Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Christmas 2006



Hi Everyone!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We had a great Christmas. Thank you to all of our friends and family for all of the wonderful presents. As usual - everyone out did themselves.

I just wanted to share some of the pictures that were taken yesterday morning. I hope that you enjoy!

Here is a view of Carrigan's side of the room. She told us that Santa brought her everything that she wanted this year. That made Santa very happy!



This is Alan's side. Of course he got more Thomas the Train things and John Deere Tractor. Those are just two of his favorite things.



This year I was brave and put the kids up their own Christmas Tree. Their tree was placed in the dining room where you can see it from the road. The big family tree was placed in the back of the house in the family room. I had a smaller tree in the foyer with all of the kids small ornaments on it (ie. Sponge Bob, Barbie, Hello Kitty, Bob the Builder, etc...) Carrigan made the angel at school along with several of the ornaments. They are something that I will cherish forever.



This is a picture of Alan's Thomas the Train playset. This is two combined. He has had so much fun playing with it. Now if we can only find another place to put it instead of the foyer. LOL!!!



Here is a picture of one of the presents that I gave to Kristi. Of course - it is of Hunter. The pictures were taken by Kelly Byrom Photography. If you'd like to see more of her work - go under my sister's blog (The Patricks) then go under "I like my typography Bold". Please check out her gallery - she is amazing. You will love her work and be sure to check out her beautiful new son - Simon!



Please pray for my friends Tom and Cher during this very difficult time in their lives. Last week their little angel joined Jesus. Please add them to your prayers lists.
Kim

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Santa arrives in Concord

Hi Everyone!

I can't believe that Christmas is just around the corner. I still have a couple more things to buy and then I am done. Yeah! I'm still not done decorating the inside of my house but I still have time! The outside is done - very simple this year. I have swags on my windows with maroon bows and then I have spot lights lighting up the house. That's it this year. No Christmas trees outside, no reindeers, no icecicle lights on the house, no lights lining the pine island, etc..... Just very simple!






Friday night Rusty and I took the kids to see Santa arrive in Concord. This year Santa arrived by helicopter. It was really neat. The DJ told us when Santa was spotted on the radar and everyone was looking around in the sky and the next thing you knew - here came a blue and white helicopter flying pretty low. It circled around a couple of times and then it started to land. At first it was facing away from everyone and then it turned around and faced us while still hovering. It was very cool. Carrigan loved it but Alan was a little freaked due to it flying right over our heads. Once it landed - out came Santa Claus! What an entrance!!! Carrigan said that the reindeer didn't come this year because Santa didn't want them getting tired before the big night.






The kids had a really good time. As you can see - Alan did not sit with Santa this year. He was very content with Rusty so we were afraid to push it. He wasn't real happy about the helicopter so we thought we would not even try to get him to sit on Santa's lap. Carrigan told Alan that she would tell Santa what he wanted this year for Christmas and she did.







Ebenezer Scrooge (aka Rev. Swain W. Penn - New Hebron Baptist Church) made his appearance. Carrigan was really funny - she said that he was not the Scrooge - instead he was the "Mad Hatter". I thought that was pretty good for a 5 year old! Finally we convinced her who it was and she was fine with it.






After Carrigan saw Santa we went and rode on the carriages. That was a lot of fun and kids had a good time. Carrigan was lucky enough to ride up front with the other kids once we got off. She thought that that was the best!

The weather was pretty chilly Friday night but that did not stop everyone from having a good time. They had fire boxes placed several feet apart and that seemed to help everyone stay warm.

We are looking forward to going back next year. It's neat living in a small town and seeing everyone come together!


Happy Shopping!!!

Kim

Monday, November 20, 2006

More Pictures from Lake Lure

Hi Everyone!

Here are a few more pictures that I took while we were in North Carolina. If you've never been to the Lake Lure area - I highly recommend it. It is absolutely beautiful up there. Can you believe the kids were wearing short sleeve shirts in November?

This is a picture of Carrigan and Alan sitting on top of Chimney Rock. The view was awesome!!!!



This picture was taken during our hike. Behind Rusty and the kids is Devil's Head (I think that is what it is called or something like that).


We took the kids fishing the next day. Can you believe that they were both sitting still. This is a picture that you will never seen again - I'm sure. Alan outside and not running around - that just never happens!



This past Saturday we went to Mom's to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with Mom, Kandis and Matt. We had a great time and the food was great. Thanks Mom. Thank you Kandis and Matt for taking Carrigan bowling. She had a great time. Now she is talking about ya'll taking her bowling when we come back in December. This time I promise to not forget her bowling ball - LOL!!!

Here is a picture of Princess sitting beside her cousin Tallulah. The dogs got along great together. Neither one of them knew what to do with each other. By the end of the night - they were two tired puppies. Tallulah is sporting her Spring Attire (yes - I know - southern girls don't wear white after Labor Day but Tallulah insisted). Princess is sporting her black t-shirt with Princess on the back. She thought that she was styling!



We hope that everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Kim, Rusty, Carrigan and Alan







Monday, November 13, 2006

Lake Lure, North Carolina

Hi Everyone!

Most of you knew that Rusty and I, along with the kids, celebrated our anniversary and my birthday at Lake Lure, North Carolina this past weekend. We had a great time. The weather was beautiful the entire time we were there.

This is one of the views from our condo. It was beautiful every direction we looked.




Here is the view of Lake Lure from Chimney Rock.



On Friday we woke up and went to Chimney Rock (check out the website: http://www.chimneyrockpark.com). We had an amazing time. We took an elevator up 26 stories and stood on top of Chimney Rock then we hiked/climbed all the way to the top. My calves are still sore. We saw some amazing views from the top. Carrigan was such a trooper. She climbed all the way to the top with no help. We are so glad that we took the backpack. It really came in handy.

Carrigan posing on the rocks!




The family posing on top of
Chimney Rock with Lake Lure in the background.


On Saturday we woke up and took the kids fishing. Rusty bought Carrigan a new fishing pole (he dropped her old one in the lake last 4th of July) so that he could take her. Poor thing - all day Friday she kept asking her daddy when they were going fishing. We didn't plan on spending all day at Chimney Rock and we thought that they would go that afternoon but.... She was so excited on Saturday morning when we told her we were going fishing. We took the kids to a place called Cedar Creek Stables (www.cedarcreekstables.com). It was perfect for the kids. There were picnic tables set up so we were able to eat and enjoy ourselves. Rusty did really good fishing. He caught several small bass. Carrigan was excited when her daddy let her reel them in. She even got brave and held one. Carrigan snagged a catfish by the tail but when it got closer to shore - it got away. She was so disappointed that she didn't catch anything. We told her that we would take her again so that she could practice. Alan wasn't too excited about the fish. He didn't want to touch it but he was pretty curious about it. He did get kinda close to them though. I think one more trip and he will do just fine. Next time though - Rusty is getting him his own fishing pole. He kept wanting his sisters.

We came back yesterday. On the way up we went through Spartanburg and on the way back we went through Brevard (Kristi's old college town before she went to Univ. of Alabama). I didn't realize how big Brevard was when Kristi went there. Maybe because we always went straight to the campus to watch her play soccer and then we always went straight home.

We got to see alot of beautiful scenery along the way. I have to admit though - both kids got car sick. Carrigan didn't get as sick as her brother. Poor little Alan - we were almost through the mountains and he was screaming. We knew it was a matter of time before he got sick and there was nothing that we could do. Luckily we were able to stop in Dillard, Georgia and clean him up.
Of course - once we got him cleaned up - he was a totally different child. Rusty did have a hard time getting him back in his car seat. We think that he was afraid he would get sick again. Once we got him some food - he seemed fine and realized he wasn't going to get sick again.

For those of you that like to golf and want to see some beautiful courses - we recommed Lake Lure and Saphire Valley. Maybe next time we will plan a day of golf.

I'll post more pictures when I get them back. These pictures were taken with my digital but I took alot more with my 35mm. Hopefully I can post them before the weekend!


Kim, Rusty, Carrigan and Alan






Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Happy Halloween




Hi Everyone! I hope that you had a fun and safe Halloween! The kids had a great time last night. Carrigan dressed up as a Gothic Vampire. She didn't know what a Gothic Vampire was but she liked the costume so we went with it. Alan on the other hand was suppose to be Batman but he wanted absolutely nothing to do with his cape or his mask. It was pure luck to get the one picture of him standing with his sister and actually smiling.

This was Alan's first year to really know what to do on Halloween. The first two houses he wasn't real sure until he realized he got candy and then he was more eager to go up to the doors. Carrigan on the other hand couldn't get to the doors fast enough. Poor thing - I kept having to tell her to wait for her brother and she told me that he was slowing her down.

For those of you that have been to our neighborhood you know that the houses are not close together. Carrigan and Alan both walked the whole way. I could not believe it. There was a couple of houses that we didn't get to go to (I didn't want to go up and down the hills) but the kids didn't seem to mind.


I'll post more pictures once Blogger starts working again. It's giving me weird messages!!

Kim

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Fayette County Fair



I just wanted to post some pictures of the kids that were taken last night (10/11/06) at the Fair. The kids had a great time. Carrigan was really brave and rode the big ride that goes forwards first and then goes backwards to some really load music. Of all of the rides - that was her favorite! She also enjoyed the big ferris wheel ride. Alan had a great time also and got to ride on several of the rides with Rusty. Sorry if they are alitte bit blurry - it was hard getting them to sit still!!!! Kim

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

October 10. 2006




I can't believe that it is already October. This year has flown by. This was a picture from last year. Kati painted the pumpkin on the bottom. She does such an awesome job!!!!! I attempted to carve the pumpkin on the top. Not bad for my very first time!

Carrigan is out of school right now on Fall Break. She is enjoying her time at home. We've been working on her reading (she can read Green Eggs and Ham and Ten Apples Up on Top). We are so proud of her. She has really turned into quite a little reader. Right now we are in search of easy books for her to read. Carrigan is participating in the Book It Program at school and if she meets her goal each month she will earn a Pizza Award Certificate for a Personal Pan Pizza. Of course to her that is a huge deal so she is wanting to read a book every night. I just hope that she keeps it up. She has also been doing addition and subtraction problems on her own (she hasn't learned that in school yet but she has several of Hunter's old books that she likes to work in). Maybe she will take after her daddy and be good in math. If she takes after me - we will be in big trouble!!!

Alan is the funniest little guy I've ever been around. He has the best personality. Don't get me wrong - he also has a temper if he doesn't get his way - which is alot. I think that he is really enjoying his sister being home so far. This morning they were making forts in the foyer and playing chase through the house. If his sister is home then he is right there with her and wants to do everything that she is doing. If she is laying on her bed - he is laying right beside her. They are like two peas in a pod. Right now he is riding piggy back on his sister. LOL

I found an old picture of Carrigan riding the John Deere last year. She is always asking her daddy if she can drive it around the yard. This is of Alan taking a nap in his sisters bed while she was at school one day! It was so sweet I just had to take a picture. This might be one that I might have to bring out when he turns 16 and show all of his friends! LOL!!

Hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather! I know we are.

If anyone is interested in any Pampered Chef things - please let me know. Kristi (my sister) has started selling it. Here is her web address if you are interested in anything - www.pamperedchef.biz/kristifp. They have alot of new stuff and don't forget the holidays are coming and they have alot of great gift ideas out there!

Check back soon!

Kim

P.S. Happy Birthday Granddaddy! 10/10/10 How many people do you know that were born on the tenth month, tenth day and the year nineteen-ten? Too cool!!!

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Cheerleading

Hi Everyone~

Carrigan cheered at her first football game last night. She had a great time. On the way home so told me that she didn't realize that cheerleading was such hard work. All of the girls on the squad did a great job. Here are some pictures I took before and during the game. Hope you enjoy them!

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Alan Turn's 2

THE BIRTHDAY BOY!!!!!

Hi Everyone!

I can't believe that Alan is 2 already. It seems like just yesterday he was a tiny little thing (ok - so he was never really tiny but). Alan had a great birthday. Thank you to all of the family and friends that came to help him celebrate his very special day. Thanks to Muddy-Puddle (www.muddy-puddle.com) for coming and for making this birthday so special. Below are some of the pictures that were taken at his party.



Above is Brooke and Carrigan and Daddy got to ride with Alan.

What a great day and the weather was perfect.

Sorry there weren't more pictures published. It takes forever just to get one picture on there.

Stay tuned next week for pictures of Carrigan's first football game.

Thursday, August 31, 2006

Look who lost a tooth!!!



Well, it finally happened last night. After a couple of weeks wiggling her tooth - it was finally ready to come out. Thanks to daddy for helping her out. Carrigan was so excited after it came out. She ran to the bathroom to take a look. She had been complaining earlier in the day saying that her tooth was hurting. No wonder - she was turning it sideways in her mouth. The tooth fairy came and visited her last night with a very generous amount of money. We told her to save and so that she can get something really special with all of her money. Thank you Kristi for the Tooth Fairy Jar. It worked great!!!!!!!


Can you believe that Alan will be 2 years old next Friday? We can't!!! This growing up thing is happening way to fast. My little redhead has some temper though. I've got to stop pointing my finger at him - he has started doing it back to me. He definately does not like the word "no". The temper comes out!!! He's also having a hard time adjusting to his sisters school schedule. He misses his sister and he hates getting up early - LOL!!!

Hope everyone is doing well.

For all of you Bama football fans - don't forget to look under my sisters website www.ladyinred.net for this years schedule and everything else.

Please don't forget that I sell Mary Kay. www.marykay.com/kimfsmith If anyone needs anything please let me know. You can order on line or just send me an email. I will be sending out an email the end of this week with a couple of specials that I will be
offering!

Thanks!

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Carrigan loves school

Carrigan's first two days of school have been really good ones. She loves her teacher and she said that she is having fun learning. Yesterday she even got to go to P.E. (she calls it gym class) and she thought that was the neatest thing. They played with a parachute and she said something about getting to sit under it. Of course I have to ask her everyday if there was anyone bad in class and so far she has told me yes on both days. The same person (I think she said that it was a girl) has gotten 3 warnings on each day. As long as it's not her then it is okay. The first thing that she shows me in the car when I pick her up is her stamped hand showing me that she was good that day. Let's hope that her talking too much won't get her in trouble.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Monday, August 07, 2006

School 2006

I can't believe that Carrigan started kindergarten today. It was kind of a sad morning not because she was going to school - just that she is growing up so fast. WOW!!!! It was kinda crazy this morning with the amount of cars but it really was not that bad at all. Try driving to downtown Atlanta every morning for work - now that's crazy!!!! Carrigan was so afraid that she would be late to her first day at school but everything worked out. Rusty and I took her to school, she walked in and said hello to her teacher and just kept on going. She didn't even look back. Her teacher asked to to give mom and dad a hug and then she was off playing with the other students. I am so glad that she does not have any trouble making friends.

Poor Alan - he keeps walking around the house saying "Sissy". He is going to be so excited when we pick her up this afternoon! Who would have thought that he would realize that she is not home. I guess he remembers us taking her this morning but not understanding why she didn't come home with us!

Here is a picture of her this morning!

Check back later this evening and I'll give an update on how her day went!!!!!

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

A Busy July

Hi Everyone!

I can't believe that it is August and Carrigan will be staring school next Monday. I can't believe my little girl is going to "Big Girl School"! She is so excited. We got the nicest postcard from her teacher today introducing herself. Her new teacher is Mrs. Bell. Rusty and I will go and meet her on Thursday. We also have lots of shopping to do between now and Monday trying to get her all ready.

July has been a pretty busy month for us. Carrigan had her uniform fitting for cheerleading on the 15th. She can't wait to start practices. Ms. Adriean (our neighbor) is Carrigan's coach so that means Grayce will be on her squad along with Abby up the street and Riley (she went to New Hope with her). It is going to be so much fun watching them.

The next day we left for Orlando. We had the best time. On Monday we tried to go and see the Space Shuttle land but we missed it. I actually read the map wrong. It's a long story - if you want to know what happened - just ask me the next time you talk to me. I am so embarrassed but it was an honest mistake! We did get to go to through Melbourne (Kandis was born there) and I got to show Rusty where dad's old friend had a dealership. Jim Rathman Chevrolet was still there and did not look like it changed very much. We then went to Satellite Beach and I showed Rusty the old street that we use to live on but the outside of the house had changed. My favorite place to eat (Peg Legs) was gone. There was actually a bulldozer sitting on the property. We then went up the coast and stopped at Ron Jon's Surf Shop. If you ever go to Cocoa Beach - you have to stop in there. The place is huge. Of course, you can't go in there and not spend any money.

On Tuesday we spent the day at the Magic Kingdom. Carrigan had so much fun. She didn't know what to do with her self. She loved waiting in line for the characters autographs and her favorite rides were the Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre, Mad Tea Party and Tomorrowland Indy Speedway just to name a few. Carrigan told us that she did not like Stitch's Great Escape but she loved Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. Rusty and I really enjoyed Mickey's PhilharMagic and how could you not go to the Magic Kingdom and not ride the Haunted Mansion and It's a Small World. We can't wait to go back!!!!


We came home on Wednesday and then Rusty and I left on Saturday morning headed for Savannah. The trip was a quick one.

We met Kati, Kevin, Ty and Brooke up at Lake Laniers Bald Ridge Campsite this past Sunday. We had a great time and so did the kids. Rusty now has the fever to go camping again. I guess we will be getting our camper out within the next week or so to make sure everything on it is fine and ready to go whenever Rusty wants to take it out. Kati and Kevin's camper is really nice. We would love to have something like it. Maybe in the near future we can upgrade!

My friends Tori and Brian got a new RV last week. I call it the "Wonder Lodge". It is perfect for them and for their family! It is absolutely beautiful. I'm very happy for ya'll!!! Here's a picture of it!!!!

Be sure to check back next week. I'll post some pictures of Carrigan's first day of school!

Good Night!

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

July 12, 2006

WOW - I can't believe the summer vacation is almost over and that Carrigan will be starting school a little under 3 weeks. It was like yesterday that she and her friends were graduating from Pre-K.

We had a blast on 4th of July. We took the kids out in the boat. We had so much fun. I was a little nervous about how Alan would do but he loved it. He even fell asleep in my arms at one point. Carrigan had a great time too. She was a trooper when her daddy cast her reel and let go of it. Poor thing - we sat there and watched it sink in 10ft of water. All she said to her daddy was "now you need to buy me a new fishing pole". I thought for sure that she would have cried her little eyes out. Rusty caught a total of 5 fish and he let Carrigan reel them in. She thought that was so cool. Alan on the other hand did not like the fish close to him. Poor little guy!!!!

Carrigan was tuckered out after a morning of fishing!

That afternoon we had Tim and Barb come over and Tori and Brian and their kids. I made my first BBQ in the crock pot. It wasn't too bad. We even had leftovers for several days. Later that afternoon we all went the activities in Pike County. The kids had so much fun and there was plenty of things for them to do. I think that Carrigan and Bailey did it all. All of the boys (Alan, Camden and AJ) did great. That night they had an awesome fireworks display. The weather was perfect for the show.

We registered Carrigan for cheerleading. She is so excited. Everyday she is asking when she gets to go to cheerleading practice. We go this Saturday for her to get fitted for her uniform. Her friend Grayce next door is cheering also and so is Abby up the street. That will be alot of fun watching everyone. Renee's son Conor will be playing football so that will be fun to watch also.

We are getting ready for our trip to Orlando this weekend. Carrigan is so excited. All she wants to do is go swimming and see Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Ariel, etc..... She is doing the count down. Alan has no clue where we will be going. For those of you that want to know where we will be staying - Bonnet Creek Resort. We should be home sometime Wednesday night. I can't wait!!!!!!!

What would Alan's daddy think if he saw this picture? Alan decided to dress himself in his sister's clothes. He was so proud of himself and kept saying "Look mommy look"! It was so funny - I just had to take a picture!

A couple of you have asked to see a picture of our bird so here she is. Carrigan named her "Sweetie" and she can whistle just like Rusty. I guess her next sounds will be barking like the puppy!!! LOL!!

Hope everyone is doing well. Hopefully I'll be able to post some pictures when we get back!!!!

Monday, July 03, 2006

Meet Our New Family Member


Just wanted to show everyone a picture of our new family member. Her name is Princess (we might look into changing that) and she was born in March. She's a miniature Dachshund. She's very sweet and she loves Rusty. The kids are great with her.

Happy 4th of July tomorrow. We hope that everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

Meet Our New Family Member


Just wanted to show everyone a picture of our new family member. Her name is Princess (we might look into changing that) and she was born in March. She's a miniature Dachshund. She's very sweet and she loves Rusty. The kids are great with her.

Happy 4th of July tomorrow. We hope that everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

Sunday, June 11, 2006

It's Been a Long Time

I know - It's been some time since I last updated my blog! I've have been trying for several months but again - my computer has not been working properly. I'm at my mom's right now so I thought I would take advantage of her computer DSL.
Carrigan on graduation day!


Carrigan and Bailey the last day of school!

Alan enjoying Daytona Beach!


Carrigan on the balcony in Daytona!

Rusty and Alan - St. Augustine