The Sutton Chronicle

Kindergarten Field Trip to INK!!

2009-10-23T22:28:00.005-04:00

Today was the first field trip of the school year and I able to be one of the chaperons. We went to the children's museum in Gainesville, INK. What a fun place! Carley had been there before when she was younger with her meme, but I was told they had made some upgrades since then. The children were able to go from center to center and play with everything. They had everything from a library, a stage for dress-up, a dentist office, vets office, hair salon, grocery store ( by far the kids favorite), post office and so much more. Here are a few pictures from the day. We can't wait to take Collin back!

Siver City Comet Award Winner...

2009-10-23T21:40:00.004-04:00

Carley Rae was awarded the Siver Comet Award in the month of October for Patience! When we recieved the letter last week I actually did a happy dance in the driveway I was so excited for her. She didn't know how to react to my excitement and screamed..."I'm the CHAMPION!!" It was hysterical! This morning there was a Awards breakfast to recognize the children from each class and each grade. We are so proud of Carley and how well she is doing in kindergarten. She continues to amaze us with her willingness to learn and grow more in her education.

Mickey and Minnie Pumpkins!!

2009-10-07T12:23:00.005-04:00

Carley stayed home from school today because yesterday she threw up at school. It was totally random and out of the blue, but just to make sure she was feeling okay today she stayed home with me. We went to Publix to get some groceries and came home with 2 pumpkins!! A few weeks ago Eric's mom gave Carley and Collin Mickey and Minnie pumpin kits. They are fabulous!!! There is no pumpkin carving mess and so cute!! We are still going to make our traditional trip to Burts Pumpkin Farm but we went ahead and put together our Mickey and Minnie Pumpkins!!

Mommy and Daddy Vacation

2009-10-06T10:16:00.003-04:00

Eric and I are very blessed to have amazing parents to watch Carley and Collin while we take a little time for ourselves. Recently, Eric and I went to Miami for a fews days and then down to Key West for a few days. It was a great opprotunity to recharge, reconnect and relax!! Here are a few pictures from our great trip!

Collin is walking!!!!!

2009-10-01T13:40:00.003-04:00

Here is a video of Collin walking, sissy helping and Collin stopping for a quick dance!!

Fast fordwarding a few months...

2009-10-01T12:05:00.004-04:00

Carley's first day of school!

I am going to fast forward a few months to get all up to date. On August 10th Carley Rae started KINDERGARTEN!!!! She was so excited about going to the "big girl school" and in the past 2 months has done so awesome! She has already learned so much and is making great friends.

Collin is now 16 months!! Goodness where has the time gone!!! He is walking in full force now and is doing GREAT!!!

Again...catching up and recommitting..

2009-10-01T11:42:00.003-04:00

Like I said before I have not done so well with keeping up with our blog and I am so disappointed in myself! I really want to journal what is going on in our crazy busy lives so I am jumping back on the blogging wagon and catching up!

This video is from when Carley got her ears pierced. She was so incredibly brave and it was totally her idea.

NASCAR race weekend...

2009-06-05T09:26:00.005-04:00

I even made Carley a NASCAR dress for the event.

FROM MARCH...and I am just now blogging about it in June! Ok, so I have serious time management issues =)

Carley has been to a few races and loves it every time! This was Collin's first race, well, second if you count the Daytona Race when he was still in my belly. He did very good keeping his head phones on during the race! Here are a few pictures from the weekend...

TOTAL SLACKER!!

2009-04-26T10:08:00.002-04:00

I know, I know, I have neglected our family blog and I am so ashamed! I am going to spend this next week making our blog my priority. Some of the things I will be blogging about...

*Taking Carley and Collin to the NASCAR race
* Carley got her ears pierced!!!!
*My Dad's birthday
*Easter
*My Surgery
*Carley's photo shoot
*Collin's first trip to Monkey Joe's
*Gwinnett Braves Game
*Family Camping Trip!

What a month!!

2009-02-23T22:26:00.004-05:00

This month has been a blessing and a challange. Lemme explain...Eric and I celebrated our 7 year anniversay on Feb. 2nd!! I am blessed beyond measure to be married to a man who keeps me on my toes and keeps me sane when I think I am going insane. We celebrated our anniversary at Stoney River with a fabulous dinner.

The challange for the month has been trying to keep our children well! Collin has had 3 ear infections, wheezing, a mystery fever that kept spiking to 104 to 105 for six days. After 3 visits to the Dr. and strep tests, flu test, white count checks, cath urines and a trip to Childrens Healthcare for a chest xray his fever finally went away and with in a day he was so much better...weird! I just thank God that he is feeling better! Carley Rae has had the yuck for about 2 weeks and did end up having a ear infection and a ruptured ear drum. If you can't tell we are so ready for the cold weather to go away and bring on some warmth!!

We also started attending Browns Bridge Community Church and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!! Carley gets so excited when she is getting closer to "Xing" of the days till church! The first Sunday we attended she turned to us as we were walking in and said "this place looks like a mall"...thats my girl! She has been singing all the songs she has learned from her class and tells me regularly that Jesus is her best friend.

Eric's business is doing so well these days and we thank God for that. I have been working in his office with him a few days a week on the administrative end and so far we are not ready to kill one another.

Finally, I cannot believe that our baby boy is 9 months old this month!! Where has the time gone? I can remember the day we drove to the hospital to deliver him and now I am starting to think about is 1st birthday. It makes me want to cry just thinking about it. What a precious baby he is. So sweet and gentle and full of smiles. I cannot imagine my life without him. Both of my babies are the joy of my life and teach me every day how to be a better mom.

Christmas Day!!!

2009-01-18T22:57:00.004-05:00

Carley was so excited Christmas Eve about Santa coming that she didn't got to sleep until at least 11:30. It was thundering a little that night and when it did we were laying in bed. I would make the comment that it was the reindeer and she would squeal! I think that is what took longer for her to go to bed, oops!

Christmas morning, Eric's mom and stepdad got to the house before Carley (and Eric for that matter) were awake, so around 7:30 I went and woke them up. Collin was already awake so him and I went upstairs with the video camera. She couldn't wait to get downstairs to see what Santa brought. Eric suprised me with a Flip Mino video camera that I wanted very much so I will post some video of the morning.

Around 1:00 in the afternoon we got on the road to the airport to leave for our trip to St. Thomas. I wanted a white Christmas and Eric gave us one with white sand...I didn't complain!!

Christmas Celebration #3...

2009-01-03T02:06:00.006-05:00

Carley couldn't believe Santa was knocking at the door

They got so many gifts from Santa!

Collin and his adorable cousin Hayden. They are 5 months apart

Was at Adam and Misty's house this year! We celebrated with Eric's mom and step dad and his sister and her family, and Adam and Misty. I knew Carley was going to have so much fun because not only does she get to play with her cousins Britton and Hayden, but she remembered that Santa was going to stop by!!! After we had a great dinner the kids kept asking to open gifts, open gifts!! They were totally caught off guard when a knock at the front door was SANTA!!! Carley was super shy at first, but once he started bringing in gifts by the handful and making piles for all four of them, all shyness went away!

I am not sure why Santa even needed to come on Christmas morning with the massive amount of gifts that came to her that evening! It took Eric FIVE trips to the truck that night to get everything in the house! Thank you MeMe, Papa T, Misty, Adam, Angie and Corey for all of the amazing gifts!

Oh, and a special thank you to Misty's dad for being Santa...

Christmas Celebration #2...

2009-01-03T01:43:00.003-05:00

Collin taking it all in

Kenna with her twin doll and matching dresses

Our second Christmas was with my family at TJ's new house. We were excited to celebrate at his house this year with my parents, my sister and her family and TJ. We enjoyed spending time together and had an Italian dinner. Since staying home with Collin I bought a sewing machine and attempted to pull the creative side of me out. With the help of my sister I decided to make my niece Makenna a few pillowcase dresses and a dress that matches her twin doll. I also made her a picture frame bow holder and some bows to go with it. I have really enjoyed learning how to make different things and finally have a new hobby!

Christmas Celebration #1...

2009-01-03T01:18:00.003-05:00

We started our first of four Christmas' at my Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Bill's house at Lake Jackson. This was the first Christmas without my Nana Hogan which was hard. The traditions she started like everyone gathering together and going around the room to read something she had cut out or been saving to read at Christmas. Or her great dressing that only she can make, which my mom and her sisters made this year and it was great. When she would pass out gifts for each of us and I always requested sheets ans she always bought us the best! Or the combs she ALWAYS wrapped in red or green tissue paper with a little ribbon and passed them out to all the boys and men. She would give Carley and all of her other great grandchildren a stuffed animal. This year my mom and my Aunt Charlotte didn't want the children to not have a gift to open, so they gave each of them something...not leaving out the stuffed animal. Christmas will never be the same with her gone, but the memories she has left with us will never be forgotten.

After a long break from blogging...

2009-01-03T01:10:00.002-05:00

I have so much to update on! Since my last blog, which was Thanksgiving, I cannot believe it is 2009!! Where in the world did 2008 go?!?!?! I guess that is what happens when you have another baby to keep me super busy. I am going to do my best at getting up to date starting with our many Christmas celebrations with family.

Thanksgiving Celebrations...

2008-11-27T09:12:00.003-05:00

We celebrated Thanksgiving on Sunday with Eric's mom and family at his sister's house. I wanted to get some pictures of our family for our Christmas card. Carley was less than thrilled to take pictures so we only for one of her, but Collin was a little more willing to participate. I tried to get a picture of all 4 of the kids, but of course there was always one (or two) that didn't want to look at the camera. We are getting excited and gearing up for Christmas...its almost here!!

Indian Carley...

2008-11-20T21:38:00.003-05:00

Was so adorable today at her Thanksgiving performance and lunch. She was one of the Indians with her hat and "vest". After they sang a few Thanksgiving songs, each one of them came over the microphone to tell their Indian name. Carley's Indian name is "Tip Toeing Pig". Isn't that hysterical?!?!?! We also enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast that all of the parents put together. Collin had a great time watching the performance and let out a squeal every now and then. Carley was so excited to be suprised by her PawPaw!! Oh, and check out the picture I took of Carley's way to cook a turkey. All the students ways to cook a turkey are on the bulletin board outside her classroom. Her's was by far the funniest!

On another note, Collin had his 6 month check-up yesterday. He is 15 lbs. 4 oz. and is the 20% for his age. He is 28 inches long which is the 90% for his age. Tall and skinny??? That is not in out genes!! Now that he can start eating solids that should fatten him up. He had to get 5, yes 5 shots and was not a happy camper. Next time he goes back for a check-up will be at 9 months and should be sitting up, crawling and eating lots of solid foods!!

Happy Thanksgiving...we have so much to be thankful for...

We have a busy week...

2008-11-19T11:34:00.002-05:00

Today Eric is flying to Jacksonville, Fl by way of his cousin John who is pilot. I have been anxious all week knowing that he was going to be flying in such a little plane, but I know John is a great pilot so they will be fine.

I am going to be taking Collin to the Dr. today for his 6 month check-up. Can you believe he is 6 months old!! I cannot believe that he is 6 months old already. I will post another blog with pictures and how he did at his appointment.

Tomorrow, Eric and I will be joining Carley at school for her Thanksgiving lunch. She is also going to be doing a "performance" with her class. I can't wait!! And Friday I have my second tastefully simple party!! wooohooo! My sister-in-law Angie is hosting a party at her house. I am excited and I am loving being a Tastefully Simple consultant!!
More to come soon...
XOXOXO

Trick-or-Treat...

2008-10-31T23:27:00.004-04:00

Every year since Carley was 6 months old we have been going to the North Georgia Premium Outlet Mall for Trick-or-Treating. It makes it a lot easier with little ones. We start at one end of the mall and go up and down every isle until we complete the whole mall. This year there were a lot more people than I remember from years before, but that makes it more fun because of all the different costumes. Carley was thrilled to get dressed up as Cinderella this year and Collin, well he didn't have a clue but enjoyed being in his pumpkin costume!! Our nephews Britton and Hayden who were both bumble bees came with us as well as Rusty!! My mom, Wendy and Terry and Russ and Christine came with us as well, which is also our tradition.

Another great halloween, and we are so blessed with our two beautiful and healthy children. Carley is already trying to decide what to be next year. Now its time to get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas!!

God Bless

NASCAR race weekend...

2008-10-29T20:49:00.003-04:00

We spent this past weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway for the NASCAR race. We were there with most all of Eric's family. Carley had so much fun playing with another little girl that was apart of our group. We had 3 RV's on the Trackside Terrace level which is by far the best spots at the race track. In our RV there was a total of 13 people sleeping, but it didn't seem like tight quarters at all. Collin spent the majority of the time either napping in our RV or spending time with Eric's grandmother and aunts in his dad's motorcoach.

Once the race started on Sunday, Carley pulled up her chair and put on her headphones to watch Jimmy Johnson (her favorite) race. Even though he didn't win, she got $50 from the pool of money for him coming in second. We had such a great time and look forward to going next year!!

OOOhhhhhh, Carley Rae...

2008-10-23T11:10:00.005-04:00

In her exact words..."but Mommy, I wanted to look like Batman"!

Carley normally doesn't like to get dirty, let alone write ALL over her face!! When she saw herself in the mirror she was a bit frightened. Thank goodness it was a washable marker!!

Pumpkin Patch!!

2008-10-20T22:21:00.005-04:00

On Sunday, Eric and I took Carley Rae and Collin to the Kinsley Family Farm to pick out our pumpkin. Carley went straight to one the was in her words "just my size". She wanted to have one that she could paint and not "cut on". So while she was picking out her perfect pumpkin Eric had to get the biggest and best for him to carve. After finding the perfect two pumpkins we took a hayride around the farm. We got to see all the different size Christmas trees still growing and we stopped by the pond to feed the fish.

Later that evening we headed down to the playroom to break out the newspaper and carve our pumpkin. While Eric is the artistic one in the family Collin and I looked on as Carley took markers to her pumkin and "painted" it. Once Eric had perfected his carving ability he got the great idea to line the pumpkin with a trashbag and have a photo shoot with Collin in the pumpkin. After a long day, all in all we had a wonderful time starting our Pumpkin Patch family tradition with our little family.

Happy Trick or Treating...

Jumpies and Chuck E.!!!!!

2008-10-14T22:00:00.007-04:00

While I was trying to recover from what felt like the flu, Uncle Adam and Auntie Mis took Carley Rae on a playdate!! Not only did she get to go to Chuck E. Cheese which is her favorite place to play. She got to go to the jumpy place (as Carley calls it) AND she saw the "Chickawawa" (Chiuaua) Movie!!! Talk about one lucky girl!!! She had so much fun with Adam and Misty and has been talking about her special day all week. Her teachers told me in carpool line on Monday that she was telling all her friends about it as well. Eric and I are so lucky to have such amazing families...Thanks ya'll

Trying Ohhh so hard...

2008-10-08T08:17:00.008-04:00

Collin has been trying so hard to roll over these days, but not quite there yet. He doesn't really like being on his tummy so he squirms and squirms and squirms but ends up laying there with a big smile. Last week I took him to the Dr. before Eric and I went to Charleston only to find out he had a DOUBLE ear infection!! At 5 months!! Crazy, but I guess that is what happens since his sweet sister is bringing lovely germs home from Pre-K. I will let all of you know when our scooter decides to roll over!!

Their first UGA game...

2008-10-01T11:50:00.005-04:00

Was so much fun! Carley and Collin went with Eric and I to " tailgate" at a beautiful new RV park in Athens called Bulldog Park. We went down on Friday to set up the camper and have a mini vacation with the kids. Carley was so upset with us on Saturday because I told her we were going to the football game, but I didn't mean the actual game. She wanted to go to the "medium" (stadium) so bad. We told her next time we come to Athens we will take her to the game. It was a good thing we didn't go because about 2 minutes into the game she was sound asleep in Eric's lap outside!!