October iPhone Dump

I love the month of October! It brings our anniversary and annual friends weekend plus usually colder weather, fires, and boots! 

We started soccer again this fall and the kids have loved having picnics on the soccer field, then enjoying the cooler nights with their friends. Caleb has done really good this fall and has scored a goal in almost every game. It doesn't hurt that the cut off was August 31, 2011 so he is one of the oldest on the field!

One day when we were in Target, my crazy husband asked an employee what they do with the displays when they are done, and talked the employee into taking this ninja turtle off of a display earlier than he was supposed to. It now lives in Caleb's bedroom!

Getting into the Halloween spirit ...

Charlotte was NOT feeling the fall school pictures. I laughed so hard when I got these!

Caleb's were better, but I still didn't order any since I knew we would be having our fall family pictures made a few weeks later.

Joey's work always participates in a local charity's Pig Iron Barbecue every October. They have lots of companies set up booths and serve barbecue and sides. This company had a kids drive in theater set up and it was so cute!

U4 soccer is hilarious. This was the kids at practice .. more interested in laying down and playing than practicing for the upcoming game.

We had our fifth annual Fall Friends Weekend where a few of my sorority sisters and their families all get together for a weekend of fun. We try and get the kids in costumes each year so we can see how they have grown. 

Charlotte is the only girl out of eight right now, so she pranced around like a princess in her tutu!

Here is our full crew this year ...

And a comparison of this year plus the two years before!

Last but not least is this video of Caleb from a soccer game this year. He scored one goal and did a victory dance, but I didn't have my phone out. We were rolling laughing, and asked him if he scored again to dance again. Thankfully he obliged and I was able to catch it on video!

A post strictly for Halloween festivities to come ... 

Caleb's Fourth Birthday Party

After the game changer of going from one kid to two, we decided that we would alternate years for big birthday parties. I usually go all out for birthday parties so it takes a lot of time, and one blow-out party a year is enough for me! This year was Caleb's year for a more low-key party. For the past six months or so, Caleb has been OBSESSED with ninja turtles, so I knew it would make the perfect theme!

We decided to have the party at the lake and rented a water slide for the kids to play on.

Some of the adults (and Charlotte) had fun with the slide too!

My friend Emily did the cake and cake pops again, and they turned out SO stinking cute!

So funny story ... Caleb saw the cake and loved it, but the first thing he said was "there is no yellow ninja turtle". Apparently one of the pictures I sent as an example looked like it was a yellow band instead of an orange band, and of course that was the first thing Caleb noticed! We just kept saying it was a ninja turtle cousin like Noah is his cousin, but he was not buying it :)

The kids got ninja turtle masks, cups, and rubber bracelets for the favors. 

Some of the kids that made the long trip down ...

Overall, it was a easy but fun party for this handsome four year old. Caleb, you are the funniest, cutest, most intelligent little boy I know. Mommy, Daddy, and Charlotte love you very much!!!

August and September iPhone Dump

August and September were filled with lots of great times! Here are some pictures from the two months of fun ...

At one of our favorite spots for breakfast, Tip Top, before the zoo one day!

Being silly at the lake ...

then snuggling with Ella.

Caleb and Charlotte had a joint doctors appointment for his four year and her fifteen month checkups. Caleb was 45.5 pounds (95th percentile) and 41.5 inches (75th percentile), and Charlotte was 23 pounds 14 ounces and 31.25 inches (both 75th percentile).

I got really sick one weekend, so Joey took the kids up to Huntsville while I rested. I loved getting pictures of them throughout the day!

These two share a special bond. Charlotte is such a daddy's girl!

We went to visit one of my college girlfriends in Atlanta one weekend and had a great time at the Gwinett Braves game.

We loved visiting with The Mullens!

There was a huge milestone for Charlotte (mainly me). I was able to braid her hair for the first time!

And then for Labor Day, we had Joey's college friend and his family in town. We love any chance to hang out with The Chesnutts!

And although we have a terrible team this year, my kids still look super cute in their Auburn gear that they sport every Friday and Saturday!

And we finally got to enjoy the outside again. Man did I miss those fires at night!

I love the way these two love each other!

June and July iPhone Dump

The summer seemed to fly by! We spent a lot of time at the lake enjoying time with the cousins ... 

Charlotte sported her first ponytail!

I LOVED the blast from the past at the Garth Brooks concert. 

This little stinker was obsessed with sitting on the vents while her hair blew around. 

We had so much fun at a few birthday parties ... 

Charlotte then sported her first pigtails!

More time at the lake for the 4th of July!

Joey's cousin and her family were in town from Connecticut and we had a great time at the waterfall, that Caleb still talks about all the time!

These cuties were adorable this day for church. Caleb wore a collared shirt for the first time in forever (it was a BIG deal), and Charlotte sported one of my old smocked dresses that my Nana made. 

There was lots of love to go around ...

And we also had swimming lessons for Caleb. He did great!