Visit with Santa

The kids went to visit Santa at the Bass Pro Shop. We went last year for the first time and really enjoyed it. They have games for the kids to play, crafts, and coloring areas. The boys also love the big fish tank and stuffed bear (their words). Sweet little Taylor slept through our entire adventure and liked sitting in Santa's lap! Santa told Jackson he needed to cut his list by 2/3. Jackson had made a list of all kinds of stuff and a bunch of legos that he wanted. We are looking forward to a visit from Santa on Christmas Eve...hopefully, Buster the Elf has been reporting all of our good behavior;) There is not anything like Christmas through the eyes of a child!!!

Drew and Jackson are letting Santa know what they would like for Christmas! Legos for Jackson and Imaginext stuff for Drew and we think Taylor would love a baby doll since we do not have any of those at our house!

The boys were excited about the addition of a carousel!

The store is all decorated for Christmas, and it is really pretty!

Taylor's Birth Announcement

Little Lamb Pink Baby Announcements

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Thanksgiving Day

We celebrated Taylor's first Thanksgiving with a traditional lunch at my parents' house in Columbia. Both of my grandmothers, my great aunt, Andrew and Katie celebrated with us. The boys enjoyed playing football outside and watching football inside with daddy and Uncle Andrew.
In the evening, we went to Mama Linda and John's house for dinner. Several of Andy's family members were there. After dinner, all the boys went to see The Muppet's Movie. Jackson and Drew really enjoyed the movie!

It is not easy to get a picture of all 5 of us...

Native American Day

Jackson's class had a fun time celebrating Thanksgiving with a Native American Day. They had each painted a brown pillowcase to wear and rotated to different stations to learn more about Native Americans.

Jackson and Zachary

Jackson and Mommy

Liam and Jackson work on their cave drawings.

Jackson weaves his basket.

The class also painted and colored a totem pole, made butter, and ate corn cakes. Jackson was proud of his finished products!

Thanksgiving Feast

Drew's preschool had their annual Thanksgiving feast the week before Thanksgiving. It was so fun to see Drew and all his sweet friends and their parents. It is a tremendous blessing that Drew is in learning so much in a wonderful place! We are so thankful for his school and the sweet teachers!

Drew adores his friends, Andrew and Walker. We hear all about the fun they have in their classroom, on the playground and in the gym. They are sweet AND silly little boys--just the way it should be!

Taylor--One Month Old

Our sweet little baby girl is one month old! She continues to melt our hearts everyday, and her big brothers love her so much (mostly because she just sleeps and eats). Taylor has been a wonderful little baby and we hope this pattern continues. She eats about every 3 hours during the day and has a 4-5 hour stretch most nights. She likes to sleep in the swing, in someone's arms or her crib during the day. During the night, she sleeps in her bed in her room. She likes to be swaddled but have her arms and hands by her face. Baby girl has already slept through many Star Wars battles, hockey games, basketball games and wrestling matches (all performed by her brothers). When she is awake, she loves to be held and watch the mobile on her swing. She is also fascinated by the fans in our house. Drew really enjoys holding baby Taylor and is very attentive and loving to her. Jackson likes to protect her and watch out for her. Thankfully, they have both been very helpful.Taylor is wearing newborn diapers and mostly newborn clothes. Her 0-3 months clothes are still really big. She probably weighs between 8-9 pounds.
The first month has not always been easy! Jackson and Drew have each been sick at different times. Drew started it with strep throat, then acute bronchitis, and then walking pneumonia. He has taken 2 different antibiotics, a penicillin shot, steroids, and breathing treatments and missed over 2 weeks of school. Once Drew was better, Jackson had strep throat and walking pneumonia. He took antibiotics and breathing treatments and missed 3 days of school. During the past month, we were at the doctor's office for 6 different visits and also got our flu shots. I jokingly asked our doctor if we could get a frequent patient punch card!

Brand New Big Brothers

Jackson and Drew were so excited to meet their new baby sister. They came to the hospital on Saturday before and after their soccer games to hold her. The boys had stayed with Grammy and Papa on Friday night.Daddy introduces baby Taylor to the brothers! Drew said, "hi Taylor! I'm Drew." They were both so sweet to her.

Our new family of five!
Drew had to hold Taylor again and get a good look at her.

Baby Taylor

Baby Taylor made her big debut on Friday evening at 8:38 pm. We were all a little shocked that she was so early and came so quick (we arrived at the hospital around 6 pm). Of course, one look at her and we were in love! Baby girl is precious!

Mommy and daughter

She weighed 6 lbs and 9 oz and was 18 in long.
Taylor and her first of many big bows!
Daddy and daughter
The new addition to our family...we are so blessed by God and thankful to Him for this amazing gift!

Brentwood Hills Christian Camp

This summer was Jackson's first year at Brentwood Hills Christian Camp. He was able to go because his daddy also went as a counselor. Jackson loved everything about Junior Camp! He had fun in Bible class, swimming (twice a day), going to the creek, playing four square, shooting basketball, and playing softball with the big boys. We were so proud of how well he did at camp! He is already asking about going back next year!

Jackson's envelope on the camp line. He loved getting mail (and candy) and even sent some mail to other people at camp.

He and his friends had so much fun in the Poplars cabin!

Andy, Jackson, Robbie, and Tyler on the last night of camp

Holiday World

In July, the boys and I headed to Santa Claus, Indiana, with my best friends from college. This was our third trip and each trip gets more interesting as we add more kids! All the kids love staying at Ms. Jennifer's house because of her cool playhouse and they all get to sleep together in the basement. However, there was very little sleeping this year;) The adults love being able to hang out together and stay up late talking and trying to get the kids to go to sleep. We always eat at the Cheddar's in Owensboro, Kentucky, whenever we visit there.

The kids were all smiles after lots of chips and mini corn dogs for dinner.

Ready for bed--but not ready to go to sleep!
Seth, Sadie, Drew, Asher, Carter, Jackson, Emma, Katie Anne, and Sawyer
Moms and kids are ready for a day at the park!
All the kids rode the Hollidog Roller Coaster (thanks to Amy for riding with Drew).
By the afternoon, Drew was exhausted and fell asleep in the chair by the pool.
The kids all had a blast at the wave pool!

UT Sports Picnic

UT had their annual Sports Picnic a few weeks ago. The boys (including Andy) are definitely ready for football season. Jackson and Drew were so excited to wear their jerseys. Just a few more days until the season starts...It's almost "Football Time in Tennessee!"

Jackson and Drew got to meet 3 of the players. The players were so friendly and kind to the boys.

Dallas Thomas, Tauren Poole, Jackson, Drew, and Malik Jackson