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!!

I have LOTS of catching up to do.....going to try and get everyone caught up!!!

My oh my - where has my time gone?...Oh wait - I do know....my THESIS!!!! I am happy to report that my Thesis for my Ed.S. was submitted around 12-midnight on Friday night (well the rough draft, but to me it is easy street from here on out!!!). Anyway, I haven't had time to blog, edit pictures, watch my t.v. shows, or sleep. Any extra time has been devoted to working on my paper. Well, now that I am finished...I am going to try and catch up on some things. We have a had a very busy last several days. From trips to festivals...we have had a blast!! I am taking the easy way out and just put pictures on a slide show...I don't have time to really go into great detail...I will have to do better about letting myself get this far behind!!

The first slide show is from when we went to Loretta Lynn's Ranch for Davy to ride dirt bikes. Our friends...Van, Holly, Morgan, and baby Tripp met us at my parent's river house from North Carolina...we had a ball!! My parents came up for a quick visit too!!!

Make a Smilebox photobook

That following Monday...Carson was out of school, so I promised them that if they were good while I worked a little on my paper... I would take them to Build-a-bear workshop in the mall. Well, they were perfect that day...so we jumped in the car and headed to the mall to do build-a-bear! They had a ball! Here are some pictures from that!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Carson had an eventful end of the week...on Thursday, we went on a field trip to Governor Bebb's Preserve...and then on Friday, we had a fun Fall Harvest Party (we would have called it a Halloween Party, but not at his school). We had a blast at the field trip...it was very COLD (in the upper 40s or so)...but our tour guide was wonderful!! They got to see several old houses, school, store, etc. ...and they also got to make homemade candles! On Friday, we had a Harvest Party for the kids...they made treat bags, little wooden pumpkins, and played Pin the nose on the scarecrow..along with fun party food!! The kids seemed to have a ball.....check out the pictures of his fun filled two days!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Saturday was a FUN FAMILY DAY!!! We met up with Robyn and Ty Parrish that morning to pick out pumpkins at the pumpkin patch...then we went to Lebanon to trick-or-treat at various stores in their historic downtown area (it is soooo nice over there). After we came home for a little while...we went to Corwin Nixon Park (in Mason) for a little Harvest Festival (everything there was FREE!!!). The boys' friends (Mason & Maddie) met us there too!! We (adults) enjoyed great conversations...while the kids had a blast playing!!! These pictures show our fun day!!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Whheewww....that only took a couple of hours to do!!! I really need to do better than this! Well, I have to go get the kiddos dressed for truck-or-treat after church tonight, so I will be sure to blog tonight with new Halloween pictures!!!

Barrett's Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch...

Barrett's Pre-school class took a field trip to the pumpkin patch. It was sooo nice, and the kids had a great time. Barrett enjoyed playing with his little buddies, and I enjoyed getting to know the moms a little better too. The kids were covered in dirt by the time we left...and very tired. Carson has his field trip next week...I am loving the fact that I can go to all these things, and not have to worry about taking off from work!! I probably should be working on my paper, but that can wait....my kids can't.

Here are some pictures from his big day at the pumpkin patch!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Barrett's First Soccer Practice...

The time has finally come for our sweet little boy to be able to play an "organized" sport. A friend told us about this place (an indoor soccer club in Mason) that has teams for Barrett's age group. I probably would not have done this right now, but bless his heart - he has watched Carson at baseball and soccer games for the past 3 years...and he has been right there practicing with them for the past year or so!!! It was his turn to get to play the "real game"...as he called it!!


So, on Monday I went up to Wall2Wall to get the paper work for his little class/team. Barrett was with me...and you should have seen this child's face --- he was SO EXCITED!! He overheard the coach telling me to get him shin guards and cleats, and that is all he talked about until we finally went to Dick's Sporting Goods.


When we walked in Dick's Sporting Goods - he (very proudly) walked back to the soccer area and told the lady that he was playing soccer and he needed all "his gear". We all started laughing....he just looked sooo serious!! We got the ball, shin guards, cleats, and socks - and he was so proud of them!! I had originally planned on using Carson's old stuff, but then I decided that it wouldn't be fair for Barrett to have to use "hand-me-downs" for such a special time...his 1st time to play soccer. We had gone through all of this with Carson his 1st time..and I just felt like Barrett deserved the same!! We came home after that to get ready for his nap, BUT before he would even think of taking a nap...he had to put all of his new stuff on to tryout. I really wish you could have seen this sweet little child!! You would have thought we gave him a million dollars...he was just sooo proud!!! I finally got him to lay down for naptime.....and this is how he slept!!



Well today (Tuesday) was his first practice, so he could not think of anything else but that!! He also had his field trip to the Pumpkin Patch...so he had a very busy day!!! He wanted to wear all his soccer stuff to the pumpkin patch, but I talked him out of that!!! His practice is from 5-6 ever Tuesday at an indoor arena...which will be nice this winter. His practice went sooo well...and he LOVED IT!! He thought he was sooo big, and was so excited that we were all there to cheer him on for his first "game" (not really, but he kept calling it a game, so we just played along). He also got a shirt (he calls this his jersey), so that made the experience even better!!
Here are some pictures from his practice!!






These videos are from some drills they had to do...sorry for the voices in the background.
In this video...they are suppose to be kicking the ball...trying to keep it in control - well you will see how Barrett did!!!

In the second drill - they are dropping the ball - then kicking it high...not real sure about this, but he was tooo funny!