Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!!!!

soaking wet!

Well, it was a fun and busy day with a birthday party for one of Rachel's friends and then trick or treating. Trent and I stayed home this year since the weather was so dreary and he had already been such a good sport at the party. Nick, Papa and Nana went trick or treating with Bradley and Rachel while me, Trent, Pop and Gege stayed home. Gege was kind enough to make awesome homemade vegetable soup with gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. They were SO YUMMY!!!! Rachel and Bradley had fun even though poor Rachel got drenched in her little "southren belle" costume (as she calls it). Bradley decided he no longer wanted to be a dinosaur so he resorted to a fireman. (A huge thanks to cousin Carter for all his hand-me-downs, since the fireman's raincoat was one of them!!!!) Trent carried on the tradition of the first "boy" costume being "Super Baby" just like his big brother Bradley. Everyone had a great day and now we're on to the next holidays!!

Pumpkin Carvin'

Last week, we realized that we hadn't bought or carved our pumpkins for Halloween! So, I took the kids to Sam's and bought 2 large pumpkins and we had a blast carving them. As usual, Nick and I both carved one...you can decide whose is better. :) It was quite chilly outside and since Bradley had a bad cold and Trent's so little, it was probably our quickest carving to date. But, it's a fun family tradition and maybe we'll be more prepared next year, buy 5 pumpkins, one for each member of the family, and make some different faces.

(My pumpkin is on left and Nick's is on the right)

Brothers

The boys are so cute together and really seem to enjoy being together. I can't wait to get them in the same room! Bradley decided he wanted to hold Trent one evening right before bed and it seemed to cheer him up since he was extremely tired and cranky and not much fun to be around. Thank you, Trent, for being the one who helps Bradley get out of his grumpy mood! I love my boys!

(By the way, Bradley is wearing some of Carter's old pj's and Trent is wearing the tye-dyed onesie that Sophia made him.)

A double birthday party

Bradley trying out the zip-linethe prettiest and sweetest ballerina there

the performance

Bradley and Eli in the ball pit

Bradley and Eli having a blast throwing all the balls OUT of the pit

Rachel trying a flip on the bar

Rachel and her old buddy, Camryn, on the beam

Bradley...very tired...at the end of the party, with a dinosaur painted on his face

Last week, Rachel and Bradley got invited to a birthday party for their (sibling) friends, Raquel and Eli. They were turning 5 and 3. Raquel's birthday theme was ballerinas, and Eli's was (appropriately) dinosaurs. Both kids were so excited that they were going to the School Street Gym (where Rachel used to take gymnastics) to play and party! The whole thing was great and the ballerinas even put on a mini-performance for the moms at the end, complete with make-up and spray painted hair. The boys had fun running around the gym and using the equipment, and of course, getting their faces painted.

The boys take their first bath together

"welcome to the big boy tub, Trent!"
"Isn't this fun?!"

"look at me splashing in this big tub!"

"aww, shucks, ain't I cute??!!"

Yesterday was the first time we've tried to bathe the boys together. Now that Trent is sitting up very steadily, we figured he could handle the bath seat in the big tub instead of sitting in the baby tub. Bradley was so excited that he was going to take a bath with his baby brother. He picked out several bath toys that he thought Trent would enjoy playing with. Trent was equally excited when he saw the large tub filled with water and he had more freedom to move in the water. The whole experience was precious of both boys. Of course, after the bath was over, Rachel asked if Trent could take a bath with just her some time too. So, Trent may be taking a bath with alternate siblings until the excitement wears off.

6 Months Old!!!!!!!!!!!

TNM @ 6 mo.
BFM @ 6 mo.

I recently took Trent (by himself!) for his 6 month check-up. This is actually one of the fews time he's gone to the pediatrician without a sibling. It was nice being able to concentrate on Trent for a change! Poor baby got 3 shots and he was furious, as always, but really did well. Anyway, Trent is doing GREAT and growing wonderfully in every direction! He weighed 19 lbs. 7 oz. and was 28 in. long. When I got home, I wanted to see how R & B compared at 6 months. Here's the lowdown:

Rachel - 19 lbs. 14 oz., 27 in. long

Bradley- 18 lbs. 10 oz. 27 in. long

So, it looks like Rachel took the lead in the weight at 6 months, but Trent's got the height. It'll be fun to see how he compares as he continues to grow! We're so thankful for our precious son, a blessing who makes baby-rearing the 3rd time around, sooooooooooo easy! We love you, Trenty!!

(By the way, I don't have any pics on my computer of Rach when she was 6 months.)

Gramma 12/30/20-10/03/09

(Pictures are in random order!!)

Juj- July 2008

July 2008

July 2008

July 2008

July 2008- Alex

August 2009- Trent

August 2009

June 2008- Bradley

June 2008

June 2008

Gramma's American-made "Satrun" (Saturn)

the pump house

5933 Old Stone Mountain Road

back of Gramma's house

View from across the street

March 2008

March 2008

January 2007- Bradley

January 2007- Bradley

Christmas 2007

June 2008

July 2008- Gramma's rocker

July 2008

August 2008

August 2008

November 2008

November 2008

December 2008

April 2009

April 2009



We sure will miss our sweet Gramma...she was strong, loving, kind, caring and always wanted to take care of her family. She was fiercely loyal to those she loved and cared for. I spent many of my young years at her house playing in and exploring her yard. I have fond memories of eating fried chicken (just the skin for me, please!), zipper peas, cornbread and lots of other homemade fixins for Sunday dinners. I remember that she always kept fudge swirl ice cream in her freezer for us to eat in special cups/mugs. I remember she always made us sandwiches on fresh white bread with peter pan peanut butter and cheddar/sour cream chips with a cup of milk. I remember playing "office" or "school" in the guest room with Wendy and Tommy. I remember a turquoise and a purple bathroom...in the same house. I remember cat knick-knacks placed everywhere...pictures, figurines and calendars that featured cats. I remember that large sliding glass door that led to the patio and a heavy curtain that covered it. I remember a large round bulbed lamp that clicked on different bulbs with each click. I remember cartoons and Dallas. I remember a loving grandmother who loved having us with her. I remember a pretty lady who was always dressed well in cute clothes with perfectly coiffed hair. I remember the pump house that I was unsure of what it was for and the huge steps that led down to it. I remember the boxwoods that were planted in front of the house. I remember hugs and kisses and kind words. I remember visits that she didn't want to end because she was enjoying the company so much. Since I became a mother, I remember her enjoying watching her grandchildren have children. She loved watching her great grankids as they grew older. I'm so thankful that all 3 of my kids had the privilege of meeting her and developing a bond with her. I'll miss visiting with her. It wasn't often, but when we went to see Gram, it was a special time. She truly lit up when the kids walked into the room. They brought with them an air of youth and vitality that she seemed to absorb for a short time. Rachel loved getting to see her Gramma and summed it up best. We told her tonight that Gramma had passed away. We tried to keep it as simple and easy to understand as possible. We just simply said that Gramma had died. Rachel said, "my gramma?" I said, "yes". She said, "where did she die?" I said at her house, the white one that we used to visit." She said, "but who's going to be my gramma now?" I said, "no one, baby." I think she just about summed it up...we cannot replace our precious Gram. She was one of a kind and dear to our hearts and family gatherings will not be the same without her. But, I know she lived a long life, full of many great and challenging things and she made an impact on many people in her 88 years on earth. Now we can look forward to seeing her again one day in heaven.

Rest in peace, Gramma, we love you...