Good Behavior =

fantastic rewards! Brent and I are so proud of Eli! His behavior has been excellent for the past month at school and home, so we wanted to reward him with something that he has wanted since the football season started, an Eric Berry jersey! He was thrilled when he opened it and has basically had it on ever since! I love you, sweet Eli!

Edan, where is your...

nose?
eye?

hair? teeth?

Edan, where is your SMILE?

That smile is more delicious than anything I have ever eaten!

Happy Campers

For Labor Day weekend, we loaded up(we had to take both of our cars since we had so much stuff!) to go to the great outdoors. We went with the Grooms and Pritchards who had campers, and also the Clines and Humphreys, who along with us, were tent campers! When Brent and I checked the forecast the week before the weather looked like it was going to be perfect and sunny, but boy were the East TN forecasters wrong! It pretty much rained the whole entire time, but that didn't stop us and the kiddos from having a blast! They were muddy from head to toe! We rode bikes, played in the creek, ate(alot), and enjoyed great fellowship around the campfire with our friends! It was a great weekend and we can't wait to go back! Here are a few pics from our fun-filled escape to nature! My camera battery was dead most of the time so this what I have!

Seven New Wheels

are parked on our curb. Bike wheels, that is.When we had our garage sale in July, Brent and I told Eli and Emma we would get them new bikes with the money we made from the sale. They both had grown out of their old bikes so it was time for brand new ones! A few days after the sale, I took E and E to Wal-Mart and let them choose the bikes they wanted. It was funny to me because Eli choose a simple, yet get the job done bike for him. Nothing fancy, affordable, and rides well was his criteria. He shopped for literally 5 seconds and his choice was made. "This is the one, mommy", he said. Now, while, we were getting some help to get Eli's bike down, Emma was studying and processing her decision. She finally narrowed it down between 2, a Princess or Hello Kitty. While Eli's decision was quick and precise, Emma had many factors for choosing. She wanted a colorful, sparkly, and one that she knew her friends would like. She even took a "test drive" around the toy section of Wal-Mart. She finally decided on the Hello Kitty bicycle which had all the bells and whistles and was twice as expensive as Eli's. I was thinking to myself, yikes, I know how Brent feels when we go shopping together now, Emma was doing the same thing I do when it comes to making a decision, taking forever! She notices details more than any little girl I know! Well, a few weeks later we finally used the rest of Edan's birthday gift cards(no, I didn't get him the EB highchair I have been wanting since before he was born, drats!) and bought him his very FIRST tricycle! Edan's tricycle is a Radio Flyer and he loves it! Eli rides a bike very well, he is like Brent in this aspect. He has very good balance and coordination. We haven't taken Emma's training wheels off yet, but she is so proud, protective, and pleased with her choice! When Edan gets on his tricycle it just makes me sad, he still seems like my tiny little baby! On the handle bars there is a little bell that he makes "ding" with his finger and it is hilarious when he makes the bell go off! He bursts out laughing hysterically! It is so sweet! I am glad that the three E's are enjoying their new rides, we go out everyday after homework and snack so they can ride in style! It makes me happy to see them so joyful and happy when they are on their bicyles!!! Just call us Tour De Hodson on Maple Valley Lane!

School Daze!

Well, I can't believe that the summer is over and school started today! Wow! We had a terrific summer and a great day yesterday with worship and the Lord's Supper last night at church. For dinner last night we threw a big blanket down in the bonus room and had a McDonald's picnic. It was so much fun for the kids, we talked about school, the drama at church, and just had some great fellowship. I gave them a detailed "plan"of how today was going to be, what they were to do when they got up, and how we wanted them to have a great school year! Even though it wasn't anything fancy, it was perfect for Eli and Emma and they love quality time like that! This morning went well, Emma was a little drowsy and sleepy, but she was still so excited. Bless her heart, she is already nervous thinking about PE class(she didn't like it at all last year). Eli got right up and hopped into the shower and was looking forward to meeting new friends and carrying his messenger backpack! Here they are before we left for school:

Brent wanted to go with us the very first day so when we arrived at school, they walked in together:

We took Emma to her classroom first. Here she is walking down the 1st grade hall.: and putting her backpack away and sitting at her desk with me and Eli Emma already knows her teacher, Mrs. Lancaster, who was Eli's first grade teacher. After dropping Emma off , our 2nd stop was at the opposite end of the building. Here he is walking down the hall trying to find his 3rd grade classroom: Eli's teacher this year is Mrs. Studer: Today was a great first day!

Uh-Oh Spaghettio

I think he likes it...

Steppin' in Style!

Edan has been walking for over a week now and doing great! We recently got him his first set of balls and he loves to play and "throw" them!

He likes playing in the upstairs hallway so he can walk, walk, and walk!

Go, Edan, Go! It is so sweet to see him walking! I love it! Eli and Emma are his best cheerleaders and they keep a count of how many steps he is taking. I think Eli said today we are up to 30 steps before falling! Eli and Emma were on the other side of the camera cheering Edan on and when he fell to the floor he gave his big brother and sissy a GREAT big smile!!!

We are so proud of you, Edan Brian!

Lunch Date with the Boys!

Since my little princess was gone today(Emma went to the Buhl's house to play with Lily), I took my favorite little boys to meet my favorite big boy for a picnic lunch. We met at Melton Hill lake for Brent's lunch hour. Eli wasn't too happy when we first got there because he forgot his fishing rod at home. Everytime I would try to take his picture he would turn and look the other way:

After a few minutes Brent got him laughing and being happy!

Edan was happy in his stroller eating next to his daddy! He has recently learned sign language for "more". Here he is asking Brent for "more, more"!!!
I missed Emma but was glad I got a chance to be with my boys! We thank Brent for giving us some time during his busy work day!