the tree

where in the world is that baby girl headed on such a mission?

why to cut herself a christmas tree, of course!

motley's tree farm is lovely. it includes a cool tractor ride for kids, a saw and tie downs for your tree, and a free cup of hot cocoa. (not to mention they are highly organized and clean, and you know how momma loves that!)

after a quick stop in the gift shop,

we were off to find our perfect tree.

vivian thought this was the sweetest little "vivian" tree.

but we searched on....

next bauer found the perfect frances tree...but i thought we might need a bit bigger.

vivian almost had to take things into her own hands, but alas we found the perfect tree...

and brought her home! what a fun adventure!!

on a side note: yes, i cut the tree...yes, this is the only shot of me cutting the tree. yes, this is why you don't see me often on this blog. when i asked clif what this was about he said, "i thought it was a really good shot." ummm...yeah. ;)

dinner with popa

part of the reason i have been so out of touch (beside working, and room mom, and mother of three, and LIFE...) is because popa has been a bit under the weather. several months ago he had open heart surgery and it has just taken a bit to get readjusted. he isn't quite a 100% but is doing better and we are thrilled that he and dotdot have gotten back into the routine of coming to eat dinner on a regular basis (even if mommy is a bad cook).

yep, even cheesy agrees...we love popa and dotdot!!

falling.

i cannot believe how much i fall in love with these precious babies every day.

the fact that god chose them to be my children amazes me.


i cannot wait to see how much more i fall in love with them tomorrow...

turkey day

how else do you start off thanksgiving but in the kitchen?

and with three precious little children that we couldn't possibly be more thankful for?

it was a wonderful day...

with lots of food (of course)...

and giggles...

and family. we are truly blessed and thankful!

gobble gobble.

i couldn't help but try the healthy turkey alternative project.

ummm....bauer maybe had a little too much fun...

yeah for healthy turkeys!!

oh my miss v

this little miss kills me. seriously. she is too funny for words...and so advanced for her age. for example: this is how excited she gets every week at kroger. we have a newly renovated cheese department that carries over a 100 varieties. who would think a 6 year old would care??

but every week she carefully selects a new cheese and asks the lady what it best goes with. last week we had apple wood smoked gouda, this week sage something...she could tell you i'm sure.

and a couple of times a week we do a little homework in our science book. this week we talked about animals and how they move: swim, fly, run, and crawl. the obvious answer: fish, bird, dog, etc. see below for vivian's answers.

and then when i asked what that was on the alligator she replied, "remember when we went to the zoo with pawpaw and gege and i was three? the alligator then had a stick on its head." wow...i better take a refresher course before this kid hits junior high!

woopigsooie!

when the hogs came to play in town we decided it would be a good opportunity to take the kids to their first tailgate.

the kids were pumped and couldn't wait to call the hogs.

football+razorbacks=one happy bauer.

we even managed a family shot (why did i not take my glasses off??? ugh.)

calling the hogs...

and with our favorite cheerleader, miss emily (yep, the same one that was in our wedding. yep, we are old!)

frances may have had the best time...because she fell asleep on the way home and didn't wake up until the next morning!!

which allowed the big kids to enjoy their surprises in peace! hahaha....

an early thanksgiving

a couple weeks before thanksgiving we decided to head to the day's. (warning the rest of these pictures are totally out of order!)

when we arrived joan had a full thanksgiving meal ready and it was delicious! she even made the big kids these awesome pilgrim collars to wear. :)

bauer made an awesome self portrait.

frances enjoyed some yummy gege sketti. ;)

one day we all packed up in the rv and headed to the nashville farmer's market. it was gorgeous!! this is vivian showing her surprised\happy face.

our delicious personal pizzas baking in gege's new oven.

vivian pointing out her fav, tomatoes, at the market.

pawpaw's girl and big rv helper.

our little harley dude.

see? simply gorgeous!!

mommy's girl fell asleep in her lap in the rv.

frannie getting her gege love...and NOT loving the camera.

gege and the bigs at this amazing park beside the market.

vivian's artwork: a crab.

during the rv ride. they were so excited not to have to ride in car seats.

b at gege's yummy thanksgiving meal.

my 9.999.876 attempt at a picture of three. not. gonna. happen.

three generations of day men. :)

and my personal favorite. bauer is in love with his beary...and apparently clif had one when he was little too, named farfuff. don't you think this should be his new profile pic?? ;)

kindergarten camp

vivian's class put on an amazing production of camp kindergarten and wouldn't you know our girl had her very own speaking part!

she was one of the five little hot dog chefs....and she looked SO cute!

brother was extra extra proud...

and vivian and her friends did a great job!