Beach Time

In July we went Isle of Palms, SC for a fun family beach trip ... Matthew had so much fun. The first part of the trip it was just the 3 of us and then Papa J and Gigi and Uncle Henry and Aunt Meghan and Henry Thomas and Baby Will came.

First day on the beach and Matthew was ready to hit the waves!

At the pool there was a giant blow up slide and Matthew (with Daddy) went down about a hundred times. We had to pull him away kicking and screaming. He is such a little thrill seeker!

Beach Time ... Running in and out of the waves ...

he also loved to go way out in the ocean and swim with us!

One of Matthew's favorite activities was build and to tear down sand castles.

We also made several new friends on the beach that helped us make super big castles.

Wagons West!

Matthew and Henry Thomas dancing ...

Dinner in Charleston, SC at Carolina's

Walking by the bay ....

Watching dolphins ....

Playing in the fountain ....

Playing in the fountain some more ....

Skybox and Melting Pot

On June 24th Michael and I celebrated our 4th anniversary ... we had planned to go on a double date to the Melting Pot the following week with some of our best friends Stephanie and Colt. Stephanie and I grew up together in Bristol and were roommates here in Chattanooga during Graduate School. Stephanie was also one of my bridesmaids and unfortunately I did not make her wedding the following Saturday (because we were in Aruba on our honeymoon). They bought a house about 45 minutes away and we have such a hard time getting together ... but when we do we all have a blast ... we decided to not wait so long in between our get togethers.

Since we were free on the actual day of our anniversary we decided we would lay low ... but oh no ... another good friend Carter called and invited us to come to the Lookouts (our local baseball team) to enjoy the air-conditioning in the skybox! So of course we had to go! We enjoyed some great food, friends and fun ...

Falling in LOVE

My first flowers from Michael

Hiking on Signal Mt.

Isle of Palms

New Orleans Jazz Festival

Michael and I met in March of 2005 at a bonfire on Signal Mountain. It was almost like love at first sight. We didn't speak much that night ... I thought he was way too cute and he was shy. We stood by the fire and watched the snow coming down. A couple of days later a group of friends went out to have taco at a local place. From then on we were inseparable ... we went hiking, camping, to the beach and lake, we stayed in a made dinner, listened to music and danced. After 13 days I told my close friend Kristen that it was so crazy but I knew he was the one (I of couse did not tell Michael ... that would have scared him away ... or so I thought) ... Michael was soon to talk about "our" future and "our" stuff and "our" life together ... he had dreamy eyes and a patient heart ... I was in LOVE

Downtown Chattanooga

Riverbend 2005

Big River Nights

My Birthday and Our First Picture together

Hickory, NC

TVA Dam in Bristol, TN

June 24 2006

Our Wedding Day

June 24th 2006

First Presbyterian Church, Bristol TN

Wedding Hymns:

Let All Things Now Living

Morning Has Broken

For the Beauty of the Earth

Our Wedding Verse

" And I pray that you, being rooted and established in Love,

may have the power, together with all the saints,

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep

is the love of Christ,

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -

that you be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Ephesians 3:17-19

Thank you to all of our family and friends that made that day so special. Thank you also to those friends and family that continue to lift us up in prayer and encouragement ... Our Wedding was just the happy start to a wonderful lifetime together!

Our Lovely Home

Welcome to our new home on Signal Mt.

We have been working so hard in our yard ...

this is my flower bed by the mailbox

Our entrance ...

A reminder to us that we are always learning and

GROWING ...

Father's Day Fun at the Market

We started the morning with banana pancakes and strawberries ...

Matthew gave daddy his card and present a book called : Just Daddy and Me ...

Matthew was always a mamas boy but now all he wants is his daddy ... they spend so much time together now ... playing outside, bath time, reading books, legos, cars, watering plants ...

We decided to venture down the the Chattanooga Market ...

We listened to Bluegrass .... Michael had a beer tasting from local brew houses ... Matthew got a veggie dog and we all enjoyed the local Kettle Corn!

We left the market with fresh blackberries and peaches!

Matthew enjoyed our new pool with a slide ... that was a surprise gift from daddy to Matthew!

I am so thankful for my wonderful husband Michael. He is an amazing man, father and friend. I can always count on him ... Matthew is so lucky to have him as a father. He wants so bad to be the best dad ... and if I do say so myself he is on his way there ... I love you Michael !!!

Family Visit for Birthday Weekend

Michael's sister Meghan and her family; Henry, Henry Thomas and Baby Will came for a fun filled visit for the birthday party!

Aunt Meghan, Uncle Henry, Papa J and GiGi got Matthew a super fun water table ... the boys loved playing with it and GiGi loved it some much she bought a second one for the beach ... we will all reunite in July for some fun times with water : pool, beach and water table!

The boys loved taking a beth together ... Thank you Aunt Rachel and Uncle Cj for the basketball bath time fun ... Matthew loves to take a bath and doesn't wanna get out now ...

Chattanooga ZOO

Big huges from Henry Thomas ... can't wait to see them in July!