A little update with PHOTOS!!!!

The last couple of months have been a blur. The girls started preschool and soon after I started subbing again. I've consistently been subbing two or three days a week so life has been a bit more hectic. The girls have gotten into a nice routine and Katie Jo loves going to school four mornings a week. I fretted at first, thinking it would be too much, but she loves her teacher and has begun "teaching" at home. Georgia loves her days at school too and the days that she isn't in school and I happen to sub I have a wonderful friend of mine that keeps her. Georgia especially looks forward to these days since it's something she has that's just her without the big sis around.

I put together some moments from the last month or so.

Georgia's position to watch tv or to take off on the ladybug depending on which comes first!Katie Jo had show and tell at school and she was beside herself with the chance to take in Daisy, her lovie.

Both girls have gone on a bed strike. Katie Jo's started about a month ago when Jay built her a tent in her room with her sleeping bag. Sometimes she makes her way to the door and then usually into our bed. Georgia has completely given up the crib and we made a pallet on the floor. She loves this and as soon as we get our hands on a twin mattress set we'll set her up in a proper bed.

This was my view from the front of the van last weekend when we traveled to the upstate. Gotta love it!

A week or so ago I took the girls to a local corn maze/petting zoo/pumpkin patch/hayride place and the weather was terribly yucky. Georgia didn't mind but from the pictures you can see KJ felt otherwise. They both loved painting pumpkins and the hay bale maze.









The next picture makes me laugh. When I look at it, it makes me think of the following nursery rhyme.

There was a little girl,
Who had a little curl,
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good,
She was very good indeed,

But when she was bad she was horrid.
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

No, she's not really horrid, but sometimes she is hard to keep up with.

These photos were from last Sunday when we were in the upstate.

THE Snake

So here iS the Snake Katie Jo pointed out yeSterday. I waSn't kidding when I Said he waS long!

(BTW, all the S'S are capital becauSe everytime I preSS that key it bringS up a new tab for Some reaSon. I never realized how many S'S I uSed till thiS happened!)

In thiS picture you'll have to let your eyeS adjuSt and then you'll See him. Look at how light hiS head coloring iS. Jay Said it waS becauSe he iS molting.
A Shot of hiS markingS.

Senior to Soldier

Jay's brother, Matt, graduated from James F. Byrnes High School on Tues, May. 26th. On Wed, Sept. 2nd he graduated from boot camp at Fort Jackson in Columbia.

I took so long to post his H.S. pics on here that I finally decided to wait until the boot camp graduation and combine them into one post.

Here are the pics from these two monumental moments in his life. Please keep him in your prayers, along with all of our armed forces, as he plunges into a life of the Army Strong. He is training to be a combat medic in Texas for 18 weeks and then will be attached to a unit either stateside or abroad.

Graduation cake

Matt and Celeste
Celeste's son, Tony, is also a combat medic and is currently deployed.

Outside festivities

Grandmoney, Celeste, and Amy/Mia

Jay and Matt

Jay, Joni, and Matt

Amy and Matt

Joni and Matt

Graduation night

Teachers entering

The band

The graduating seniors entering the ceremony

Here is Matt walking up to the platform with his row to receive his diploma.

Matt receiving his diploma

The seniors raise their fist to end of the Alma Mater. "Loyal sons and daughters true of James F. Byrnes High."

After the graduation ceremony Matt posed with his proud Mom...

his brother, Jay and myself...

a hug from his dad, Scott...

posing with his dad and granddad, Kelly...

his proud dad, Scott...

and his granddad again.

These pictures are from the boot camp graduation. We took both girls and had a wonderful day. It was a short ceremony filled with pride, honor and strength. Matt was part of the Alpha company and he did very well during his time at boot camp. Afterward, we signed Matt out and headed to California Dreaming for lunch.

Georgia waiting on the ceremony to begin

Jay and Katie Jo

Matt standing in formation with the Alpha company

Walking out in formation after the ceremony

Matt hugging Joni

Matt hugging Katie Jo
*I will have to say, on a side note, that Katie Jo found this all very fascinating. We talked at length before the graduation about what to expect and what it meant to be a soldier. We got a photo in the mail from Jay's mom of Matt. It's his official Army photo and we hung it on the fridge. Not a day goes by that Katie Jo and Georgia don't point it out and say "Uncle Matt." So when I look at this photo I don't see Katie Jo hugging Uncle Matt I see a little girl who was sooo excited to see her Uncle, the soldier.

Jay, Amy, Matt and Joni

Matt and his dad, Scott

Matt and his granddad, Kelly, Joni and Scott

The girls at California Dreaming

Last chance photo
Georgia, Jay, Amy, Joni, Matt, Kelly, Katie Jo, and Scott's wife, Tina

Cousins!

In August Jay's sister, Jessica, and her family came down to Seabrook from Maryland for vacation. Katie Jo and Georgia were so excited to see their cousins and spend time with them. They came by our house on the way in and the kids had fun running around the back yard and climbing trees. We went out to Seabrook a couple of days for some beach/pool fun and Katie Jo even spent the night one night. It was lots of fun and the girls can't wait to see Aidan, John Paul, and Mary Katherine again!

A couple of funny videos

The First of Many

This past Saturday was Katie Jo's first Clemson Football game. She was very excited to see the tiger, the cheerleaders, and clap and cheer. She did very well. By half time she was ready to go and by the middle of the third quarter she had hit a wall! Thankfully the tigers were up by plenty giving us the chance to make a break. All in all it was a great first experience for her.

Tailgating with some yummy Gutherie's!Playing a game of tiger washers before the big game.

Katie Jo's turn!

Katie Jo's picture of her Daddy.

Striking a cheerleader pose in her new cheerleader uniform.

Walking in with Mom.

She got to ride in most of the way on a golf cart. The highlight of her day, I'm sure!

It stared raining at the end but with a bag of Skittles any child can be made happy.

Here's a video of Katie Jo's reaction when we entered the stadium and a clip of her listening to the music from the comfort of her Daddy's shoulders.

BIRTHDAY EVENTS

I TURNED 34 THIS PAST AUGUST 20TH AND APPARENTLY IT WASN'T TOO EXCITING SINCE I'M JUST NOW POSTING IT!
I DID HAVE A GREAT DAY. THE GIRLS AND I WENT TO THE BEACH THAT MORNING WITH A FRIEND AND HER DAUGHTER. WE HAD A RELAXING AFTERNOON WHERE BOTH GIRLS TOOK A NAP. THIS IS A MIRACLE IN ITSELF. THAT NIGHT WE DECIDED TO GO EAT AT MCDONALD'S FOR EASE AND TO GIVE THE GIRLS A CHANCE TO BURN OFF ENERGY.
THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY WE WENT OUT WITH FRIENDS TO CELEBRATE. WE HAD A GREAT TIME AT FLEET LANDING DOWNTOWN. WE SAT OUTSIDE ON THE WATER AND HAD A LOVELY BREEZE.
THEN ON THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY JAY AND THE GIRLS BAKED A CAKE. WE ENJOYED IT WITH ICE CREAM AND A LITTLE SINGING. I DON'T KNOW HOW MY BIRTHDAY BECAME A FOUR DAY CELEBRATION BUT IT WAS NICE! :)

Portrait Innovations shoot 2009

Way back at in August I took the girls to Portrait Innovations to get their yearly shots. I like this place because they are quick, friendly, organized, and you get the prints that day. Thankfully my mom was in town and went because I don't know how anyone could do it alone. The girls Katie Jo did an excellent job! She smiled, laughed and cooperated like a pro. Georgia on the other hand was a pistol. I didn't think we would walk out with any good ones of her but that just goes to show how great they are at PI. She had some wonderful shots and we walked out happy!
Now, because I never want to make it look like it was all roses I have included the good and the bad! Enjoy!

THE GOOD

THE BAD (MOSTLY JUST FUNNY)

As said by Katie Jo

On the way home tonight the following conversation transpired.

Katie Jo: Daddy when will I be able to fly?

Daddy: When milkshakes become extinct.

Katie Jo: Daddy, milkshakes don't stink!

First Day of Preschool for Katie Jo

Katie Jo had her first day of four year old preschool today. Here are the facts.

Worn: New dress from Gran, bow made by Mom and princess backpack, lunch box, and thermos.

Time: Mon-Thurs from 9-1

Friends: Jude, Tyler, Megan and many new ones.

Favorite Part: Dollhouse, kitchen, making a craft, and eating lunch.

Dislikes: None so far, thank goodness!