Tech vs. Southern

The four of us went to our first family game of the year (two weeks ago Jack took the girl by himself).

Jack and Maggie prefer the "train" (Marta).

So, Katie rode Marta for the first time (it was only my second time to ride).

 After lunch at the Varsity, we headed to the game.

I love Katie clapping in the about picture. She loves clapping.

 At one point, I looked down and saw this..

...Maggie putting lipstick on Katie.

 It was great to have Catherine with us.

 Katie and Jack

 The girls and I took a break at the end of the first quarter.

 The third quarter...Maggie was excited to find shade.

 After Katie slept through the end of the game, she was wide awake for the ride home...

 ...Maggie was not.

Jack's BDay

We like to have Birthday Weeks at our house, so, for Jack's bday week, we had several places to go...

the Shops at River Crossings was one.

 At Barnes and Noble, Maggie and Katie played for a few minutes, and then they decided on Jack's gift.

 "He would LOVE the Tea Pot game, mommy! He will want to play it with me and Katie."

Wednesday Morning, Jack came back home to celebrate his birthday with Donuts (from the new Casserole Shop's Bakery). Wednesday morning is late start for Mags and our busy day so the morning was the only time we had.

 His big gift: a drafting table. I am turing it into an art/drawing table for the girls, but it will give Jack a place to work on his jobs so he's not at the office so late.

 So far, it's a hit. Mr. Smith put it together (so I wouldn't have to use a hammer to assemble and end up in the er again).

Jack's 30th

On Wednesday, Jack will turn 30. Yesterday we celebrated him...

 ...friends from Birmingham, Columbus, and Nashville came in town.

 This weekend was a sweet reminder of God's goodness to us. We were not made to walk this journey alone, and this weekend, my soul was refreshed by fellowship and laughter with those walking with us.

 There were four generations celebrating last night...

 ...from Ed and Granny, all the way down to our kids.

 We have been blessed by all three Anderson boys.

 We had our Macon family, our Columbus family, and Jack's friends from childhood to college. 

 As always, my girls loved to party.

 Thankful God has called Jack to lead our family.

 These two have been buddies since before they were born...

...I can't believe how much they've grown. It seems like yesterday they were playing on the green carpet in our Columbus house. Andie was Maggie's first "spend the night" company when they were just months old.

 Andie, Bennett, Maggie, Will, Grant, William, Katie

(not pictured: Sam, Sam, and John David).

 These are the four that started it all.

"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."  Proverbs 18:24
Praise God from whom all blessings flow...

Brent and Nancy's 60th

For over a year, we've wanted to do something special for Brent and Nancy's 60th birthdays. Nancy turned 60 on July 31st and Brent will turn 60 on September 3rd. 

 This is my partner in crime. We pulled off a surprise party with over 100 people!

 It was a lot of work to keep this a secret from them, but we ALL did it!

 After telling them to meet us at Natalia's, Carson and Catherine "bagged them"...

 ...we all waited quietly...

 ...SURPRISE! 

 It was an emotional moment to think, all of these people love and care dearly for Brent and Nancy...

 ...it was a joyous moment with tears and laughter for all.

 The grandchildren broke the ice by running up to them...and Holden telling Nancy he had been watching Frozen.

 I love this picture of Nancy and Katie (Katie looks so much like Nancy's baby pictures).

 Dance Party for the kiddos. 

 So special to celebrate them.

 Spyros spoke...he has known Nancy since elementary school and then has been best friends with Brent since college. 

It was a great night. God has blessed me beyond belief with in-laws that fear Him, serve others, and love me as their own.

Since School Started...

...we take baths every night:) Before, I would let them skip baths or not wash their hair, now we have a bath and wash hair (and condition) every night. Katie always sits in the front and Mags in the back.

 ...still spend a lot of time outside.

 ...I enjoy lots of shopping trips to Kroger with this one. The other day she dragged her basket (with light bulbs) through the whole store. I like to take our time when we run into Kroger, after dropping Maggie off. We usually just need a few things, so I let her walk and help more than when I have both girls.

 ...Maggie acts older. She posed like this all by herself. 

 This little one is my new helper around the house.

 Bennett came in town for West's birthday party.

 ...we still go to Firehouse on Sundays (kids eat free).

 ...Katie and I have made a couple of donut runs:)

 Sometimes I think she has had the hardest time adjusting to Maggie being in school...

 ...then I treat her to a donut:)

 ...rearranging our schedule...Katie likes to nap in the carpool line and then not in the afternoon. 

 ...I love 12:30 pm.

 ...Katie gets 30 min of gymnastics time. She loves to put a stamp under her chin.

 ...we make it a priority to have family dinners...

 ...even if it's at Waffle House.

 ...these two still love to color at the pink table.

 ...I still have my morning workouts at the gym.

 ...Katie and I watch Maggie do gymnastics on Mondays after school.

 ...we still wait for daddy to get home.

 ...we still make trips to Kroger. (I feel like I go to Kroger everyday!)

 ...we still have dinner at friend's homes.

(the Tingle Home)

Life has been different since school started. We leave the house at 7:45am. Katie and I get a lot accomplished between then and picking her up at 12:30. On Tuesdays, Mia comes over so I can go to Pilates and run errands. Two weeks in and we are doing great! (meaning no melt downs...from Maggie, Katie has had a few:)