Fall Break.

We kicked off the break by biking/running over to Anchor Park where the boys played in the sand & caught fish with nets & bread. 

I love that this park is so close to us; I do not love the fact that we are there by 8am on weekends because we must get out of the house.

Anderson is seriously amazing at catching things. Some other parent commented on how awesome his hand/eye coordination is and I had to giggle to myself, thinking about the truth on that one. 

Max loves to "craft" if it involves making huge messes and destroying things. 

Brandon took off of work for 2 days and we went to Chattanooga for some sightseeing. 

First up, Ruby Falls. 

Anderson was excited about the stalagmites and stalactites and whatever their differences are. 

Why do I always look like the one who does not belong?

The whole family!

I love this snuggly one. 

Cuties

Our second stop was Point Park, which was a military battlefield during the Civil War, so you know Max was in heaven. 

The views were pretty amazing. The drops were pretty scary so I possibly had a few intensely anxious moments when Max got too close to the edge. 

Brandon took all of these amazing pics. 

Anderson picked out a Civil War bullet as his souvenir. I do love his interest in Amerian History. 

Our third stop was Rock City. It was super cute; I was way more impressed with it than I was with Ruby Falls. 

So many rocks. 

Anderson learned about the 7 states last year and was so excited to go see it. 

It was pretty cool. 

They love making the pennies everywhere we go....and then doing nothing with them. 

I was really glad that I had quarters for this viewing thing because they loved it. 

This ledge was pretty high up, too. I just can't handle Max and his clumsiness this close to drop-offs, so I made Brandon handle the supervision. 

The hotel had free snacks and drinks, which they loved. 

*We did not need to stay in a hotel an hour away from home, but they were so excited about it* 

Most of the break was spent outside-at parks, in trees, riding bikes, digging, doing activities, counting down to bedtime.

So many errands

mixed up by random outings to places like Tatarus. 

We went to Noah's campsite for the day to play in the water and spend more time outside. 

Our last weekday was spent at Ijams with our Brimers. 

Love this pic of Max in his happy place!

Picnic and football. 

GG, Noni, Lily & A went to a play....we did not actually stay, but it was a fun car ride. 

Finally....some sedentary time. 

Fall so far

Both boys are #13 this year for Levi. 

Max, living his best life, at one of many (many, many) football games. 

I to not remember what was happening here, but it was clearly a desperate attempt at finding an activity. 

Love my husband so much. I am always so proud of the good he does every day at his job. It takes a special person to work as many hours as he does in a job that solely exists to help others and I am proud that he is mine.  

We finally caught up with our Brimer cousins one weekend and spent most of a Saturday outside together. 

Operation "Free Stitches Removal" was a success.  

City Employees and families got in free to the zoo one weekend and we went and sweated and listened to kids complaining and had fun. 

Max's face is always my favorite

They are pretty cute, though. 

Max is ALWAYS climbing trees. 

Pony party. 

Anderson played football with the older brother during the entire party, but let me take one picture of him on this pony. 

Anderson, very begrudgingly, attended a Fall Festival with us and, despite his protests, did have fun painting pumpkins and decorating cookies. 

Max literally painted his entire pumpkin green WITH HIS HANDS.  

Spots gets so much love in our house. 

Max insisted on sleeping downstairs for awhile until we made him stop. He has had Monster Blanket since he was a tiny baby and it is finally too small for him. 

Pappaw

We celebrated Pappaw's 94th birthday and he was presented with a "Quilt of Valor" for his service in WWII. It was so special, inspiring and humbling to see him honored this way and just think about what he did for America. I just love it. 

Love these generations. GG planned this surprise and she pulled it off well with all of us attending and Pappaw definitely being surprised!

The crew (minus me as the photographer...)

Love, love, love this namesake. 

Aunt LoLo and her youngest boys!!

Aunt Eden in the cutest pic ever!

Anderson updates

Noni went to eat lunch with Anderson one day, which I always love because then I do not have to make his lunch. And, he loves it because he loves seeing her, so it is a win for everyone. 

He won these sunglasses at a game at the Y and was so happy. 

They froze a bunch of toys in a bowl of water and spent so much time playing with it one day. 

 He is absolutely always trying to annoy Max and is usually more successful more than not. 

Wonder Works!

Again. 

This was in conjunction with the broken glasses. Fun times. 

Now he has a scar to match his brother's pair of them. 

In addition to football & Stem Scouts, Anderson has been running cross country this year. He sort of likes it, sort of hates it, but I am glad he is doing it because the practices are immediately after school & the entire season only cost $40. The meets are almost an hour away and the kids have to be there by 5, so I am grateful for the rest of the village for their logistical assistance in getting him there. 

There are SO MANY kids at each meet-the boys alone have over 500 kids. It is an absolute mob and trying to find Anderson after it's over is crazy. I do love the fact that he is running and I love cheering for him as he is running. 

His team won 3rd place in the Region, (which was apparently a surprise because they were supposed to win 1st? I do not know/understand the standings and rules in Cross Country.)

Videos: 

A Orange Justice dance

A bike jump