Happy 4th Birthday Anthony

Since Anthony was born we have tried to get the entire family together every year on his birthday in Hot Springs.  The first two years we rented a house on the lake....these last two years we have celebrated at Aunt Carol's.  She has such a beautiful place and so blessed that she welcomes us into her home and wonderful lake view!  

Here are some of the pictures from our great Labor Day Weekend:

 Everyone enjoyed going to the bumper boats and go karts!

 Ice Cream treat!

 Time with cousins...

 Enjoying the dock!

 Wow...we sure ate good.  My dad's ribs and then a fish fry!

 Mischele made 2 awesome cakes....Anthony loved his special cake!!

 Celebrating all the September birthdays...missing a few but thought of everyone!!

 Story telling

 Great Friends and Family

 Time to go....another great year!!!

Scooby -Doo Birthday #4

The past 2 years we have had Anthony's birthday party at our house here in Starkville with his friends.  This year we decided to have it at Starkville Gymnastics.  When we started making his list of friends out and he kept naming off everyone he knew and wanted them to come to his party - we knew we would not be able to handle 32 kids at our house.  A few were not able to make it but he had a great turnout 26 of his friends came to wish him a Happy Birthday and to play.  I did not get that many pictures...the kids were running and playing to much to be still.  

 The cake was a hit!!

From the foam pit to the bouncers....I think all ages had a great time.

Time for cake...the only time the kids sat down.

The theme was Scooby-Doo which is loves to watch...everyday!  We had a Scooby cake..dog bowls filled with graham cracker Scooby-Snacks drinks and of course Scooby-Doo thank you bags for all his friends filled with Scooby-Doo stickers, crayons, dog bones, and other snacks.  

Anthony had a wonderful time and was so thankful that we had it at Starkville Gymnastics as well...it also rained that day..so extremely glad we were indoors!!

Happy 4th Birthday!

Orange Beach

Had a great time in Orange Beach!



Anthony loved digging in the sand and finding sea shells.

Swimming in the pool

He looks like he is having a good time :)

Just got to the beach in this picture ready to jump in!!

 Supper time!

 Still going strong....Tony and I were give out!!

We all had such a great time....the weather was perfect!  Can't wait to go back.

Pre-School

Wow!  The weeks are passing by fast.  It doesn't seem like it's been that long since I updated with pictures - but yes it has.  Will try to do better....no promises. 

Anthony starting to school the week we got back from our trip to Dallas.  He goes 2 days a week from 8-12.  He loves going and playing with his friends and of course snack time!  You would think I would have time to post more now....but instead of sitting on the computer I try to use that time to do all of my errands and/or clean the house. 

He is really changing and is no longer a little boy.  He wants to do everything "I can do it by myself".  He is getting ready for his upcoming birthday #4.  So hard to believe!  The years have past by so fast! 

I'll try and get a few pictures of him at school to post soon.

Nephrologist Appointment

We went to Dallas last week for Anthony's yearly check-up with the Pediatric Nephrologist.  He was really pleased with his continued growth.  Looking at his growth chart since birth - he has slowed down but that is typical.  He is currently in the 70th percentile for height - 41 1/2 inches tall and weighed 34 pounds which put him in the 40th percentile for weight.   His bloodwork is normal - creatinine was .3 - that is the best!  Since he is totally potty trained now from last year we have to work on making sure he does urinate at least 6 times a day.  We are getting a routine down and so far it is working well.  The ultrasound showed that he is emptying his bladder completely when urinating which is good but the Hydronephrosis has grown and hopefully if we stay on top of his schedule that will subside - Dr. Quan felt that maybe it was due to him holding it for too long of a period of time. 

While in Texas we made a little vacation as well - visited some great friends, ate at a few of our favorite restaurants, and went to the water park.  Anthony had a blast - he even got to go down one of the bigger slides all by himself!  They caught him at the bottom - he loved it! 

On our way back we stopped in Hot Springs, AR and stayed a couple of nights with Tony's Aunt Carol.  It was so nice relaxing on the lake.  I love sitting by the water watching the sun set.  She has a beautiful view!  Most of the family came on Saturday and we all ate and talked and laughed all day.  What a great way to end a Dr.'s appointment/vacation! 

Tony and I are so grateful to the Lord above for watching over Anthony and keeping him safe and healthy.  What a blessing he has been! 

Ruger

Our Ruger has gone to Heaven to be with Dixie.  Funny story about how we got Ruger - One of the farms Tony did a lot of work for in Florida...Ocala Stud Farm...had several cats that lived in and around the barns...well this one little cat was the sweetest, friendliest cat of all the kittens and one day the barn manager told Tony that if we wanted him please come get him.  They had coyote's that were coming into the barns and getting the kittens and there was only this one left!  So of course sure!  I go to Pet Smart buy a crate, bowl, water bowl, food, collar, etc. we go to pick him up and now he's wearing a collar!  What?, so we call the night watchman and he explains that he is attached to this cat and wants to keep him.  Ok - next day take everything back to Pet Smart!  One week later get another call really need to get the cat no one can take care of him!  This time he got put in a box for the ride home and went by the dollar store for a small bag of food!  Needless to say he entered our home and our hearts and we will forever miss him!

This cat was so easy going and loved everyone - even if you didn't like cats you Loved Ruger!!

I found this old picture of Ruger he was only a year old in this picture.

A few more memories for us to remember:  Ruger climbing a tree in Florida during a storm and stayed there for 3 days until we finally found him!

Ruger getting a UTI...stones...etc. right before and after Anthony was born - I finally could not take him being in pain and told Tony to put him to rest and guess what...he never had another problem with that! 

3/2007 - 6/4/2012  May you rest in peace! I thought he would be with us for so many more years to come but it wasn't meant to be.  Love and miss you......

Happy 15th Anniversary

Wow! Time really does seem to be flying......

This picture was taken in December of 1996 at my parents house during our Engagement Party.  I have to say we look about the same now as we did then except for the hair!  We both have smaller hair - especially me!  Man the days of perms. 

The women in the picture with us is Carrie Harris she was my Nanny growing up and it was really special that she was able to be there. 

So 15 years later we are still in Love and have a wonderful son!!!!  Looking forward to so many more years together.  Many, Many, More!