Happy 13th Anniversary!!!

Tony and I's 13th Wedding Anniversary is today.  It has been a GREAT 13 years filled with wonderful memories, lots of happiness, lots of laughter, and lots of love.  Tony, I am so blessed to have you as my husband and I look forward to growing old with you!  You complete me!!!!! :)  We had a wonderful weekend celebrating together.  The girls spent the night with the Carlson's so we had the night to ourselves.  We went to dinner at Tobacco Road Restaurant which is in the outfield of the Durham Bulls Ballpark.  We sat on the patio and watched batting practice while we ate.  It was really neat and there were lots of home run balls coming up on the patio.  Unfortunately, we were not one of the lucky ones to have a homerun ball land on our table.  Along with the great atmosphere and good company, the food was really good too.  I ate way too much!  After dinner, we headed to the Durham Bulls game.  The Bulls were down 2-1 in the championship against the Columbus Clippers.  We were hoping the Bulls would tie it up that night but unfortunately that was not the case.  The Bulls lost 13-2.  It was an ugly game.  We left at the 7th inning (it was 10-2 at that point) and walked around the American Tobacco District which is so pretty at night.  Then, we went on a quest for a dessert place.  We found out that most dessert places in Durham close at 9 pm on Friday nights.  We drove all over Durham and finally decided to stop at Harris Teeter and get a cookie cake.  It was a very fun night.  The next morning, we slept in and then went for an 8 mile run on the southern Tobacco Trail.  I have to say we actually enjoyed it.  I know that sounds crazy but it was a beautiful morning, the trail is pretty and it was fun to accomplish a big feat together.  This was the longest either of us has run in quite a while.  We joked about running 13 miles for our 13 Anniversary but that did not happen.  After our run, we grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed to get the kiddos.  Our fun weekend did not end there.  We got to take a long nap on Saturday afternoon and then we headed out to Orange County Speedway for some racing.  The girls and I had told Tony on Father's Day that his gift from us was a trip to O.C.S.  But, the summer was so busy we never got a chance to go.  So, we finally went and we had such a great night.  The weather was perfect, actually a bit chilly, and the races were filled with cautions which is what I like.  The only problem with a lot of cautions is that we did not get home until 11:30 pm.  But, the kids did great and really enjoyed themselves.  I think all the snacks we brought helped!!!  Regan really got into it and asked Tony to go sit along the fence with her.  They got to witness a wreck along the wall right down from where they were sitting.  I was thankful it was not right in front of them.  It was a fun night!  We ended our weekend with a great day at church and sleeping a lot on Sunday.  It was a wonderful weekend celebrating and I am so thankful for Tony and my girls. 

Here is the cookie cake Tony and I bought and then decorated with more icing.

Riley and Reece went on the track before the race with Daddy.  The driver of this car offered to let them sit in the driver's seat but they declined!  This car ended up winning it's race and we told the girls they could have sat in the winner's seat!!! 

Racing, ear muffs, and starbursts what more could a kid ask for??

Regan and Daddy enjoying their view by the fence.  I love this photo!!!

Wreck!!!

Reece having fun playing in the bleachers.  She enjoyed going up and down them.

Really LOVE this photo.  Daddy and all his future racing buddies...

I Met Nicholas Sparks...

My wonderful husband called me from work on Friday to tell me my favorite fiction author was at Barnes and Noble in Cary.  He told me he was signing a new book of his.  I had no clue he even had a new book out yet.  Tony is even more wonderful because he offered to go and get Regan and Riley from school so I could go to the book signing which started at 2:00 pm.  I told Reece we were going to meet one of Grandma's and Mommy's favorite authors.  So, when we got there Reece wanted to know where Grandma was? :)  I think she figured Grandma would be there for the book signing too and was very disappointed to find out she wasn't there.  But, we met Nicholas Sparks and got my new book signed.  Thanks Tony!!!!

 

CGS/GH Softball Team Wins it All....

Church of the Good Shepherd/Grace Hill Softball team were undefeated this season and then won the tournament championship game today.  It was a close, nail biting game but CGS/GH team hung on and came back to win 12-10.  CGS has been undefeated several seasons but has never won the championship game so this was a huge win today.  Way to go Tony and team!

Tony up to bat

waiting for the perfect pitch

The Champions!

GREAT GAME!!!

Reece running the bases with her friend, Carly.

Riley, Regan and their friend, Avery, racing to second base.

Reece, Carly, Regan and Riley running to third.

Running home.... 

Reece's First Day of 4 yr. old Preschool...

Reece had a great first day of school.  She was so excited and had a wonderful time playing in the kitchen with her friends, meeting the puppet, Mr. Alligator, singing songs, playing outside and hearing about some of the fun events for the year.  She was very excited to hear they have a "Pajama Day" where she can wear her favorite PJ's to school.  What a fun year this is going to be!!!!! 

Reece could not be more ready for school!!!

Reece is not sad at all to say "goodbye" to me before heading off to class.

Reece's Meet the Teacher Day.

Reece had Meet the Teacher Day today at her school.  She was very excited to see a lot of her friends from last year in her class again this year.  Her dear friend, Kate, is going to another school now so that made her sad but she was excited to see Grace, Kelsey, and Sarah today.  The parents also had fun catching up with each other.  Reece has the same teachers Regan and Riley had so it is fun to be with them again.  Reece is going to have an awesome year in 4 yr. old preschool at St. Luke's.  She will be going 3 days a week and cannot be more excited. 

Grace, Reece and Kelsey playing in the kitchen.  The girls had a great time playing in the kitchen together.

Kelsey and Reece making me food and Lemonade.

Sarah and Reece made me lots of yummy food.

Mrs. Goss - Reece's assistant teacher

Reece and I pose with her teacher, Mrs. Ingold. 

Oh the things kids will say and do!!!

We had many funny moments today, thanks to Reece and Riley.  I was at Riley's school today and had a moment to browse the halls and check out the artwork outside Riley's room.  I was looking at some pictures her class had drawn and sentences they had completed.  I was reading "A doghouse is a house for a dog," "A tree is a house for an owl," "A church is a house for ants...." what???  Then, I looked down and lo and behold that was Riley's sentence!!!! :)  I asked Riley about it on the way home and she replied, "Yes, my teacher wondered why I put this and I told her because my church has ants!"  Oh boy the things your children will tell.  The good news is we solved the ant problem at our church so "A church is no longer a house for ants!" :)  Riley had another moment that made me chuckle today.  I went for a run today and Riley joined me on her bike.  We were in the business park behind our neighborhood and Riley was seeing a lot of trash on the side of the road.  Her comment was, "Wow, there is a lot of litter out here, look there is a wrapper, and there is a bottle over there, and look there is paper, why can't people just throw their trash in trashcans!"  This really annoys her!  Later in our run/ride, a cat ran out in the street ahead of us and then darted away into the bushes when we got closer.  Riley said, "Mommy, do you think that cat is a stray?  I said, "I doubt it, it looked pretty normal and clean."  Riley replied, "But I did not see a collar on the cat so it is either a stray or the owner did not put a collar on it, that is not good!"  Aunt Kate, I know you will be proud that she actually learned something about stray animals this summer. :)  I am very thankful for Riley's compassion and her appreciation for God's creation.  And lastly, there is Reece's moment of the day!  Riley and Reece were playing outside and Riley came running in to tell me Reece peed outside.  I went to ask Reece what happened and she replied, "I had to go really badly and could not hold it so I just went in the woods."  Riley then stuck up for her and said, "don't worry she did not get it on her clothes and the gates to the backyard were closed."  And I thought I did not have any boys, Riley and Reece sure come close to having boys sometimes. :)  I told Tony about it and we both got a good laugh out of it.  We just hope our neighbors did not see her.   What a day this has been!!!!

End of Season Bulls Game...

On Sunday, September 5th we went to a Bull's Game with some of Tony's employees.  It was the last weekend game of the season before playoffs so we figured this may be our last chance of the year to see the Bulls.  Regan and Riley enjoyed learning how to keep score during the game and Tony enjoyed teaching them.  Reece was very excited about running the bases at the end of the game.  Every Sunday they let children run the bases after the game and we have never gotten the chance to do it with Reece.  So, this was her first time out on the field.  Wool E. Bull and Tom and Jerry mascots were all on the field giving high fives as the children ran by.  Reece and her sisters enjoyed this a lot.  It was a great night.  We had great weather and the Bulls came back to win in the 9th inning so it was exciting. 

Daddy teaching the girls how to keep score.

Lining up to run the bases

Mommy and Reece running home - we were going so fast we are a blur. :)

Regan still enjoys running the bases

Flipper...

We went to the pool tonight and Reece learned how to flip forwards and backwards all by herself.  Of course she does this when I don't have my camera. :(  She was having so much fun.  Riley tried it also but being taller made it harder and she could not get all the way over.  Reece was very proud of herself.  Her exact quote was, "This rocks!"  Not sure where she learned that one. 

Happy Birthday to Tony!!!

Tony turned 36 on September 1, 2010.  He actually does not mind getting older probably because he does not seem to age physically nor mentally.  Although, I do have to say he has forgotten a lot of things this past week. :)  We had a great time celebrating Tony's birthday with family.  Joe, Abby, Lizzie and Josh came over and we grilled out.  We had a lot of Tony's favorites, Brats, Baked Beans with Bacon, Deviled Eggs, and Peanut Butter Pie.  We were all very full afterwards but that did not stop Tony and Joe from rough housing.  It was just like the ole' days except this time there were a whole lot of kids joining in too. :)  We love you Tony and are very blessed to have you in our lives!  Thanks Joe and Abby for coming over to celebrate with us.  We had such a fun time with y'all!!!
   

Tony enjoying his Brat.

The kid table

We did not have a booster seat for Josh so he had to sit in a pink stroller - sorry Josh!

Josh was sitting lower than the table so he kept pulling up on the table so he could see.  It was so cute.

Tony's Peanut Butter Pie with a Cars candle.  I did not have the right numbers for his cake nor did I want to melt his cake so we went with the Cars candle.

I was trying to light the candle but the ceiling fan kept blowing the flame out before I could even reach the candle.  So, I told Tony, "I know it may be hard for you but you will need to blow this candle out really quick once it is lit or the fan will do it for you."  So, Tony got smart with me and starting blowing everytime I tried to light the candle so between him and the fan it was impossible.  I got to laughing and that made it even harder.  But, I finally got the candle lit and we were even able to sing, "Happy Birthday."

All the girls crowding around Tony.  

The girls were rough housing with Joe and then Daddy joined in.

Dog piling Joe.

Abby and Josh were smart and sat this one out.  But, I think Josh is taking notes.

Poor Uncle Joe!

Now all the kids are ganging up on Joe. 

Josh is showing Uncle Tony how he can walk now.

Taking steps!