A BIG FIRST GRADER!!!!!

Well the day came my little boy entered into the FIRST GRADE!!!! We had a great morning. Tom's mom Grandma Heaton watched Presley and Tom and I took Carsen to breakfast and then to his first day of school. Every morning like clock work he has gotten up at 7:00 am this summer until this morning at 7:30 am I had to drag him out of bed because he was "so tired". Isn't that the way it always works!!!! Then we took him to Burger King for breakfast where he ordered his famous egg and cheese sandwich, hash browns, and milk. Once he finished his sandwich he looked at me and said "Mommy can I have another one?" Well, of course I didn't want him to be hungry so I got him another one which he ate!!! I think someone told me once that boys will eat you out of house and home!!!! Once we got to school he went right in like he owned the place took everything out of his backpack and took his seat. When I picked him up this afternoon he told me that he played Pac Man in gym and he LOVED school!!!! We are so proud of him and are so thankful that God answered our prayers for a great teacher!!!!

Meet the teacher at Dacula

Well, today was the day for Gwinnett County Schools to "Meet the Teacher". Carsen's first grade teacher is Mrs. Walker. I loved her from the moment I heard her voice on our answering machine. When Carsen walked into the room she came up to him and gave him a big hug and told him how excited she was to be his first grade teacher. Even as I type the words "First Grade" it is so hard for me to believe that my sweet little boy is that big. With every year he grows I become more and more proud of him. He has one of the biggest hearts and loving personalities that I know. He went through so many changes last year with a move and new school and he took it with the best spirit he could. We have big plans and great hopes for this year and God has put a peace in my heart that Carsen is going to have a great first grade year. His teacher Mrs. Walker has taught first grade for 20 years and is one of the most organized teachers I have met so far. For those of you who know Carsen well know that he works very well in this type of enviorment. Presley loves going to Carsen's school and getting to see all of the big tables and classroom fun. It is sad to think that next year I will be doing Kindergarten with her!!!! My how time flies!!!!!! Carsen, I can't tell you how proud I am of you and how much I learn from you on a daily basis. I know in my heart that God has big plans for you so stay on his path daily. You are a great big brother and wonderful son and I am honored God choose me to be your Mommy!!!! I love you!!!!!

Family Vacation at Big Canoe

It is that time of year again for us to make our family trip to Big Canoe!!! We started this family tradition last year and the kids loved it so much that we decided to keep it up. We went back and forth this year about maybe going somewhere else but we have so much fun up here and it is so close to home (Which Tom loves!!!) that it keeps us coming back. We are so blessed to be able to spend this time together as a family and Tom and I cherish the memories that come out of it for us and the kids. One of the biggest blessings is that we are able to share this with my mom and dad (known as Ommie and Granddaddy!!!) Last year we also enjoyed it with Tom's family (known as Grandma Heaton and Poppie!!!) These family memories are ones that can never be replaced and it is such an honor for both Tom and I to have such wonderful grandparents for our children that are willing to take the time to make these memories. We love you all and really hope that this is a tradition that will last a lifetime. It is after vacations like this that we realize that you can never put a price tag on family. These kinds of memories will last a lifetime and could never be replaced by the material things that this world tries to offer. We thank God everyday for blessing us with our savior his son and allowing us to raise the wonderful children he has given us. Next year we look forward to sharing this memory with our newest family member Camden!!!! Thank you Lord for the beauty you place in front of me daily!!!

Paddle boat Fun!!!!

Granddaddy enjoyed taking a ride on the paddle boats!!! Doesn't he look so cute in his life jacket!!!! Ommie didn't want to try her luck on the paddle boats so she decided to help Carsen and Presley find a butterfly on the beach. That is a little less risky for Ommie!!! We all enjoyed spending time with each other and relaxing!!! Granddaddy maybe enjoyed it a little too much!!!Wake up Granddaddy you are supposed to be watching me!!!! (Ha!Ha!)

Fun in the Sun

This year we really had a good time at the pool because Presley is swimming without her famous "Buzz Pack" (in other words her life jacket!!!!) We are so proud of her. She just started doing that with the help of her big brother and of course her DADDY!!!! The kids have so much fun at the pool with the kiddie area where there are buckets of water that fall on them and lots and lots of other water fun. The other pool is just as fun though because there is a beach where Carsen and Ommie found a butterfly that Carsen was holding on his finger and trying to let Presley do the same. Plus there are other things like paddle boats, canoes, and the famous rock slide. Lots of opportunities to make family memories at Big Canoe!!!!

The Famous Rock Slide

I think that this is Carsen's favorite part of big Canoe. He thinks that this rock slide really "ROCKS" his words of course. He loves that when he lays on his back and goes down he turns around in circles until he hits the water. Presley has decided that she is not ready to go down the rock slide but has told us that she will "probably" do it when she is 5!!! She really gets a kick out of watching Carsen do it though. The very best is when Daddy goes down!!! I think he has more fun than the kids. I promise he laughs like a 5 year old. I don't have any pictures of Daddy because he made me promise that I wouldn't take any!!! I did however manage to get him on video without him knowing!!! (SHHHH!!! don't tell him!!!) We have the best family vaction at Big Canoe!!! We look forward to going back next year with Camden!!!