Ripley's Aquarium

We went to the Aqaurium on Sunday, September 25th during Ripley's Teacher Appreciation Event with our family, MawMaw, Aunt Lizzy, and Cousin Chase. We try to go every year at this time because Ripley's allows teachers in for free to all Ripley's attractions. This is a great treat for teachers! Carter and Chase had fun together looking at all the fish and exploring around. Camden even enjoyed watching all the fish in the large tank, It was so funny to watch her track the fish swimming by us! We all had a great time at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies! After we left the aqaurium, we did some shopping at the outlets before MawMaw, Aunt Lizzy and Chase had to head back home. We love you all and are so glad you got to come visit!

Camden watching all the fish swim by!

Family picture time at the large tank!
Cousin Chase, Aunt Lizzy, Carter and Joe in the shark tunnel!

Carter loved exploring the tubes full of fish! A tight squeeze- Carter and Camden with their Daddy in the fish tube!

Camden also liked watching all the little clown fish swim by her!

Silly MawMaw- a future scuba diver!

Carter was willing to touch the horse shoe crab this year... with his Daddy by his side!

Camden and Mommy with Sharky, the Ripley's mascot!

Carter was very timid around Sharky so he just shook her hand!

Joe was such a sport! He climbed through the penguin tunnel with Carter and Chase! They loved it!

Penguin Poses!

MawMaw with her grandbabies!

Ready to head home after a fun filled day at Ripley's!

A Visit With Aunt Lizzy, Chase, and MawMaw

Aunt Lizzy, Cousin Chase, and MawMaw came into town for a visit the weekend of Saturday, September 24th and Sunday, September 25th. Aunt Lizzy and Cousin Chase met Camden for the first time this weekend. Chase loved being with his new baby cousin Camden (and even more so, his older cousin Carter!). It was good practice for Chase to be around a baby because Aunt Lizzy is pregnant and is due in April! YEA! We are so happy for their growing family! When they all got here Saturday night, we ate dinner and let the kids play because we made plans to go to the Aquarium on Sunday so we didn't want them to get too exhausted before our busy day. MawMaw brought Halloween treat buckets for Camden and Carter. Carter couldn't wait to get into his... with a little help from MawMaw! Thanks MawMaw (and PawPaw) for the treats! We love you all!

Treats from MawMaw!
Carter checking out his goodies!
"Help me, MawMaw!"
Camden enjoyed reaching in her bucket to get her goodies!

Looking at her new book!

Aunt Lizzy and Camden

Cousin Chase giving Camden kisses!

Joe, Carter, Chase, Elizabeth, and Camden!

Go to the Zoo, Mommy?

Carter had been asking for several days, "Go to the Zoo, Mommy?" so since Saturday, September 17th was going to be a beautiful day, we decided to take a family trip to the Knoxville Zoo. We were a bit worried when we found out that it was Teacher Appreciation Day because we thought it would be extremely crowded. Kroger was also sponsoring a free goody bag to all teachers (which usually means a pack of post-its, a few pens, a few markers, and a cheap bag). We were so happy when we got to the zoo and saw that it wasn't crowded at all! The other nice surprise was that the goody bag was FABULOUS!! We each got 2 large bags that they stuffed full of useful items! Thanks, Kroger! We visited the new baby red pandas, the reptiles, Kids Cove, and the play area. Carter had a great time, as always, visiting the zoo and Camden was actually able to focus on some of the animals. We'd love to know what she was thinking! Carter didn't get a nap that afternoon since we were busy at the zoo so on the way home, he crashed! When we got home, Joe tried to put him in his bed but he popped up, wide awake and sat in the hall watching us bring everything upstairs from the car. A few minutes later, we found him passed out in the hallway, sound asleep! What a day!

Joe with our goody bags- check out all the free stuff!!

One of the new baby red pandas! So cute!

Carter loved watching the babies play!

The condor was showing off!

Carter and Daddy showing how far they can stretch!

Whooo's the cutest owl around? CARTER!

Carter has always loved the petting zoo area! He got right in their faces to tell them "hello!".

Camden checking out the hamster running on it's wheel!

Go VOLS!

A quick family picture after a nice morning at the zoo!

Do you think Carter was tired?

Our Little Book Worms!

So... I just LOVE staying home with our two precious little ones! I admit, it's not easy and some days I'm just lucky to get a shower but I wouldn't trade staying home for anything. I don't know what I'm going to do when January comes and I have to go back to school and leave these little people at daycare! Here is just a glimpse into what goes on during the day and how blessed I am to get to share each day with them!

One day I was in Carter's room changing out clothes and cleaning out his closet when Carter decided to start reading to Camden. It was one of the cutest things I have seen between the two of them so I quickly grabbed the camera and got a few shots of this sweet sibling moment!

Just a random picture I wanted to put on the blog of our two precious blessings!

Carter wanted to read "Duck and Goose" to Camden. He has these books memorized and would "read" it to her and then show her the pictures!

He was reading "Duck and Goose Find A Pumpkin"- one of his VERY favorites!
He next moved onto "Duck and Goose- It's Time For Christmas"!

Carter is showing Camden the picture of the snowduck! He said, "See it sister?". I just love my little book worms!