Nora's 7th Birthday!!

Wait!! What??? We have a SEVEN-year-old?!?! I truly can't believe that she can be that old (or that WE are old enough to have a seven-year-old)!! Nora decided that she wanted to have a bowling party this year (actually, she wanted to have movie-party since Wizard of Oz was re-released in IMAX, but that was the cool price of $300!!!) Sooooooo, we went for option 2: BOWLING!! It was such a swell time with her little friends, and it was hysterical watching these little munchkins attempt to knock the pins down!! :)

Here's the invite we sent out to all her little pals:

We arrived a few minutes early, and Nora was READY!! She couldn't wait to see her little pals!!

 When all the kiddies came, they were ready to PLAY!! Nora and Terrance kicked off the party with a mad game of air hockey!! :)

 .....and the bowling began!!! :)

 Tyson had the right idea...just THROW the ball and wish it well!! That's how I bowl also!! :)

 Checking out the scoreboard..... 

 Sweet cousins. :)

 Beautiful BFFs. :)

 The grandmothers were on "baby duty." :) What would we do without them??

 Yes, we had to get an employee to come and get a ball that had completely STOPPED in the lane. I guess that's what happens when kids "7 and under" are trying to roll a 20-lb ball. :)

 Ella had to "warm up" to the whole idea of bowling (as she does most things), but she eventually got her groove...

 .....and then she LOVED it!! HIGH FIVE!!

 Because of precious Tyson Bowen, this image will be a memory that I will NEVER forget. The Bowen boys are one-of-a-kind, and Tyson might just be the funniest kid on the planet. He made a statement here (that I'll keep to myself for now) that just about brought me to my knees with laughter. LOVE HIM!!

 Last bowl of the game!!

 Meanwhile, some of the adults had to get in on the action, too!! (TJ won.....he cheated.)

 (amazing!)

Finally, it was time for pizza and cake (cupcakes, actually)!!

 Happy Birthday, Beautiful Girl!!!!!

 Nora was so grateful for all of her gifts!! She got lots of money, many arts and crafts, and Barbies....all of the favorite things in the world!!

 We ended the party with a group-hug for Terrance...

So grateful for all of these precious kids that are a part of Nora's life. They are all blessings!!

Nora ~ Every year, you get more beautiful, more FUN, more amazing. I am so proud of you, every little part of you!! You will always, ALWAYS, be my baby. 

Happy 7th Birthday, Bean-Head!!

I could never express how much I love you!!

Tech Time!!

It's finally FALL!! One of our favorite times of year!! And for us, that means lots of Georgia Tech football!! Our friends often call us "Tech Nerds," and we are PROUD of it!! Josh once told me, "Drew, we are the only Tech fans and Democrats I know. People must like us because we are so good-lookin!!" I think he's right. :)

Anyhoo, we start training our kids to love Tech right from birth. Here's Nora's first Tech attire (and Lilah at 10 months old).

2006

Grandmommie and Paw-Paw were smitten with their first two little "jackets...."

2007

We didn't get to attend a game this year, but Nora learned how to cheer on her team. TOUCHDOWN!!

2008

We got to attend our first Tech game as a family this year, but for the life of me, and cannot find those pictures, and it's driving me FLIPPIN' BANANAS!!! I distinctly remember it because Nora and Lilah looked so cute in their little outfits, and I was pregnant with Ella (Josh and I had worn matching jerseys and his fit wayyyy better than mine). Sigh. When I find those pictures, I will celebrate!!

2009

We didn't attend a family game during this time because Ella was so little during the football seasons, but I did come across this little gem....Uncle Matt is so special......in many ways.... :)

2010

We still didn't attend a game with our newest CHUNKY MONKEY (Ella) this year, but we always represented from home. I love looking at old pictures of Ella.....she was the juiciest, happiest little baby!! :)

 2011

Ella got to attend her first game!!!!!

2012

Our last Tech excursion as a family of 4! This is my favorite set of "Tech pictures." :)

 2013

Finally, we reach this year!! Most of these are taken with my phone (you'll see why in a moment). Last weekend, we had a lazy-football weekend at home with all the grandparents...it was glorious!! 

 The girls sported their Tech attire.....gold boots included..... :/

 .....and Buzz on the butt.....

 .....and of course, I have a sweet little Tech bow, but Claira hates it and tears it out as soon as I put it in (note bow in the floor)....

 We celebrated a Tech WIN with a Nesbitt boat ride!!!

So, this weekend, we headed down to attend Claira's first game!! I didn't bring my camera, because there was a chance of rain (turns out, it monsooned!!! Camera would've been water-logged!!)

 Since fall is officially in the air, we HAD to stop by Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Grandpa's Breakfast Special hit the spot!!!!

 At first, the rain held out (isn't Ella so cute?!?! You may also notice that this dress has been worn in most previous years.....now, it's more of a shirt.) :)

 Claira sported her jersey with her Daddy's old football number....

 But, here comes the rain!!!

 Clairy thought her poncho was pretty neato!!

 Nora is old enough to actually watch the game and cheer!! Ella just wants to know "where Buzz is."

 We had to leave at half-time because the bottom fell out!! We all looked like we had jumped in a pool, and my makeup was stunning!! The girls were FREEZING by the time we got them to the car!!

 We came home and drank hot chocolate and finished watching the game from our couch. Another Tech win!! :)

Cheers to many football memories, and many more to come!!


Go Jackets!!!