Operation Fun: 'Nooga Style

 We approached the last few weeks like fun was our job.  Good times were prescribed, so it was road trip time.  Destination Chattanooga.   

Always up for operation fun, Eli conquered his pool fear in one swim session.  He was TERRIFIED of a pool in China, so we expected a strong reaction.  Though he most likely had never seen a pool before, he was fearlessly jumping in within minutes at the hotel pool.  Lessons time apparently.   

Ev's can't swim in a regular pool, so when we pulled out a suit for her, she knew something fun was going down. 

Wasn't long before she discovered the joy of fountaining with her sibs! 

 Watching Eli and Evie try new things is just a total delight. This little dude held back nothing! 

'Nooga really is so much fun for families. 

This beautiful carousal spun our little people around about 76 times.

 

 

As you can see, Evelyn was a fan.   

 We've sat on these statues for years, and thankfully, they still bring smiles and make littles look like littles. 

 Some good news?  You can buy Lay's in Tennessee too!  Major points for you, Chattanooga!

Kite flying was the weekend highlight for Sophia.  She and her daddy ran around in this field for hours. 

 And, when they weren't kite chasing, we discovered this sweetness.  Be still my momma's heart. 

Gotta wonder what this chat was about. 

A stroll across this bridge was the perfect way to spend the afternoon. 

When we all were sufficiently wet and tired, it was ice cream time.

 Nothing says great road trip like hanging out in an ice cream shop while wearing your wet bathing suit.  And, some of us spoon our ice cream more dramatically than others.  :)

 

Prescription filled.  

Dedicated

 Our people.  We love them so.  When they are all spiffed up and smiling at the camera,
 it's a reminder again of how full our hearts are.  Yep, they sometimes make us a million shades of crazy, but they are also the best kind of awesome.  And high on cuteness too!

 

A few weeks ago, the littlest littles were dedicated at a special ceremony at our church. 

So, we got our fancy on. 



We had several rounds of

all four kids....please...please look at the camera attempts. 

Professional photographer friends,

we would really like to hang out with you sometime soon. 



 

It was a sweet ceremony with music, a blessing, & several families standing on stage with chosen verses for their new little ones.  

True to form, Eli used this opportunity for a little crowd winning.  

Big thanks to the Daniels and the Hensels for coming to support us. 



After some cake and punch (and another almost family picture),

we headed outside to soak in the sunshine.

 These little souls entrusted to our care are such gifts. 

 Again and again we promise to be intentional with the time given.  



 

 

Thanks, Mamaw and Papaw, for the matching dresses and tiny tie!

Daddy Daughter Weekend-o-Rama

Never will they wonder if they were loved, because he loves them with great intention.   

This past weekend, our girls were blessed with two daddy dates. 

Friday night we had three (thought one of us might need to be boxing up our digs)tickets to the play, Ariel Jr.  So, Mark jumped at the opportunity to sweep our littles away for a special night at the theater! 

With gowns carefully chosen, they were bubbling over with excitement. 

They came home from their magical night humming, twirling and giggling.  A night at the theater does that to a gal.

Since the princesses acted like princess, Dunkin Donuts got three happy jammy-clad customers in the AM.

Finally, Saturday night was a super special event that they've done the last few years, Chick-fil-a's daddy daughter date night!  They do it up right with reservations, balloons, table cloths, and special servers.  The girls came home with another round of smiles, flowers, stuffed cows and another memory to store away. 

 

Mark, you are the bo-diggity dad. 

Girls, it is my turn next. 

awesome

These

 people

 are

awesome.

Christmas, Binghamton Style

Last year was Christmas in KY, so it was a NY year.  A pizza-palooza and a white Christmas were guaranteed.   So, we loaded up the mini and headed north.  Much to our pleasure, our first sight of snow was driving through TN!

The night before Christmas brought hanging with Grandma and Grandpa, cousin time, satin red dresses, Christmas mass and cookie baking. 

Our Santa prep brought peanut butter blossoms, glasses of milk, sprinkling of reindeer food, letter writing, and a bonus love note. 

After a night of sugarplums dancing through sleepy little heads,
we awoke to discover that Saint Nick had been there!

After a couple hours of hardcore playing,
the cousins arrived for hanging out, mass consumption of spaghetti, meatballs, Italian sausage and cookies, and a gift exchange. 

The girls don't get to see their NY cousins very much, so they SOAKED up all kinds of lovin'. 

We all knew the time was precious and rare, so we hugged, made fun of each other, giggled and had lots of fun. 



We kept up our baby Jesus cupcake tradition, so the afternoon ended with our little ambassadors requesting that everyone join in a singing of "Happy Birthday to You"!

Thanks, Grandma, Grandpa, Jen, Randy, Courtney, Austin, Jordan, Jaime, Alexis, Macie and Robert for a memorable Christmas.  Much, much love to you. 

Summering on the Lake

Summer just ain't summer until we hit the lake. 

There is just something so peaceful and fun about cruising along on a pontoon boat. 

Having Mamaw and Papaw around makes afternoons on the lake
the stuff of summer memories.

And when the heat rises,
sometimes you just have to jump right off of that boat. 

We had some seriously good fun swimming amongst the fishes. 

And what of this?  

 This is reason #347 to love that mom of mine. 

Thanks, sweet parentals, for a fun, fun summer memory. 

War of the Squirts

On this trip to the cabin,

it was a full on squirt war. 

Everyone was in on the action,

and no person left dry. 

And Mark? 

Well, if you know him you know just.what.happened.

Often armed with two weapons (and sometimes a hose),

it was game on. 

 Gun suppliers Janie and Dad
took no prisoners. 
Even the sweet saint of a mom was packing heat. 
The whole stinkin' fam was drenched.

Poor, soaking Claire finally surrendered and begged for cover. 

Competitive?

Uh, yep.

Rematch anyone?
It'll be us against him.