Gingerbread House

Grammie and Granddaddy brought Austin and Em a Gingerbread House when they came yesterday. James helped Em (er..Princess Em..she had her crown on..LOL) and Austin with the construction...LOL. I think Austin had fun eating all of the m & m's...LOL. They did a good job and it turned out cute! And I am getting better with my slr camera! Oh what did we do before digital cameras?

Christmas Part 2

Grandaddy, Grammie, Uncle Blake, and Uncle Philip came up to Helena for a late Christmas. We had fun just hanging out and talking. Em got some Barbies, books, and a leap frog game. Austin got some Cars (from the movie), books, and a leap frog game. Grammie did play bingo with Em and Austin .Uncle Blake had the task of getting Barbie out of her box for Em...LOL. We did go and eat a late lunch at the depot....that place is so good! We enjoyed our time with them and can't wait for a road trip sometime in the future to Florida! Again I was taking pics with my Kodak and then my slr camera...you can so tell the difference..LOL. I have a lot to learn about shooting with an slr!

Christmas Part 1

We started off the Christmas season with Austin's little preschool program. He did so good! I was not able to tape it since we were out of tape and I forgot how to record it on my Kodak Easy Share...LOL...oh well...at least I was able to get some pics! On Christmas Eve we went to Granddaddy and Grandmother Otts' house. We got to spend time with them, Aunt Rachel, Aunt Ruby, Aunt Robin, and Cousin Zac, Jordan and Stephen. Jordan got a new puppy and she was athe highlight of the night. (gotta get those pics loaded!)The kids had lots of fun playing with their new toys. Since I am still learning how to work my slr camera alot of the pics I took were blurry...LOL . So I copied the ones that Aunt Robin took of Em and Austin.
It was also a bittersweet night as I know we all were thinking of and missing Greg. Robin gave James a gift from Starbucks that Greg had picked out for him...what a sweet reminder.

The Otts side

Greg

This is one of my favorite pictures of my brother -in-law Greg. This was taken when Austin was just days old. We use to joke about their matching hairstyles. Sadly, Greg lost his life in an auto accident last night. He was hit head on coming home from work. There are things in this life that are so hard to comprehend...for me it is death. I know that we are not promised tomorrow. I know that one day we will see Greg again...I will see my sweet Granny who left us almost five years ago...but it is still not easy. I look at my sister-in-law and can't really comprehend her pain..I wish I could take it away. I had to tell my sweet babies that their Uncle Greg was in heaven...Em seems to comprehend it and handled it well....Austin being just 4 years old almost seems wise beyond his years...he understood what I was saying and stated so matter of fact. I know the next few days will be hard for Robin...to have to tell her soul mate goodbye for now...for Jordan and Zac to tell their Dad goodbye....for in-laws, parents, siblings, friends, and co-workers to say goodbye to a man that loved life, a man that loved his family and friends. I am not sure I really believe it myself...James and I were just discussing this week what Greg might like for Christmas...little did we know this life changing event was headed our way. I hope we never take life for granted again...I hope we know how precious each moment is...because again we are not promised tomorrow.

Sneak Peek

Ok family and friends...here is a sneak peek!!! (from Molly Bridges Photography)

Pumkpin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch yesterday to let Em and Austin pick out a pumpkin. The weather had warmed up but was a touch windy. I had the hardest time getting Austin to pose for pictures!! LOL But they had fun and picked out a pumpkin to decorate sometime this week.

Fall is in the air!

Fall is in the air! While I do love fall I don't look forward to winter...LOL. I have been taking some pictures of the kids and working with photoshop. Taking pictures of Austin is a challange though..he does not stand still!! LOL Em is still liking school and has started reading chapter books. Austin loves going to MDO and I am sure he keeps his teacher busy!! LOL

Fun Run

Em had her fun run (school fundraiser) at school today. The girl ran 30 laps! I could not believe it!! I really expected her to do between 20-25 laps. I am so proud of her! She kept going even when she got hot. Thank you to Grammie, Granddaddy, Dinanny, Grandma, Granddaddy, Aunt Rachel , Aunt Robin and Uncle Greg for sponsoring her!!

2nd day of school and the bus

Today is the 2nd day of school and the 1st day on the bus. Yesterday morning we waiting for the bus after we were told by some middle schoolers that it had already came...even though we were at the stop at 6:45 and the bus was suppose to come at 6:57. So I ended coming back and waited when someone says is comes back again...we waited until 7:15. So I drove Em to school...and parked and walked her in...which I was able to take some pics of her in her room and with her teacher. I also checked with the office about the bus time and even had two phone conversations with the assistant principal even discussing my address. So at 3:00 I decided to walk down to the bus stop because Em was suppose to get off the bus at 3:15. Wrong move...because buses came and went...her bus came with middle school and she was running late and had not picked up elementary yet...by this time it is 3:20 and we are so stinking hot...so then about 3:35 the bus comes back by...but NO EM...they had taken her off the bus because she was not on the list! I was furious! So I still had to trek back to the house with Austin to get the explorer to go to the school to pick up my child who wanted to ride the bus. So by the time I get there about 3:50..she is in the office and had been crying...so of course I start to tear up because I was so upset about all this mess. I am sure those ladies in the office wondered what in the world ...LOL..So anyway..her bus time changed to 7:24 and about 7:30 came the bus. Emily Grace was so happy and excited to ride. Hopefully this afternoon will go smoothly! (If you notice the subdivision sign behind Em is missing the L again..someone keeps stealing it from both sides! )

First Day of First Grade

Today was Em's first day of school! She was suppose to ride the bus..but the time they gave us was wrong. So I ended up taking her to school ...and was able to take her picture with her teacher and at her desk. We will try the bus again tomorrow. Thankfully she has an extra 30 minutes before she has to be there. I also got Austin enrolled in MDO and he starts tomorrow. I will have to take some pics of him too.

Lazy Days of Summer

We went to my inlaws this weekend and the kids had a blast swimming in the pool. Austin is like a litte fish..LOL. Emily Grace loves to jump off the ladder doing a cannon ball (I should of taken a pic!) She also loves for James to toss her into the water. We had so much fun watching them. I can't believe summer is almost over and back to school in about 8 days. Em is looking forward to 1st grade and I am hoping to get Austin in MDO.

Baby Stellan

Please pray for Baby Stellan. Check out his family blog at mycharmingkids.net.

Kelly's Korner is having show us your wedding dress. (Kellyskornerblog.com)

McWane Center and Vulcan

We took the kids to the McWane Center and Vulcan Park. They had such a blast at McWane Center. I don't think Austin slowed down one bit. LOL When we went up to the Vulcan they did ok until Em realized she could see down through the floor...it was time to go! LOL But we had a great day!

Surprise

The youth group left us a surprise this morning! LOL James had work me up this morning about 6:15 to come and see something. My first thought was..did it snow ...since we had a "cold front" coming in. Thankfully it was not that! LOL The youth group did come over and help clean things up before heading back to the youth conference at Samford. Now we know we are loved! LOL

Sophie

I will confess...I have been looking at Craiglist several times a day for a dog....it finally paid off! Sophie was FREE to a loving home!! She is a Jack Russell Terrier and Beagle Mix. She is precious, sweet, and loving. She is very gentle with Emily Grace and Austin. She loves to play with her toys by tossing them up and going after them. She does have a pink plus toy she loves..and of course her collar is pink and brown..LOL..Em loves all the pink!