Halloween 2008











Scarlett O'Hara
















Snow White















Clone Trooper

Alex with Mrs. Trainer on 50's Day!

Sophie's Mission Friends class did a very
special craft last Wednesday night. Since
they didn't think it would be best to do
mummy pumpkins, they made Lazarus
pumpkins instead!

Friday the 31st was "Character Day" at Madison Elementary.
The students were encouraged to dress-up as a character from
literature. Here are some of the costumes from Alex's class:

Harry Potter, a prince, Cat in the Hat, Frog or Toad (you could choose),
Spider Man, Laura Ingalls & Junie B. Jones

While we were at the Fall Festival, Alex had an accident & hit her mouth
on the gym floor. Four days later....she's minus one tooth!

Pumpkin Carving!
















Sophie thought she was going to help clean out the pumpkin....


until she put her hand down in there for the first time. She just


watched from then on!

ROCK BAND!!
We're thinking of taking it on the road!!

On October 24th, the PTA held a Fall Festival
at the school.


Sophie even ran into her friend Emily!













Ava, Lydia & Alex














Will, the Clone Trooper

Alex's class went on a field trip to Tate Farms
on October 21st.


We went on a hayride...









picked our own pumpkins from the
pumpkin patch.....
























and enjoyed a fun day with friends!






Ava & Tyler


Alex & Abby

On our way out of town, we stopped off at Pirate's Island
for a friendly game of putt-putt.

We said our good-bye's to
Gran & Papaw and went our
seperate ways.

Will & Alex were already in the car....
they knew it was time for the annual
putt-putt adventure!

Of course, a beach trip wouldn't be complete
without a night at "The Track" to ride go-carts
and other rides!


Sophie was so proud to be brave enough to ride the
carousel alone this year!





















Will & Alex were quite competitive on the
go-carts.




And Sophie finally agreed to try the swings...
she LOVED it!

Sophie loved to swim in the pool & Alex was so good with her!

Here she is teaching her to go under.









Sophie was so proud of her accomplishment!
She would just swim around by herself for hours!
She LOVED the pool!

As usual, the kids made new friends while we were there.
Even Sophie found a new friend....his name is Henry!

My two little beach bunnies!












Will & Alex popped a bag of popcorn & fed it
to the seagulls.












Sophie was having no part in the bird feeding, but took a
stroll instead.

The girls with their sand castle











Will was so sweet with Sophie & took her out to
jump the waves....














She was laughing so hard, you could hear her up the beach!















Since there were so few people on the beach while we were there,
the kids could take short walks by themselves. I'm not sure what they
were doing or talking about while they were gone, but they sure did
seem to have a great time!

We set up "camp" for the week.
It was fabulous!













Yes, that is actually Sophie down on the sand!















Alex had Papaw bury her in the sand....I just don't see how she stands
that sand all over her!

For Fall Break, we went to Perdido Beach
with Gran & Papaw!

The first day & off they go....
Sophie still wasn't too sure of the ocean, but just the fact that she wasn't crying to leave the sand was a "miracle" in itself. For those of you who remember last year......the sand was "dross".

I guess Papaw made it all better!

To celebrate Will's 8th Birthday we had a bowling party
at the Redstone Lanes on Redstone Arsenal.












Will & Louis....they share the same birthday!
They were only born 1 hour apart at the same hospital.

















Will & "the boys".....

Louis, Will, Joshua & Jake










Here are some of the other friends at the party!

Will & Alex took part in the Huntsville Hospital
Autumn Chase Fun Run this year. It was a 1-mile
fun run & they did a GREAT job!

Here they are with Ashleigh & Kaleigh from church.

They were all very proud of their accomplishment!

Before leaving, we stopped for a couple more pictures.
We were all exhausted & ready to head out.









Thanks, Gran & Papaw! We had a great time!

It's Football Time in Tennessee!!!!

We had great seats on the 45 yard line!


















Alex & Dad





Here's Alex getting a little "silly".....I think the heat
was beginning to get to all of us.

















Matt was especially starting to lose it!

On September 13th, we took Will & Alex to their first Tennessee Football Game!




We had such a great time! We watched in band march down the street, heading to the stadium, which is a real treat! Alex loved the majorettes & the cheerleaders!













Here we are at the stadium!
They were so excited!
















Before the game started, we had a very kind lady offer to take a family photo!
We don't get too many of those, so we had to take her up on that!

The newest Davis Boys: Isaiah & Jack

Sophie was so proud to hold Baby Jack!

I think Jack adores Alex almost as much as she adores him!

Will has always been able to soothe the babies! Here he is with Isaiah....out cold!

On August 23rd, we drove up for Katelyn's 6th birthday!
It was ALL about Hannah Montana!!

We had such a great day!!

Sophie's 1st Day of School

She's getting so big!

After a long, hard day Sophie was a little
thirsty. I guess when she couldn't find
her juice cup, she just decided to drink
right out of the bottle!

Daddy Time!

Sophie loves to read with Daddy!!

Sophie's point of view!!
Sophie got my camera & decided to take a few
photos for herself. I suppose she wanted a taste
of what it's like to be on the other side of the camera.
Behold her fine work!

To celebrate our 14th anniversary, Matt had
planned a nice little get-away for the two of us.
However, this was the same day that I had the car accident.
We had already made plans for the kids that evening,
so once they were all settled we decided to go ahead with his plans.
We had reservations at Ruth's Chris Steak House and a room
at the Embassy Suites!! I really needed a night out after the day I had!!
Isn't he the best?!

As most of you already know, I had a wreck on Friday, August 8th.
The kids were with me, but we were very blessed and no one was injured!

Needless to say, the van was a total loss.

Stay tuned next week for the revealing of our new van!!!!
It's being delivered on Wednesday or Thursday!!

Ahhhh....the first day of school! August 6, 2008

Will has Ms. Adams for 2nd Grade.
As you can see, they had no trouble bonding!
(He's known her for 2 years!)

Alex has Mrs. Trainer for 1st Grade.
She was Will's teacher last year & she's wonderful!

Ava, Alex & Breana
Alex was also lucky enough to be with
her two best friends again this year!

Gran & Papaw came to visit before school started back.
They girls had an art session with Gran.

As you can see, art is a very intense activity.

Before leaving the Paradise Cafe, we just couldn't refuse this photo op!
!

At the conference on Saturday, Beth made mention
of a restaurant she had visited on Friday....Lynn's Paradise Cafe.
Well, we figured if it was good for Beth Moore, it was good for us!
Check out these hats!
(Beth did the same thing while she was there.
It's just what you do while you wait!!)

Aren't we lovely?!

We had the BEST time this weekend!
It was a much-needed get-away for both of us!

My dear, sweet friend, Saundra & I went to Lousiville, KY
on August 1-2 for Beth Moore's Living Proof Live Event!!

This is the "lobby" of the church!! It was huge!!

We got to sit on the 4th row in the center!
For any of you who are familiar with Beth Moore,
you know that she never stands still long enough to
let you get a good photo. So, I settled for a group shot....
Travis Cottrell & his praise team along with Beth.

Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky

Charlie & Jon Thomas Spears

J.T. was determined to have his photo
taken in the back of the moving van.

Sophie & Charlie
Future couple??? Aren't they precious?!

On July 31st we gathered at the home of
Jason & Wendy Lawler for a farewell dinner
for The Spears. We had a great turnout
and it was so nice to spend some quality time
with Jonathan & Carrie, without all of our kids!














The Hosts: Jason & Wendy

We've known for quite some time that
our Sunday School leaders,
Jonathan & Carrie Spears were going
to be leaving for seminary in preparation
for the foreign mission field. Time passed
much too quickly & we had to say goodbye
at the end of July.








Their oldest son, John Thomas, gently
reminded me that I had promised him a
sleepover before he left. So, with just a few
days to spare, I was finally able to fulfill
that promise. We played on the Wii, had
popcorn, watched movies, & even played
dress-up. (I have chosen to take mercy on
Jonathan and NOT include the dress-up photos.)








I think one of the highlights was swimming!

It's not too often that I get my picture taken with my babies!
Melissa was kind enough to snap this one of me with Sophie.
I just LOVE it! What a precious baby girl!

We went bowling with Melissa, Megan & Lauren
on July 23rd. It was just too hot to do anything
outside!












Here's Will, guarding the scoreboard. I'm still not
sure he didn't change the scores while no one was
looking!














Alex had to have the "perfect" ball.















Sophie just walked around in her own little
world, drinking her juice & taking it all in.

On July 21st, we received the news
that the newest addition to the Davis
dynasty had been born...











Isaiah James Davis!
What a beautiful baby boy!


















Will was so proud to have another
boy cousin!

Alex was instantly in love
with her new baby cousin!


















Sophie & Catherine weren't really
too interested in anyone but each other.
They ADORE each other! It's funny
that we had to travel all the way to
Nashville for them to see each other.....
we only live 10 minutes apart!
Will, Alex & Sophie with their new baby
cousin, Isaiah James Davis. They're so proud!

While we were visiting Gran & Papaw this summer,
Sophie decided to play dress-up.

What a beauty!!

On July 12th, a huge storm came through and we lost
a huge limb from our Bradford Pear. It made it for over 10 years. I think that's a record for our neighborhood.

On July 11th & 12th, Alex & I went to the
WorldSong Mom & Me GA Camp.
We had such a great time together
and she was ready to sign up for next
year before we ever left.
Our cabin leader was Miss Brittany &
Alex was completely smitten with her.
She even got a little misty-eyed as they
were saying their good-byes.
What a fun time!

When we went to Knoxville to spend some time with Gran & Papaw, we took a couple of days out for Dollywood! The weather was unusually mild. It was even too cool for the water rides on our first day. Here they are as we're entering the park.

One of the first stops was the mini cars.
Will & Alex thought it was so cool to
"drive" by themselves.

Since Sophie had very little interest in riding the rides,
she & Gran spent some quality time together.

Will & Alex stood in line, patiently waiting to ride "Bob & Larry's Country Fair"...the kiddie coaster.

Evidently it was worth the wait....there's nothing quite like riding in the front car!

As you can see, Will was less than thrilled to be on the "baby rides".

As it turns out, he was just mad about riding alone.

He perked up on the pigs & bees!

They played "The Duck Pond" game....

and each of them won their very own stuffed duck.

Gran went with us & we had a great time!

Will & Alex met up with some characters,
but Sophie wouldn't even look at them!

LOOK!!! I actually made it into a picture!

They enjoyed the carousel!

They played in the water!

Ready to head out after a long day at Dollywood!

This summer, the Blue Angels came to town to take part in the Air Show.
Since we were going to be at the ballpark during the show,
we thought we'd take advantage of the practice sessions.

They flew right over us!

I don't who was having more fun....the kids or James!

For those who didn't care for the noise, there was always the movie option in Ms. Susan's van!

Sophie just could not wait for the plates & forks! It was just too delicious!
She thought Aunt Missy needed a little taste, too!

She wasted no time...she dove right in!












And then "chased" it with Gran's coke.

We all celebrated Missy's 40th while we were together. Gran made the birthday girl's favorite...
Strawberry Cake!



















The kids thought it was great that Missy's candles were the kind that would re-ignite!


















Aunt Missy with her "posse"!

Since getting married & moving to Murfreesboro, Missy's pups have been staying with Gran & Papaw. Missy had some good quality time with her "babies" while visiting. Here she is with sweet little Cheney!

Alex learned how to ride without training wheels while we were at Gran & Papaw's!!

Thomas & Will enjoyed TV together....


















Alex cuddled up with Uncle Scott....














Sophie & Katelyn snuggled up on the couch!

Here's Aunt Missy with her very own golf pro!! We had a great time visiting with them at Gran & Papaw's on July 4th!

There's nothing quite like bath time in Gran's big tub!

Playhouse.......$100+
Groceries...........$25
A tea party with Papaw......
Priceless!

Sophie always enjoyed going to the pool!

One of the highlights of the summer was going to Dublin Park Pool.
Alex would not let her big brother "show her up", so she followed him right off the high dive!

This summer, Will played on the Madison Central All-Star team.
It was lots of work, but he finally learned how to slide. He loved that!

On June 18th, we spent the afternoon swimming
with The Harris Girls! What a fun time!

While Sophie was being potty-trained, I used
many different things to bribe her. The
lollipop was the best trick because it was her favorite.
As you can see, she's very proud of her accomplishment!

Will, Alex & Sophie were so excited when we finally set up our pool! The water was FREEZING, but they played away!! Sophie had a great time splashing her "Bubby". He didn't seem to mind, though. He gave her a piggy-back ride around the pool after she was finished.

Alex is so proud of her new baby cousin, Claire.
The strange thing is, Claire looks so much like
Alex did when she was a baby!

The girls are always busy playing together.
Here they are playing "office",
setting up their Barbie Laptop.
As you can see, it's extremely intense work.

Will certainly got summer off to a great start!
On June 1st, he lost his 6th tooth!

We were so happy to finally get to visit the newest little Davis....Claire Elizabeth!

We almost fought over who was going to hold her first! She's so precious!

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!

Alex graduated from Kindergarten on May 21st!

Ava, Alex, Breana & Elise on Graduation Day!

Alex & Ms. Griffin

Alex's class had a "Luau" for their end-of-school party. They had such a great time!

Alex with Ms. Griffin

Field Day at Madison Elementary!

Sophie's last day of school at Trinity was on May 16th. She was so cute saying goodbye to Ms. Michal & Ms. Carol and two of her favorite pals....Anna Chase & Neharika.

Alex's Choir performed at the Wednesday night Prayer Meeting.

Our Sweet Sophie!

Will & Alex had their photo made with
Chuck E. Cheese when he visited their
school!

Sophie proudly says, "Wook at my funny hair!"

Gran & Sophie spend some time reading!

Mother's Day 2008