They say laughter adds 8 years to your life

Alli is with her cousin Dalton at The Colquett's house in Lineville, AL. They were obviously amused with the piano!

Attempt to eat Puffs

I recorded 2 takes of Sam in his highchair. I accidentally chose the wrong one to upload, but it takes so long that I didn't want to remove this one and start over. So, this video may seem a little boring, but it's still sweet.

Siblings at play

Happy Halloween!

We went to the zoo on Halloween because Eric is off on Fridays and it was a beautiful day! Alli loves the zoo. Although she was completely frightened when a large chimp ran up to the window right in front of her. I wish we'd gotten a picture of that : ) 

No pictures of Sam at the zoo. He was sleeping in the stroller. 

This little meercat was so cute!

Dressing up

This was her Halloween costume. I had a cute pic of she and Sam together but it was accidentally deleted I think. We had a Halloween carnival at school. Alli wasn't too interested in playing the games so we opted not to take her to another fall festival on Halloween night. She had more fun waiting for tricker-treaters at home and helping hand out candy. : )

Alli was trying to swing a bat at a pinata. Bless her heart...the bat weighed 1/2 as much as she does and she didn't really have a clue what she was supposed to do with it!

Alli and her buddies at a princess birthday party. Faith (in yellow) was the birthday girl (3 yrs). She is in Alli's class from school and they have become sweet friends.  

October Fun

Alli is going to a b'day party today where she is supposed to dress up like a princess. I got her this Sleeping Beauty costume on the Halloween isle. She is a little beauty. I found the chili pepper for Sam, but Eric did not approve. Oh well.

We visited the Pumpkin Patch in Flowermound yesterday.  Alli had so much fun there last year, I was sure she'd love it again. It was okay, but she was clearly not having the time of her life. Later, we went to lunch and I asked her if she enjoyed the Pumpkin Patch. She said, "I did. I just didn't want to take pictures." If you've never been there, it's a wonderful place to take Fall pictures. So we wouldn't really leave her alone for wanting to snap a decent photo. I guess next year we'll forget the pics and jut try to have fun. : ) 

She managed to squeeze out a smile for me for at least one pic.

Sam was smiling! I think he was glad to be out of the stroller, rolling over potholes and rocks in the pumpkin patch.

Making bird feeders

This was a project that Grammy left for Alli to do when they came out a couple of weeks ago. Eric helped her with it. They feeders have been hanging in the tree for a week now, but the birds don't seem interested. Hmmm? 

Family Time

Sam is 6 months old today! It goes so fast, and I've grown to love watching my children enjoy each other. Sam is sitting up and almost crawling already. He does sort of an army crawl right now. It's a little hard to believe he is only 6 months and already almost completely on the move! I'm so not prepared... we haven't really baby proofed our house yet. And I'm constantly watching out for choking hazards. It's a little different with child #2, because now child #1 has a thousand small toys that = "interesting objects to put in my mouth" for child #2. It does help that Alli does not want to let Sam drool all over her toys. She is very good at entertaining her little brother, and I appreciate that a lot!

Video of Sam laughing

Alli was reading Peter Rabbit with Grammy before bed. She knows the whole story word for word. The book reads that Peter sneezed, "Kertchoo!" When Alli said that word, Sam thought it was funny. So we all kept saying it to make him laugh. That's what is happening in the video. And he still laughs everytime we say "kertchoo" There is just nothing sweeter than the sound of a baby's giggle - especially my own little guy!

Grammy and Grandaddy visit

Alli and Sam stayed home with Grammy and Grandaddy while Eric and I were working. Grammy kept Alli busy cooking and making fun fall projects. Sam was happy to have some extra attention.  And, best of all, Eric and I were grateful for all the help and a night out to ourselves! Thanks Grammy and Grandaddy!

This is a classic Samuel expression...I think he really favors Eric with this face.

September

We were blessed to be given this jumperoo by a church member. Sam loves it!

Alli loves cheering for Auburn...unfortunately it doesn't seem to be helping our team. 

This was the first day of school. They are so sweet : )

My Top Fives

This blog was created for our friends and family (near and far) to see pictures and updates of our beautiful children. I do not make it a practice to talk about me. However, I am accepting a "challenge" from my sweet friend Susanna Cole. So this is for you girl.

10 years ago I was:

1. meeting Eric on a blind date

2. starting my Sr. year of high school

3. hanging out with my church youth group

4. cheering on my high school football team to state playoffs for the 1st time in like 100 years. (we didn't win)

5. working at a formal wear store

On my to-do list today:

1. change sheets

2. make dinner

3. bathe Sam

4. work on lesson plans

5. relax

Favorite snacks:

(these are my current milk-free snacks)

1. Golden Oreos

2. pretzels

3. Ritz Toasted chips

4. peanut butter cookies

5. weirdly flavored popcorn (no butter)

If I were a millionaire I would:

1. Tithe

2. buy a new wardrobe

3. buy a beach condo large enough for my whole family to enjoy

4. pay for my children's college expenses

5. give to needy children and single moms

My bad habits are:

1. biting my lip

2. drinking too much coke

3. staying up too late

4. hitting the snooze button 4 or 5 times (due to #3)

5. not posting on this blog enough

Places I've lived:

1. Jacksonville, AL

2. Auburn, AL

3. Opelika, AL

4. North Richland Hills, TX

5. Fort Worth, TX

Jobs I've had:

1. forwal wear shop

2. FBC Wee Care preschool

3. Victory Engraving (I made trophies...that's right)

4. Sagamore Hill Elem. Pre-K teacher

5. The Met New Creation Preschool teacher

People I want to know more about:

1. Allison Hunter

2. Kasey Woodfin (don't know her married name)

3. Candace Burns

4. Candice Roberts

5. Amanda Bailey

SAM - 4 months

Sam had his 4 month check up this week. He is 14lbs. 2 oz. and 24 1/2" long. He falls right into the 50th percentile. Just perfect! He loves to have his feet in the air and hands in his mouth all the time now. He watches Alli's every move and is very interested in what goes on around the house. He has started eating rice cereal (he loves it), but we are not on any kind of regimen yet. We're taking it very slowly.  

Oh, he is the cutest thing!

I think Sam really wanted to have some of Alli's fruit. She would've been happy to share, but she told he wasn't big yet like her.

Gorgeous!

Heaven help us when the boys come knocking!

Alli at Home

Meet our resident Princess, Cook, and Teacher. She is such a mess, and I am pretty much out of tricks for keeping her entertained at home this summer. Our preschool (where I work and she attends) has been delayed in starting because the church has a brand new facility that isn't ready to open just yet. But, I am anxiously awaiting our start day for 2 reasons: 1) a paycheck and 2) so Alli can stop asking me when we are going to school. 

I make jokes, but I truly have enjoyed my time at home with my sweet, adorable children this summer!

"This pig goes right here Sam, okay?"