2009 Christmas Program

We attended Ethan's Christmas program at his school today. They sang a few songs and then Santa came for a visit! Ethan made us so proud by singing and dancing! However, I could tell that he was a bit nervous. He does not look like he is going to be our public speaker! That is okay with us because we are both the same way. Emerson was scared of Santa, but Ethan waited patiently for his turn with the big guy. I took quite a few videos because I am good friends with one of Ethan's classmates mother and she is in the hospital. She is 25 weeks pregnant and has been put on bed rest for at least two weeks to help stop labor. Please keep her in your prayers.

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Thank God for Aunt Gingie! Emerson sat with her throughout the entire program!

My little Christmas angels!

Apparently I am not the only parent who shops at Hartstrings! Ethan thought it was so cool. He said that when he saw Ian, he said, "We're twins!"

Thanksgiving

I was so excited about Ethan's new accomplishment (riding his bike without training wheels) that I neglected to blog about Thanksgiving. We had such a nice relaxing time at home, just the four of us. I had every intention of cooking, but Chris encouraged me not to. Now, that could be taken two ways, BUT I am certain he was referring to the fact that it was just us. No reason to spend the extra money when the kids wouldn't have eaten half of what I would have cooked. I did keep with my family's tradition of having heavy hors d'oeuvres though and then we went out to dinner. I did not take any pictures other than the videos, but I do have pictures in the album of Ethan's Thanksgiving Day Feast at his school.

Proud

Five

Five years old. My little boy is growing up so incredibly quick. Too quick. It was a bittersweet day for me on Thursday. I don't think that Ethan thought he actually turned five until Saturday, when he had his cake. The cupcake cake that we brought to his school on Friday didn't even count as his birthday to him! We celebrated from Thursday to Saturday! On Thursday, we went with some friends to the North Carolina Symphony. That evening we let him pick where he wanted to eat and he chose Outback. He loves the "long" macaroni and cheese. On Friday, as I mentioned, Chris and I brought a cupcake cake to his school and had a little party for him. Saturday was the big bowling party! With over 20 kids, it was a success to say the least! That was the first time that I have ever been to a bowling party and it was very easy. Ethan was very grateful for everything that he received. I am so glad that we are blessed with so many great friends and family. I have not looked through the photos very well, but went ahead and posted them anyway. There are tons of them!

Ethan Christopher - born at 4:44 pm!

The Symphony Crew - Ms. Gladys, Amanda, Isaiah, Maggie, Caleb & Ethan (Grandma had her very first symphony experience as well!).

Ethan's fancy footwork!

Emerson's first bowling experience.

My superhero!

Daddy, There's A Monster In The Garage!

Happy Fall Y'all!

The Lord's Army

Emerson's version:

Halloween

What a beautiful Halloween we had this year! It was so warm! We have celebrated every Halloween since Ethan's birth with The Turner's, so this year was no exception! Mandy and I prepared some finger foods for everyone. While Ella and Kami handed out candy, we all hopped on the golf cart and went trick or treating. The kids all got a ton of candy that Chris is very thankful for. They have only had a piece or two since Halloween and Chris has eaten about a handful a day! We thought for sure that we would not run out of candy this year since we had about 20 pounds, but we did! I think our neighborhood is "the" place to go for candy in this county! Luckily it was at the end anyway. I didn't take many pictures, but the ones I did take are in the album.

Just Like My Daddy

It was career night at AWANA Wednesday night. When I asked Ethan what he wanted to be when he grew up, he answered without hesitation, "I want to be a daddy just like my daddy." I asked him what kind of job he wanted to do and he said, "Uh, Mom, sell cars!" As if I would dare even ask him that question when he just knew that I already knew the answer! There is such a stereotype with used car salesman, but I would be so proud of either of my children if they followed in Chris' footsteps. He's got the best work ethic of anyone that I know and has provided such a wonderful life for our family. Often times I wish that he were home more, but I have to remind myself that he is out there working so hard for us. Anyway, it was a proud moment for both Chris and I. Have I ever mentioned that I absolutely adore my children? Oh, and that used car salesman is not bad either.

Halloween Carnival

Ethan's school Halloween Carnival was on Wednesday. Emerson and I volunteered to help with the games while the two and three year olds came through. The kids had a lot of fun dressing up and seeing what one another was going to be. Emerson stayed right with me as long as she had a lollipop. I think she had three in total...back to back! That is a HUGE no-no in our house! They had fun and that's all that mattered!

Fall Marathon Day

Yesterday was Ethan's last soccer game of the season. He played great and they were all given a trophy, which he has been looking forward to since his first game! After soccer, we were able to make it to the end of the pumpkin party at the library. The children played a few games, painted a pumpkin, got their face painted and a few other fun fall activities. Our day was not over yet! We headed on over to the Chevy to the Levee after the library. Everything was close to shutting down, but we were able to take a hay ride with some friends. It was a busy day to say the least. We came home just in time for Emerson's nap, so Ethan and Grammy were able to spend some alone time together. She brought a bunch of outdoor Halloween decorations for them to put outside together. Ethan was in his element! Once again, some of my friends forgot their cameras, so there are lots of pictures in the web album. I really need a new camera...especially since I am now the community photographer! It's really just another excuse to get a new one since I have wanted one for years now!

Preschool Pumpkin Patch

Ethan's class visited the pumpkin patch on Friday. They enjoyed painting a pumpkin, playing games, a hay ride and a corn maze. Ethan did a lot of running around playing with his friends and lots of hand holding with Anna! She did not want to let him go all morning! I better watch them! Lots of pictures are in the album as a few of my friends forgot their camera and asked me to take pictures of their children.

Hand Holding

I sure wish she would let me hold her hand...

No way!
Please???

Then I'll just sit closer!

GO NAVY

Memphis

The kids and I flew to Memphis to see my sister and family last Saturday. Wow! What a trip! Both kids did extremely well on all of the airplanes. I could not have asked for better behavior, actually! They were so excited to see their cousins and the feelings were definitely mutual! Here is a run down on our week.

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On Sunday we celebrated my sweet Logan's 7th birthday. He had a few friends over and they played outside and the Wii most of the afternoon. It was very relaxing. I was so happy to have all of us together for our first birthday party since Ethan's first one!

Uncle Chris was off on Monday, so we were all able to visit the Memphis Zoo together. That was a beautiful zoo. We thought it was going to rain, but it turned out to be a perfect day for the zoo.

Tuesday was spent at the Children's Museum of Memphis. I have never seen such a Children's Museum quite like that one. It had an actual Fed Ex cockpit suspended in the air! It also had real fire engines, police cars, police motorcycles and a van for the kids to climb through. The Kroger "grocery store" was as large as a convenience store with actual scanning cash registers. They even showed the item and it's price! They also had an enormous hamster cage for the kids to climb up, a working bank, a "be on TV area" and a movie theater. Unbelievable! Okay...moving on!

We didn't do much of anything on Wednesday. We went over to see Chris' work on base and to the Exchange. Then we went out to dinner. The kids just really enjoy being together, so they pretty much played ALL day long! I am so glad that there were not any fights or problems between them what-so-ever! They just mesh perfectly!

We did a lot of sight seeing on Thursday. We went to The Peabody Hotel, the site where Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed, Beale Street, Fire Museum of Memphis and Crystal Shrine Grotto. We even saw a "film crew" filming someone walking down the streets of downtown Memphis. I took a few pictures in case he was someone famous! The grotto was handmade and was amazing. The pictures do not do it justice. Chris and Amy went to see Casting Crowns that evening, so I had all five kids alone! Again, they are all the best of friends, so it was very easy. Chris and Amy really enjoyed their concert and time together. I am glad that I was able to let them out for a night since they don't know many people yet.

Friday was another realxing day of play for the kids. We did go out that evening to the Zoo Boo at the Memphis Zoo. They really did that place up! It was really cold, so all of the kids wore several layers of pj's underneath. My sister took more photos than I did that evening, so I'll try to get those.

The kids and I were very excited to see Chris on Saturday and they once again did great on the planes. Chris was VERY excited to see his babies and we are so glad to be home!

I am so happy and blessed to have such a great family. Chris and Amy were beyond hospitable! Amy cooked delicious meals most evenings, so I even came away with several new recipes! We can't wait to go back!