Our visit from Mom, Krista and Ayla!

Mom, Krista and Ayla came up for a visit this past weekend. Ayla and the boys LOVE each other. Let me put it this way...Ayla tried to make out with Gavin after lunch on Sunday (after eating pizza, ice cream, etc.) and he broke out. I'm talking like full on....red as a beet, breathing treatment, coughing--the whole thing (severely allergic to milk). Nolen is still asking where Ayla is....they just love each other--it makes me so happy.
Nolen thoroughly enjoyed our lunch on Sunday. We went to a local restaurant where the kids lunch includes desert and Nolen got a "baby bellini". This kid LOVES food (seriously--I don't think he knows when he's full, he will eat til he throws up). Anyways....he really enjoyed his desert and so did Ayla. He was so cute eating his little cookie thing and dipping it in his bellini...he just couldn't get enough.

We didn't do a whole lot other than go to our awesome Church on Sunday. Oh yeah, and I took on a project of making a window panel for Ayla's room. Let's just say that I got in a little over my head. I am pretty pleased with the way it turned out but I "struggled" with my bobbin and broke like 3 needles. BUT, after 6 hours of pulling my hair out (and some assistance from good ole Mom) I finally finished....check it out!!!

So....that means I have completed 2 projects now--next is a bed skirt and maybe even a duvet cover for our bed.....

Here is a pic of my other project (side light panels for my door).

Our weekend with the Stones!

DJ, Stephanie and their beautiful girls.....Madeline and Savannah came up to visit! We were so happy to have them and had such an awesome time! We always try to get together with them when we are back home but it is more fun when they come here because it is not nearly as hectic.
Anyways....Eric and DJ went snowboarding.

We went and ate at the Apple Barn (Stephanie's favorite Pigeon Forge restaurant). Stephanie had to get her some apple "butta". It was quite good.....Steph and I LOVE us some country cookin!!! The Apple Fritters are fabulous!

THEN....we went on a mission up into the mountains of Gatlinburg to find snow. The girls only request for the trip was to see snow. So, we headed up the mountain and we found some snow...so we pulled over on the side of the road and played. Unfortunately (or fortunately), Nolen was sleeping soundly in his carseat so he is not in the pictures.

Sunday we went to Church and then had a really good lunch at PF Changs...yum. We had such a great time with them. Hopefully, they will come back soon....or just move up here. We are so thankful for our awesome friends.

I love my Gavin.....

Gavin makes us smile everyday. Aside from being hilarious....he is sooo sweet (most of the time). When I put him to bed one night last week, after I said his prayers he had to say them. He learned this prayer at school and it seriously brought tears to my eyes...I had never heard it. I had to make him say it again the next day so I could share it...enjoy.

Happy 2nd Birthday Nolen!!!

I cannot believe that my baby is already 2!!! Ok....this means that I officially have "baby fever". By the time Gavin turned two I was one month away from having Nolen.....I am ready. Anyways....here is a video and some pics of his birthday. We didn't do a big party this year for Nolen (we are gonna have to take turns with parties since there birthdays are exactly 1 month apart). So....we celebrated at home on his birthday and then took a trip to Chuck E Cheese Friday night. Wow....did my kids love it. With Gavin being allergic to milk, we have never been-- but I have a feeling that we may become regulars. Obviousely, we came home and immediately went to the bath to "de-germ"....there are a lot of kids there.
Nolen loved having "Happy Birthday" sang to him......and the candle was pretty cool too.

Nolen LOVES cupcakes....well food in general really.

The big red scratch on his face is from one of many fights with Gavin....but this is the first one that has left a mark. From what I hear....it will not be the last--I NEED a girl!!!


Ok....I know these are not your typical birthday cupcakes. I decorated the 1 for Nolen and then Eric did the rest. His birthday was the same night as the Gator game so Eric had to do a Gator cupcake and then he just got carried away.....memories right?
On a side note...Nolen is totally responsible for the Gators winning. He was born on the day of the National Championship 2 years ago (we watched it from the hospital room and Nolen wore Gator socks his Uncle Sean and Aunt Sonda got him). It was on a Monday 2 years ago and on a Thursday this time...so yes they changed it so it was still on his birthday and they won again! Thank you Nolen!!

Nolen LOVES his Papaw



Gavin, Kellen and Wyatt