There's No Place Like Roam

Well, its that time again. Carter is in Ms. Maxwell's 1st Grade Classroom at Wellborn Elementary. Hunter has Ms. Sondra in Pre-K at Word Alive Academy. Although Hunter was excited about school all summer, I was afraid he would change his mind on the first day. I was pleasantly suprised. He went right in and sat down. Carter did too, but was kind of annoyed that I followed him to his classroom. Hey Carter - its FIRST grade, not your Senior year! Here are a few pics of the big day and Grandma Jackies first day of school Pineapple Upside-down cake for Hunter (he doesn't like frosting). Graham got his first taste of whipped cream! As you can tell from the last pic...it was pretty exciting!! !

Carter once again ran the Kidstock 1 mile race which is sponsored by the Anniston Runners Club . Jason ran the Kidstock with Carter....no 5K for him this year. I think it took a month for his knee to recover last year. Carter says he wants to run the 5K in 2010. I guess I should train with him....but running in August in Alabama???? Bleck!

This 4th of July we went to a bbq with some new friends and the boys got a chance to show off their swimming skills (floaties and swimmies required). Then, of course, Jason had to go to the fireworks stand to stock up for his own show in our yard. Carter and Hunter were bouncing off the walls they were so excited to get to go help pick out the AWESOME-EST fireworks! Here are a few pics:

Well, we just returned from a wonderful quick getaway to Orange Beach, AL. We were worried it was going to be super crowded since it was so close to the 4th of July, but it was wonderful. The beach wasn't crowded at all. The kids had a great time and Jason and I enjoyed the break from work. We learned that: * Graham LOVES the swimming pool, but is terrified of waves. * Carter and Hunter play in the surf like seals, but doggie-paddle in a pool like crazed cats (at best). * Graham can now crawl on his hands and feet because the tile floor and concrete balcony were hurting his knees. * Jason thinks staged beach pictures are lame, but will do a lot for his picture-crazy wife. * Three nights of co-sleeping can ruin 6 months of sleeping in a crib. * Hunter has to pee every thirty miles. * Condos don't always have a hair dryer. * It is a WONDERFUL thing to vacation at the same time as friends. The kids had a blast playing with Peyton and Collin...and Doug is great with a charcoal gril...

A friend and I have decided to get our rears in gear and lose some weight. Neither one of us have lost our baby weight (well, actually we got pretty close and then gained it back) so we are getting serious. 20 pounds in 12 weeks is our goal. If one of us doesn't make it, then we have to pay for the spa day for the other....just for a little extra encouragement. I'm combining Weight Watchers with EA Sports Active for the Wii - The 30 Day Challenge. Both of them should be doable for a busy mom. The tracker below will track my progress. September 13 is our goal!

I have been going every other month with my friend Shea to Sips N Strokes in Trussville. We have been having a blast! Thanks to the hubs for watching the kiddos!!!

Last week Jason was sitting out on the porch relaxing after everyone else went to bed. He heard a big THUD a few feet away and jumped up out of his chair. There was a rat snake climbing up the porch trying to get to a bird nest on the corner of our porch. He apparently had some difficulty and fell onto the porch. His clumsiness cost him his life. It was death by landscaping rake in the driveway.