Morgan's 2nd birthday

Abbie and Morgan with the Cozy Coupe.

Morgan, the train conductor!

Sophie and Monroe

Matt R., Martha, Abbie, Paula, Matt, Monroe, Sophie and Morgan.

Our group with Nana.

Look at my tire-swingin' girl!

Choo-choo!  Abbie's driving the train now!

Morgan and Abbie playing in his new sandbox.

Uncle Phil

This past weekend, we drove up to Kentucky to celebrate Morgan's 2nd birthday.  Matt and Martha had his birthday celebration at their farm.  It was very hot and humid but it was somewhat pleasant that morning because of all of their shade trees.  They had a train theme for Morgan's party.  Matt R. made the cute little wooden train car to go over their wagon that you saw above so that kids could get a ride.  Several family members were able to come to the party as well as a few of their friends.  Morgan liked playing with my cousin, Keri's son, Carter, who is about the same age as Morgan.  The kids loved riding on the cars and riding toys and playing in the sandbox.  We had BBQ and hot dogs for lunch and Martha had made a train cake with the help of Morgan's Aunt Beth.  When Morgan opened his presents he almost immediately wanted to take them to his new sandbox.  That was pretty cute!!  He got a lot of toy trucks and car stuff.  

Family Fun

Our girls made it to the top!

We were able to see this pretty waterfall!

Matt climbed over some rocks and up into the mouth of this little cave.    

Paw-paw and Nana with the grandkids.

Paula, Matt, Martha, Matt R., Morgan, Monroe, Phil, Sophie and Abbie

Uncle Phil and his nieces and nephews.

me with sweet Monroe

Abbie and Monroe (who loved listening to Sophie playing the violin).  =)


We've had a fairly busy August.  The girls have been in school since August 8.  About a week and a half ago, on a Saturday, our family drove out to the Narrows of the Harpeth Park to see what kind of trails they had, etc.  We knew that it was going to be a fairly warm day so we went in the morning.  There were a lot of people out there canoeing but we walked on a couple of little trails.  The first trail was short but very steep but we all made it and enjoyed the view from the top.  Then, we went on another trail that you took you down to a waterfall.  Matt and the girls enjoyed climbing around the little pond on the rocks.  Thankfully, no one fell in the water because we didn't bring extra clothes!  Matt climbed up into the cave but we told the girls not to try it.

Later that day, we went over to Nana and Paw-paw's house for an early dinner.  It had been a long time since we had gotten all of my family together because Phil had been out of the country doing mission work for a lot of the summer.  As well as my more immediate family, Uncle Jim, Aunt Linda, Amy, Chris K, and Annie from Nana's side were able to come for dinner.  Uncle Mike, Aunt Shannon and Sierra were able to come from Paw-paw's side of the family.  It was nice to see everybody.  We celebrated all of the August and September birthdays including Matt V, Phil, Matt R. and Morgan.  Sophie played a few songs on her violin for some of the family and it's amazing how attentively Monroe watches her (he just turned 6 months old).   My girls are crazy about their little cousins!  They love helping take care of them.  =)

Back to School 2014

Sophie and Abbie on their first day of school.

Abbie and Mrs. Hess at Teacher Meet 'n' Greet

Abbie's excited about her 1st day of first grade!

Sophie with Mrs. Blad, her new teacher.

Mama and her girls

Overall, the girls were really excited about going back to school.  Their first day was a half day on Friday, August 8.  We found out who their teachers were on that Wednesday afternoon before.  Each of the girls had at least one friend from Girl Scouts in their class so we were happy to know someone.  We met each of their teachers on Thursday night before school started.  Abbie was so excited that she got in Mrs. Hess' class.  We've heard great things about her!  Sophie's teacher, Mrs Blad, is a new teacher but we've heard she's really nice.  Her team teacher, Mrs. Wells, has been teaching for a very long time.  The girls have only been in school for 2 1/2 days now but overall things seem to be going well!  It's exciting for everyone to have a fresh start.