With Buttons & Bows

And Eyes So Blue,
Our Little Tanner Has Turned 2!

Can't believe my baby is TWO. This is one hurts a little. Or, if I'm honest. . .a lot. But, what's a Momma to do when she's sad about her baby growing up (way too fast), but throw a party!

Her actual birthday was last Tuesday, so we celebrated at home with dinner and cupcakes!

Then Saturday was the party. Of course when your birthday is in October, and you live in the South. . .all things revolve around football. And of course, Auburn's game was scheduled right smack dab in the middle of her party. So, we watched football, and squeezed in a party during timeouts and commercial breaks!

I worked for weeks. . .in my head. . .getting the details together. I spent hours cutting, glueing (burning my fingers way too often), sewing, and wrapping. I had my own personal sweat shop. . .working late nights and Sunday afternoons. It's so crazy that once it comes together, it feels so good and makes you forget that your baby has turned TWO. Or at least for a minute.

The usual party goers arrived, some early so as not to miss a minute of the Auburn game.

While waiting on the final stragglers, the men picked their fighters and they had a little battle of the living room.

This fabulous cake was made by Hovey's House of Cakes. She has been doing cakes for me now for a few years. . .and I keep making her try new things. . .and the button cake was perfect, as always!

Once everyone finally arrived, we jumped right in with cake.

Next commercial break. . .presents. And, let me just say, Tan loved everything. One of my favorites was when she opened a card with a $10 bill inside from Granny. . .we told her to go give Granny a hug and tell her thank you; she walked over to Granny and tossed her $10 bill back!

Special day for our special girl! We love you to Infinity and Beyond, Baby Girl!

Sheesh September

It's the last day of September.

We've been busy.

With some of the regulars. Like Mayhem. If there's a line; he's going to cross it. . .every.single.time.

Like Elmo and the Cap just doing a little Saturday morning crafting. . .that's regular, at least at our house.

Though with football, mostly.

Daddy's football.

TJ's football practices. . .3 days a week.

TJ's first football game. He's #33. Plays corner.

And Homecoming Week. That goes along with football.

King Day and Twin Day.

Throw in a few birthdays. . .or four:

and you've got yourself (or myself) a really, REALLY busy September. October doesn't look to slow down much. We've got MORE football, Tanner's 2nd Birthday, Our Anniversary, and I'm sure a few surprises bound to catch us off guard! Stay Tuned. . .

The August Rush

Well, August slipped by me. School started, football continued, and I've missed posting a lot. . .family visits, a holiday, a surgery, some football games, and I sure can't remember what else at this point, and no one else is going to call me out on it, so I'll just start with what I know.

School started. I posted about that.

Thomas' cousin, Jay, and his daughter, Olivia came in town from Denver. It's always so fun when we get together, especially because Olivia has just about as much energy as my kiddos do! They swam, jumped off the dock, did the rope swing, skied, tubed, and even braved a jump from the tressel bridge. And, on the last night, we ate s'mores!

Next, football games started. First with a Jamboree; we tied. And secondly, our first home game, which we lost in a heartbreaking comeback. But, on the plus side. . .I got some cute pictures ;-)

We managed to squeeze in a quick trip to the Montgomery Zoo on a Sunday afternoon to visit with old friends! I'm writing it down, so it's in stone. . .we've vowed to see each other more often!

Ok, I think I've made it to September and we're only 5 days in at this point so I'm doing good!

Labor Day Weekend was spent at the lake. Tan is jumping off the dock, by her little self. Tristan decided not to let her out do him. . .again, and did the zip-sled for a long time. And TJ, well, he just has fun no matter what he is doing!

And, Tuesday (the day after Labor Day), Tanner had to have a 2nd set of tubes put in her ears. She did great! When they let us back into post-op recovery, she was awake. The nurse handed her to me, and she immediately turned towards her bed. She quickly piled up everything in her arms: a baby doll, her blanket, her gas mask, a balloon, and a MetLife Snoopy gift. Then she looked me square in the eyes and yelled, "GO!"

So the rest of September looks there will be more football; Springwood, Auburn, and now TJ has joined in the action! I'll write about it, when I can. . .maybe, if I have time. . .

Smarty Pants

I have a 3rd Grader!

When I asked him to complete the sentence: When I grow up, I want to be: ________, he said "an explorer."

So I asked, "Like Christopher Columbus?"

He just looked at me with a roll of his eyes and said, "No, Mom!" (As in Duh, Mom)

"Like an animal explorer, and an explorer of new habitats."

Well, pardon me Mr. 3rd Grader! Whew! If he already thinks I don't know what I'm talking about now, what's 16 going to be like?!


Tanner & Tristan wanted to get in on the first day of school action.

Yay for 3rd Grade!

School starts when?

Well I've forgotten how chaotic the beginning (or even pre-beginning) of the school year can be, sweet summertime is coming to a quickly approaching end. . .as in school starts back tomorrow! I already miss the laid back days of letting the kiddos play outside while I cook dinner, instead of rushing to complete homework; and don't tell TJ, but I'm dreading the homework just as much (or maybe more) than he is!

Sigh. . .a few last funny summer memories:


Last week while driving home, as usual, Tristan is making plans for playing outside. He always tells Tan what they will do when they get home, and she usually just smiles and nods. But, she was being a little fiesty that day:

Tristan: "Tan, we gonna wide my truck when we get home, ok?"

Tan: "NO!" (in a really sassy tone)!

Tristan: "Fine den. You not my fwiend. Mommy's my fwiend. She can't fit in my twuck, just Daddy's. But she's my fwiend, not you."

Tis true, but gee thanks buddy! Needless to say for anyone that knows Mayhem. . .

He won.

And on a few occasions, he has planned to "Mow da gwass." But, it's just so much easier to get that mower moving on the road, so that's usually where we end up. I just love how serious Tristan is (had to get his mowing boots on), and how prissy Tan looks. . .just like a Southern lady to get a dolled up to mow the grass ;-)

The next day, Tristan told Tan, "We gonna mow da gwass Sissy, get you hemet!" He grabbed his and handed her the race car helmet (which is about 10 pounds and she could hardly keep her head up straight). Wonder what the next accessory might be?!

Well, we still have several months of HOT, Summery weather around here, so maybe we'll squeeze in a few more laid back weekends (at least until football games begin). . .