The poor bike accident that could've been so much worse. Halle was flying down a hill and crashed into a trashcan and obviously met the pavement at some point during the fall. What a trooper. The poor girl had to walk home w/ her bike and blood oozing from her face and arm. It broke my heart. Her cheek was huge along w/ her lip and I took her to the doctor just to be sure she didn't break anything or have anything damaged internally. Thankfully she was fine! I know what you're thinking: WHERE WERE YOU MOM? Well.....she has gone around the small loop in our neighborhood a handful of times and this was one of them. It's not something she does often, b/c it terrifies me, and this is why. She begs saying "I'm almost 9," and she is right. When I was 9 I was across the neighborhood on my bike, playing in the woods, jumping in creeks, climbing rocks, etc. and I lived to tell about it. SO, I was letting go a little I guess. So much for that......But, she has managed to ride her bike, play soccer, do Girls on the Run, and gymnastics. Nothing brings this girl down! She amazes me with how much she has grown up just over the summer. It's like talking to a little lady sometimes! I'm sure that may change on a dime, so I'll count my blessings now!

GO COCKS!

I'm not sure why we cheer for them sometimes, but we do! Cade is all about some Gamecock football, or any football for that matter. He will watch the game, keep up w/ the score, listen to the commentators and repeat, "YES, 1st down." It's so cute!

Cade going long!

T-Paw and Cade planning the next route!
The girls in the mix!

Gamecock tattoes to really show off our spirit!

Cade is actually trying to catch this. I'm not sure if Halle is playing defense or what, but it looks girly to me too!

Soccer is in full force and I do have some pictures. Never mind I'm WAY late. I've been busier than every this year with school and the fact that I'm even blogging is amazing. BUT, they are only young once! Soccer pictures coming soon!

Back To School

Well.........it has taken me this long to find time to sit down and blog about this 1st day of school..a whole week and 1/2 later. Oh well, better late than never! What a great summer to say good-bye to. We had a blast and it has been hard to get back in the swing of things, but probably harder for me than the kids. Once they met their teachers at the Open House they were SO excited. Me....not so much! It is so nice having them all at the same school this year. I was determined to walk Cade in on that first day. How cute was he w/ that big ole' bookbag on his back. Talk about a weepy mom. A few tears after the good-bye hug, but overall, we ALL did great. Gracie and Halle were excited to see some friends they had missed, and poor Gracie was worried about having homework on the first day of school. That's definitely Gracie for ya! And poor Cade wanted to know why he had to wear church clothes to school. I thought that was pretty funny. I was like "Cade, you have to look nice at school." He wasn't convinced. So now we are getting into the routine of homework, and lots more of it for Ms. Halle in the third grade. WOW! Trying to juggle homework, gymnastics, play time outside, etc. is not an easy thing to do. And next week we throw soccer practice into the mix. Oh well....that's life w/ 3 kids I guess. Wouldn't trade it for the world!

Halle.....my 3rd grader!

Gracie.....my 1st grader!

And Cade.....my new kindergartener!

Take Me Home to Tennessee

Although I have spent most of my life in Rock Hill, I was born in Murfreesboro, TN and my dad and grandparents still live there! It always feels good to go back and see how it has grown and changed.



The kids and I loaded up Friday after Bible School and took the 7 hour drive to Tennessee to visit Papa Jon, Lin, the grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins! They did such a great job on the drive. It is a long trip but now that they are finally old enough to really get in the car and travel and find other things to do in the car, it's really not that bad. We did all sorts of fun things and we can't wait to go back....hopefully sometime this school year when the weather is a little cooler so we can do different things.

Cousin Jackson taking the kids on a hay ride.

The creek.....next year we will be prepared and bring our own tubes. The creek is very slippery but the rapids are fun. It's very cheap entertainment!

The MTSU football field!

The dorm rooms named after my grandad.

Daddy Mel....who will be 90 this December. He's in a rehab facility after falling a few weeks ago, but will hopefully get to come home soon.
Papa Jon and Gran...my dad and grandmother

Halle in the awesome climbing tree in Gran's front yard!

Cousin Taylor and Cade playing in the pool!

Cousin Taylor pushing 'the boat.'

The 'slide.'

Our trip home was not as fun as the kids were already missing everyone and of course "Spookie," dad and Lin's dog. Poor Spookie was probably exhausted from 4 days of nonstop talking, ball throwing, and chasing, but I think he enjoyed the attention. So now we wind down summer and get ready for school to start back.....BOO!

Beach Part II

Our beach trip was filled with lots of fun memories that mostly consisted of the beach and pool! My kids LOVE the beach and sun as much as I do! We went to the Dixie Stampede one night as we do every year and the kids had so much fun. They got all of the autographs of the horse riders and were very excited.

Cade eating a snack!

Daddy and the beach bums!

Cade, Gracie, and Halle

Love this picture of Halle and Gracie riding a wave in!

Jules, Gracie, Gunnar, and Cade being buried in the sand! Jules and Gunnar are their cousins.



She has the sweetest face...
Momma and her babies.......
Gracie, Cade, Halle, Gunnar, and Jules...friends forever!

Beach Talent Show-Part I

This was the first annual talent show that was presented by all the kids on our beach trip this week. It was a big hit, and the kids have been practicing for several weeks....thanks to the help of their Gram (Chase's mom). They all worked really hard and were very proud. Cade and Gunnar (cousin) did some magic and the girls did a variety of gymnastics, and singing. The kids had programs to pass out and everything! It was the 1st annual talent show, but I'm sure it won't be the last! What fun memories they made this past week.......

The beginning of the show.....about to pass out programs!

Gunnar and Cade presenting their magic

One of Halle's performances...singing a solo!

And a little gymnastics for your viewing pleasure.....

All three singing together!

Cade singing the finale song: You're a Grand Old Flag

Taking a bow!

Part II of the surf and sand to follow soon!!

Summer Basketball Camp

We've done a whole lot of swimming since the summer started but this week the kids went to the Lil' Eagles Basketball Camp and had a blast! They worked on ball handling, shooting, passing, etc. and really learned a lot! They got these cool t-shirts and basketballs that are really nice. They say they are going next summer to the individual (all day) camp....and they get to eat in the cafeteria on Winthrop's campus....how cool is that! Saturday we are off to the beach where I'm sure there will be some more awesome fun and memories made.........they are literally counting the hours.