Halloween and Stuff

Since Jeff's recent knee surgery and re-hab, we have been a little frazzled! The kids enjoyed Trunk or Treating at some local churches and they got lots of good candy. Vince was originally going to be Batman and Savannah was going to be Batgirl, but he decided he didn't want to do it. He wanted to be a fire fighter...three year olds and their tantrums...

Jeff's knee with 34 staples

Jeff's knee after staple removal

Autumn is Here!

Well, we think autumn is here. We are having beautiful weather today with the highs in the low 70s and Jeff is excited that it will be in the 40s a few nights this upcoming week. Our new house has screens on all of the windows so he will be glad to sleep with the windows up!

The kids and I set off to Elliott Farms this morning to pick out a pumpkin for each of them. Vince only wanted a small one, but Savannah wanted a large one. Vince quickly picked his pumpkin out and went over to sit on all of the "Johnny Poppers", aka John Deere tractors, while Savannah tromped through the farm looking for the perfect big pumpkin.

Renovation Pictures

Here are some pictures that we have taken of the kitchen and bathroom. And a few of the kids, and the new puppy, Sammy.

Getting Settled In!

Our last post was about being "under contract", but we did close on September 1st and started a major renovation on September 3rd. Jeff and Andy, our Realtor friend, demolished the master bathroom while Jewell and I tried to get boxes unpacked in the upstairs. Sandra and Jeff (Nana and Grandaddy) were also here and Grandaddy changed out several light fixtures and accompanied Jeff on several trips to Lowe's. Nana kept the kids at the hotel which was a huge help while we were in the throws up painting the rooms.
As the renovation went on, we decided to do a few more things "while we were at it", which included tearing out the flooring, cabinet, wallpaper, etc in the half bath and re-doing it. In addition, we decided to go-ahead with the kitchen renovation, which included ripping out Formica countertops and replacing it with granite....but the cabinets would look dingy...so we repainted the cabinets and had interior hinges put on the doors and changed out the knobs. And the light fixtures, and the sink, and the faucet. And a new microwave that is built-in over the range, rather than taking up valuable counter space...
I have taken some pictures and will upload those soon.

Moving...

After 16 months of our house being on the market, we are "under contract!" It's been 16 months of having to keep the house within "one hour" of being clean (since Realtors were supposed to give 1 hour's notice before showing the house), lots of stress, and worry. We originally planned to rent a house for about a year and start building on the land we bought last year. BUT, after looking at some rental properties, we realized that rent was as much as a mortgage payment and we wouldn't have any tax benefits. Andy, our Realtor, told us about a house in Bolingbroke (just inside the Monroe County line and only 10 miles from where we live now) so we went to look at it. Jeff and I both saw lots of potential in the house, so we put an offer on it. Our closings are set for September 1st-so needless to say, we have been packing for the past few weeks. Jeff is "over" the clutter and chaos that the boxes bring; to top things off, we sold the sofa in his office so he has no place to retreat from it all!
The kids are adjusting pretty well and are looking forward to the new place. Savannah is excited that she was able to choose her new bedding and wall color.

Happy Birthday Great Granddaddy!

We were in North Carolina last weekend and were able to visit Great Granddaddy in Newton on his 88th birthday. Aunt Libby and Uncle Robert were also in town visiting him and the kids loved spending time with them.

Snaggle-Toothed....Again

Savannah loves pulling her teeth; in fact, last month Jeff and Savannah were at the house and she said she had a loose tooth. Jeff felt it and told her that it wasn't ready yet, and she started crying and carrying on. She said she really would like for him to pull it, so he got out his Leatherman pliers and yanked it out! She didn't cry a bit and was so excited for the tooth fairy to come visit!

When I picked her up from camp today she asked if anything looked different and she smiled at me. Evidently, she decided to pull her own tooth today. It's the top left one (looking at her in this picture). I guess the tooth fairy will be visiting us again tonight!

July 4th Festivities

Vince is staying with Nana and Grandaddy on Lake Norman and he went fishing today...and actually caught a catfish!

Savannah and I made our annual "flag" cake and she invited some friends over to play. They played with sparklers and water balloons, and everyone enjoyed Dad's homemade vanilla ice cream!

Summer...So Far

20th Year Reunion for East Meck

Savannah and her friend, Elizabeth, at Camp Martha Johnston

Well, it's been awhile since I have posted any new pictures so I wanted to share some from our summer thus far. Savannah and Vince finished school May 19th and we went straight to Atlantic Beach, NC for a week. We spent Memorial Day weekend in Charlotte with Aunt Lin and Uncle Gary and were able to be there for Wilson's 2nd birthday party. The kids loved riding on the city bus and train with the family.

Vince blowing bubbles after VBS one night

Vince and Savannah at the beach

During June, the kids both went to Vacation Bible School at Martha Bowman Methodist Church and Savannah spent a couple of weeks at Trinity Woods summer day camp. We drove to Charlotte for my 20 year high school reunion and spent Friday morning with Great Grandad in Newton and Grandparents Stewart in the afternoon. G-Mama and Nana volunteered (with a slight twist of their arms) to keep Vince for 2 weeks between them so Jeff and I could go on a vacation to Las Vegas. Savannah spent a week at Girl Scout camp here in Macon and she had a blast. She hopes to go back again next summer and spend two weeks!

Savannah and I will head to North Carolina at the end of the week for 10 days and Vacation Bible School at G-Mama's church. Vince is excited that he is finally old enough to participate, just like "sister." School starts back for Savannah on August 9th...which will be here before we know it!

Easter Weekend!

We have had a fun-filled weekend a softball game and egg hunts! Savannah's game was at 9am today and the church egg hunt was at 10:30. The kids had a blast there and were able to wear their coordinating outfits. I just can't get a picture of the two of them smiling and looking at the camera at the same time! Savannah had an egg hunt at Trinity Woods where she goes to summer camp later in the afternoon. Jeff and Vince stayed home and hung out while Savannah and I went to Trinity Woods.

Cherry Blossom Festival

This is the first weekend of the festival and the cherry trees are in full bloom! The weather has been perfect and we have enjoyed all of the "going-ons". Yesterday was opening day for Savannah's softball team, so we had team pictures and her game in the morning. Yesterday afternoon we went to Macon State College for the "Tunes and Balloons" and set up a picnic. The hot air balloons were beautiful and the kids enjoyed dancing in front of the band. Today we are taking part in the Cherry Blossom Parade in downtown Macon. Our friend, Edward, will have a band-wagon float in the parade and we all get to ride. Vince is especially excited to ride it, but we'll see once we get down there. I hope to post pictures later this week!

Giddy-up!

Macon recently got "Groupon" and one of the first ones released back in January was three private riding lessons for the price of one. Savannah has been asking for a year or so about taking lessons, so she was pretty excited to open the envelope with the certificate.

Savannah hopes to be included in a horse show in the next few months. G-Mama enjoyed going with Savannah to her lesson last weekend since she showed horses when she was a child.

Savannah riding Disney