Lions, Tigers and Pumpkins

Cole got to wear his Halloween costume for the first time last night. We had our Fall Festival at church, so I headed home from work, put Coleman in his lion costume snapped a few photos at home and headed to church. The activities building was decorated all fall-like with scarecrows, pumpkins, hay bales and mums. There were kids everywhere; inside playing games, outside jumping and sliding in the big blow up things or petting miniature ponies. It was great! Dax got to enjoy popcorn and cotton candy. We were even able to take a few snap shots of Cole and Nixon together. She was an adorable pumpkin. I told Julia that we were fortunate we had content children because they both didn't seem to mind their costumes at all. Dax and I say all the time that we are blessed to be part of such an amazing church. We have really been blessed with the friends God has provided us. We are proud that our church has a ministry such as this were we can extend to the community and share the Lord's love with them.

Cole was practicing his roar. Do you think Nixon was scared? Not a bit! We can't ever seem to get them to look at us for a picture...they are always fascinated with each other. Cole even tried to give Nixon some sugar during a group photo. He is starting young...what are we going to do with him?

Cole is Growing

I have been meaning to post some pictures of Cole just from the past month. He went last week for his 9 month check-up. Mom took him for me since I couldn't get off work. (Thanks Nana!) He weighed 16 lbs 14 oz and was 28" long. Dr. Wiley said he is definitely growing considering where we started but he is just going to be small - "our little peanut." He is trying to stand on his on but won't do it when you try to get him to. He has five teeth (which get him in trouble). He is putting everything in his mouth; this is where the problem lies...food, toys, Nana's leg, Mrs. Mary's leg at church. I think you get the point that we have a biter!!! I think it is a little to early to say he is doing it on purpose but we still don't want him biting people. He is great at bedtime. He finishes his bottle, we brush his teeth and then lay him down. This has been going on for a couple of weeks now. I will admit I do miss rocking my baby but it is nice to know that he will go to bed on his own.

These are a couple of pictures of Cole enjoying his bath time. We think he is so cute.

This is of Cole and his Dad enjoying a little TV before Cole's bed time.

Cole decided he would help me unload the dishwasher one Saturday morning before he went outside to help his dad with Georgia and Deuce. He has a toboggin on because it was actually windy and cold that morning.

Homecoming weekend for Troy

We spent this past weekend celebrating Troy University's Homecoming. I have been going to the parade on Saturday morning for as long as I can remember. This year Cole made his first appearance. I am sure it will become his tradition as well. Cole did great. He didn't seem to be bothered with the loud sirens or drums at all. Below is a picture of Nixon and Cole at the parade.

We then headed over to tailgate and enjoy lunch before kick-off. Dad cooked this year for the State Farm tent as he does every year. We had a great time other than it turning out a little warm. Troy had a great game and are still undefeated in their conference. Go Trojans!

You can see in the picture above all the water on his outfit. That would be from his Pops letting him drink from a water bottle.

"What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas"

Well I am back from Las Vegas and it was great! Allison, Amanda and I flew out Thursday to meet Paige in Las Vegas for the weekend. Katie drove down from Wyoming so we could have a reunion weekend with the group from high school. It was long overdue.

We relaxed Thursday night and spent our time catching up with each other and their lives. Paige is married and living in Las Vegas at least for 4 years while her husband, Danny is in Med School. They are enjoying it. Amanda is engaged to Paul and planning to get married in April; Allison and I got to meet him for the first time at the airport. Katie is living in Jackson Hole working...well, she was working but the place shut down for the winter so she has an interview tomorrow for Director of a Spa! We are so excited and looking for a discounted "girls weekend." Allison is dating Allen and we think he is the one. She is finishing her masters in dietetics and living in Birmingham.

Friday we had pancakes for Paige's birthday and headed down to the strip to see "Las Vegas." We went in to a couple of the casinos and did a little shopping. It was so windy. There was actually a wind advisory for Friday and Saturday. We returned home to rest and get ready for dinner. We went to New York New York and ate at one of the restaurants there. We hung out there for a while and then went to a Piano Bar that was in the hotel. We had great time celebrating Paige being 25.

Saturday we took it easy. Allison, Amanda, Katie and I got tickets to see Le Reve produced by the same people that put on Cirque du Soleil's "O". It was amazing. The show was mainly in the water but people came from the ceiling and everything. They were so talented. We all said it was our favorite thing about Las Vegas.

Sunday we said our good-byes and headed for home. I had a great time but missed Dax and Cole tremendously. When I left Thursday Cole was feeling well and we had gotten about 1.5 hours of sleep Wednesday night. Dax did great though. He is the best Dad!!

The five of us out for Paige's 25th

Elvis made an appearance...In fact 6 Elvis made an appearance

Ready to go to see Le Reve

Jessica and Eli say "I do"

Dax and Me at the Rehearsal Dinner

Me and Dax at the Jack Daniel's Distillery

Melissa, Me and Candace

The beautiful bride

This past weekend Dax and I left Cole with Honey and Mont (Dax's Parents) and ventured to Fayetteville, Tennessee. We had a weekend full of wedding bliss in celebration of Jessica and Eli. We were invited to a barbecue on Friday night for the rehearsal dinner where we were greeted with mint julips. Tables were decorated with sunflowers and peanuts while hay bails stacked on top of each other created the perfect serving area for drinks. It couldn't have felt more like fall. It was great! We attended a coffee Saturday morning to begin the wedding day festivities. We left from there and headed to Lynchburg, Tennesee, home of Jack Daniel's Distillery. We toured the facility learning how the famous, number one selling whiskey was made. One neat fact, no matter where you buy Jack Daniels it is created from water running through a cove right there in Lynchburg, Tennessee. We left there to go back to the hotel, nap and get ready for the wedding. The ceremony and reception where both outside. It was absolutely beautiful. The processional was played by a bagpiper. After Eli and Jessica said "I do" we headed to the front yard to enjoy drinks and h'orsdevors(sp?) After dancing the night away, Jessica and Eli headed to Nashville to catch a flight to Antigua. We ended the weekend with a breakfast at one of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen. It sat on a hilltop over looking the mountains. It was such a great weekend. It was especially great to see everyone. Although Dax and I had a great weekend we were ready to return home to Cole. We sure did miss him. I have attached some pictures from this weekend for you to enjoy.