Jordyn's Christmas Gymnastics Performance

Jordyn loves the sport of gymnastics and it shows.  Look how adorable she looks in her candy cane leo!  Her best event...floor!

Mason's First Birthday Party with His Buds

Mason was invited to his first birthday party for his friend Owen.  Normally we don't get into attending birthday parties before they enter elementary school, but Owen is his very best buddy.  Mason had a blast at All About Kids.  So much so, he slept completely through his sister's gymnastics performance that evening!

Tiger Ensemble Christmas Performance

Among so many other things, the girls also decided to participate in Tiger Ensemble, led by their music teacher, Ms. Wigger.  The girls performed with other ensemble students and Tully's kindergarten classes.  It was adorable.  Raelee played the alto xylophone and Jordyn played soprano.  They practiced Monday and Tuesday mornings at 8 am working so hard to make it a success. They did an amazing job!

Mason's Big Debut!

Mason had his first Christmas program with school on Tuesday.  He did awesome!  He sang the whole time, didn't cry and stayed in his spot!  His class sang three songs.  Mason's favorite..."Up on the House Top."  Thanks Mamaw, Papaw, Grammy and Poppy for coming to watch me sing!

Happy Birthday "early" to Raelee

We surprised Raelee Friday night by telling her to pack her bags for a night at the Marriott downtown.  Mamaw, Annie, Claire, Jordyn, Mason and Mommy all hit the town, taking her to her favorite restaurant...The Spaghetti Factory.  We swam Friday night then chilled out in the room.  The next morning we headed to The Galt House for the Kaleidoscope event.  It was awesome.  Pictures with Santa, a performance by Santa's elves and all sorts of fun filled our day before eating lunch at Cracker Barrel and heading home.  It was an eventful day and one I'm sure Raelee will remember for years to come.

Nationals in Nashville

Watching Raelee run in the national cross country race was a great reason for us to head to Nashville for the weekend before Thanksgiving (11.22.14), yet we found plenty of other things to get into while we were there too.  Raelee ran a great race and had to run against 10 year olds at the national level even though many of them would be turning eleven in 2014.  She placed 70th in her age group.  There were over 300 runners in that division.  We were so proud of her on what was a very hilly course!  Mamaw, Papaw, Annie and Claire joined us at the race.  Then we headed to Rainforest Cafe for supper, then to Opryland Hotel to see the beautiful lights, check out the ICE exhibit and go snow tubing down the hill.

Bye Bye Hair...

Jordyn has been growing her hair for years with the intention of cutting it for Locks of Love.  She took the plunge today and took 10 inches off!  Her new do looks adorable on her.  We are proud of her very kind deed.  

It's a Very Busy Life..

Every morning or evening we have something going on.  While it's all wonderful stuff. ..it does get tiring after a while.  The girls are both in Tiger Ensemble at school, FCA, and Raelee is in student council.   Those take place four mornings a week.  After school, Jordyn has gymnastics, Raelee has XC for nationals three times a week and art once a week.  I'm so glad they are loving these things but looking for some reprieve soon.  We head to nationals in Nashville next Friday.   I have arranged for a sub and the kids will miss school.  Raelee runs on Saturday at Percy Warner Park at 12:45 CT.  We've decided to stay another night and show the kids the decor at Opryland Hotel.  We can't wait!  Annie, Claire, Mamaw and Papaw will be coming too!  Should be a lot of fun and support for Raelee on her big day!

XC Season Ends with a Bang!

Our Tully 4th and under girls' team did an awesome job at state on Saturday.  Raelee ran the championship 2k race and placed 89th out of 305 runners (with a time of 9:33,) helping her team place 3rd in the state!  We are so proud of her as she has improved tremendously this season.  Now...on to Nationals in Nashville on Nov 22nd!

Heading to State

Raelee has been running consistently since early August.  She has worked so hard to improve her time.  This season, her age group has primarily ran 3k races.  The very first race they ran, however, was a one-miler.  She ran it in 7:44.  Today, she came in at about 7:24.  We are so proud of her.  Last weekend, Annie, Ryan, Claire and Mamaw all came to cheer her on.  Here are a couple  of cute pics from that chilly Saturday morning.

Missing Grandpa Bugles

On Tuesday, October 7th Grandpa went to heaven to be with Jesus and Grandma.  After spending the last several weeks in pain and suffering, he is now at peace watching over all of us.  We miss you.

Happy 8th Birthday Jordyn!

Jordyn had an awesome birthday week.  It all began with an afternoon at Mamaw and Papaw's with lunch and fun with Annie, Ryan and Claire.  Sunday we hit Disney on Ice at YUM with friends, Megan and Emerson.  It was a great show with Princesses and Heroes.   Tuesday was her actual birthday and Grammy and Poppy came up to celebrate.  Last night her best buds, Ella, Madelyn and Maddie, along with Raelee, hit Old Chicago for pizza, Sweet Frog for frozen yogurt and a nail salon to get nails painted.  It was a fun evening for all!

Gaslight Parade and Getting on TV

Every year Tully walks in the Gaslight parade.  After a long night at the Hite meet we met at Kingpin Lanes to walk with Tully on Thursday.  Mason joined in too.  The girls had a blast and Mason had fun picking up candy off the ground and eating it.  Geez.  While we were lined up, at about 5:30 or 5:45, John Belskey came by and caught the kids on camera.  They were so excited!

Raelee Medals!!!

Wedneaday night, Tully ran in the Hite Invitational.  Raelee's age group ran 1.86 miles.  There were over 100 runnners in each race and Raelee was in the top 50.  She actually placed 32nd!  She pushed so hard through a very hilly course!  Mason also "medaled" in a dance off at the meet.  He said that this was his medal.

Gymnastics and Cross Country

Saturday was a wild ride!  Raelee ran in her first of many one mile races at 10:30 a.m. at Tom Sawyer park.  We were so proud to learn that her time continues to improve as she ran a 7.44 mile!  You go girl!  Later that evening it was Jordyn's time to shine at her first gymnastics meet.  She performed a beam, bar and floor routine.  She is determined and I am sure she will continue to amaze us.  We are so proud of that little spit fire!

Big Girls Back to School

It is extremely hard to believe that Raelee is in 4th grade and Jordyn is in 3rd grade. It's true when they say "don't blink."  Mason is adjusting to a new class at school too.  As a matter of fact, this was the first day he didn't cry.  We are all getting used to crazy once again.  Here is a pic of the girls on the first day, August 13th.  

Remembering Aunt Tina

Everyone needs an Aunt Tina in their life.  Someone who loves you wholeheartedly and goes out of their way to make you feel special.  She passed away suddenly and was laid to rest on Monday, July 28th.  There is and will never be anyone quite like her.  She will be missed.

Summer is Winding Down

It's hard to believe we have exactly seven days before the first day of school.  We have managed to still have another sleepover, take a trip to Holiday World and set up Mommy's classroom.   The girls rode their first roller coasters while at Holiday World and had a blast.  Jordyn managed to lose three teeth this summer and Raelee has really come into her own in running.  Cross Country and gymnastics are in full swing.  While Mommy is nervous for KTIP to begin, I'm ready to get the real crazy started!  Mason went back to daycare this week and had a great first day but a very rough day two drop off.  He did calm down and had a good day but it was tough on the girls and I leaving our man that upset.   How we long for routine again!

Yes...that is mud!  The girls had a blast with Morgan.