Photo overload!!!

Labor Day weekend Joe and I celebrated 5 years of marriage!! WOW, those 5 years have sure flow by!! I can honestly say I love him more today than the day we were married! That's how it should be right? I don't think we even knew half the love we'd share over these years...it's just amazing! I watched him grow from an only child to a loving husband and father. He would do any thing for our family, I love him so much! I know, I know...enough with the lovey dovey stuff....and on with pictures!

We celebrated by heading to Gatlinburg for the weekend. We both have never been so we were clueless on how much beauty we would find in the mountains! It was so scerene! We basically just stayed at our cabin and relaxed (something we don't do often). It was difficult to just put our cell phones away and talk to each other (we've become accustomed to working from home). I think Joe talked on his cell phone the entire trip there (6 hrs) and I kept calling my mom checking on the girls LOL But when we got there..it was all about us! We found the resort (after a few wrong turns) despite the fact the GPS doesn't work well in the mountains =) And put all our bags in the cabin.

We decided we'd like to head in town and grab a bite to eat and kind of map out all the things we wanted to do that weekend. So we grabbed a bite to eat, did just that and ended up going to the movies. We never really get a chance to go on dates, so it was fun! We watched The Expendables (his choice of course) lol Then headed back to the cabin. We took advantage of the hot tub and wine that the owners left us (so sweet). Joe said "we are getting one of these" HAHA He loved the hot tub! The rest of the weekend we relaxed at the cabin, then drove in town again and shopped at the outlet malls and went on a hike at the National Park. It was a GREAT weekend! We hope to go back again soon with our girls!

Here is a slideshow of our trip....I've done slideshows in this post, b/c I have so many photos. If you see a little cartoon thing pop up, just hit the "x" to close it out...also there's a little plus sign on some it will speed up the slideshow =) ENJOY!

On Labor Day we decided to get the poles out and go fishin'! I'm not sure if we've been since Alli's been born, certainly not that Alli could remember. So we headed over to Pap's pond and fished our hearts out =) I think all together we caught 12 fish! Here's a slideshow of all the fun:

The anual Turkey Trot came and went. Our girls always like to head up there and ride the rides and see their friends. We were up there every night haha! Oh well, it kept the girls entertained and they slept like rocks at night =) This year the two concerts were Joe Diffie and Mark Wills. Both were very entertaining! I think it was Friday night that we had rain (which happens every year), but seemed to still have a decent turn out! My girls did not want to race Turkeys this year, but we saw some cute little ones out there!

Hunter was on a pig wrestling team this year, they were "The Piglets". Too funny! They did really well....beat the boys in their class! ha Here's a little slideshow of their efforts:

Miss Stella turned 8mos on September 13th. What a big girl she has become! I feel like I just blinked and boom she's sitting up and now even standing!! She just cracks me up, such a tiny thing with such BIG hopes! Tries to keep up with her big sisters =)

Hunter had her very first piano recital this past Sunday. WOW, she was amazing! It gave me chills listening to it at the church =) She has practiced so hard, and it all paid off! I'm so proud of you Hunter!! You can all listen for yourselves, but warning...it will get stuck in your head! LOL She played “I Just Can't Wait to be King” duet with Angie Traylor her piano teacher.

Sunday after Hunter's recital we picked up two new family members, Sassy and Charlie. Aren't they the cutest!!

For My Daughter

Found this poem online (author unknown) but boy does it hit home!!

For MY DAUGHTER

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry,
And pick you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink,
And let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the
Telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the
Backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a
Tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the
Ice cream truck and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are
Going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision
I have made where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies,
And I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy
Us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you
A story about how you were born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and
Not get angry.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit
On the porch and count all the stars.

Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours,
And miss my favorite TV shows.

Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair
As you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me
The greatest gift ever given.

I will think about the mothers and fathers
Who are searching for their missing children
The mothers and fathers who are visiting
Their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and
Mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching
Their children suffer senselessly,
And screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.


And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer.
It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing,
Except maybe, for one more day.

This picture just shows me how fast time seriously goes...it's only been 1 year and look at the difference in my baby girl Alli Jo =( She is sooooo grown up!!!