We've got spirit, yes we do!

recent iphone pics

I don't think there was really a boo-boo there. He just wanted to play it cool in front of his lady friend at TaeKwonDo.

Back to school water bash at church.

Just another hurricane passing through.

School hugs. The one in the middle is "Bossy Kate" and boy is she!

Not ready to give up on summer just yet, we hit the skating rink like the good 'ol days!

Crawling contest. The boys fiercely lost this one and failed to earn the coveted glow stick award.

 I bought them one for $0.50 five minutes later (along with this weird finger glove) because that's just the kind of mom I am.

Love me some Keegs-Man!

Playing a "health game" at this awful food fair thing. We bought tickets for this food sampling fair on Living Social...along with the entire rest of the town. Spent the afternoon standing in long lines for tiny samples of whatever they were handing out (if they hadn't already completely run out of food). Had to pay again to feed the kids on the way home since the amount of samples they ate couldn't really be enough to be called "lunch".

Followed it up with some ice cream since they had been so patient.

I think we're forgiven.

Subway makes him happy.

"9/11"

by: Logan

Calling all grandparents

September at Gilchrist means Grandparents Week! The boys enjoyed having a little bit of lunch company TWICE this week. Of course, that meant that TWICE they were able to eat McDonalds/Subway at school while their peers sat around with stale PBJ's and mystery meat cafeteria lunches.

He did it again!

Less than one month later (9/21/2011), Gavin lost his second tooth.

That's my over-achiever!

Toof's out!

On the second day of school, Gavin lost his first tooth! I think he just wanted to be the first person to have his name on the "tooth chart" at school. That's my go-getter!

Time to hit the books

Well, it's back to school time whether we like it or not.

Over the past couple years we have developed some family traditions to ease ourselves back into the new school year. Each year comes with unfamiliarity, nervousness, fear, and excitement. New friends, new teachers, and sometimes new schools. After a summer at home with Mom, I always write "xo" on the inside of their wrists (and on my own wrists as well) on the first day of school as a little reminder for them throughout the day that they are loved and on my mind. Whenever they feel the need, they can just look at the inside of their wrists and know that I'm thinking of them and that I'll always be there for them even when they can't see me.

Annual first day of school picture in front of the house.

And in front of the grizzly statue. Incidentally, I wonder exactly how many more years I'm going to be able to get away with this before they die of embarrassment.

On his way to meet his sweet teacher, Mrs. Montford. She's the sweetest little grandmother in the world. Her husband, Senator Montford is our former Superintendent and equally as kind-hearted.

Almost a grizzly.

Missing Mama already. Keegan clings to his "last year teacher", Ms. Carolyn.

And one final tradition, the annual photo of the kids holding up their fingers with their current grade. Not sure what will happen when we get to 11th and 12th. I didn't think that far ahead.

Logan: 2

Gavin: 1

Keegan: 0

it's a beautiful day for some downtown photos

Alma Mater.

GO NOLES!

Demo it up

The Dragon's Den demoed their moves at a birthday party for a little boy at the Mary Brogan Museum. The weather was beautiful and the lighting was just right, so I took the opportunity to take some good photos of the boys.

Keegan made himself right at home and fully crashed the party.

Gavin shows his intensity!

Now, not only has he crashed the party, but he has successfully taken over the undivided attention of the birthday boy (who is supposed to be watching the demo with the rest of the guests). They're playing trains on the chair.

Logan nails it with a killer front kick.

And we're back!

Well, after a busy couple of weeks, the Allison's are slowly getting back on track. Here are just a few of our recent happenings. Oh, and by reading this blog, you are also giving me permission to brag for a moment about my perfectly awesome children! Of course, I will slowly but surely provide pictures to go along with our little update, but hopefully this will hold you over in the meantime.

1.  We went on a cruise and celebrated our 10-year anniversary! With the exception of Logan's seasickness on Night #1 (the boat was extremely rocky due to a developing tropical storm in the area), the kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We visited St. Maarten and St. Thomas, but had to skip Coco Kay due to the weather conditions. They all want to go on another cruise for their next "birthday party".

2.  The week we returned, we played our final flag football game and held our end-of-season party. The Raiders were undefeated with the exception of the game we missed while we were on the cruise. They missed their defensive coach and their star defense duo!

3.  Also the week we returned, the Dragon System held a belt testing. The boys successfully demonstrated their forms, fighting, board breaking, and self-defense techniques and were promoted to the next level. Logan is now a brown tip and Gavin is a green belt. Gavin was awarded a double promotion for excellent effort and progress (the only one in the school!). I am a proud Mama!

4.  Also the week we returned, the boys were selected for the "Iron Man" boys local competitive gymnastics team. So the Allison's will now be adding competitive gymnastics 4 hours a week to our booked calendars.

5.  On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, we bought a long-overdue new car to replace the 1998 Civic that I purchased as gift to myself when I graduated from college the first time. Jay took it for a test drive and brought it home to show us. Though previously owned, it was love at first sight (especially when we saw the low mileage). "Do you think the 3 car seats will fit in the back seat?" Jay asked me. "Of course!" I replied. So, back to the dealership he went to sign the paperwork. When the car came home under new ownership, we placed the 3 car seats in the back seat. Or tried to. They don't fit. So we are on a feverish hunt for the skinniest car seats in America.

6.  We enjoyed a quiet, relaxing Thanksgiving at home with the family and my parents. We started the day early with our annual tradition of Turkey Trotting and ended the night early with plenty of food and spirits. We needed our rest for our 3AM Black Friday wake up call.

7.  We celebrated Jay's 37th birthday on Monday with a visit to a local hibachi restaurant. The kids loved the "drama" that goes along with the full hibachi experience and enjoyed trying to catch shrimp in their mouths.

8.  This weekend, we will continue our annual tradition of a holiday visit from Craig, Christi, and family. They come into town the first weekend in December for our downtown winter festival. The boys are marching in the parade with their TaeKwonDo school while the rest of us will bundle up and wait outside for hours and hours to see Santa on the firetruck at the conclusion of the parade.

I guess that brings us up to speed. It's a busy life, but it's a wonderful life.

Merry Christmas!

Wordless Wednesday: Birthday Boy!

Serenity

"God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference."

Wordless Wednesday: Mama's Boys