church...in hopes of getting back in time to attend our small groups!!

I made a Difference today.....

Carson experienced something today that will be a life long memory for him. He went this morning to vote with Davy. Davy decided that he would get to the polls at 6:30 this morning to vote..instead of waiting until this afternoon. Carson has been following the election at school and home, so he was very interested in the whole "voting process". We decided that this would be a good experience for him to take part in. I got him up at 6am...and today was the EASIEST day to get him up EVER!!! He jumped up out of bed...got dressed...and was waiting on Davy! They went to the polls, and he was able to watch Davy vote. They then went to Starbuck's on the their way home to bring me a wonderful White Choc. Mocha. He had a blast...and was very excited to go to school this morning to share his experience. He was a little disappointed that he didn't get to see McCain though...he thought that McCain would be there!!! It is just amazing to me how much he knows about politics at such a young age...but, I guess in today's world...it is never to early to start teaching them!!!

May God have a hand in this major decision that will soon take place!!!

Davy's First Dirt Bike Race!!!

Well, I usually brag about my children - but this post I will brag about my hubby!!! He participated in his first dirt bike race today in Columbus, Ohio!! We drove up to Columbus yesterday and spent the night at Dan's house. They have two boys...the same age as our's, so the boys loved playing with Daniel and Jackson. I enjoyed getting to know Betsy too!! We all went to dinner last night...then we all went to the race track to watch the guys race. The boys had a BALL!!! I was glad they were able to see their Daddy in action...they have never really "watched" him ride his dirt bike. Bad thing is....they want one now!!

I was sooo proud of him. He did great!!! I was a nervous wreck at first, but after the first 2-3 laps --- I calmed down a good bit!!! A friend of his (Dan VanWormer) from Columbus asked him to be in this 2-Man Hare Scramble several weeks ago. Davy usually just rides trail rides, so this was a BIG step for him!! Both Dan and Davy did great!! They are both worn out, but I think deep down...they are really proud of how they did. We are waiting to hear how they did...we didn't stay around to find out their time!!
Here are some pictures from the race!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Halloween 2008

My children had the pleasure of having SEVERAL times to wear their costumes and trick-or-treat this year for Halloween!! They had trunk-or-treat at church, Historic Lebanon trick-or-treating, Barrett's school, Barrett's Adventure Camp, and finally trick-or-treating around the Carden's neighborhood!! We have candy RUNNING OUT OUR EARS!!!! The candy will have to become missing pretty soon....I am worse than the kids (eating it). Here are some pictures of the various trick-or-treating events!!






Barrett and Davy had a special "Daddy-Son" Night on Tuesday night. They had a "Pumpkin Carving with Dad" at his pre-school. Davy and Barrett had a ball!!! This was the first time that Barrett had a "Special Night" with just Davy!! He thinks he is just SO BIG...I just can't believe that my baby will be 4 YEARS OLD in just a couple of days....my time flies!! Here are some pictures from their special night...Davy took these - I wasn't invited to attend!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Barrett's Halloween Party was on the Thursday before Halloween. I was one of the mothers who helped with the party....we had a ball!!! I will have to say...those teachers just blow my mind (with all the things they have taught those children in just 2 months). We had 3 different stations going at once (1.making treat bags, 2. pin the nose on the "Jack-o-lantern, and 3. Halloween book reading). After they finished all 3 stations...they had a costume parade and then went trick-or-treating around the school. My child's teeth are going to FALL OUT from all the candy!!!
Here are some cute pictures from his party!!