Blog back up and running....

Happy 2009 everyone! (Yes, I know I am a little late but I guess it's better to be late than never, right??) Well after a three month break from blogging, I am really going to try and rededicate myself to it. My friend Leigh had to remind me that I have a blog and it's been months since I have posted! Leigh, thanks for the reminder! So I guess we will just do quick updates on everyone in the family! Parker has definitely been keeping us on our toes lately, just when you think you have baby-proofed all that you can, your child grows another inch or two and discovers that he can pull open the drawers in the kitchen. And not only can he pull them open, he can reach in and grab stuff out of them! That sent us into a quick panic; moving meat thermometers, blades to the Cuisinart and kabob sticks (is that what they are called?) to higher ground! He has also discovered Smokey's food and water bowls. He loves to sneak into the kitchen, run over to them and then dump them out! And then once you have busted him, he runs to get a kitchen towel to wipe up the mess. It's pretty funny but a huge mess! And not to mention, it ticks Smokey off pretty badly! He is talking more and more everyday, sputtering out things like, "See ya!" or "Bye John!" (when our friend John Harris leaves the house) he can also say "Hey" with a pretty thick Southern accent! He is still going to mother's day out two days a week and loving it! I can't believe he will be 18 months on Saturday, where in the world has the time gone by?? Where is my baby??

Robert and I are also doing well! Robert has been very busy with work, which is a true blessing! People in his field are being laid off all the time! I guess in these tight economic times, people need their Dollar Generals! So if there is one near you, I highly suggest shopping there! As for me, I am still working for the Keegan part time. Three days at home and two at the office. This has really worked out well for me and we all hope it continues as long as it can.

I will try to update the blog at least once a week, however if you see I haven't updated in awhile, let me know! It's hard to get anything done on the computer when all your little one wants to do when he sees you working on it is bang on the keys and try to crash the hard drive! (Don't laugh, he crashed the first hard drive I had on this laptop!)

Have a good week everyone!!!

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!