Free Holiday Cards!

one of our many Christmas card outtakes- don't you love Cade's athletic socks?:)

One of my most favorite things about Christmas is sending and receiving holiday cards. Heath makes fun of me because I am practically standing at the mailbox everyday during the month of December waiting for the mailman to arrive. Seeing all those sweet cards just makes me smile. It is especially great to see photo cards of my friends and/or their children. Especially ones I don't get to see that often. Shutterfly is currently running an amazing deal for bloggers right now. By writing about this deal, you can receive 50 FREE CARDS! As I mentioned, my personal favorites are their photo cards. And they have hundreds of styles to choose from. I personally love the 5x5 square cards.

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Happy Halloween!

Well, our Halloween weekend did not go exactly as planned (but when you have two kids, what ever goes as planned;). Thursday night, goblin #1 started to get some major congestion. By Friday, he also had a pretty nasty cough. So we skipped a friends' Halloween party to stay in and rest (and to not infect other kids!)
Saturday, he seemed fine, but was still congested, so he took it easy that day too. He went with his Daddy to hang out at the farm. Emmy and I actually went to meet Wendy and Brad that morning at Franklin's Pumpkin Fest. It was a lot of fun. Brad and a group of his friends were in the barbecue cook off (but sadly did not win- maybe next time!).
Two good days of rest, and I just knew we would be fine for Halloween- boy was I wrong! Sunday morning, Cade was a bit stuffy but was fine otherwise, so off to church we went. At one point during the service, I mentioned to Heath that Cade felt a tad warm. Heath said he was probably just hot because it was hot in the room (note to self: moms should always go with their first instinct;). About an hour after we got home, the poor little guy had a fever. I was SO sad, because he has SO looked forward to wearing his Spiderman costume and trick or treating:( Unfortunately, he was just too sick to care about either. He didn't even mind that we missed our super fun Halloween hayride. So we just stayed home and handed out candy (he did like seeing some of the kids in their costumes). Oh well, maybe next year (actually, Pap promised to take him trick or treating to a few places when he feels better:)! The good news is that we went to the doctor this morning, and after a full examination and negative strep test, she said that the cold virus and congestion had left an icky infection on his tonsils, but he should be back to normal is a day or two (with plenty of fluids, rest and Motrin!)

The kids with their Paji (we decided that the hat/mask combo was reminiscent of the Hamburglar-ha!)

He did want his costume on for about five minutes! Spiderman!

And here he is a few minutes after that on the couch- poor guy!

Little sis- the Queen Bee of our house!

Pumpkins that Daddy carved

Emmy helped give out candy:)

Sweet little booty!

Cade finally came out to see a few of the costumes.

Discovery Center

First and foremost, I must apologize for the lack of posts- I have been a terrible blogger! We have been having so much fun this fall, and it seems like it is flying by! I still cannot believe that Halloween is a little over a week away- that means Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before you know it- eek!
We have had lots of fun in the last month. Both kids continue to do really well at school. Even Little E walks right in ready to go. Heath has had some cool new work projects, and I organized a charity fashion show for the local Junior Women's Club that I am in...busy busy! We have also been trying to take advantage of the great fall weather we have been having by playing outside as much as possible.
One day last week, my friend Angie and I took our kids to the Discovery Center in Murfreesboro. If you live in the area and have kids, it is awesome! It has so many cool, fun interactive learning stations! Cade was in Heaven! And Emmy just wanted to run around following her brother;) We even packed a lunch and ate under their covered pavilion after we got done inside. Then Cade and Sophie ran around outside looking at the pond and playing on the playground. It was a super fun day! I am sure will will be making other trips over there.

Firefighters

This was Cade's favorite. it was a maze of levers and pulleys.

Hard at work

Coming through the "coal mine"

Emmy loved all of the tiny doors- in she goes...

and back out!

"Look Sophie!"

Best buddies:)

It's Great to be a Tennessee Vol!

We have already been having lots of fun at the UT games this season, even if the Vols have already lost a couple. Cade and I have gone with Heath to the UT Martin (perfect game day weather) and Florida games (hot, hot, HOT!), and we are glad we stayed home for the Oregon rain delayed game!

Cade LOVES going to the games this year. He sings Rocky Top and cheers for the team. And of course he loves the band's halftime show and all of the snacks!
I am so glad that Cade is loving the family tradition of going to the games and supporting Mommy's alma mater. Maybe one day Emmy will get to go, too:) V-O-L-S Go Vols Go!

Pregame

Brother and Sister

Smokey was HOT before the Florida Game

We went to the Vol Walk, but Derek Dooley passed by me too fast!

UT Martin- Cade loved his tattoo

His buddy (and excellent summer babysitter:) Camille

Stadium renovations

Ladies man with the UT Dance Team

Post game ride to the car!

School Days!

Today was the first day of Mother's Day Out. It was a BIG day, because both Cade and Emmy got to go. I was worried that Little Miss might not be into it, but she was so excited to be a "big girl," and I think she was glad that she got to stay instead of just dropping Brother off (she barely even cried when I dropped her off). Cade was, of course, thrilled to be going back to see all of his little friends! They both got great reports and ate all of the lunches I packed for them. And the real shocker of the day: Emmy laid down on her cot and slept for well over an hour (Sweet Mrs. Anita, the school director even sent me a text to let me know the great news- ha!:) Here's hoping to a great school year!

Can you tell this guy is excited???

Cade was so cute and wanted to walk Emmy in and show her where her class is.

Greeting Mrs. Anita

All the kids wore their matching school shirts for the first day

Off they go!