The highlight of the week for Samantha was probably a horse ride. She got to ride our neighbor's horse, Misty. We go down and feed the other horse, Bell, every day. In fact, if she's across the field and we wait long enough she will come to the gate so we can see her and feed her carrots. One evening Mr. Ron was out working with Misty and riding her. We were already headed down when we noticed this and when we got down there he offered Samantha a ride. She was really shy and quiet but loved the ride and wants to take another one. I'm sure she'll get another chance soon. Mr. Ron lead Misty around the pasture and I walked with Samantha and kept an arm on her the entire time.

We went down to Dalton and had lunch with Travis one day as he's been out of town quite a bit. Samantha loves all of the attention from the nurses, staff and residents although she really hasn't opened up any more. She loves walking the halls and seeing everything. Of course, everyone oohs and aahs over Blake too.

The last couple of weeks Samantha has mentioned occasionally that she wants me to put Blake back into my belly. I'm not sure why this is coming now as he's not getting around yet or really bothering her but I'm sure it will pass soon.

No one can make Blake laugh like Samantha can. She often plays peek-a-boo with him in his highchair and always makes him laugh. She often asks for him when she gets up from her nap and tries to play with him occasionally but she is a little rough on him.

I had thought that Blake was coming down with a cold but now I'm thinking it's just teeth again. He quite often has something in his mouth and he hasn't developed any other "cold" symptoms.

Travis is gone to Kansas for a few days for his grandpa's funeral so we are one our own for nearly a week. We did church all by ourselves. I think that God knew my kids needed to be on their best behavior during church and they were.

Samantha has come so far, she went to Sabbath School without either Travis or I and went with our friend, Tony and his daughter, Maddie. I heard she did really well and I'm so proud of the progress she's made.

Sabbath afternoon we spent with Maddie and Alex and their families at their grandpa's house. The kids really play well together and Samantha enjoys the interaction with other kids, in fact, she always comes home wound up (it doesn't hurt she always has some kind of sugar:)) It was so relaxing for me and it gave me some adult interaction:)

This morning we were able to chat via web cam with my family. Samantha was really shy at first but the second time she really opened up and talked about seeing everyone this evening. I can't wait to do it more often.

We are surviving surprisingly well without Travis but we are looking forward to his return this week.

Enjoying fall...

Random shots...

Ready for church...

Lately Samantha has to be in the "right" mood to get a good picture. I got a decent one when taking these but she also decided to be silly...



I was at WalMart last week after the kids went to bed. I found this cool little book there and couldn't resist picking it up for Samantha. It's entitled, "No No Yes Yes" and she loves it.

(I just saw that there are other books by the same author I'd love to get.)

Here is Samantha enjoying her copy...

Professional Pictures

We've recently had professional pictures taken for the kids and our family one done for our church directory. I could probably get in trouble for this, but here they are....

Blake's 6 month pictures...

(Blake's pictures were taken at JCPenney's)


Samantha's 2 1/2 year pictures...

(We tried a new studio with Samantha and really liked it--Portrait Innovations)

Our family picture thanks to Olan Mills...

Our kids are continuing to grow and make us laugh.

Blake has really started to play with more toys. I often set him in his crib to play while I'm working in there or other places and now he can sit up and play with his aquarium. He turns it on and off and also plays with the knobs on the front. It's so exciting to see him figuring things out.

He has also started to react when we take a toy away that he really likes. He will cry like crazy and let us know that he wants it back right away.

When we put him on his tummy on the Boppy he really gets his knees under him as he's trying to reach for something. We realize it's just another step towards crawling and getting around.

Samantha has started to really pretend and imagine things. Lately she loves playing in the car and pretend that she's driving. When I ask her where she is going she'll say, "Alaska." It seems ever since Tracy went to Alaska she can't talk about going anywhere else.

We raked out deck for the first time last week. I raked all of the leaves into Samantha and she had a ball! She laughed and laughed and the leaves surrounded her. I think that she's really going to enjoy the fall.

Friday evening we went to Boo in the Zoo (basically, trick-or-treating at the zoo). Samantha was a giraffe (her choice) and Blake was a cow. The kids looked adorable in their little outfits as they went around the zoo looking for candy. Samantha was able to jump on an inflatable toy and Travis helped her "fish" for a stuffed little tiger. We really enjoyed going with Maddie and her family. Of course, we couldn't leave the zoo without riding the carousel.

Sunday Blake and I went to a consignment sale and Travis took Samantha for a few hours. Boy, did he spoil her! They went to McDonald's for french fries and play PLUS they went to Starbucks for a special treat. They capped off their time with a few minutes at Imagination Station. The one-on-one time with her dad is really special for Samantha.

Sunday evening we hosted a small get together on the deck for a few friends. Everyone pitched in with the food and we had great soups, cornbread and some yummy caramel apples with chocolate. Samantha was so wired from the food and kids that it took her a while to settle down last night but we survived.

Blake woke up with a runny nose this morning and I'm hoping it's just teeth and not the beginning of cold season. It is must making it a bit difficult for him to sleep.

Showing off those two teeth...

Playing in his crib...

Blake loves playing with the dishwasher...

Playing in the leaves...

Playing with chalk...

Samantha and Blake playing in the kitchen...

Boo in the Zoo with Maddie and Brody...

To the Zoo

We started off the week with a play-date. Maddie and Alex plus their brothers came to play on Monday. The kids has so much fun playing in the sandbox, swings and even inside while I made lunch. Blake and the little guys survived as each one of them should have taken a nap. Maybe when they get older they will have playdates too! (Can you believe I forgot to take pictures that day???)

Blake got his second bottom tooth on Thursday. He still has fingers in his mouth and is a bit fussy but at least he isn't drooling quite as much. I'm wondering if his fussiness isn't because he wishes he could get around a bit more. He just doesn't seem happy in any of his things lately and I'm not sure shy. Oh well, at least we've got a couple of those teeth started.

This week Samantha has said a couple of funny things. Friday night, as you know, is a special night at our house when Samantha gets to sleep with us. She was getting to sleep very late and we had a big day planned for Sabbath. I told Travis that she was going to be a bear tomorrow and she said, "No, I'm going to be a giraffe." We just both chuckled to ourselves.

I often tell Samantha, "Here's the deal...." and go on to explain what we're going to do. Saturday night in the tub she said, "Mom, here's the deal..." and went on to explain how she was going to get her fish and splash him. I just thought it was so funny.

Sabbath was the highlight of our week as we went to the Knoxville Zoo again. Samantha has been looking forward to it for a couple of weeks and we were glad that Maddie and her family were able to join us. The girls had a bunch of fun and both of the boys got naps while tooling around in their strollers. The weather was perfect and we got to see a couple of baby's. There is a baby chimpanze and also baby red pandas at the zoo. I think everyone had fun at the zoo again.

Misc. shots...

At the zoo....

First Tooth

The big news this week was that Blake got his first tooth on Wednesday! He had been drooling so much lately but I didn't think that his tooth was that close. Wednesday he didn't take great naps and I wondered what was up and I figured it out that afternoon when my finger was in his mouth and I felt it. I am beginning to wonder if his second tooth might be coming in soon. His first tooth was on the bottom.

We are loving the fall weather and are still trying to spend quite a bit outside if possible. We've made a lot of trips down the hill to see Bell and Misty, the neighbors horses. Samantha loves to feed Bell carrots and pet her.

Today we went to Collegedale Airports open house. Samantha really enjoyed seeing all of the airplanes and really enjoyed the fly overs that a couple of planes did. They even had a jumpy slide which was a big bonus! It was nice to have Alex, Ian and their parents join us.

We are looking forward to quite a few activities in October and hopefully a lot of good blogs.

Random pictures...

Samantha did a bit of painting and coloring this week...

While Samantha was painting outside I put Blake in the walker...

Open House at the Airport...