Tanner Turns 7

Seven years ago, on September 17, my sweet little man, Tanner, came into the world. He has been a true blessing ever since. Tanner was so excited to celebrate his birthday! And celebrate, we did! Several times! Which is very common at our house!

At school, Tanner got to celebrate his special day with his first grade class. His buddy, Jaquavious, has the same birthday, so for 2 years now, they have celebrated together. They both wore "Birthday Boy" crowns all day long. I took Tanner lunch (McDonald's!) and he wanted me to bring his class cookies (instead of the standard cupcakes). We had a good time eating and talking to his classmates and finishing it off with sugary cookies! That night, we went to Tanner's favorite restaurant, O'Charley's, with Gran and Paige joining us. Then it was back to the house for ice cream cake and presents! A fun day with a fun 7 year old!

Tanner and Jaquavious at school

Ice cream cake!!

Make a wish!

So happy!

REALLY happy! Tanner now has a Ninetendo DS like his sisters!

And a new Bible!

About a week later, we had Tanner's "friend" party in the gym at our church, Harrisburg. His buddies came and jumped on the big inflatable, chased each other on trikes and threw a few balls. After diving into a football cake that Tanner helped me make, it was back to the gym for more running and fun!

Connor and Tanner - how happy Tanner looks!

Terry, Paige, Avery and Anna played a little "knockout"

Cooper

Tanner and Connor - head first!

At the bottom

Zachary

7 years old!

It's hard to believe my sweet little baby is now seven years old. Tanner is a complete joy to be around and he truly makes my heart smile. He's loving and kind, thoughtful and funny and I feel so blessed to be his Mom. It will be fun to see what plans God has for him and I look forward to watching him blossom each year.

We love you very much, Tanner!!

Flag Football

Tanner is finally old enough to play flag football and he was so excited about getting out there to play. After his first practice, he wasn't so thrilled. He actually said after practice, that he didn't like it at all! Come to find out, he spiked a fever after practice and ended up having the flu and missed 3 days of school.

The next week, he had practice again. We had told him that he probably didn't like the first football practice because he had been sick and that this one would be better. He didn't like it any better this time either. THEN....he had his first game. Game time was totally different for Tanner. He got fired up and loved it! He blocked and ran and was even hiked the ball once where he ran it and almost scored a touchdown!

Tanner is one of the youngest players on his team and one of the few that hasn't played before. Once he's figured out what he needs to do, he has been fine and has had the most fun playing! With 2 games under his belt, he's very excited about the rest of the season!!

A team huddle with Coach Rick

A little team interaction on the bench before the game

A cool towel around the neck helped Tanner beat the heat.

Tanner with his blocking arms ready

Action shots!!!

Down, set ........

HUT!!

There he goes!! Can't see him, but he's running the ball!

Tanner's first flag football game

First School Project of the Year!

Yes, it's that time of year again. School's back in session, the kids have adjusted to schedules and homework and - already - a school project has been completed! Avery had to create a plant cell out of any objects she wanted to use and turn it in - within 3 days. She worked hard on it and did a great job! With just a few suggestions from Mom and Dad, she did it on her on and made 100 on it! I'm sure we are just getting started on the school projects..... times 3 (kids). Should be an interesting school year.

Good job Avery!!

Avery - 6th grade

Avery turns 12!!

On this day, 12 years ago, sweet Avery came into our family! It really seems like yesterday that she was lying in my lap looking up at me with that sweet, toothless, baby smile. Now, she is almost as tall as me and is one year away from being a teenager!! Wow! I want to slow the clock!

Avery's birthday fell on Labor Day this year, so luckily, she was out of school! Woohoo! Mama Jane, Tina, John and Gran came over to eat grilled hamburgers for lunch and we got to spend some time with them. Later on, our family and Gran went out to eat at Outback (Avery's choice), then came home and celebrated with an ice cream cake and presents! Fun day!

Avery is no longer my little girl. She's turning into a young lady. One that works hard at her schoolwork, plays hard in her sports, likes being with her family and friends, loves Ole Miss football, and even putting her hair in a ponytail (although she won't wear it like that to school!??). She's creative, smart, self-motivated in her studies, fun to be with (when she's not aggravating her siblings!), artistic, athletic, family-oriented and really good at the Wii!

Avery, I feel so blessed that God chose me to be your Mom. You are such a blessing to our family and I look forward to seeing God's plan for your life unravel. I am so proud of you for the person you are and so proud that you are my daughter!

I love you to infinity.........

Shelling Peas

When you live in the South, one of the great foods to eat (at least for me) is purple hull peas. Not black-eyed peas, but purple hull peas! My friend Sandy had picked some extra from her parents' garden in Pontotoc and brought us some. The kids couldn't wait to help me shell them (their Gran had taught them how!), so we got busy! We ended up with a pan full - some to eat and some to freeze. Fresh peas taste soooo different from frozen peas! Soooo much better! There was some good eatin' goin' on!

Thanks Sandy!

Avery's pan

Tanner's pan

Anna's pan

Let's eat! Yummmm!!

Rebel Football

Are you ready for some football?? We were so ready around our house that we traveled to Oxford one Saturday afternoon a few weeks ago to watch the Rebels practice. It was the last "open" practice and there was a big turnout! It was a lot of fun to see them "up close". Our buddy and neighbor, Lucas, went with us. Maybe we changed him from a Florida Gator fan to a Rebel fan. He got an Ole Miss football out of the deal anyway!

There's our QB - #4 Jevan Sneed!

Many Rebel fans looking on

Anna, Lucas and Tanner

Terry and Avery

Dexter McCluster (#22) with his dreads

Coach Nutt

And, by the way, the Rebels were VICTORIOUS in their season opener against the University of Memphis! We're off to a good start!