Center Hill Lake - Sat. Aug. 27, 2011

The kids brought their bestest buddies, Jesse and Addie Lee, to the lake for the day. I can honestly say it was not a relaxing day at the lake, but we had so much fun! The kids were great playing together and had a blast riding, swimming and jumping into the water all day. Danielle loved getting to spend the day with "Juicy" and Addie and it made me feel good to hear Jesse say halfway through the day that "this is the best day ever". It was fun taking pictures of them being silly and having a good time all day.

Addie Lee's favorite thing to do was drive the boat! She'd play for a while and then make her way back to Dan's lap to take over driving responsibilities. She loved going left to right - straight was too boring!

The water was the perfect temperature and was so refreshing. The kids had a great time swimming and jumping off the boat

Addie and Dani try out the little boat!

I think these best buds had a very good time at the lake together. Can't tell if they had more fun being in the water or being in the boat, but there were smiles and laughter all day long. We are so glad that we found great friendship with the Lee family.

Jesse Lee trying to take me out along with my camera!

Danielle LOVES jumping off the boat and probably jumped off 100 times this day.

What good is a picture with your best buddy without "bunny ears"?

Nap time after a fun day at the lake

Big girl, Danielle Olivia's, first day of Kindergarten as an Allendale Alligator! She was so excited to be starting "big girl school" and to be at school with her "Bubby" as she affectionately refers to John Tanner now. She looks so grown up in this picture - I can't believe she is starting school. Her baby years flew by much too fast. But I must say, I am really enjoying getting to know her as a little person - she is so funny and fascinating. She is still very obstinate and independent - but not as often. I am so proud of her. She is anxiously waiting the day she can start riding the bus in the mornings with JT and then get to go to SACC with him each day after school until we can pick them up. Danielle had a 1/2 day of school on Tuesday, August 16th, a full day on Thursday, August 18th and officially starts next Monday, August 22nd! I wish her teacher Miss Farris well!

My fourth grader and kindergartener together for Danielle's first day of school

Big Brother, John Tanner, takes Danielle down the main hallway at school to her new classroom. I'm so glad she has him at school to watch out for her during her first year. He is such a good brother and she just adores him. They have to give each other hugs and kisses before they separate every day! I hope they always feel this way about each other.

This is Danielle on the rug in her new Kindergarten class. We LOVE her new teacher Miss Farris. Danielle has the honor of being in Miss Farris' very first class ever!!! She is so cute and sweet and is the perfect Kindergarten teacher. We can't wait to see what Danielle gets to do as a big girl in Kindergarten.

JT and Dani get soaked at the water front park downtown Chattanooga. We love stopping here for a a few hours for the two of them to run wild and have a great time. It is such a beautiful park - every town should have one of these. After playing in the fountains - they got to ride on an antique merry go round too.

John Tanner and Danielle get ready to play in the fountains at the Chattanooga Riverfront - they had a blast running in and out of the fountains and then enjoyed ice cream at CeCe's!!!

Katherine, Danielle, Michael and John Tanner get ready to head up to our seats for the Braves vs. Cubs game in Atlanta. The kids had a blast!

Danielle and Katherine at the Braves Game! Danielle felt like she had a "big sister" for the weekend. Thanks Katherine for being so sweet to her!

John Tanner was really into the Braves game - too bad they lost to the Chicago Cubs. We had a great time anyway and JT got to see Chipper Jones hit a double.

John Tanner and Danielle with Mimi outside her beautiful home. We had such a nice visit and enjoyed seeing her yard. I wish I had inherited her green thumb - everything was so pretty and there were so many birds to watch - gold finches, cardinals, blue birds and hummingbirds. Dan fixed a fountain for her in the backyard - hoping the birds will enjoy it too!

First Day of 4th Grade

John Tanner's official "First Day of 4th Grade" photo. He was a mixture of anxious and excited. He couldn't wait to find out what kids were in his class with him. He was really sweet and didn't fuss at all at silly mom needing to take lots of pictures of his big day - I guess he is just used to it! Danielle had her Kindergarten testing this afternoon as well. Other than being nervous, she did okay. Ms. Kireta did her testing and we are keeping our fingers crossed that she will be Dani's teacher - we LOVE Ms. Kireta - but actually all of the Kindergarten teachers are great - so we know it will all turn out all right. Danielle has a 1/2 day next Tuesday and a full day on Thursday and then officially starts Kindergarten on Monday, August 22nd.
So proud of my big guy today. I love you so much John Tanner and I know this is going to be an awesome year for you!
"Do your best"
"Be your best"

Looks lots different from the little boy I took a picture of in front of his first school sign in Kindergarten! Where has the time gone? He has had his biggest growth spurt yet in the last year. We had his 4th grade check-up the other day and he now weighs 81 pounds! I can't believe it - he started 3rd grade at 53 pounds. When he was a baby and I worried over every little ounce - worried that he wasn't thriving or at a healthy weight - his doctor would tell me..."This kids is going to be six foot five one day and eat you out of house and home - genetics will kick in." I guess he was right!

This is JT outside his beautiful school Allendale Elementary. I can't believe he only has 2 more years at this wonderful school before he starts middle school - I guess we better enjoy every minute of the next 2 years! Mom and Dad are very proud of their 4th grade Allendale Alligator!!

This is Mrs. Hornavius, John Tanner's 4th grade teacher. They had a great first day together. I think we have been very fortunate for the 5th year in a row as far as teachers go for him. Every one he has had were just what he needed at that time in his life. We are looking forward to another great year.

John Tanner was ecstatic to find that one of his best friends, Ian Rice, is in his class this year. They have not been in class together since Kindergarten, but have been big buds at SACC and outside of school. Even better, they sit right behind each other - right in front of the teacher. This should be a great year for both of them.

Danielle Graduates from Kindergarten Boot Camp - Preschool Program

We could not have been more proud of our little Boot Camp Cadet. She did a wonderful job at graduation and surprisingly did not scream "Play Ball" at the conclusion of the National Anthem - but instead gave us a wink and a big thumbs up in its place. We'll try to post video soon - once I get all the mechanisms figured out.