On the go....

Last week was another whirlwind week for us...Ethan started preschool Tuesday morning and loved it. He had a great day! When I went to pick him up, his teacher said that he did great, but he didn't want a stamp on his hand. For some reason he doesn't like stamps, fake tattoos, stickers, etc...oh well. It was funny because I questioned him all day long about what he did and who was there, but he would only tell me bits and pieces. Then when Mark got home, I heard a completely different version of what happened. It was too funny! Tuesday night we packed for our trip to Atlanta. About 1am I was finally ready for bed, but I couldn't find my camera. I remembered taking Nina's picture earlier when she was playing in my suitcase, so I knew I left the camera in our bedroom. Mark said he didn't know where it was, but we would find it in the morning. Typical. I knew that I could not go to sleep until I found it. Well, after tearing apart the downstairs, I remembered Ethan at some point that evening getting upset with me and he said, "well, I don't want your camera anyways." When he said that I was really confused. Well, at 1am, it all made sense! So I went upstairs to continue my search. I could not find my camera anywhere. I went into Ethan's room and he started stirring around, so I sat on his bed and asked him if he took my camera. He opened his eyes and LAUGHED at me and said, "yes, silly." Then I asked him where it was and he laughed again and told me it was in his playroom and he had packed it. I found my camera and my gold sandals in a bin on his shelf. Finally to bed! The next morning on the way to the airport, Mark asked Ethan why he took my camera and he said that he wanted to take a picture of Nina in his fire chief hat. And that's exactly what he did - see below. Kids!

We had a good week with my Mom - bittersweet, but good. It was quite busy. We celebrated my birthday Wednesday evening after church - Ed and Randi came over for ice cream cake. We had lunch with friends on Thursday. Friday we visited Poppa's bank. Kind of a crazy story - we were at the bank and went into Poppa's office to get something. Heidi walked in there with Nina and she pointed at his desk and said Poppa - she had never said that before... it was really strange. We had a nice visit there - not the same, but was good seeing everyone that loves and misses Mike J. Then we went to Nona's school to see her adorable class for awhile. The kids loved seeing Ethan and Nina and already reported several funny stories Nona told them about Mandy and Courtney. Ethan loves going to school and watching the buses roll out at the end of the day. Friday night we had dinner with the Kings and Melanie's parents. Saturday was Allie's birthday party and that was so much fun! Sunday we drove to Chattanooga for the day to see grandparents. We went to church with grandparents, Steve and Ryan, had lunch and went back to their house to visit awhile. They all seem to be doing ok - surviving like us. It was really good to see them all!! We tried to leave Monday, but the weather was horrible and flights were cancelled, so we stayed until Tuesday. It was a nice trip and the kids had lots of fun.

We're home now just for a few days. Ethan has preschool Thursday morning - Mom flies in Thursday evening and we leave for Texas Friday morning.

Other news...Nina is so close to walking - she actually took a couple of steps yesterday when we stopped by to visit with my old co-workers in PTC. She also does a great Waaaaaaaarrrrr Eagle and it's so cute.

Hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend - football season is upon us yet again!!!! War Eagle!!! Enjoy these pictures!


Ethan's first day of preschool
Finding his cubby with his teacher
After his first day....didn't want to pose for a picture
Mommy, you can't pack me in here...
Ethan's picture when he hijacked my camera
Nina LOVES this hat - I bought it at Garden Ridge one day when I had Ethan with me. I thought it would entertain him while I shopped. Little did I know that a 50 cent hat would be Nina's favorite toy!
Waiting for our plane to arrive...watching all the FedEx planes land - this is Mark's plane
I had flown with the Captain several times so we talked to him before taking our seats - he let Ethan program the FMS. Ethan loved it!

Nina getting a little left seat action
Nina playing my piano my parents bought me on my 1st b'day
Happy 31st!
Big Ed (should be renamed to skinny Ed) feeding Nina ice cream cake - the only proof Randi was there is this picture....her hand in the corner! Sorry Randi, but I know you didn't want your picture taken anyway!
Ethan loved the slide. He was literally jumping down it the 2nd time. He was so hot, sweaty and nasty at the end.
Melanie and NinaI knew once I took her up, it would be over - Nina wanted to go again and again and again...it was exhausting! She loved it too!
Nona is going to get me for posting this!

Ethan and the birthday girl - not quite sure why Ethan was posing like this though....
Yet another of Ethan's masterpieces - Nana and Papa
Nona and Mema - taken by Ethan

Mommy and Nona - taken by Ethan
Eating snacks at Nana and Papa's house
Papa with his 2 great grand kids
On the plane coming back to Memphis - we were delayed due to FAA computer issues and the weather again....pushed back from the gate and taxied out only to shut down engines and sit and wait. Needless to say, the kids, at dinner time, were squirming and restless...so, I let Nina down on the NASTY airplane floor. But she was entertained, and she got a bath last night before bed.
Ethan sat like this almost the entire flight playing with his planes and tractors. He loves to fly!!!