Jack

On November 5th we woke up to find Jack hadn't come home the night before. A few hours later he returned but something wasn't right- he could barely move. After a trip to the vet and an overnight stay- we learned that Jack had been hit by a car. Before we decided anything we brought the kids by to give Jack some love to help him feel better. I was glad they were able to see him while he still looked the same. All of his injuries were internal. His prognosis wasn't good and I could tell he was suffering so we decided to say goodbye.   It was the first time we have talked to the kids about death and while it was over Reagan's head- Mason got it. It was a sad night but we all shed some tears and tried to remember the good times with Jack.

 giving our kitty some sweet kisses.

 Jack liked to sleep under Reagan's bed and she took leaving him at the vet really hard- she kept saying how much she missed him and I think it broke the vet's heart just as much as mine!

Little Vol Walk

Although I will always be a Georgia girl at heart- living in Knoxville you become a bit of a Vols fan too. So I decided to take advantage this year and participate in the Little Vol Walk during Homecoming. It was a lot of fun- the little Vol's lead the homecoming parade and afterward we got to watch the Elf on the Shelf movie, meet the author, and make a keepsake craft. It was a great experience and one I hope the kids enjoyed just as much as me! I know I won't forget it. GO VOLS (except when they play Georgia!)

And fun fact- Mason was interviewed for TV! here's a link

All Saint's Day

The DAY after Halloween- Mason's class had their All Saint's Party- which meant another costume. He decided to go as Saint Phillip (his middle name). St. Phillip was one of the 12 apostles.  He was with Jesus at the miracle of the loaves and fishes and was crucified upside down on a cross. (all fun facts Mason was excited to learn!)

I made his costume and his beard- I thought I did a pretty good job!

Reagan loves photobombing pics!

Halloween, Halloween trick or treat!

I know this is late- story of my life. But we had a great Halloween and I wanted to share. Mason and Reagan dressed as Batman and Robin this year. I know sibling costumes won't last too much longer so as long as they are interested I will try to make it work.  I think Reagan loved that her costume had an R on it- she was so excited to tell everyone she was Batman's sidekick. LOVE her.
I love all the events leading up to Halloween that let us get so many more wears out of our costume. We went to trunk or treat at our church, Farragut's Freaky Friday, and then Halloween night! Don't worry Monday after Halloween we got rid of the majority of our candy.
We let them each keep a few pieces and gave the rest away!

Our sweet neighbors!

 Mason's batman costume

Fall Break

Mason had Fall Break the last few days so we took advantage of our free time to spend some time together! The bummer of having one child in private school and one in a preschool that follows the public school calendar is different breaks. I had planned on letting Reagan stay home on Friday but she really wanted to go to school so I let her. Mason and I spent the morning at a local gym with some friends from his class. It was great to spend some one on one time with Mase. It hasn't been just the two of us in a long time and although we had a blast we both missed our little fireball Reagan.
Saturday we headed to Chattanooga for a birthday party with sweet Cam. It was great getting to see my college roomie and I love watching our kiddos grow up together!

Sunday we decided to lay low and ended up heading to a movie in the afternoon. We saw "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2." It's such a funny movie and we enjoyed it just as much as the kids!

And on Monday, we headed to DOLLYWOOD! The kids and I went last spring with my sister but it was chilly and drizzly and we didn't stay long. The weather has been great lately and I wanted to do something big for Fall Break. It was an amazing day and the icing on the cake- Steve took off and came with us! It was a great day- Mason rode SO many rides- he has some of his mama in him after all!

I promise she was having fun just trying to get three people to smile at the same time- not really happening lately!

 teacups!

 She LOVED driving with daddy!

 

 Mason loved the shooting star- he kept laughing!

 The arrow is Mason and Steve. I was surprised he did this one, 

but he loved it and said it was his favorite ride.

 They were so high!

 Reagan was super excited about the dragon.

 Reagan kept saying "best day ever" and I have to agree. 

Seeing these three smiles- best.day.ever.

 And a great way to end fall break. Tomorrow we go back to school! (until Thursday when Reagan and I are off for "our" fall break.) Guess it isn't too bad to have different breaks!

Say CHEESE

At the end of July we had family pictures made in Lynchburg, TN. I had been following Stacy Preston Photography on facebook for over a year and she posted a session special and I decided to was time to get some updated pics! I love photography and I love seeing how different photographers capture our families personality with their style. Her style is to take pictures at dawn/dusk to get some great rays of light shining through and I have to say I think she did a great job. She was easy to work with and did a great job with our kiddos- especially considering they were in rare form. Seriously when we left Steve said "there is no way those are going to turn out" and yet they did! These are just a "few" of my favorites!

 If you know Mason, you know Rabbit. I'm happy we incorporated him into pictures.

 It was important to me to get some one on one pictures of us with the kids and I love these!

 Seriously look at those smiles!

 I don't know why BUT I love this picture of Reagan- this is her.

 I love these two.

 I was happy to get some of Steve and I. These were long over due.

were did the time go?

So I know it has been ummm TWO months since I blogged. I can't believe that I went an entire month without one blog entry. What can I say? Life has been crazy! Everything is going great- it just seems time slips away so quickly. I started working in August at Reagan's preschool and for the first month I worked one day a week- I knew at some point I would go to three days a week, but it was nice to start off at one day so I could kinda adjust to our new schedule. I love working- it is going great and I am enjoying getting out of the house (I work on the days Reagan is in school). It just means I have to be on my game a lot more with meal planning, keeping up with the house and of course being chauffeur to my two favorite kiddos. I wouldn't change it for the world- I think I do better when I have more on my plate- it means I can't procrastinate as much- which I am known to do. But ohhh blog, sweet sweet blog. You've kinda been on the back burner and when I have thought about blogging- I've just been tired.

So here is our last six weeks from iphone photos.

Reagan loves the song "Cups" one day while singing it, she pulled out ALL the cups in the kid cabinet!

 Once a week Reagan has dance/gym class. She loves it and I adore watching her learn something she loves!

 We hit up a Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic to build the planes from "Planes"

 The girl who NEVER naps anymore has the habit of falling asleep in Kindergarten pick up line. 

It's a miracle.

 On Labor Day, we hit up Jump Jam (a trampoline house) with dad. The kids and I have been a ton but it was his first time to come and they had a blast together!

 You could jump into a pit of foam blocks and they all had to do it!

 Seriously- it's becoming a habit. Pick up line is awesome.

 And oh course, we've had to make a few stops at the ADPI house.

 I love that Mason is throwing diamonds,

 At Mason's school- you can come eat lunch with your child any day you want so Reagan and I met Mason one Friday to try out the cafeteria. It was a lot of fun!

I promise to do better at blogging. I even have two more posts ready to go. So don't give up on me- I think we are in a groove now!

First Day of School, first day of School

Monday- Mason had his first day of Kindergarten. He had a great first day, Reagan and I on the other hand had some tears. She is gonna miss her buddy every day, and I can't believe he is old enough to go to Kindergarten. The past 5 years together have flown by and I think you could always look back and say I could have done more, but I have to admit- I have loved it all. Mason and I got to explore Seattle and Knoxville together, we made friends together and we both got to watch as those relationships grew and developed. Without him, I would have never made my first mama friends in the Emerald City and those ladies will always hold a special place in my heart. Yes- there were tears on Monday but they were happy tears- remembering happy moments and knowing that many, many more are going to come. It was an excited day and I know it will be an excited year! I love watching you learn and grow, Mason so bring on Kindergarten!!

this is Reagan's crazy smile!

 My boys!

 Ahhhh. Love.

 Look at that face! Love you, M!

 I pray for these two every night- her to continue to nurture his love of learning and him for a wonderful year of school!

BUT that's not all....

Reagan started school on Wednesday. You may recall- Reagan was in MDO last year and although she loved it, separating in the morning was always a challenge. all. year. long. I am happy to say she pranced into preschool- happy as a clam, gave me a kiss and went off to play with her friends.

 She is such a ham!

 She loved getting a new backpack like brother.

Here's to an amazing year for both my kiddos.