Andrea's Birthday Party

I gave Andrea a surprise birthday party this year. The great thing is that she didn't even see it coming until she opened the door to our house!

I made the following movie to commemorate her childhood. As you watch the movie notice how similar Abby looks when Andrea was her age. Its almost as if we have a glimpse as to how Abby will look in a couple years. If she turns out anything like Andrea, she will be breath taking.

Thank all of you who attended the party and for helping me make it a success. A lot of work went into planning, preparing, and executing the party. A special thanks goes out to Barbara O'hara, Chris Peacock, Carole McDonald, and John and Freda Hall. Also, thanks to everyone for keeping it a secret!

You can also view a larger version of the above video on Google Video.

Zoe Conference

We were blessed to attend the Zoe Conference this year with our good friends Erik and Sonya Luchauer.

Their friends in Knoxville count not attend and offered their tickets to us. Thank you Luchauers' friends! With very late notice, Andrea's parents came by to pick up Abby for the weekend. Thank you Andrea's parents!

We had a great weekend of awesome worship, powerful teaching, and reflective contemplation. It was a treat to invest time with the Luchauers Spiritually and relationally. It has been a long time since we have shared our lives with them. They are a joy to be with. It was very refreshing.

We hope it won't be nearly as long until we get back together with the Luchauers again.

Abby's First Haricut

We let Abby's hair grow and grow since she was born and it was finally time for her to get a haircut.

Abby was very cooperative and content during the haircut. It appears that she really enjoyed the experience. The hair stylist told me that she saw large hair bills in my future.

Andrea and my Mom have both painted Abby's toes previously and I tell you, she loves being pampered!

For more pictures go to my Abby's First Haircut Picasa Web Album.

September Preschool

This month Abby learned about families.

For those of you who are interested, you can view the details of Abby's Daily Preschool Program for the month of September.

For more pictures go to my September Preschool Picasa Web Album.

Twirling Balerina

Andrea bought a tutu from a consignment sale a week or so ago. We had Abby try it on and this is what happened!

You can also view a larger version of the above video on Google Video.

Mom's Club Farm

Andrea and Abby went with the Bellevue Mom's Club to a farm outing. Abby got to pet a pony, she wasn't too interested in sitting on it, though. They also went on a hayride pulled by a tractor. There was homemade ice cream and hot dogs for lunch. What a great time!

For more pictures go to my Mom's Club Farm Picasa Web Album.

Boot Camp for Men

As many of you may be aware, I am a bit fan of Men's Fraternity. I have been going to the various courses for the past 5 years or so.

Instead of retaking one of the 3 main Men's Fraternity courses this year, today I started taking a new Men's Fraternity elective entitled Boot Camp for Men.

"Boot Camp for Men is about preparation for carrying out orders to win the hearts and minds of people in preparation for the King’s coming return. Boot Camp for Men is Basic Training that will Sharpen the Mind (intellect), Deepen the Affections (character), and Strengthen the Hands (service)…to accomplish God’s Mission."

I am really exited about this course. It has one or two memory verses a week, reading assignments, projects, a movie review, and a physical fitness test!

I am a BIG fan... and I encourage all men to attend Boot Camp!

Harpeth River State Park

We all went to the Harpeth River State Park this evening. It is only a couple of miles down the street from us.

We hiked down a one mile path toward the Hidden Lake. It was getting dark by the time we got there so many of our pictures came out darker than desired.

We saw several butterflies, acorns, leaves, and many pretty flowers during our hike. Abby enjoyed picking up a lot of things. I am still enamored with watching her experience things for the first time.

For more pictures go to my Harpeth River State Park Picasa Web Album.

Weekend @ Pops & Nana's

Abby had a weekend getaway with Pops and Nana while Andrea and I went to a marriage conference by Dr. Dan B. Allender at Fellowship Bible Church.

We are so thankful to Pops and Nana for giving us the gift of time away to cultivate our marriage. Abby had a great time. They went to the farmers market and the train museum. Abby especially enjoyed pulling the train whistle!

For more pictures go to my Weekend with Pops and Nana Picasa Web Album.

Lawrence Welk Night

This Saturday evening we all went over to watch The Lawrence Welk Show with Moni.

I don't know who enjoyed it more... Abby or Moni :)

Billiards Tournament

The development team at my client site took off early today and had a double elimination Billards Tournament. Afterwards, we went out for dinner.

We enjoyed our time together in Downtown Nashville. It was good to get to know each other in a non-work environment.

I didn't win the tournament, but I did happen to make it in the winner's bracket somehow.

Congratulations goes to Colin Callahan for 1st place!

For more pictures go to my myhealthIQ Pool Tournament Picasa Web Album.

Potty Traning

Abby made the next huge step in toddlerdom... she has started potty training.

We took the extended Labor Day weekend to focus on this new uncharted territory. We provided Abby with tasty drinks and salty snacks to help increase her opportunity to practice. We spent most of the weekend sitting on our hardwood floored kitchen in case there were any accidents (which there were many).

At the end of the weekend, Abby had a lot of successes and her fair share of failures. She isn't "Potty Trained" per se, but she is well on her way.

Preschool at Home

This past month Andrea has started Preschool at Home with Abby. She is using Joyful Heart Learning, a theme based, basic Bible concept curriculum for 2-3 year olds. They have "school" two days a week. This month they learned about the ocean.

For those of you who are interested, you can view the details of Abby's Daily Preschool Program for the month of August.

For more pictures go to my Preschool at Home Picasa Web Album.

Abby's 2nd Birthday

We celebrated Abby's second birthday this weekend.

We had a friend’s birthday party in the morning and a family birthday party in the evening. A bunch of her friends came to the morning party. Several people offered to bring some fun toys to play with. There was a moon bounce obstacle course (thank you Becky), two pools (thank you Barbara), a slide (thank you Stephanie N.), and a ball pit (thank you Stephanie C.). In addition we had water balloons, bubbles, and various other yard toys. All the kids enjoyed licking the frosting off the cupcakes.

I created several videos to celebrate Abby's second year. You can view them online...

Disney Cruise 3 min	Friends 2 min
Dancing and Laughing 2 min	Blueberry Muffins 2 min
2nd Year Video 7 min

For more pictures go to my Abby's 2nd Birthday Picasa Web Album.

Fellowship Bible Church

You might think that after living in Nashville for over 1.5 years we would already be members at a local Church. We too are surprised that it has taken us as long as it has.

We are glad to say that we are finally members of a local church!

After much prayer, searching, and the guidance of God's Spirit we are now members of Fellowship Bible Church in Nashville, TN.

Some of you might be surprised that our choice is not a Church of Christ. We highly value our heritage and did not take this decision lightly. We are confident of this change and we look forward to seeing God work through us and this Church.

Fellowship Bible Church is not new to us. As you might recall, we have been involved with the church in one way or another for quite some time. Back in Little Rock I was involved with a ministry they started called Men's Fraternity for the past 5 years. The ministry has helped mold me into the man God had called me to be. Since we've moved to Nashville Andrea has been involved with the Mom's Together program and A Day of Rest ministry for the past year or so.

Talley Cookout

The Talleys invited us and several other families (Bosquets and O'Haras) over for a cookout at their house.

We all brought different dishes and they grilled some delicious hamburgers. We enjoyed playing in their backyard while the meat was being cooked. It was nice being able to eat all together at one large table. Afterwards the kids had a blast playing upstairs in the bonus room. Then we adults played Catch phrase until it was time for the kids to go to bed. We look forward to spending more time with these families.

Thank you, Talleys, for your hospitality and opening up your home.

Knoxville Manor

My parents came to visit on their way to Knoxville for an Archeology seminar. We were excited to see them both. We haven't seen both of them together for quite some time. Lately, one of Abby's requests is for me to draw pictures of Papa and Grandma. I draw them on the bathtub wall, in her coloring books, and anywhere else there is a writing surface.

While in town, Abby enjoyed showing Papa and Grandma her play centers up in our bonus room. Later we went to play at the indoor area of the Bellevue Mall and then Abby rode the electric cars. It was good to see my parents and for them to interact with Abby. They will be back on their way back from Knoxville just in time for Abby's morning birthday party!

For more pictures go to my Knoxville Manor Picasa Web Album.

Jackson Week

Andrea's oldest sister, Alissa, and her family came down to visit from Maryland.

They all went to Jackson to hang out with their parents for the week. The kids all had a great time playing together. Abby had her first hot chocolate. Dad and Mike setup a large tent in the backyard to provide shade in the day. They had a baby pool setup and lots of toys to play with. Moni and Pawi also came for several days. They played croquet and dominos with the kids.

They made several arts and crafts projects with paint and made homemade play dough that smells like pineapple. Pops and Nana got three huge boxes from the furniture store and make a huge fort out of them. They also went to play miniature golf and to the train museum in Jackson.

They had a great time together and we look forward to seeing them all at Thanksgiving.

For more pictures go to my Jackson Week Picasa Web Album.

Texas Extravaganza

Andrea and Abby went to Texas to visit our good friends Matt, Ashley, and Alana Atnip.

They had a great time together. They went to the children’s museum and the beach.
Andrea also got to meet many of Ashley's friends and see the church where Matt works.

While there, Abby developed a love for Alana’s favorite Sesame Street character, Elmo. Abby also developed an interest in using the bathroom inspired by Alana’s potty training. Every time Alana used the bathroom Abby would say, "Abby wants a turn!”

Since they have moved, we have missed the Atnips so much, but it was good that Andrea and Abby could visit with them. They are hoping to be able to visit again next year.

For more pictures go to my Texas Extravaganza Picasa Web Album.

4th of July Parade

On the 3rd of July we went to the Bellevue Community Church, with some famlies from our neighborhood, for a free concert, dessert, and fireworks. The concert was an entertaining medley of American music from the past 100 years. It was Abby's first experience seeing fireworks. She enjoyed watching the bright colors and we even caught her saying, "Oooohhhh".

On the 4th of July, our neighborhood had a special parade for all the children to participate in. Abby helped make some of the decorations that hung from her red wagon. All the parents and kids marched along the streets and there were people cheering us on! Jamison accompanied Abby in the red wagon. At the end of the parade awaited watermelon, cookies, and drinks.

For more pictures go to my 4th of July Parade Picasa Web Album.