Spring Break Beach Trip

   For Spring Break this year we took off to Rosemary Beach, Florida.  We went our sweet friends- The Monroe and West Families.  We took off Saturday, April 3rd and returned on the 6th.  It was such a nice and quiet trip. 
     Caden was not a huge fan of sand on his feet or hands.  So Harper and Caden spent most of their time under a beach tent.  He did enjoy getting in the ocean with Daddy and swimming with big brother. 

     Grayson was a bit nervous this year.... last year he was bitten by a crab and found a baby shark.  After, the first day with no problems he was back to normal!  He spent most of his time in the ocean or playing in the sand.
 
    We were so lucky with the Condo we stayed in... below the Condos were shops and restaurants.  Our first night we ate at La Cocina.  Yummy!  We also enjoyed seafood the next night in Panama City at Sharky's.  Our last night in town we took off and left the kiddos for an adult night!  Our sweet nanny Lindsay came with us to help with the 4 kids... we were so lucky. 
     Lindsay also took the kids to the condo everyday during their nap time which allowed all of the adults to relax for a bit. 

   I do not have many pictures because the camera died within the first few minutes and I forgot the charger....  so all I have is from my phone!

First night at dinner... Harper and Caden had fun talking to eachother

Swimming in the pool (heated) with my boys!

Caden and Harper haging out under the tent eating their snacks

No kids tonight!  It was nice!

Caden playing on the blankets....

Cub Scout Pinewood Derby

Friday night Grayson's Boy Scout Troop had their annual Pinewood Derby.  I was so proud of Grayson because he won every single race his car was in... So he won FIRST place overall!  JR and Grayson worked so hard to make the car just right I was so proud!  Grayson wanted his car all black and named it the bullet!  It was an extra special night because Elijah was in town and was able to watch Grayson win.  He was so proud of Grayson!  My mom was also able to be there and watch him win!

Grayson getting his ribbon and pin from his leader.

 Smiling and showing off his "bullet" car!

It was cute to hear the kids yell after the race was over--  The bullet car won again!! YAY Grayson!

 

Special Present

   As you know JR's mom is stationed in Iraq and has been gone since January...  Grayson has really missed her and was very sad she was not here for his Birthday....so when he got a package from her over seas he was super excited.  Lisa had sent him the book Happy Birthday To You! By Dr. Seuss  In the book was a DVD that Lisa was able to video tape herself reading the book to Grayson... I thought this was the sweetest most thoughtful gift.  Now when Grayson is missing her he can put the DVD in and watch her read to him. 

Thanks Grandma!!!

Grayson's 8th Birthday Party

This year Grayson wanted to have a Bowling Party.... so AMF Lanes it was.  He invited all of his friends in his class and a few other friends.  He also wanted to have a Star Wars Lego Theme.  So publix made his cake (I love their cakes).  For party favors we gave each party guest their own Lego to build.  His party was on the same day as his Baptism so we called February 13th Grayson Day (he loved it).  The party started out great... lots of bowling!  When it was time for pizza and cake Grayson started looking like he did not feel well.  As soon as we started eating pizza Grayson looked at me and said I can't eat... and then he ran to the bathroom sick as a dog... POOR little guy threw up at his party and could not eat pizza or cake!!  I felt so bad for him.... He stuck it out the remainder of the party but stayed home from school Monday.

The Star Wars Cake

The set up... Thanks AMF Lanes for doing everything :) 

Caden even wants to bowl!

Some of the kids and adults bowling

Present time!!

Grayson's Baptism February 13th

   I can honestly say that this was one of the sweetest most precious days a parent can have.  Today I watched Grayson make his decision to accept Jesus as his personal Savior public.  I know that now my son will join us in Heaven one day.  I am not just his mom but his sister in Christ... What an amazing moment to witness.  To make the day even more special my Dad was able to baptize him.  I can say that through the whole morning I would just look at Grayson and tears of happiness would fall.  Words can not even begin to explain the pure joy I feel, I am just soooo PROUD of Grayson!!

Dad and Grayson right before he was baptized

Grayson saying "yes" he accepts Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior

And the old is washed away.....

Grayson's 8th Birthday

Grayson's birthday fell on a Monday this year so we decided to have a family dinner on the day and have his party the following weekend.  Grayson picked to eat a Sapporo's Hibatchi because he enjoys watching them cook in front of him.  We had all of the family that lives here now come... My parents, JR's sister and boyfriend, John and Mar.  We definitely missed having my sister, Elijah, Grandma Lisa, Uncle Greg and Adam and Grandpa Dave!  We had a nice time with the family and Grayson enjoyed the tricks our chef did.  He loved all of his presents which included Legos and money :)

    

Family Time

  We enjoyed a quiet family weekend after JR being gone all week.  Friday night we enjoyed dinner at Hong Kong Star with my parents.  Saturday morning JR and Grayson took off to Home Depot for some boy time.  They enjoying going for the kid's craft every month.  We ran a few errands getting essentials from Target and Trader Joes.  That night we met Ben, Candice, Allison and Scott for dinner at the West Cobb Diner. If you have never eaten there I highly recommend it!   Caden had started acting a little funny during dinner but we thought it was just because he was cutting 4 molars... but around midnight we realized he was getting sick.  The poor little guy was up the majority of the night coughing. 

       So, we stayed home from church and took care of his runny nose and sad cough.  Grayson enjoyed playing with his friends, a haircut and picking out his cake for his party.  I am also thankful that JR is such a helpful husband and dad and stayed back with Caden so Grayson and I could have a little time alone today!  He also spent the day doing little projects around the house. 

      

Here is Caden relaxing in his chair with his glow worm eating snack

Hates goodbyes....

   Just a warning this post is not finding me at my happiest point but I feel if I am going to blog it has to be the good and the sad.... so here goes....

1.  We had to say goodbye to JR's mom Lisa Flanagan right after Christmas as she headed to Texas before deployment.  Sunday she boarded an airplane for Iraq.  My heart goes out for her as leaves behind her family to fight for all of our freedom and safety.  We are all so very proud of her!!

2.  My sister decided to go ahead and move to Charlotte, NC about a week ago... It was very sudden as she was laid off last Friday. With the slow job market in Atlanta she decided to move early and head up there to job hunt.  My heart is breaking over this move.  I have never been so far from her and not mention little Elijah.  Those that know me know I LOVE Elijah... maybe too much at times since I am only his Aunt but he was a huge part of my life. 

So as the New Year is in full swing I have to re-evaluate myself... Life is short so LOVE with all you have and never look back....  

Caden is walking!

Caden started taking a few steps a few weeks ago but nothing often.... Then he just took off!  So proud of him!  He is also cutting all 4 molars as we speak so he is very cranky and hurting! 

  

Caden's Candy Land Birthday Party

  We celebrated Caden's First Birthday Saturday January 15th.  I went a little overboard on the theme... but the motto Go Big or Go Home kept running through my mind!  So I planned his party around the Candy Land Board Game.  We felt so loved and blessed to spend the day with family and great friends!  Caden is a loved little boy!
Enjoy!

The decor as the guests walked in

Yummy Food

Pictures of Caden from birth to a year

Party favors for the guests- Candy Bar

Opening all the wonderful gifts with lots of little helpers

Cake time :)  He loved licking the icing off his fingers

Walking along his game board

Grayson and Caden enjoying their cupcakes

Caden likes to sit in his baskets of toys

Some of our friends and family enjoying candy fun

                                      Playing with some new toys that his sweet little friends brought

Saying hi to his friend Fallon- she is precious!

The Gross Girls (minus 1) making their Candy Goody bag

What a wonderful and perfect day.  We could not have asked for a more perfect day spent celebrating Caden's First year!  Thanks to everyone who helped make the day so perfect!

Snow, Snow and Ice

  Let me first say that when the weather channel kept telling us that we needed to prepare for "snow" I thought it is Georgia we will get a little- No big deal!  Well I was wrong!  The snow started last Sunday night around 9:30 pm and did not let up until sometime late in the night!  Well the snow twas so hard and then it turned to freezing raind and ice that it kept us out of school the entire week.  Here are a few pictures of our adventures in the snow/ice.

Caden's First Birthday

  We decided to have a family dinner at Marietta Pizza company on Caden's actual birthday.  We enjoyed spending time with both sides our family!  Caden ate almost an entire piece of cheese pizza (if you know MPC you know how large their slices are!)  Then he opened his presents... most of which he was mad he could not open and play with them.  Then he enjoyed playing with a piece of cake.  He was not a fan of the icing on his hands!  What a special night we were able to experience with our loved ones!  Caden is so loved and such a lucky boy to have such a great family!