Happy Mother's Day!

Jack & Abbott got matching outfits yesterday so we tried to get their pictures made together. Jack refused to sit by Abbott saying, "NO it baby Abbott, no it baby Abbott." So, we took separate pictures, and they're still pretty cute. After playing outside for awhile, we had a wonderful lunch of, what else, Wannie's fried chicken. Except... this time Popo fried the chicken since it was Mother's Day. Aunt Lissa helped, too and we had a wonderful lunch. This afternoon we've been relaxing and just taking it easy. If you're a Mom, hope you had a great day.

AFTTT Volume 2

Abbott and Jack are having a fun time at Wannie & Poppa's house! We had a party to celebrate Abbott's first trip to Texas and enjoyed the hot, humid weather on Meredith Hill. All the cousins were there and Landon brought his jeep to share with Jack. Jack rode while Landon drove until Jack eventually figured out how to work the pedal. Popo took a cute video and once we get back to our home computers we can send that out. It was great to see everyone and Kelly and Abbott got some nice goodies. Later, we cooked out and enjoyed the cool evening weather. Jack played "ai-yide" all day and was so pooped he fell asleep at 7:30!

Abbott's just hanging out before his party.

Taking a ride around the Hill in Landon's jeep.

Jack's sitting at the big table with his cousins Caroline, Sydney and Landon.

One of Abbott's "welcome to Texas" gifts handmade by Amy. She says they'll be for sale later, stay tuned.

Abbott and Bryce chose to hang indoors. It was pretty hot outside.

It's really fun that we can all get together. So many cousins don't get a chance to see each other, I know I have some I've never met. Caroline, Sydney, Landon, Bryce, Jack and Abbott are all third cousins (I looked it up) and I know will get to spend many many more gatherings at Meredith Hill in the years to come.

Abbott's frist trip to Texas Volume 1

2 crazy sisters decided it would be good to fly with a newborn and a 2 year old. We were right. It went off as smooth as could be expected and Abbott actually slept most of the time. Jack played with his cars and cool colorforms that Miss Janet bought for him. Here's a few pictures of our first day in Athens. I can't type much it's almost dinner time!! :)

Jack, Kelly & Abbott on the airplane.

Abbott was serious and Kelly was trying to be serious like Abbott, then he decided to smile.

Aunt Lissa is really bothering Abbott while she's talking on the phone.

Jack's first time in the pool this year.

Super excited Abbott about his first trip to Texas.

More later!!!

Fall Nown Ai-yide

Jack tells me today:

"Fall nown ai-yide. Hu knee. Bobo on knee. Jack diss it. Awbebber."

Great Story, Great Person

One of our Tennessee basketball players just revealed that he fought and won a battle with cancer about a year ago. This is a really awesome story about him and his fight. You should read it.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?id=3376961

Charlie

Jarred and I bought a sad looking Japanese Maple tree today at Lowe's for $7.50. Jarred said he didn't think it would die and he wanted to get it. We (I) named him Charlie, like Charlie Brown who bought the sad Christmas tree. Plus, I had a really cool uncle named Charlie. I don't know if he liked Japanese Maple trees or not, but who doesn't? Our goal is to bring this little tree back to life and have a good story to tell when we do.

Charlie the Japanese Maple.

Jack & Charlie. Let's see who grows more!

Jack & Mom. Aren't we cute?

Big News

JACK IS GOING TO PRESCHOOL!!! Jarred and I have decided that Jack needs to start being around other kids (other than at his gymnastics class for 45 minutes a week) and learning to be away from me, so I looked into a few schools in the area. With help from my preschool savvy sister, I learned what to look for and which ones to stay away from. We found an opening at Westlake church in Knoxville. (Kelly, it's a 3 star school.) It's kind of far from my house, especially with the construction, but we eventually hope to move into the area where it is. He will go to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 1. I figured that was a good way to ease him into the school thing and then maybe next year he can go longer. Any advice y'all may have about transitioning him to school would be great! If you don't want to sign up to post on the blog, email me at volgrad01@aol.com and I'll gladly read all suggestions. I am both excited and nervous at the same time. I know he will have a great time but I also dread the separation anxiety that he'll go through thinking that I'm leaving him. I know he will learn and get over it but it's still sad to think that he thinks I'm leaving him. He will start on August 18th. YAY for Jack! Here's the website for the church if you'd like to investigate for yourself. It's not very detailed but it tells you what you need to know.

http://www.westlakechurch.net

Don't forget to post or email me your suggestions. I'll take all I can get!!