WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!!

OUR NEWEST BLESSING!!

We are so excited to share our wonderful news with everyone. Last Friday we had this amazing ultrasound and got to see our newest little Rinehart. Since we hadn't told the boys or our family we felt it was time to share the news. That evening we showed the picture to the boys and Bay figured it out right away. To say the boys are excited is an understatement. Jackson kisses my belly each day and Bay is constantly asking questions about the baby. Jax thinks it will be a girl, while Bay isn't sure which it will be. We are just so happy and feel so blessed to be welcoming another sweetie into our family. Thank you God for answering our prayers and trusting us with this little one.

FLUBBER FUN

Every once in while the boys decide they want to do a "science experiment". Thank goodness I already had the Borax and tons of great food coloring. All we needed was more glue. We spent a little bit of our afternoon making flubber and of course playing with it.

Jax mixing his bowl #1 with bowl #2 to magically make the flubber.

The boys squishing and kneading their slimy flubber into a more solid form that can actually be played with over and over and over and over....well, you get the idea.

I am trying to carefully oversee the mixing while letting the boys literally get their hands "in it".

Bay is adding the glue to bowl#1 and then added green food coloring. Jackson went with yellow, is anyone surprised?

NEW ORLEANS MARDI GRAS MARATHON 2009

Joe crossing the finish line. You'll notice his time is almost a half hour faster than the last marathon. There was wonderful weather for this race which helped him stay within his normal time range.

Joe and I after the race.

Jackson proudly displaying his sign as he poses with Dad.

Eagerly awaiting Joe to come across the finish line.

NEW ORLEANS MARDI GRAS MARATHON

Early February we traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana for another marathon. Now Joe can check another state off of his list. Bay stayed back in Muscle Shoals and enjoyed the weekend with his friend Evan. Downtown New Orleans is beautiful with amazing architecture and that strong cajun flavor.

Jackson posed in front of a Mardi Gras themed trolley car display. They had these small scale trolley cars everywhere downtown that were decorated with different themes.

A quick shot of downtown as we entered the city.

Jackson made a sign of support for his Dad. He also won Joe a Brooks running jacket by pulling a winning ticket at the Brook's display. When Joe received the jacket in the mail we were so surprised. It was a super nice running jacket.

The view as we crossed part of the Gulf of Mexico and into New Orleans.

BASKETBALL SEASON ENDS

As you know Joe coached Bay's basketball team this year. He did a great job and had a wonderful group of boys to work with. Each game you could see them working more like a team and understanding the game better. Joe did a really good job when he passed out the trophies. He had a little anecdote about each of the players. That was so nice and really showed he cared about the guys and enjoyed coaching them. Awesome job to both of my men!

Bay and Evan, best buds and great basketball players.

Joe and Bay at the end of season trophy party. We brought Krispie Kreme doughnuts with basketballs printed on top to celebrate the last game. We thought 10:00am was too early for pizza. The doughnuts were a hit and all gone by the time we left.

Jackson with his basketball coach after receiving his trophy.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

One of the perks of working part-time is that I am available to help at the holiday class parties. We had a great time in Ms.Orr's second grade class as we celebrated Valentines Day. Earlier that day I had helped at Bay's party in Mrs.Byrd's fourth grade class. Joe and I enjoyed the holiday as well. We had a babysitter, Julie, come and sit with the boys while we enjoyed an Italian dinner at Frank's in Tuscumbia.

I love this photo with my Jackson!

We put a lot of effort into the Valentine's treats this year. Jackson gave everyone a plastic cup filled with candy, wrapped in cellophane and tied with curled ribbon. Here he is placing one into a Valentine's bag for a friend.

Bayley is passing out his Valentine's treats in the above photo. He put candy in little bags decorated with hearts, then added a lollipop and card to the outside.

This is the best smile I could get out of him. Sometimes he is just "too cool" to smile for mom.

GRANDPARENTS VISIT, CAMMONS AND RINEHARTS

Bay taking his free throw, and yes he made it...YEAH!! This weekend Joe's parent's were here to see the ballgames and somehow we did not get a photo with them. Odd, because usually I have the camera out all of the time. I guess I just wasn't feeling too well that weekend.

Jackson playing point guard and brought the ball down the floor.

Enjoying dinner at Osaka Japanese Steakhouse. I had to pick something that I could eat easily since my hand was still wrapped in kling to protect the injury. Mom and Dad enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. Of course, we know the boys loved it. We even saw something new, an onion volcano!

MISSISSIPPI BLUES MARATHON 2009

Joe with Bay and Jax at the finish.

Joe receiving his medal for completing the marathon.

Here he is coming across the finish line. We are always so proud of him! He calls this his this his PW (personal worst) time. In his defense it was upper 60's and 90% humidity. It was storming all around Jackson and the air was sooo heavy. Everyone was turning in slow times. As we started home it began to pour rain. The kind of storm where you can't hear or see while you drive and the blinding lighting is startling...particularly in broad daylight.

MORE OF THE MARATHON

Joe is in the yellow shirt making his way down the final stretch.

Across the street from our hotel was the baseball complex for the Braves minor league team. We wished it was ball season. That would have been great to take in a game. The boys would have loved to experience the minor league game. I had the chance to attend a Sidewinders game while I was in Tucson in 06' and it was great. Still exciting, but much more personal and accessible.

One of the blues bands that took the stage on race day.

The entrance to the ball park.

MISSISSIPPI BLUES MARATHON

Joe started off the new year with another step toward his marathon goal. Now he can check Mississippi off of the list. We all loaded up the Freestyle and made our way to Jackson, Mississippi. The boys were thrilled since there was an indoor pool to enjoy. This was one of those races that we didn't make it for the start, but were there cheering Joe across the finish line. We did drive him to the starting area and wish him lots of luck. I just hope that he enjoys each race.

Our hotel was next to none other than....Bass Pro Shop....whoop-dee-doo! Ok, so maybe it's not exactly my thing, but I thought "hey, why not check it out". I have to say it was interesting. The animal displays look like a museum and they had a STARBUCKS!! This alone made the trip for me.

Here the guys are checking out the fish in the giant aquarium. Just like the one at the St.Louis Zoo, cool.

We actually stayed in Pearl, MS. The boys are posing for a quick "I was here" photo at the Pizza Hut. Yes, pizza before the big day...surprise, surprise, surprise!

Joe outside of the Convention Center getting ready to register and get his number.

WHAT A WAY TO KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR!

So, the last day of Christmas vacation started off fairly smooth. We had just traveled to Jackson, Mississippi for Joe's marathon and we were home prepping for the start of school the next day. I had an appointment that morning, came home to have lunch with Joe and the boys and enjoy the rest of the day. Well, I guess that wasn't in the grand plan...as I was washing dishes I cut my hand. The dishwasher was full and I just wanted the counter clear and the job done. Long story short, Joe had to rush home to take me to the ER for "repairs". I'm so proud of Bay!! He reacted quickly and calmly, doing exactly what I told him. Who knows, he may have a future in the medical field?

FAIR WARNING: If you have a soft stomach don't look at the last photo. It shows my hand a couple of days into the healing process. Bay said the picture is "gross"....ok, maybe he won't have a future in medicine.

The gorgeous flowers my parents sent to me to lift my spirits and give me a hug from a far.

Flowers this beautiful deserve another angle. I was so excited and surprised to receive this delivery!

Lots of bleeding and 13 sutures later, here I am with my new war wound.

CANDY NECKLACES

Ava and Bayley making their snowflake candy necklaces. If you look under the table, Riley is curled up and enjoying her holiday.

Deep concentration...necklace making is serious business.

MORE HOLIDAY FUN

I had picked up a winter candy necklace kit for an activity to do with the nieces. Above I am making necklaces with Reagan and Jackson.

We had the awesome opportunity to spend the entire afternoon with my Grandpa Boose. We did a lot of visiting, talking about sports and watching my Grandpa enjoy my boys. Now that's a wonderful holiday!

Reagan is showing us her snowflake candy necklace and bracelet that she made.

Here I am with my wonderful Grandpa Boose. If you follow this blog you know how much my family and I admire him, so I guess I don't need to go into detail. I always appreciate a photo with my Grandpa.

CHRISTMAS AT THE CAMMON FARM

The whole trip was filled with family and holiday celebrations. The day following our Christmas with the Rineharts, we celebrated with my side of the family. All of my brothers and sister were there with their families. We had a great time watching all of the cousins open gifts and play together.

What a gorgeous little girl, Ella Rose!!

Little Miss Christmas, Maya

I finally got to meet my newest little niece, Laynee Ann. She is so soft and sweet with a head full of dark hair just like her beautiful mama. How precious is she?!....and she has my middle name.

Princess Ava and Princess Vayda modeling their princess nightgowns we gave them for Christmas.