Ouch!

Quentin, my nephew, had his 7th birthday party sat. at the Icearium in Farragut, TN. Initially when we found out about his party my sister asked if we were looking forward to playing a football game with the kiddies. I quickly replied that I would not be joining in on that game, "I don't play football and never have." Well, I got drafted into the game. It was just going to be a harmless game of flag football with 6 & 7 year olds, how hard could that be? The thing about 6 & 7 year olds is they really know nothing about the American sport we call football, which left the 8 adults (well Tiffany, my sister, left after the first play!) carrying the game. Our team ended up with 4 adults which the other, of 3 adults, was fine with that cause they thought I would be more of a hindrance for my team. I, for the first time in my life caught a pretty long pass and made 1 or 2 touchdowns (we didn't really keep score). It was pretty boosting when I began to hear the other team yell, "block Megan, just block Megan!" Ryan, who repeatedly took the game to seriously as he threw himself into the end zone and tackled a few little ones (hey Ryan it's flag football), scored 2 or 3 touchdowns. Well we had a great time and we were all winded and sweaty by the end, but felt pretty good about the whole thing, until.... The next morning Ryan and I awoke feeling as if we had been through a car wreck. And as the day progressed we noticed muscles we didn't know we had, ouch! It was all worth it though; we had such a great time and we are already wanting to do it again, so we must not be in enough pain. Lessons learned: Never underestimate a girl. Never play football when your out of shape. Don't tackle little kids, it's just mean! Go out for the big pass, you might just catch it. Hopefully there will be pics. to follow.

Thomas' words

As the younger of the two, Thomas sure has a lot to say. In the past we listened to his mumbles and babbles all day long, but never really heard much in the way of vocabulary. However, times they are a changin'. He'll be babbling along and the funniest comments come out of him as if he understands how to deliver a really clever line. Like tonight at dinner when asked if he wanted a cucumber, he answered back in his little Thomas voice, "No...cause I don't like it." We kind of did a double take as that seemed to be a pretty long and complex sentence for such a little guy. Joseph is just now learning words that Thomas is picking up on as quickly as Joseph is. Thomas always has a look about him that he is just thinking of the next thing ahead. I am encouraged as his words grow that he is learning to use please and thank-you without being prompted. He always enjoys sharing kisses/hugs. He is right there to hold the door open and never does it grudgingly. I hope his older brother can learn a thing or two from Thomas about manners and thoughtfulness. Whereas, Thomas, we hope will learn from Joseph a thing or two about not destroying our house with all his wild ways. This just goes to show you that you can't choose whether boys are easier than girls, because really every child is so uniquely different. With an emphasis on unique.

Living with a giant in the making

I sometimes wonder about Joseph. 1) Will he ever slow down growing? 2) Does his body know he's only 3? Seriously, I think he's becoming a giant! LOL The hardest part about it all, is that he gets weird looks from people wondering why he acts like a 3 year old and looks like a 5 year old. And I have to admit, I forget that he's only 3 and expect way too much out of him. The boys are only 1 1/2 years apart and although they really look like 2 1/2 years apart I am starting to realize how really close in age they are. Joseph has regressed behaviorally and picks up on Thomas' 2 year old antics. And Thomas is easily encouraged to do ANYTHING his brother tells him to do. We've seen more than our fair share of permanent marker murals, toys in the tub/toilet, food smashed in the carpet, and toys spread through the house like confetti. For those who happen to stumble upon this please pray for me and Ryan, but especially me as the child rearer. I struggle with anger, impatience, discontentment, pride, you name it. I really need the Lord's help as I raise up not only the "giant in the making" but the child lovingly compared to "Animal" from the Muppet's.

Enjoying the Lord's Day

We were just leaving church this past Sunday and knowing we were between pay periods and we had already over spent our budget, we decided a picnic was a great plan. We came home and changed out of our Sunday best and loaded up the food and drinks. One of our favorite parks is in Farragut, TN kind of tucked into the little town, although people seem to find it okay when the weather is as beautiful as it was Sunday. The boys quickly bee-lined for the playground as we hurried to remind them that they had to replenish their energy filled bodies. We found a quant little spot and enjoyed our meal just after we thanked the Lord for his abundant faithfullness. As we were eating we spotted some geese at the bank of the lake and noticed further, 4 geeslings fuzzy and small. Thomas and I went over for a peek and to share our bread. Well, momma goose and daddy goose didn't care for us or our food as they proceeded to "hiss" at us. Yes, they were geese not cats (I'm pretty sure I know the difference). So we left them behind and went on to the playground and had a great time playing. Here are the pictures:

Protective mommy goose. Her babies we just down the bank, playing in the water.

Joseph, Come on dowwwwn!

Thomas can't let his big brother outdo him!

Although Thomas is our busybee, he always seems to have time to pause for a photo op. That's why we always get more pictures of him than Joseph, not to mention he takes the cutest pictures!

DOLLYWOOD 2008!

We had Ryan's annual plant picnic at Dollywood again this year and had so much fun. Unfortunately the real train was closed this time and some of the kiddie water area were closed too. But, we still found plently of things to do and see. Here's our pics.:

Thomas took Daddy on the "Amazing Flying Elephants" and showed him how to push the button and make it go up and down. Joseph watched from the sidelines and was happy to NOT go on the elephants. He still is telling us he doesn't want to go on the scarey elephants.

The boys played on a big playground near a wooden roller coaster, which scared us out of our skin everytime it barreled by.

We played at the splash pad and enjoyed watching the boys' surprise when the water came up from the ground and sprayed them. Thomas just got sprayed in the face to his surprise!

Joseph's trying to see if he can make the water stop. It took him awhile to warm up to the water but once he did he had all kinds of fun running with the bigger kids.

Daddy pestered the boys a little.

The Dollywood Carousel

Thomas' first ride on a carousel and to no surprise, he loved it. Joseph was holding on for dear life.

Great Aunt? Hooray!

I am a GREAT-Aunt at 25 yrs. old

Yes it's true. Ryan's brother's stepson (my nephew) & his wife welcomed there new baby girl into the world this morning, very early I may say. Ryan's brother (John) and family are headed over immediately to TX to see the new addition. They are thrilled to be grandpa and grandma. And I am sure Shelby (Aunt) and Jordan, Luke, Calvin, & Daniel (Uncles) are excited too. Ranging in ages from 16 down to 8 they make very young elders to their new niece. I think there was an oxymoron in that last sentence. Well I am looking forward to seeing her in person, but for now here is her announcement:

Introducing with love…

Savannah Mary Ellen

It's a girl

4/18/2008 2:50:00 AM

20.75 inches

7 pounds, 5 ounces

World Famous Tic-Toc Ice Cream!

Well, the first sight of spring has arrived in Loudon. Here we like to start the season with a visit to Tic-Toc Ice Cream Parlor which closes every winter and opens just before the weather starts to warm up good. We celebrated Thomas birthday with some of their fresh made original ice cream. This place is so popular that anytime we have visitors they usually turn down my desserts for ice cream. Thankfully though it can get kind of pricey so we have to limit how much we visit. It's just a block from our house so if you visit, we'll probably be making the stroll down there.

Joseph recommends:

Rainbow Vanilla (pink vanilla w/ rainbow chocolate pieces)

Thomas recommends:

ANYTHING Ice Cream!!

Megan recommends:

Loco Coco (coconut w/ real fresh coconut)

or

Chocolate Raspberry Truffle (w/ real raspberry and truffle pieces)

Ryan recommends:

Chattanooga Chocolate (plain chocolate, interesting name)

or

anything chocolate including hot fudge!!!

(Come and see what your favorite is, if you can choose of course!)

There's another Hixson in the world!

World, let me introduce you to Hayden Alexander. This is my new nephew and the last son of my brother's (or so he and his wife say). He was born around 4:15 pm on March 28th. And of course I am partial in thinking he resembles ME!!! Well he also reminds me of Joseph. He is welcomed into the world by his parents, Brandon & Danielle, and siblings, Ethan (8), Jonah (5), & Riley(3). And for all those who are wondering about his name, yes, we are Iowa Hawkeye fans and Hayden (Fry) was a former coach.

Thomas' 2nd Birthday! VROOM, VROOM!

We recently celebrated Thomas' 2nd Birthday! He had a cars themed birthday party and we had a great time with the Hixson side of the family. Thomas enjoyed the black frosting, but thankfully I had a great tip for making black frosting and it didn't stain at all. He was blessed with some really nice gifts and go figure his favorite was the drum I bought at Goodwill. Just proof that you don't have to spend a fortune on your kids! Ha, ha!

Up top:

Aunt Tiffany riles up Thomas, as if he needs any help. Haha! While Mamu (My mom) asks Riley the deep questions.

2nd down:

Papu (my dad) is at his familiar stance with a camera in hand.

3rd down:

Thomas, the birthday boy, looks around with a puzzled yet happy look that everyone is singing to him.

4th down:

Thomas digs in, with no concern, to the black frosting.

Last:

The remake of a goodyear tire that says "secondyear".