School and Soccer

School and soccer season have started for Jackson, and he is loving it. Grammy and Papa went with Jackson for Sneak-A-Peak, and Mama Linda took Jackson to school on his first day because we were in California. I do not have any pictures of those events yet. When I talked to Jackson after his first day at school, he told me there was a "new order" (different schedule from the 2 year old class) and they had "some visitors" (new friends who were not in his 2 year old class). He is crazy about Miss Mallory and Miss Sherry. They are so sweet and very patient and creative. We are so blessed to have Jackson at Harpeth Hills. Here is a picture of him in front of the sign at school.

While we wait in the drop off line, Jackson likes to stand up and look out the sunroof. It is so funny to watch him wave at the other kids and say hello.
The yellow team has started their soccer season, and it so hillarious to watch them in action. Here they are before their game lining up to say a prayer. I love that you can see their names and numbers in this picture.
Coach Len trying to help our team play defense!

SoCal

Here are some pictures of our recent trip to LA. Andy and I have been planning this trip for several months. As many of you, we love Disney and UT football and truly enjoy running. Luck for us the Disneyland 1/2 marathon and UT/UCLA football game were during the Labor Day weekend. We really had a great time (even though the Vols had a poor season opener)!

We went to see the Angels play on Friday night.
Fun times in Disneyland...it was great! Our favorites were Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.


This is after the race at California Adventure. It was a blast! We loved the Aladdin show and the new Toy Story ride (Midway Mania). Our absolute favorite was Soarin', which we rode 3 times.
This is before the UT/UCLA game at the Rose Bowl. Notice--we are still smiling at this point. Not so much smiling during and after the game.
Above is the Kodak Theater in Hollywood--behind in the hills in the famous HOLLYWOOD sign.

Below is our last stop at Dodger Stadium to see the Dodgers play the Padres. We enjoyed a Dodger Dog and saw Manny hit one out of the park. The parking lot of the stadium actually has a great view of downtown LA.

Phelps Phan

I will definitely admit to being a Michael Phelps fan and watching the Olympics nightly. We usually watch some with Jackson before he goes to bed at night. The other day the TV was on and there was a picture of Michael Phelps on the screen. Jackson looks at me and says, "Mommy, there's your man, Michael Phelps." I guess he must think I am a little obsessed. Now, when we go to the pool, he wants to be Michael Phelps and race the length of the pool. Here are some photo of our Phelps wanna be at the pool...

Drew is having a ball!

Drew had a ball today at Monkey's Treehouse. Despite the fact that he did not have a morning nap, he did great! I thought he would sleep in the car on the way, and he thought he would rather watch Jackson. He ended up falling asleep while I was holding him, which was so sweet. I could not resist sharing these pictures...

St. Louis Arch

On Sunday, we headed to the St. Louis Arch and rode up to the top to take a look. Here is Jackson testing out the tram that would take us.

A view of downtown from the Arch
Jackson at the top of the Arch

Jackson looking out the windows onto St. Louis

St. Louis Cardinals Game

On Saturday, Andy and I took Jackson to St. Louis to see the Cardinals play the Phillies. (BTW...Drew stayed with my mom and dad in Columbia and had a blast!) Jackson was so excited to go to the "big game." It was fan photo night at the game, so we got to go on the field before the game.

Jackson and Andy by the foul pole in the outfield
Jackson and I during the game

Jackson had so much fun at the game. He got a Cardinals batting helmet. Below is a family picture (Jackson did not want his picture made so he is demonstrating his pouty face).

All of us on the field before the game (we were some of the very few people not in red or some type of Cardinals gear...hey, at least, I didn't wear a Cubs shirt)

UT Sports Picnic

Last Thursday night, our family went to the UT Sports Picnic at Lipscomb. It is somewhat bizarre to be in Allen Arena with a ton of other people in orange. However, the event was so fun. Of course, Jackson loved it. On the way, he told me he was going to eat with the players. I tried to explain to him that they would be at another table (and probably would not want to eat dinner with a 3 year old who asks a ton of questions). He kept telling me, "only 2 players came, the others are in Knoxville." We are thrilled about the start of football season and cannot wait to see the Big Orange take on UCLA at the Rose Bowl Stadium. Just a few more weeks...

Pat Summitt asked to hold Drew and was so sweet to him.
Then he coughed. To which she says, "I have this effect on people. They usually cough or throw up." Hillarious!
Arian Foster and Robert Ayers are helping Jackson to flex his muscles. He showed them his muscles and said, "welcome to the gun show." They were cracking up at him and were extremely nice to him.

Andy's family...in all our orange! GO VOLS!!!!

9 months old

My precious little baby Drew is 9 months old today.

Drew after church on Sunday

I love all his baby rolls!
Daddy and Drew
Mommy and her boys
Drew and Jackson can finally take a bath together. They are so funny in the tub. Jackson is splashing everywhere, and Drew just laughs.

At 9 months old, Drew is...

--waving to people and himself

--weighing 23 pounds and 2 ounces (86th percentile) and measuring 28 3/4 inches long (69th percentile)

--eating baby food 3 times a day (only fruit or cereal, unless the yellow vegetables are mixed with applesauce) and takes 4 bottles

--can pick up Cheerios and Puffs with the pincher grasp

--enjoying using his 6 teeth to chomp on baby finger foods...I love the little noise of the Cheerio being bitten into

--Jackson's #1 fan and so excited to be in the big tub with him

--loving the Jumparoo

Our 9th month birthday was a little traumatizing for sweet Drew. When I went into his room this morning to get him, he had pooped in the night and it was a BLOW OUT! Poop was everywhere. All in his pajamas (I am washing them on the sanitize cycle!). He was not very happy about the clean up that had to take place immediately. I think this was a result of the prunes and apples for dinner. Not doing that again soon! While I was getting Jackson's breakfast ready and holding Drew, he stuck his hand in Jackson's hot oatmeal. He was hysterical...poor thing! I ran cold water over it and then gave him a wagon wheel. Then it was time to load up to go the doctor's office. After being weighed and measured, the nurse pricked his toe to check his iron. He was MAD! Red face, screaming cries, etc. After talking and being checked by the doctor, he had to have his HIB vaccine (they were out of this at his 6 month visit). Once again, not happy and mad. I quickly took him to the car and he was asleep before we were out of the parking lot at 9:15 am. My sweet little baby was so exhausted from this yucky morning that he slept until 12 noon. When I went to get him, he had another blow out poop...seriously, no more prunes! And yet again, in the afternoon...more blow out poop. It is 4 pm and we have had 3 outfit changes! Drew also decided to poop during Wednesday class. Luckily for his teachers, this was contained within his diaper. For the last time...I am not feeding him prunes again!

Just a swingin'

Drew had so much fun swinging the other day! He was cackling because he was so excited.

I thought these pictures were adorable...hey, every mother has a right to be partial. Right?!?

Photo Shoot

An incredible photographer, Michael Howard, took pictures of Jackson and Drew last Friday. Michael has worked with me and James on several weddings. He never ceases to amaze us with his phenomenal eye! A wedding that he photographed last summer was recently featured in Modern Bride. Check out his blog for a the pictures of the boys. I absolutely adore them. Definitely look at his other work as well, because it is beautiful!