Miscellaneous things

Just doing a bit of catch up on our lives this fall season. 

Emery lost her first front tooth! 

Superhero day for Homecoming

Homecoming moved indoors due to the rain. Jamie looked awesome. 

I made a quick business trip to Chicago. It was my first time so I stayed downtown so I could do some sightseeing.

Emery was in the school production of Captain Louie Jr. They did a great job!

Emery also did her cheer routine at halftime of one of the varsity games. Those girls have really worked hard and did a great job!

Let it snow (and ice)

I kicked the year off with a big Hilton conference in New Orleans. It was a successful week and I was grateful that James' parents were able to come to Memphis to help James out while I was gone. And to add even more excitement, it came a nice little ice/snow storm on Friday which made for a nerve wracking drive back from NOLA and caused James parents to stay an extra night (icing on the cake for the kids). I was sad to miss all the snow day fun but the grandparents took lots of good pics for me so I could document the occasion properly. 

Team Thinkwell in New Orleans (Jason, Marissa and Ashley)

Thankfully, it was so cold that there was still plenty of ice left over on Saturday for James and I to get in some fun with the kids. It. Was. So. Slick. Dangerously slick. I'm grateful no one broke any bones.

James' job was to keep Emery from crashing into the curb on the opposite side of the street but the ice was so slick that he flipped over Emery in an attempt to grab her and landed flat on his back. I am so sad that I didn't get the full wipeout on video. 

And if a couple snow days wasn't enough, we got another big snow the following Monday night and the kids were out of school another couple of days. This was beautiful white fluffy snow. No ice! We enjoyed many hours of outdoor play and some snow ice cream too. 

It was 11 degrees, so we had to cover up as much skin as possible. Colder here than in Russia. 

Caroline, Tyler, Emery and CAse

Easter 2016

I was sad to miss all of the pre-Easter festivities due to a week-long business trip but James and his parents took a lot of pics for me so that I could see how much fun everyone had and document the holiday properly. And although I was sad to miss the annual Easter Extravaganza at Highland, I hear it included some sleet/snow and was freezing cold so maybe not such a bad one for this momma to miss! But I think the kids had a ton of fun regardless of the temps! 

I also missed the annual hat parade and egg hunt at Harding, but again, the in-laws represented and I'm sure Emery was thrilled to have them there.

                  

Emery, Addison and Piper

I was in Dallas, Texas at the Hilton Anatole working on a big conference for Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites. It was a LONG week full of LONG days but it was a smashing success and by Thursday night, we were relieved and ready to relax and celebrate!

Pic in front of the Berlin wall segments that were featured in the hotel. Super cool! 

I arrived on Good Friday morning and got to spend the whole day with James and the kids. Just what this momma needed after being gone from my favorite people all week.

And then we were super excited that the Easter bunny stopped by to leave a few treats and of course, hide some eggs!

The face you make when there's a slug on your egg...

Ready for worship on Easter morning! 

Once again a huge shout out to James' parents for staying and helping him pack lunches, shuttle kids to soccer practice, cook dinner, etc., etc., all week while I was gone. While James certainly could have made it all week on his own, I sure am glad he didn't have to!