Happy Birthday Phoebe!

Today Phoebe officially turned 3 years old or 21 in doggy years. Here are a few pictures we have taken throughout those three years while we've had Phoebe. It's hard to believe we've had her that long, since time flies.  She is a huge part of our family and we couldn't imagine not having her with us. Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHOEBE!!!!

Return to the Beach

I took these photos when we were on vacation in New Smyrna Beach, FL back in May, but I never posted them due to the fact that we were giving them out to people as gifts. Since we have given them out, here they are and they turned out BEAUTIFUL!!! Our little Courtney was wearing a outfit that Philip's grandmother (Agnes) bought for her back in the spring at Strasburgs Children's Store. Anyway, I was VERY pleased with how the photos turned out and I wanted to share them with everyone.

A Not So Good Day

Courtney and I met Melissa and her two kids (Jacob and Hannah) on Wednesday at Chuck E Cheese in Clarksville for a little celebration that didn't go so well.   Jacob, who is Melissa's oldest child (2 years), fell and broke his leg 2 months ago and we were all meeting to celebrate Jacob getting his cast removed from his leg.   I really thought Courtney would've LOVED Chuck E Cheese, but that wasn't the case. She HATED it and fell off a ride and busted her head on the fence that separated the toddler area from the big kids area. I had her strapped in, but somehow the strap broke loose and she went flying.  Anyway, the only thing that she seemed to be happy doing was holding a skee ball.  I did take my camera, but only managed to get a few shots and some aren't so pretty.

Here's the infamous ride that Courtney flew off of.

Not a happy girl!

"Mommy, I want that darn Chuck E Cheese pizza now!!!!"

Courtney holding her only friend, the skee ball.

Jacob kicking the soccer ball through the tunnel.

Future gold medal skee ball champion.

Jacob, Hannah, and Melissa

New Elmo Chair

Since we have a new TV in the living room, Courtney was needing a place of her very own to sit and watch her Elmo DVD. We found a cute Elmo chair at Babies R Us and went and purchased it last night. When we brought it home we weren't sure if Courtney would sit in it or not, but she LOVED it. Once we sat her in it she wouldn't move and even cried when we took her out of it to put her to bed. Anyway, we couldn't resist getting the camera out and taking a few shots of Courtney in her new Elmo chair.

The new Elmo chair that spins and giggles!

Courtney always has a smile on her face when watching ELMO!

Just chillin out!

And here is Phoebe looking all left out and wondering why she didn't get an Elmo chair.  Don't let her fool you, she is WELL taken care of!

Happy Birthday Philip!!!

We celebrated Philip's birthday ( August 2) at his grandparents house and I was able to capture a few photos. I can't believe he's already 32!!!!!! Anyway, here are a few pics of the big day. This weekend we will be celebrating his birthday with my side of the family at Outback and I'm sure I will have a few photos to post of that event as well. My weight loss continues to go well and I have lost a total of 8 pounds. It seems since I've had Courtney that the weight doesn't want to come off as quick as it used to, but I'll take what I can get. Eight pounds is eight pounds and I'm proud of myself for making some progress. I've been looking into switching nursing school programs, but I haven't decided yet. I visited Aquinas yesterday and their program would only take me a year and a half to complete verses Belmont's program that would take me 2 1/2 years. Belmont would also be more expensive since I would be there longer, but then again I would be getting my BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) verses only a ASN (Associate of Science in Nursing) from Aquinas. However, I did learn that Aquinas does have a new BSN program, so after I completed my ASN from Aquinas and started working, my employer could pay for me to finish my BSN at Aquinas and that money wouldn't have to come out of our pockets. So many decisions to make, but I will keep you posted on what I decide. Enjoy the pics!!

Summer Fun!

Since my summer class is officially over, I can now share some photos that we've taken over the last month or so. We've had a BUSY summer and now I'm looking forward to a relaxing three week break from school. Courtney enjoyed going to mother's day out this summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays while I was able to do some cleaning and studying. Courtney also had her 18 month check up last week and weighed in at 23 pounds and was 31.5 inches long. Things are going well and now that school is out for a little while I'm really starting to work on my weight loss program. I will keep you posted, but as of now I still have just lost 6 pounds. I have also committed to running in the Music City 1/2 Marathon with my brother and his girlfriend (Angie) in April, so I will doing some training for that. Anyway, here are a few pictures that we wanted to share.

Courtney wearing some new shades

My hibiscus tree keeps blooming and blooming and blooming

Phoebe doesn't seem to enjoy this hot steamy weather

My cousin's dog (Daisy) doesn't seem to enjoy the heat either

Enjoying the pool at my cousin Denise's house

Mama and Grandaddy watching Courtney and Philip swim

Lee and Jim trying to spray everyone with the water guns

Mac, Aunt Betty, and Denise watching Courtney and Philip in the pool.

Courtney and Philip having some fun in the pool.  Courtney has actually turned into a little fish.  She loves the water and has so much fun splashing around.

The Dark Knight

Last night Philip and I were able to go see this summer's predicted mega blockbuster "The Dark Knight".  I believe I read this morning that "The Dark Knight" set a one-day box office record with $66.4 million on opening day.  It opened on Friday and if you have the opportunity to go, we both recommend this movie to everyone. I must admit the Joker was very intimidating and scary, but what a performance by the late Heath Ledger. He did a phenomenal job and in our opinion, should receive a Oscar for his accurate manic portrayal of the Joker.  Christian Bale also did a phenomenal job as Batman and even though Philip is tired of hearing me say it, Christian Bale is hot!  There were tons of twists and turns in the movie that we didn't expect, but none the less, it was a great movie!  There was more violence in this one than in the first (Batman Begins) and in our opinion could have almost gotten a "R" rating.  I has a PG-13 rating, but certain fighting and violence scenes were pushing that.  The ending of the movie was left wide open for a third, but who knows if it will happen or not.  Anyway, here are a few clips from "The Dark Knight".

Christian Bale as "Batman" and Heath Ledger as the "Joker"

Summer Stress

So my summer class is wrapping up in the next two weeks and I have been just slightly stressed.  I haven't been able to update the family blog like I would want, but in two weeks all chaos will be halted until fall classes start back up at the end of August.  I just found out yesterday that I will be taking 17 hours this fall semester, which I'm not very happy about, but I guess you got to do what you got to do.  Anyway, I will be looking forward to my three week break between summer and fall classes so I can share with everyone on the blog what our family has been into the last month or so.  I have several photos I can't wait to upload of Courtney so everyone can see how much she has grown.  I hope everyone is having a great summer!   

Little Vistor

Today we had a two month old named Chase that came and spent the day with us. Chase's mom is a doctor up at Ft. Campbell and she needed a babysitter at the last minute, so I offered to help out. Phoebe wasn't thrilled with Chase and ran into the laundry room once she realized he was going to be staying for awhile. Courtney on the other hand was a little more dramatic and cried every time I held him or would PULL at my clothes. She was clingy the whole day and would often just stare at Chase or ignore him. I enjoyed Chase's company and it was nice to get to hold a little baby again. It made me realize how fast Courtney is growing up and to cherish every minute I have with her.

I love watching babies sleep!

Courtney wasn't sure about Chase, but she did like to stare at him.

Isn't he just adorable.

July 4th Fun!!!!

July 4th was a blast having my mom, brother, and his girlfriend (Angie) over for a cookout at our house.  After lunch we all went to Sycamore Golf Course and got to goof around on the driving range.  I hit a few shots but not too many because I was mostly trying to help my brother who desperately needs it (HA HA)!  Angie however just recently took up the game and I must admit I was very impressed!  She is on the right track and hopefully in a few months she will be beating my brother to the ground - GO ANGIE!!  Anyway I have posted some pics of the afternoon fun we had at the golf range and of course I took some photos of Courtney getting to "play" some golf for the very first time.  Enjoy!

Sycamore Golf Course... 3 miles from our house

Courtney and Nana hanging out while Mommy, Uncle Chris, and Angie practice on the range.

"Uncle Chris your swing needs help!"

Angie looking like a pro!

Courtney and Uncle Chris

Courtney's hair gets curlier by the day.

Look at that awesome grip!  She's already taking after Mommy!

"Mommy can I hit things with it?"

Trying to tee it up!

Our little pro!  

Courtney loved the golf balls!