2011

I officially took a solid year off of blogging.  It wasn't intentional, it just worked out that way.

2011 brought crazy changes to our lives.  Darin changed jobs, and I started one.  His takes him around the world, living mostly in India for 3 weeks out of the month.  I'm working for Massage Envy.  I love my job and it's variety of responsibilities, along with it's obvious perks!

We've been so grateful for the blessings we experienced last year, and for the friends and family that have been a part of them.

Here is a 2011 rundown:

January - We spent the majority of the month at wrestling!  Drew lost his first tooth.  Allie & Mom dressed up as pirates for New Beginnings.  Allie & Mom went to the symphony.

 February - Watched Evan's wrestling team take 3rd in the state.  Nathan participated in the "news crew" at school, recording the daily news for the school.
March - Spring Break!  Went to Naples, Florida and spent time with great friends - Newsomes and Chatfields.
April - LaRee came to visit.  We had a great week playing tourist.  Well, I played tourist, she really was one! Darin took his first trip to India.  Nathan went to JA Biztown, very cool experience.  Nathan broke his arm playing outside in the neighborhood. Evan gets his drivers license.
May - the last month of school, always crazy!  Evan started playing Rugby.  Darin & Christine did the Muddy Buddy Race. Drew played baseball.  Allie makes 2nd chair in the top band for next year!
June - Summertime!!  Pool fun.  Encore camp for Nathan & Drew.  Kings Island with Knepley's and Dottie.  Trip to Indiana to see family.  Christine started working.  Allie turns 15.


July - Girls Camp - always the best!  Youth conference for Evan, Allie & Mom.  EFY for Evan and Allie.  Evan turns 17. The Winters family came to visit from West Virginia.  Grand Ole Opry to see Loretta Lynn.  We all went to Indiana to Darin's sister's wedding.  Band Camp for Allie.

August - and here we go again with school...  Rugby for Evan, band for Allie.  Middle School for Nathan.  Drew finds himself alone at Nolensville Elementary for the first time.  Nathan turns 12.  Cutest deacon ever to pass sacrament.

September - Band competitions begin.  Drew participates in his first primary program ever!

October - More band.  Nathan gives wrestling a try.  Evan's rugby 7s team wins STATE!

November - More band. Wrestling begins again for Evan.  Thanksgiving with the Knepley's and Grandma & Grandpa Hulet. Played Dicecapades and made Grandma do sit ups.  Darin & Christine went to Ironman in Florida.  We just watched this year, but Darin signed up for next year!

December - Allie is in the Nashville christmas parade with band.  Grandma & Grandpa visit right before Christmas.  Drew was in the school's 50's Christmas program "Jingle Bell Rock".  Drew turns 8.

And now you have it.

WHAT HAVE WE BEEN DOING ALL THIS TIME?

Good question.  Football and Marching Band season completely consumed the fall.

It was fast, furious, and so much fun.  It was great to see 2 kids at the same activity for once!  Evan played punt return for Varsity football, and Defensive Linebacker for JV.  It was a disappointing season, but he had fun playing football anyway!  The marching band performed well this year.  They travelled to exotic places like Louisville, KY, Jacksonville, AL and Indianapolis, IN.  It was the first time to compete at a Grand National Championship.  It was a bonus that they marched at Lucas Oil in Indy!

Homecoming parade

Band camp

In October for Fall Break, we took advantage of a break from activities and camped at Camp Tugaloo state park in Georgia.  It was relaxing, fun and cold!  We're pretty sure Riley enjoyed it the most.

The fire was a bit smokey because the kids burned these all weekend:

and Allie took about 150 pictures of the fire close up.

Isn't he so cute?

The kids all took a turn trying to cut firewood:

Thankfully, no one lost a toe.  

SQUIRREL!

Evan and Allie whittled sticks:

Drew played catch with Dad.  A lot.

Darin spent the weekend (his birthday) hiding from the camera.

Mostly he was chopping wood.

That's it for September and October.  

November was IRONMAN.

Post forthcoming.

Nathan is 11

Nathan

Happy 11th Birthday!

Aug. 29, 2010

Nathan at 11:
Boy Scout!
Chess club
Math Club
Loves to read
Swim Team
Spiritual
Sensitive
Kind (extremely kind)
Loving

I love this boy.  He'll be the one taking care of me when I am old.

We celebrated his birthday a week late so Grandma & Grandpa could be there, too.  He had a party at laser chase.  Here are some pictures from the party.  It was hard to get pictures.  Every time I turned a corner in the giant maze, a kid would shoot me and zip by so fast I couldn't get any pictures.

The Volcano Cake

Drew

Evan

Allie

The Crew

Then on Sunday, we celebrated Grandma's Birthday!  

It was a Cake kind of weekend.

First Day of School

School is in full swing, with all of it's projects, practices, homework and activities!  Here are the first day of school pictures.

Evan - Sophomore

Allie - Freshman

Nathan - 5th grade

Drew - First Grade

They are all off to a great start.  Nathan has Ms. Robertson, and Drew has Ms. Jones.  They are amazing teachers!  We love them.  Most days Drew would really like to stay home, but likes it once he gets there.  Nathan already completed his edible animal cell project.  

Funny side story:  We made a "rice krispie treat" animal cell and made the parts with candy and icing, including skittles.  We made an extra pan of treats for the kids to eat with the extra.  The next morning, I came down and the cell pan was empty with a few skittles remaining in the pan.  I just about had a stroke.  Evan was the last one downstairs...  Then I saw the pan on the stove slightly hidden.  Evan played ANOTHER practical joke on his mom, and it worked!  I could hear him laughing in my head all day.

Nathan is swimming on the swim team, Drew is playing fall baseball, Allie is in marching band, and Evan is playing football.  It stays busy here, but it's such fun!