Eli's First Birthday Party

Eli's 1st birthday was a hit!!! All his friends were there including Will (and parents), Sam (and parents), Ben and Megan, Nana, Papa, Andy, Lena and Tammy. We had yummy chocolate cake and great times with friends.

A new telephone

Sharing toys with Sam

Checking out Will's cool hat

Double Trouble!!!

Sharing cake with daddy!

Christmas Part 1

Celebrating our First Christmas...two weeks prior. We have alot of family to see and parties to attend, but first, we enjoy a night with just the three of us.

Nigh Night Eli...resting before the travels begin

Thanks Nana and Papa!

In Minnesota with some of my favorite people...yes, this is how we dress for parties up there.

Eli meeting Santa for the first time. Hey Mel!!!

All dressed up with places to go!

Eli's First Christmas

Our first Christmas as a family couldn't have been more special. Here are a couple of our favorite moments of the week.....


A early birthday party

I wonder if Eli's finger prints are still on the mirror

Eli loving his new Truck!!!

Preparing food for Eli's first MeatMas

Playing with uncle Pat and Pale Ale

Taking a tour of Shadow Ranch...

Thanks to Carrie and Steve...we had a wonderful time with family on their beautiful property.

We stayed in Minnesota for eight days and in that time we saw 20 inches of snow fall to the ground...we enjoyed it as much as we could!!!!

Thanks mom and dad for the wonderful week!

Eli's First Halloween

Eli's first TV debut

Our little Dragon Boy

Eli is 9 months and Crawling!

Andrew's Bald, GSMNP

A great view from the top

Brad and Eli ready to go

Eli and his cousins, Ali and Gracelyn

We have been enjoying the beautiful weather here in Tennessee and spending alot of time in the mountains. Last weekend we met family for a afternoon picnic in Cades Cove and this past weekend we took Eli on his first hike in the Smokies...we had a great day! He was such a good boy. He has also started crawling...last Sunday he surprised us both by getting on all 4s and scooted himself to Brad...we caught it on video and will try to upload.

Eli's First VOL Experience

This weekend we took Eli to his first VOL Walk. After, we met friends at the house for a great day of college football...actually, the outcome could have been better, however, we had great time with friends. We also discovered Eli's first tooth this past Friday. He is a little fussy, but I would be too. Much Love!

8 Months and growing...

...well, a little beyond eight months, now pushing nine. Eli is now eating more solid foods and moving more and more. Tonight he showed us his new trick, he got up on his hands and knees, such a strong boy! Yep, he is now dangerously close to crawling, my how our lives will change. This weekend we are taking him to his first "Vol Walk" and he will be able to watch his first Vol game with daddy. GO VOLS!!!!
Here are some pics from our trip up North. It was a great time! Mike FINALLY proposed to Laura and my cousin Tina had a beautiful baby girl. Our time was limited, but we look forward to our next trip in December when we can meet new babies and start planning the wedding:)

Horton

Eli and Uncle Chris

Bath time with Granny and Autie Kel

The Renaissance Festival

Saying goodbye to friends

Team Tiger...

part 2

Eli and Uncle Pat

Playdate

Trouble

More trouble

The happy couple...hours after the proposal

Quiet Weekends in Knoxville and our "Itty Bitty" Weekend

Bryson City, NC

A short hike to the "Itty Bitty" waterfall

Eli's first baseball game

A day at the pool

The past couple of weekends have been quiet. No traveling, lots of play time with Eli, and it has been nice to catch up with my husband again. It seems that the past few months we have been going and going. Even though we have enjoyed our trips to the beach and where ever the road has taken us, there is no place like home. Our weekends have included trips to the pool, baseball games, quiet dinners after the baby falls asleep, and catching up with friends we have neglected the past couple of months.

This past weekend, awhile we had free time once again, we skipped town Saturday morning and found ourselves in Bryson City, NC. We took a beautiful drive through the GSMNP and stayed in a quaint little cabin. Eli was trilled by the trains, people and blue grass music. Bryson City is a sleepy little town that reminds you to slow down and take your time. Everything was so simple, stores closed at 8 pm and the busiest business in town was the ice cream store...we couldn't resist. We woke up Sunday morning to a happy baby and then enjoyed a great breakfast followed by a cup of coffee on the front porch. Ahhhh...life is good!

Tybee Island, July 2009

We pack up our gear, and away we went. We traveled South on 75 towards Atlanta...Pat and Lauren in the back, and off we went. We spent four glorious days at Tybee Island. Eli showed off his mad swimming skills while all the girls "ohhh" and "ahhhed" over him. He had a blast hanging out with his uncle Pat who is determined to have "Pat" be Eli's first word....I heard his name repeated nearly two hundred thousand times. Eli also visited a new city, Savannah. His favorite place was the candy shop where mommy and Lauren tried taffy right out of the mixer. Eli was such a good boy...but what's new? Eli is not only a great travel companion, but already so intereseted in everything we do together, it makes everyday all the more wonderful!


Eli having a great time!

Savannah, GA

Swimming with Daddy

A walk on the beach

The 4th of July

Good food, a great family, firworks and a pinata...the recipe for a great 4th of July weekend. This was one we will remember for a lifetime, thanks to our great hosts and the kiddos. Eli had a trip with Cole and Savannah. Cole kept Eli entertained while Savannah held him close and kept his hair nice and neat. Thje pictures below tell all.


Eli and his papa

These two equals trouble!

Napping on the boat with daddy

Savannah fixing Eli's hair

Oh if you could hear him laugh....

Eli loves swimming with his nana