Halloween as come and gone

Halloween this year was nothing like we have ever experienced before. When we lived in Memphis, we would get maybe one or two trick or treaters but this year living in Knoxville, was something totally different! To start, the entire neighborhood was invited to a "pre-party" at my neighbors house where they were serving pizza by the slice. There had to have been at least 40 kids running around in the backyard, all in their costumes. It was too cute! Parker was right in the middle of it! He loved being around all of those little kids! After the "pre-party" we were hit with about 40 trick or treaters - all at once! All you could see was a wall of kids running to our house. It was great and everyone had a great time (believe it or not, we did have candy leftover!) ! Parker was so glad to see Gigi last weekend. He got so excited when I brought her home from the airport. I think we are all looking forward to going to Memphis for Thanksgiving. It's definetly been awhile since we have been home and we are excited to see the family! I know Parker will love playing with all 13 of his cousins that will be there! What a family!

On another note, Robert and I went to the UT/Wyoming game yesterday with our friends, John and Rachel. That poor team, I think everyone is ready for this season to be over. How awful! How could you losing to Wyoming? Our friend John had quite a hard time believing this last night but it's true, 13-7......Oh well, here is to next year's season!

Halloween is coming!

Halloween is definetly coming! There is a chill in the air, the leaves are turning and you see pumpkins everywhere you go! We decided Parker was going to be a lion this year. His costume is way too cute, thanks to my mom! So we have been working on his ROAR! Right now its more of a grumbly grrrr but he is getting there! Thursday he gets to be in a parade at his mother's day out program and then Friday we will probably go by a few houses in the neighborhood as well as stopping by Fisher's house (Kemper & Dave's newest addition)! Ginger is also coming up to celebrate with us. We always love when people come to visit! Especially Gigi! I think Friday we will probably stay around the house but Sat I think we are going to visit some of the local gardens and hopefully go out to dinner. We can't wait for her to get here! In the meantime, I think Parker and I are going to go spend some time at Ft Sanders (our fitness club). Gotta burn some calories to make room for that Halloween candy!

Here is a little preview of him in his costume.....

I hope everyone has a great week!

Back and recovered

Well, we are home and have recovered from our beach trip. We had a ton of fun and are so glad we got to get away, but wow is it exhausting with a child! But we have a ton of great memories and are already looking forward to next year's trip!

Today is just another Saturday in Knoxville. The Vols are on the road this weekend in Athens so we will be watching them take on Georgia at 3:30 this afternoon. Parker has been sleeping for almost two hours; I should probably wake him up soon! Robert is out doing yard work and Smokey and I are chilling on the couch watching Game Day. I'm sure there is something I could be doing but I want to save my cleaning for later in the week since Peter & Hayley are coming up for the weekend. The sheets are in the dryer and the dishwasher is running.....Oh I think I hear someone stirring. Here are some pics from last weekend. Seems like Parker is turning out to be just as big of a football fan as his daddy... We will see!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Just another day at the beach..

Well, we are here! We finally got to go on our beach trip! We are at the end of day 2 and like we suspected, this trip is completely different than any other beach trip we have been on! Parker has been a real trooper! He is so excited to be here! I think he has made friends with everyone on the beach and is not scared of the waves or the sand at all. In fact, he loves it! He loves running right into the surf and laughs hysterically! Robert and I have been taking turns chasing him up and down the beach. But with all of this excitement comes the lack of wanting to sleep which can make him a bit crankey at dinner time but we are taking it in stride... It's exhausting but we are so fortunate to have such a sweet and energetic little boy! More to come later....

Sunday at Cherokee Park

Today we spent the afternoon at Cherokee Park which is in a beautiful neighborhood called Sequoyah Hills that nestled along the Tennessee river here in ol' K-ville. Parker loves it there. He loves to watch the boats cruise by and runners with their animals. He even took interest in a heated waffle ball game that was going on near us. Did I mention he loves to eat sticks? We have been having such beautiful weather, how can you sit inside? But we did have a great afternoon, Parker enjoyed it so much he took a 2 1/2 hour nap this afternoon! We just have to get through this week and then we are off to Gulf Shores, AL for our rescheduled beach trip. Let's just say a quick prayer for good weather!

Parker's new toy

Parker's birthday gift from mommy and daddy finally arrived via UPS this past week. It looks like a little clubhouse with a slide. We have it inside right now but once it gets cooler, we will most likely put it on the patio. So Parker spent the weekend getting acclimated with it. He loves climbing up the slide and and scooting down the back - totally backwards but he loves it! Smokey loves it too, she thinks it is her private house when Parker isn't around. Those two have the funniest relationship, she is really on with him or wants nothing to do with him. I'm hoping she will come around the older he gets but for the meantime it is what it is! There is also a gas shortage in K-ville so we wont be going anywhere unless it's necessary. I paid $5 per gallon this morning. Hopefully we will see some relief soon! Well, have a good week everyone - we will be in touch!

Vacation - Cancelled!

Well, our first family vacation has been cancelled due to Hurricane Gustav...We are all pretty
bummed but what can ya do?? We did have a great Labor Day weekend! My sister and her
family came up for the weekend. We stayed pretty busy but I think the kids had fun just playing together. We the mighty Vols play their season opener tonight...Go Vols!

Labor Day Weekend!

Labor Day Weekend is here! The end of summer is finally upon us! I think it hit me when last night I came into the den and Robert said, "honey, the SEC football season has officially kicked off!" And there on the TV was South Carolina warming up for the kick off! Wow has summer flown by! My sister and her family are coming up to spend the weekend with us - we are so excited! We've got a few things planned but nothing too special. Knoxville has a big fireworks celebration called Boomsday we will go to. And then on Monday, it's off to the beach! Just say a prayer that Gustov goes the other way and not towards our beach!

I hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend and everyone's teams are victorious this weekend! I have been converted to a UT fan since meeting Robert five years ago, so Go Vols! They play UCLA Monday night at 8pm on ESPN so tune in!!

Getting ready for vacation

Well, it is finally that time of year - family vacation time! And not only is it vacation time but it is our FIRST family vacation since Parker was born. We are going down to Gulf Shores, Al for six days. As we get closer and closer to departing for vacation, I realize I am getting more and more nervous and anxious. Robert and I have never been to the beach with a baby, well he's not even a baby anymore - a walking toddler! I keep telling Robert its not going to be the same, no sitting on the beach all day drinking ice cold Corona, falling asleep with your feet in the sand, watching the sunset and then going to get a great seafood dinner. Nope, this year it was going to be totally different. Chasing a 1 year old up and down the beach, going to the pool, going up to the condo for lunch time and for nap time, then reapplying the sunscreen and going back down to the beach only to discover that the baby is much more happier at the pool. But thankfully, my mother is coming to help with Parker. Thank goodness she will be there! I think I have stressed myself out enough just thinking about it but it will be a good time and I will finally, finally get some much needed sun! Gotta love that vitamin D! Hopefully my anxiety level will decrease as we get closer to departure. We will see!

Oh here are some pictures of Parker chasing Smokey around the den. Turns out Smokey loves Parker's new Elmo chair just as much as Parker does which I must say doesn't make Mr. Parker too happy!

Happy Monday to all!

P.S. - I am new to this blog thing so be patient while I work on formats and what not...Thanks!