Virginia Part 1

We had a busy fall break this year.  After our summer on-the-go, I thought we would have a slow-moving fall break, but that wasn't the case!  We were a travelin' family!  The day after school got out, we headed to Virginia.  Our first stop was in Clarksville, Virginia to see the Russells.  Ryan was speaking at Ryan's school, so the kids and I hung out with Christie and the kids for a few days.  Christie and I chatted lots, and the kids played football, and jumped on the trampoline LOTS!  We had one rainy day so Christie rented the movie, Epic for the kids.  The boys had sleepovers each night, and we tried with the girls, but Mercy was a little uneasy with it.  (maybe next time)  Christie and I went to Pilates one night.  It was quite humorous at times when I felt like my stomach was going to be ripped apart.  hahaha!  After about 20 minutes I was unsure if I was going to make it another 40!  I am so thankful for our visit!  We love the Russells!

the kids

silly picture

Christie and I

On Tuesday, the kids and I headed to Newport News after lunch.  It is about a 2 1/2 hour drive.  It's an easy drive, and goes by pretty fast.  We always stop at the rest area just north of Williamsburg.  The LOVE art was out!  I love it, so pictures are a definite must!

At Gigi's house, there were no falls down the stairs this time!  I think last time we were there Mercy fell down the stairs twice!  yikes!  We had a rainy week in Newport News (aka: ghettoville, badnewz).  And, I don't just mean a little sprinkle.  It POURED on Wednesday and rained steady on Thursday.  We went to Barnes and Noble, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Target.  (All non-Cookeville stores!  hahaha)  We made a trip to Sweet Frog and on Thursday we went up to the church gym to play, followed by swimming at the Wellness Center.  On Friday, we went to Busch Gardens, which will be my next post!

Mercy on the steps with her babies!

Flag football ends

Flag football came to an end before the break as well.  Josiah did really well throughout the season.  He tried hard, and made several interceptions by the end of the season!  And, of course, he had a couple touchdowns since he was, "Josiah: touchdown maker McGann"!  It rained the very last game, so Aedan, Mercy and I didn't go, but Ryan went to the "mud-bowl" with Josiah.  The pictures below are from the 2nd to the last game, I think:

Here's Josiah on defense getting a flag!

There was an awards night, and Josiah got a trophy!  He was so excited!

Baseball Ends

Aedan's baseball ended in the beginning of October, just before fall break started.  The Wahoos finished 6-4 and in 2nd place out of 10 teams.  That's pretty miraculous!  hahaha!  Aedan had a great season.  He played all different positions: 2nd base, short, and pitcher.  He was basically moved around the field to get outs!  Aedan learned a lot about facing his fears, and trusting God.  About halfway through the season, he started practicing with the coach's pitch team, too.  (the 7-8 year olds)  He can totally hang with them, but was very hesitant to practice with them.  Once he got out there, he loved it and did great.  When the season was just about over, they needed an extra player for a game, so Aedan got to play a coach's pitch game.  He was nervous, but did great.  Aedan experienced God's faithfulness through baseball as he was dependent on Him to help him through those unnerving times, and we are so thankful.

Another highlight of the season was that Ryan started helping out with the games.  Ryan coached third for the last several games.  At one of the last games, Ryan had to do the head coaching because Brandon was sick.  So glad they pulled out a win for that one! :)
  

Aedan at pitcher

at pitcher again

Here is a video.  Aedan got the kid out at home, but I didn't follow him with the camera.

  Aedan getting an out at first:

An out at home, even with a ball bobble:

Mercy and Baylon

Aedan and Brandon

Ryan coaching 3rd with Aedan at 3rd

about to get their medals...so excited

woohoo Wahoos!

I love this one.  It's my favorite!

getting his medal

Brandon and Aedan

booya!

the team with their medals

yay Aedan.  (with a cupcake in his mouth)

Me and Aedan (and his medal)

Josiah's tooth

In other September news:

Josiah lost one of his front teeth!  woohoo!

It had been loose for months, so it was time to tug!

Once it was out, you could see the other tooth ready to come in!

The other front tooth is loose, as well, along with the next two front ones.

Spirit Week and the Tomahawk Trot

Well, I guess since it's almost the end of October, I should catch up some.  hahaha!  Well, considering I'm still not really done with September I have a lot of blogging to do.  In September, the boys had School Spirit week and the Tomahawk Trot on the Friday of that week.  They loved dressing up everyday.  I found it a little challenging to find the different things we needed, but it was fun.  I think my favorite was dress like a Brave day.  I found some older brown t-shirts to cut up, which was Josiah's idea. :)  Here are some dress-up highlights followed by the Tomahawk Trot.

Hawaiian day

Crazy hair and sock day

Dress like a brave day

Time to RUN!  Josiah and Aedan love the run!  They enjoy getting sponsors and seeing how many laps they can run.  Josiah ran 11 laps this year.  (just over 2 miles)  Aedan ran 9 laps.  (just under 2 miles)  They did fabulous!  It was fun to watch them :)  The second grade went first and kindergarten was later, so we were back and forth to the school that day.  Here are Josiah's pictures:

Josiah and Jaida
Jaida's older brother is in our youth group.

determined!

Fighting through the pain!  He is hardcore!

Mercy and Jaida

After the run!

Josiah's class with the mascot!

Time for kindergarten!

at the starting line

Go Aedan!

Yay for Gatorade!

Mrs. Fowler with the class

A special thank you to all the sponsors!  It was a successful day!  

date night!

Ryan and I had a date night last weekend!  We went out to eat at Olive Garden, and then did a little Christmas looking for the kids (at Dunhams), of course.  I picked up one of Mercy's presents that she had said she had wanted.  I am officially done with Mercy's Christmas shopping from us (except for stocking stuffers).  The boys, well, they are a tad bit harder! :)  After shopping we went to Poets, and then went down to the fountain for a bit.  Thanks to the Ledbetters for watching our kids! :)

Cummins Falls

On Labor day we decided to go hike Cummins Falls.  The boys went not too long ago with our neighbors, but Ryan and I had never hiked to the bottom.  There are lots of fossils at Cummins Falls.  Josiah, especially, loves collecting all the fossils.  The hike down was pretty good.  It got a little steep and muddy toward the bottom, which is difficult.  At one point, I just sat down completely to scoot my way down.  There were lots of people there as well, so at times it was hard to maneuver around rocks, especially as we got closer to the waterfall.  The kids loved the hike to the water fall.  Mercy walked the whole thing and did NOT want to be carried at all.  (Ryan had to carry her a little when we were on the slippery rocks.)  Once we got to the falls, Aedan was the only one that really swam.  The water was super cold!  Here are some pictures of our day:

looking for fossils

love this face!

This girl is all in!  She did fall a couple times on the rocks, but got right back up!  She's a tough cookie!

At the falls!  You can see how many people were there with us!  hahaha!  A little crowded, which made it hard to get around all the rocks.  The rocks closer to the waterfall were slippery at times, and the water moved more quickly in spots.

swim time

Aedan has his goggles on!

a little rest time before hiking back

the kids and I at our resting point :)