Nathan's 5th Birthday

October 24, 2009, Saturday - Today our baby is turning 5 years old! Wow, how time flies! Nathan was suppose to have his last soccer game today, but it got rained out. It is rescheduled to tomorrow. We had Nathan's birthday party at a local bowling alley. The kids had a super time. They got to bowl for 1 hour, then they enjoyed pizza, Hot Wheels birthday cake & ice cream. Then they got to play games in the arcade. It was a great birthday! Happy Birthday, Nathan! We love you!

Kids at the Patch

October 21, 2009, Wednesday - Today Nathan's preschool went to visit the Pumpkin Patch. We had a lot of fun. It is a beautiful day today so when Brittany got home from school we went back to the patch so she could help pick out the family pumpkin. Enjoy the picture!

Daytona Beach Secraw

October 15, 2009, Thursday - Today was a very tough & sad day. We made the very hard decision to have our 13 1/2 year old dachshund, Tona, put to sleep. She injured a neck bone back in July & just didn't have a good quality of life now. We have had her since we were married. We know she is in a better place now & not in pain. We love and miss you, Tona! Our life is not the same.

Pumpkin Patch

October 13, 2009, Tuesday - Today Nathan and I headed to the Pumpkin Patch, our annual tradition. We met other MOPS moms & kids and heard a Fall Story, had a tractor hay ride and got to run through the pumpkin patch. Nathan had so much fun. He woke up early this morning because "I want to go the the pumpkin patch". He was really excited about getting to pick out a pumpkin. He picked out the smallest one he could find. And I mean small. It is smaller than his palm. We hope to go back with Brittany & pick out the family pumpkin.

Soccer Game

Saturday, October 10, 2009 - Nathan did great at his soccer game today. He scored 2 of the 4 goals for the team. Nathan really loves soccer and we enjoy watching him play. He is competitive like his daddy.Nathan throwing the ball in.
Nathan making a goal!

The Beach & Bikes

October 3, 2009, Saturday - Chad and I got to get away this weekend for a much needed time away. We headed to Myrtle Beach! The kids got to spend time with the grandparents. We had a great time and so did the kids. They also learned to ride their bikes without training wheels while we were away. Thanks Mom and Dad - you are great teachers.

Bike Safety

September 30, 2009, Wed. - Nathan learned about Bike Safety today from the policemen. Then later all the kids got to have fun riding their bikes in the parking lot. Go Nathan!

Dad is Retiring!

September 30, 2009, Wednesday - Today is Dad's last day of work with Eveready Battery Company! Over 35 years of time with the company he is retiring! Yeah, Dad! Thank you for all of your hard work and years and years of service! We are so proud of you!

McDonald's Night

September 29, 2009, Tuesday - Tonight was McTeacher Night at McDonald's. Over 30 teachers came out and helped serve McDonald's food for a school fundraiser. We had a fun night. After eating Brittany headed to dance practice and Nathan to a makeup soccer game.

Lemonade for Sale

September 26, 2009, Saturday - We had a yard sale this morning and Brittany and Nathan had a Lemonade Stand. Brittany was so excited. She has wanted to have one all summer long. Friday we put little signs on people's doors telling them about it. She created her own sign for the table and even wore a Lemonade Stand hat. Only .25 a cup and Popsicles too!

Yikes! Snake in the Yard!

September 24, 2009, Thursday - Well folks...I do not like snakes and today has been my second sighting of a snake in our yard in a week! The first time it was by our water spicket & when I went inside to get Nathan & the camera it was gone. And I could not identify it on the computer what kind of snake it was. Well this time I was able to get Chad, Brittany & Nathan & the camera. I think it is an Eastern Garter Snake. And you know what.....but don't tell Nathan.....it has been odd that Nathan & I have not spotted any frogs in the yard lately...& we were seeing them everyday...well the Garter snake eats frogs, salamanders, fish & earthworms. Oh, my!!!

Chad's Birthday

September 23, 2009, Wednesday - Today is Chad's Birthday! He headed off to work (thankful to have a job) & then we got to party when he got home. At 5:30pm we had a nice dinner with family & then he blew out the candles to his Carvel icecream football cake. Then opened presents all before the kids had to head off to Awana at 6:30pm. It was a nice evening & a great day to celebrate CHAD - our wonderful husband, dad, son-in-law, & grandson! You are loved, Chad!
We had a sports birthday party theme - that is why you see the hats & athletic attire!

Nathan's Fall Season - Soccer

September 12, 2009, Saturday - Today was Nathan's first game of soccer for the fall season. He did really well. He gets so into it. It is fun to watch and cheer for him & the team. Way to go Nathan! He is number 8.

Brittany's First

September 11, 2009, Friday - Brittany has been asking me for a while...."When can I come to scrapbooking with you?" So I decided to let her come this time. I asked her this morning what kind of book would she like to do.....she said "a BUG Book". How I should have known. So I sent all the bug & frog pictures I could find (just going through summer months) on my computer to get developed & I had over 65 pictures. She came with me & she worked the whole 4 hours. She scrapbooked 8 12x12 pages & used all of the pictures! Way to go Brittany! She was focused on cutting those pictures & didn't complain once. She also enjoyed getting to call out the Bingo numbers for our game. She did very good for her first time at scrapbooking.

Nathan's 1st day of Preschool

September 9, 2009, Wednesday - Today Nathan had his first day back of preschool. He was not in a mood to smile for me at the door (which is picture tradition on the 1st day). His teachers are very loving & made him feel at ease. When I picked him up, he was all smiles. What a growing boy!

Preston Loyd Benefit

August 30, 2009, Sunday - After church in the afternoon we loaded up the van and headed to Mooresville for Preston's Benefit event. Boy, was it a hot day, but we had a lot of fun! There were Nascar & emergency vehicles on display, princess for a day booth, food booths, face painting, silent auctions & other things to do. Mooresville's mayor - Bill Thunberg - honored 4 of the firemen that helped save Preston's life. Wow - what an amazing thing to see....these firemen being honored and Preston being there....and Preston then going to each of them & saying "Thank you for saving me"! God is so awesome! Preston has come along way. We also got to talk to one of the parademics that was on the scene to save Preston. He has an amazing story to tell. God saved Preston....and he used those first responders to do it through. Preston is making progress, but he still needs our prayers. Please visit his caring bridge site to find out how you can pray for him also. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/prestonloyd


Nathan in the back of a fire truck

Nathan liked this car

Nathan's signs

August 28, 2009, Friday - After the first week of school we went out to eat for supper as a family. Guess where we went....McDonald's! We thought we would go somewhere where we didn't have to entertain the kids at the table waiting for our food. We would go somewhere fun for them...the playplace at McDonald's. But before that we had a family outing to .....Wal-Mart. Good old American Fun. And too our surprise they have a new VF sign of Nathan up. It is a sign of just Nathan. So cool! So we took a family photo shoot in Wal-Mart.
Note: For those of you that have checked your local store & Nathan was not there...check again. VF looked into it and the problem has been corrected. Also note: It is in the Baby/Toddler section, not the boys/men.

First Day of 2nd Grade

August 25, 2009, Tuesday - Brittany had a great day of 2nd grade! She headed to school this morning with new glasses and a tooth missing (she lost her first tooth Aug. 5). Signs that she is growing up. Wow - it seems like just yesterday the whole family was taking her to her first day of Kindergarten. Chad headed to Canada today for work and so Nathan and I took Brittany to class. She settled in well and we headed off. After picking her up she said that she had a great day and that her favorite part was recess because she got to see more of her friends from last year. She knows 5 people in her class this year which is great. So, today was a great day and Brittany is excited for the new school year!

A New Girl

August 20, 2009, Thursday - Brittany has unfortunately inherited both of her parents bad eyes. She went for an eye appointment last week and today her new Barbie glasses arrived. She loves them! She can see a lot better at far away distances. She can read signs far away now.
She looks really good in her glasses too. Now she is ready to start 2nd grade off right!

Uncle Dean

Monday, August 3rd, 2009 - Some sad news came tonight....my Uncle Dean Cooper died this evening. He is my dad's older brother. He was 74 years old and fought a battle with cancer for about 2 years. He was a great man and a joy to be around. I remember growing up and our summer trips to Maine and Uncle Dean would rent a seaplane and take us for rides over Naples, Maine and Long Lake. He always made fun of my southern accent too, but I would tell him he was the one with the accent. I was able to go with my family (mom, dad, and both of my brothers) to the funeral and internment in Maine. It was a very special time to visit with family I haven't seen in a long time. God had perfect timing. My brother, Cory who is over in the Netherlands for 3 years was in the states for training and he was able to change his flight and come to the funeral.
Enjoy this picture looking over Long Lake.