Our Fall in pictures

Celebrating Mimi's Birthday!

1 Loved little girl

Happy Girl

The guys stopped to let me take a quick picture after they play tennis 1 afternoon!

Playing tennis

He LOVES to be outside!

Don't turn your back... she will be in another room!

LiLi walked Gabby down to the park where we were playing one day.... Tallon was thrilled to show her his new gamecock hat!

Tess loves to swing ( which is a good thing because if we are outside... she is usually put in the swing.... to many acorns on the ground for her to pick up and try to eat=)

Showing LiLi and Aunt Aron how she can take steps!

Playing at Nana and Papa's house 1 day

We took a quick 1 night trip to the mountains to just get away as a family.... We went apple picking and also got to do a little bit of "hiking".... it was a GREAT family time- we plan on going again for a whole weekend next yr!

Dupont State Forest opens up twice a year ( once in Fall and once in Spring) and for a donation- you can ride in a heated bus from waterfall to waterfall to see the Forest--- this was the WAY TO GO with young kids.... all other times of the year- you can only hike, bike in the forest..... We had talked to Tallon about possibly seeing a waterfall and "hiking" so he thought it was GREAT that he got to see 3 waterfalls and I loved that even though it was FREEZING ( to us!)- this was a more manageable way to still see the mountains with both kids! I think Reeves really enjoyed

his time with Tess cuddled up next to him ( she actually fell asleep at one point!)

Walking around the base of 1 of the waterfalls!

Tess took her mid-morning nap-- Reeves LOVED it!

our version of "hiking"!

The lake was beautiful!

Tallon was worn out from all the running around he did that day!

I finally got a picture with everyone in it!!

On the bus, headed to another waterfall!

Family picture at Sky Top Orchard ( minus Tal who did not want to be in the picture)

but he WAS with us!

Tallon got to pick the first apple ( with some help from Daddy)

Tallon Loved helping put the apples daddy had picked into our basket!

It was soooo COLD but Tess was still a Happy Girl!

Tallon loved running up and down the hills and was all over the place- can you tell he had just spent 3 1/2 hrs in a car!!

The colors were beautiful on the trees and the apples were Delicious! We will def be planning a trip back to Sky Top next yr.... but I think I will try to go before it gets too cold

Tallon has been learning how to count with his fingers!

Bathtime is so much FUN with these 2!

Baby girl is pulling up on everything.... taking baby steps and now WALKING!

ALL Before she turned 11 months old!

Sweet Boy- He loves his Jeep!

Our neighbors prob think we are crazy... most people go on walks /ride bikes around the block....

I walk/stroll Tess and Tallon rides his Jeep!!

Happy Girl

We went to the pumkin patch around the corner from our house with Reeves's family one afternoon- The kids loved running around and picking a pumpkin out

as you can see- Tal really did NOT want his picture taken!

We have SUCH fantastic friends....

The Granger's had us over 1 evening for chili and pumpkin carving!

Tess' bedtime is 7,.... needless to say she was EXHAUSTED here!

Tallon acting silly with Aunt Aron!

Tallon Loves to help Tess walk...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE her face in this picture- she ADORES her big brother!

Last Soccer Game of the season

Go Tallon Go!

Mimi and Pop where visiting Aunt Liz but LiLi, Boom Boom, Gabby and Papa were there!

He loved playing... for the most part.... than there were the other times.... slightly emotional.... but all in all- we survived our first team sporting event!=)

Nana spent some quality time with Tess during the soccer game and then Tal put on his Buzz costume for them!

I love how he looks "shy" in this picture.....

Shy is not a word I usually use to describe him

I asked Buzz to show me how he flies....

You can't have Reeves around during the Fall without there being a football nearby!

The KIDS LOVE IT!

Sweet girls... I love that they are getting to grow up together!

Tess is so much fun right now....

she stays close by the action whenever the cousins come over to play!

I love how she is looking at Makgill in this picture!

4

Tallon turned 4- FOUR- years old Sept 15..... I wanted to do a 4 yr post but kept thinking that if i did than it would be true- he would really be 4 so I have put it off and put it off and put it off and here we are--- in November! so I am going to take the plunge and finally admit that I have a 4 yr old!

We kept things simpler this year and just did a small party ( family and close friends). We had it in my parents backyard and went swimming.... it was a huge success and I think we will be keeping parties this way from now on!

A few FUN Facts about my firstborn child

1- He LOVE Life and everything to do with outdoors!

2- He is our "early bird"- often waking before 6- coming to our room and informing us that he is "starving" and needs breakfast NOW!

3. Just call him "Mr. Social"- he wants to know what is planned for each day and likes to have lots on the agenda- he is not a fan of simply staying at home all day

4. He is CRAZY about his Dad.... and the Gamecocks

5. Has recently become extremely affectionate with Mommy ( and I could not be HAPPIER!)

6. Definitely a protective Big Brother

A few firsts:

- Rides a bike without training wheels

- Swimming without any floaties

- playing on a team sport- soccer

- memorized his first verse " Genesis 1: 1: 1 ( As Tallon says) "In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth"

- started 3K this year and seems to be enjoying school

I am sure there is more but just wanted to document while I still can remember......

We love you big boy and are super proud of you!

Momma and Daddy

It's football season!

I have never been football crazy but for those of you who know my husband.... you know that our house gets extremely excited about football season..... I have been listening to the practice reviews every evening.... gamecock central has been on and Reeves is all pumped up about the Gamecocks!

I grew up Alabama CRIMSON TIDE thru and thru so that is where my main loyalty lies.... and yes, I do have a degree from Clemson which I am quite proud of.... so I am also a Tiger ( but not quite as much a Tiger- Alabama ranks #1.

BUT

I married a HUGE Gamecock fan..... so what does that make our children......

I LOVE these shots of Reeves with Tess and could not decide which one

I liked better so I am putting them both

Don't worry-- I did not wear a Carolina shirt or Carolina colors! I am not quite there yet.... but I do LOVE my husband! He works hard and is a great dad and father so I figured I would make him happy and actually allow my daughter to wear the gamecock cheerleader uniform ( plus she really did look CUTE in it!!). I lost the battle with Tallon a long time ago- He is his Daddy's boy- Go GAMECOCKS Go!

August Update

I am working on trying to be better at blogging.... we will see how it goes! August was a busy month for us. we had lots of firsts- especially for Tallon- who can now ride a bike without training wheels and can pump his legs and swing way up high all by himself!

One extremely Happy Day......

Tallon learned how to pump

and this momma was THRILLED! now I am just pushing 1 little child in the swing everyday!

although Tal helps push Tess on occasion-

Tallon tells me practically everyday that he "has to go to work" and outside he heads to work!

He is quite the adventurer

and a little silly

but he can be soo sweet and thoughtful

He picked this flower and brought inside "for you mommy" 1 morning!

He also keeps us entertained with his wild imagination and hilarious antics...

I bought him a belt "Just like daddy's!

He has worn shorts with belt loops everyday since first receiving the belt!

Tess now claps for herself when she thinks she has done something work being clapped for!

mommy and tess before our walk one day!

notice: Tallon is also ready for his upcoming soccer team ( he just LOVES the shin guards we bought him and has been wearing them daily as he "works" in the yard!

sweet baby girl is EVERYWHERE.... literally.....

crawling all over the house

We all love swimming

and if you are wondering what I have been up too.....

besides starting a new job at the Hospice House here, I have started couponing and have managed to get our weekly grocery budget a lot lower than it was before....

Here is a picture of Tal with several of my "deals" one particular week

9 Months

I can not believe that today my baby girl is turning 9 months old!

What a fast 9 months they have been.

Tessa Nell is tipping the 20 lb marker on the scale and I just love her many rolls and her chubby little cheeks! She continues to be a happy baby and she is definitely going to be my little chatter-bug.

She does not miss a beat-watching big brother run from 1 direction to the next and when she is down on the ground, she often tries to chase him-crawling as fast as she can!

She seems so much more expressive than I remember Tallon being- I love hearing her "ohhh, ahhs" and other little noices that come in a variety of pitches!She loves music and will light up when you sing to her- among her favorites- "Jesus Loves Me" ,the "itsy, bitsy spider" and"if your Happy and you know it, clap your hands"!

Tess still does not have teeth, although you often cannot tell as she likes to keep her lips puckered in! I have heard that the later a baby's teeth come in than the healthier and fewer cavities she will later on.... hmmm... guess we will find out if its true or not. I am hoping for teeth soon bc she literally goes crazy trying to reach whatever food I have on my plate or in my spoon and would much prefer it to her soft, mushy

baby food!

She is sleeping regularly now- still has her dream feed at 10 but than wakes sometime between 6 and 7. Takes 2 naps a day. I love that I can just lay her down in her crib with her paci and blankie and she puts herself to sleep! What a blessing- especially since her big bro still has a hard getting himself to sleep without Reeves or me there!

Speaking of siblings..... Tess still adores Tallon- he can have her giggling like no one else and she looks for him if he is not in the same room as her. It will be interesting to see how she transitions with Tallon starting 3k next week. He will be gone 5 mornings a week from 7:40 until 10:30.

Mommy thinks she is going to miss the entertainment Tal provides for Tess during those

times=) I am enjoying these days at home with both my kids but especially Tess as she often crawls straight to my legs and pulls up, grinning and just holding out her hands for me to hug and love on her! She is already trying to stand up on her own so I am sure that walking will be coming shortly!

Our lives changed on Dec 3rd, 2008 with the birth of Tessa Nell Cannon and I could not be more grateful to the Lord for the 9 precious months He has given us with her... I pray for many more.....We love you baby girl!

July Update

We just came back from spending almost 2 weeks at the beach. We spent the weekend around July 4th with my parents and Aunt Liz and Uncle Mike and than we pent the week with Cannon's the following week.... LOTS of pictures to come.

Tallon actually made it into the ocean ( and LOVED IT) this year!

Tess is

1- officially crawling ( more of a scoot, roll, stick hiney up in air- but she can make it to whatever she has her eyes on)

2- can now pull up on her crib rail ( what is up with this- Dr. Ben said the normal age for pulling up is 9 months- just FANTASTIC- my little overachiever)

3. clapping with her sweet little hands!

too many firsts in one week if you ask me- I feel like she is growing up right before my eyes!!

thankful

Reeves just came downstairs from putting Tal down for bed. They had read their books and than Reeves prayed- he asked if Tallon wanted to pray. First, Tallon said no. but in the middle of Reeves' praying, Tallon said he wanted to pray.... so Reeves said he finished praying and than Tallon prayed.....

"Dear God, Thank you for my new booster seat, THANK YOU"

Reeves said he prayed it in the most sincere and sweetest voice. May I always remember to thank God for the big and little ways he provides for our needs.

83

Papa turned 83 last week!

We celebrated in fashion with a steak and shrimp dinner

and one of Nana's delicious caramel cakes.

I am so thankful that my kids can know their great-grandparents!

We love you Nana and Papa!

Mothers Day Weekend

Here is a collage of pictures from Mothers Day Weekend. Robert and Tiffany decided to surpise mom and come to the lake for the weekend. Dad and I knew and I could not wait to see my brother and Tiff. When we got there- I could not believe it when I saw another car with a

Kentucky license plate..... Yep- Elizabeth and Mike drove down for the weekend also!! It was so much fun getting to all hang out together and the time flew by! wish we all lived closer so we could see ya'll more!!

2009 Lake House Family Picture

Tallon giving Dad a thumbs up for skiing on one ski!

I love this little boy sooo much!

Happy Mother's Day Mimi!

They guys playing football

Aunt Tiffany playing with Tallon

Liz and Mike

Dad and Liz

chilling on the boat

my sweet boy- I can not believe he is almost 4!!

Seriously, Tal thinks if he is on the boat, he is supposed to be helping drive the boat!

Tal and Pop

Playing the famous card game "Cheng Hi"

The girls picture....

what is everyone looking at.....

including Papa

2 crazy geese totally going at it in front of the house....evidently they are very territorial and 1 of the male geese got near the other female and that totally ticked the other male off and he went after him!! i was afraid there was going to be a death, but thankfully they finally settled it and went on in 2 different directions....

The guy picture ( minus Tal who was refusing to be in any pictures at the moment)

Don't they all look so happy to be related and together at the lake?

Sweet baby girl LOVES her toes!

Nana and Papa

Tess loved all the attention Aunt Liz gave her

Aunt Liz skiing

Uncle Rob with Mr Joe Cool!

Look closely....... crazy men

Yes, they did it- switched ski ropes..... several times.....

We wish we all lived closer bc the guys really do have fun hanging out together-

Mike is really good at staying on the float no matter how crazy the boat driver gets trying to throw Mike off the float

Mimi and Tal

Enjoy it now.... because once you have kids..... there is no such thing as "resting"!

I think someone was exhausted.....

Pop put together a great game of "shoot the cans"

Click on the following picture- gotta love Aunt Tiff's face!!

No family weekend is complete without Papa's famous fish!! YUMMY

Tallon loves to help mimi cook- this morning they were making cinnamon rolls and someone was being goofy in front of the camera!

Papa fishing

Uncle Rob and Aunt Tiff

Reeves has finally mastered skiing on only one ski!! You have come along way baby!

Little Lake boy!

4 month portraits

Pictures taken the day we dedicated Tess! Mom made her dress and bonnet- I LOVED them!

Love Reeves expression in this picture and soo thankful to have a photographer in the family, although Reeves is not too fond of how Collin positions him for portraits sometimes=)
Here are a sample of the portraits from Tess' 4 month session! I can not begin to make up my mind- I LOVE them All!!

Our little stinker!!