Fish and Aquariums: Chattanooga Trip!

Dear Leah and Logan,

Happy December 2018!  A week after Thanksgiving (which GiGi came down from Michigan for), we were able to make plans with the entire family for a weekend road trip. We combined the trip with a present from Uncle Justin and went to the Chattanooga aquarium.

We got to Chattanooga a little early and ended up meeting Uncle Mike and Aunt Daniela at a place called the Hot Chocolatier....The place had a million different chocolate treats and 20 different kinds of hot chocolate....most of the group went with S'more flavored.

Eating Good Stuff at the Hot Chocolatier

The trip also included Uncle Caleb, Grandma & Grandpa, and Cousin Courtney.

When we got to the Aquarium, we found it was set up in 2 buildings: Salt Water and Fresh Water. You 2 voted on Fresh Water first, so away we went.

The day included: 10 stories of fish life, butterfly houses, ray-petting, and a million living things to look at and learn about.

Here are some pics from the day:

Chattanooga Aquarium, November '18...Smile Grandpa!

Uncle Justin's Christmas present (even though it took us 11 months to redeem it), ended up being a huge family success--what a fun day with exciting stuff to see....next up...Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!


Love,

Daddy

Leah's 8th Birthday!

Dear Leah and Logan,

Boom...and just like that, our family has an 8-year-old!  Happy 8th Birthday, Leah!

After much debate about where you wanted to have your birthday party, you decided on a slumber party at the house. You had 3 girlfriends show up: Lila, Lacey, Toni.

Leading up to the party, we had toyed with having a Karaoke and Dance night.  However, the party quickly evolved into a Unicorn-themed birthday bash. Leah and I went to pick out the cake, and she loved it the second she saw it.

The party events included Musical Chairs, a Pinata, Karaoke, and then a sleepover.  Amanda even volunteered to dress as a Pinata while all the kids took swings to get their candy!!

Phew....planning parties sure is exhausting, but I hope you'll remember this one for years to come.

Love,

Daddy
11/20/18

Fall Things 2018

Dear Leah and Logan!

Wow...the last 3 months have been so busy, I forget to write down what we did!  So let's catch up! 

When we got back from Michigan, there was only 2 weeks until school started.  And just like that, our house had a 1st Grader and a 2nd Grader!

1st Day of School 2018

Leah you got Ms. Randolph and Leah got Ms. Miller (Leah's former teacher), and both were excited to have you.  Logan, putting gel in your hair and putting a collar shirt on you is always going to be a challenge, but both of you looked adorable on your first day.

Do yo know what July means in Tennessee?  The Wilson County State Fair!  We met the Tuckers out and since we did our tradition of getting there early...we got to ride all of the rides.

From corndogs to fried oreos, we went full steam ahead. Both of you did all the 'spinny' rides that take you circles that your dad wants no part of. However, I did get forced to go on the Zipper with you. It's a ride that looks like it came straight right from the 1950's (OLD!).  I've never been so close to throwing up on a ride in my entire life!

With the weather still hot into September, we took a family hike today to one of Daddy's old college hiking grounds- Burgess Falls. I was pretty disappointed to learn that a flood had knocked out the ladder to the base of the falls, but we had fun playing in the water with Tinsley.

Then came Logan's first Titan's game at Nissan Stadium.  We got downtown early to enjoy the festivities a bit.  We even found a zipline! Video below...  The Titans didn't play very well and lost to the Ravens, but it was a great 'dudes' day to enjoy some sports!

So how do we traditionally end our fall/autumn?? With the Annual Pizza and Pumpkin Carving at our house!!  We had a great turn-out with the McCarty's and the Fontanetta's....I also want to note that you 2 only do about 5 total minutes of scooping and carving, but at least the kids have fun together!

Pizza and Pumpkins 2018

Let's not forget costumes and Halloween:

"Dino Dad" in the back! Halloween 2018

And after all that....Logan's fall soccer team:

This team was insane and fun! The talent and the personalities are all over the place, but we always came to play hard, and Logan got some great goals, as well as the some great saves as a goalie.

Phew! What a crazy couple of months....all of this was on top of things like gymnastics, and sleepovers, and book fairs....but one of the things I love about you two, is that no matter how busy and crazy our schedules are--you two are ALWAYS up for an exciting new adventure.  Some days you try to strangle each other, and other days you'll sit next to one another and read a book...I never know what's coming.  But I love you both, and I'm super proud of both of you!

Love,
Daddy

The Cabin: 2018 Road Trip!

Dear Leah and Logan,

With a couple of mosquito bites, we survived another week at the Cabin (in Weidman, Michigan).  This year, we rolled into Weidman on Saturday, July 14, 2018. While Isaac and Lucas couldn't come this year, your 2nd cousin Aiden was able to stay for a few days, and you 3 kept each other busy.  Aunt Karen and Uncle Jim brought their camper up again, and we got 5 days of really great weather! Aunt Dee & Uncle Mike, Aunt Mary, and Aunt Patti also joined us during the week.

Every day we went to Coldwater Lake for a few hours, and then, of course, we did our traditional post-lake visit to Cool Dips for ice cream.  Logan, you continued your streak of Superman flavor.

One night, Aiden and Aunt Karen joined us for a night of fishing, and everyone caught something....even me!  On the last cast of the night, I caught a 12 inch catfish.

The highlight of the trip for me was on Monday when we took a trip over to Michigan Adventure and Aunt Dee Dee decided to join us. We split up the entire day between the roller coaster side of the park and the water slide park.  I knew you 2 were really brave, but I didn't think at age 6 and age 7 you'd want to ride Shivering Timbers after you saw it.  I was wrong. To be honest, Leah and Aunt Dee Dee were terrified the entire ride.  But to their credit, we rode the ride again a few hours later, and everyone handled it a little better!

Thanks to Aunt Dee Dee to coming with us and keeping the rides even!

Aside from that, our days were spent enjoying the other Cabin activities like cornhole and archery.  Logan proved to have a pretty good aim with the bb gun too!

I've been coming to the Cabin for 40 years, and there is just something about it's unique, quiet fun that keeps me coming back. I'm glad you 2 are able to enjoy it as well.

Grandma and Your Crazy Great Aunts Putting Up A Tent

Just Hanging Out at Cool Dips

Fishing on Coldwater Lake

I can't wait until our next vacation!

Love,

Dad
8/1/18

Good-Bye K and 1st: Resiliency

 Dear Leah & Logan,

Awards Day, May 2018

Wow! and just like that we have a 1st Grader and 2nd Grader in the house!

Congratulations on the completion of another school year! I can’t believe how fast this year went by. It seems like just last week Leah was standing on the gravel pile modeling a new backpack, and Logan was getting on a school bus for the very first week of school.

Awards Day for Rockvale Elementary was last week. Leah, you received your class’s Most Outstanding (that’s 2 years in a row) from Mrs. Massengale, and Mrs. Smith gave Logan the Super Accelerated Reader Award. Both of your teachers were really good for you both this year, and I’m guessing we are all going to miss

them!

Other highlights and recent events include:

Bird Whisperer

• 3 Ninja Warrior Competitions
• Leah’s Class Trip to the Zoo
• Logan scored 35 goals this Spring Soccer Season (U6)
• Hockey Camp
• Skate Nights!
• Neighbor nights out!

I don't know if it would possible for you two to be any more involved and active as you have been the last year. You've met so many new people through activities and in the neighborhood...I'm glad you're able to branch out and keep meeting new people.

As I look back at this year, I realized there is one thing that I'm super proud of for both of you that I never talk about it: You two are as resilient as they come. You both tackle everything in life full speed

4 Flamingos

ahead and head first. You give everything you have on everything you do and those kind of people are hard to find sometimes. Plus, you two have been through more over the last few years than any 6 and 7 year old should have to endure. I'm sure there have been some super-confusing times, and probably even more times that you didn't get the answers you were looking for. Yet you took everything in stride and conquered all the obstacles in your path....and if you were down, you got back up. So, let me tell you- that's probably the greatest life skill you can have...always getting back up. Remember that...because life isn't always going to go your way.


So we'll head toward a great summer in 2018....and then another school year. But no matter when I decide to give this blog to you, promise me one thing: You'll always get back up. No excuses. No giving up. Just get back up and try again.

Love you both- I'm very proud of you.


Dad
5/22/18

Ninja Warrior Competition, May '18

Hammock Party

Top Goal Scorers Spring '18

Trying Something New: Hockey, Spring '18

All Geared Up for Night 1

Dear Leah and Logan,

This Spring, I was able to get you both into a hockey camp sponsored by the Nashville Predators.  Every Monday in April, we raced up to Ford Ice Center and you 2 laced up your skates!

Grandma and Grandpa joined us on week 1, and I was sure grateful. I had no idea how to get all the equipment on you.  Grandpa played hockey, though, when he was young, and he made it look easy!

Luckily, you both had been on skates when we went to the Murfreesboro Outdoor rink. Rockvale skate nights probably also helped It was pretty obvious that many of other kids had never skated.  However, carrying a stick while skating and chasing a puck, both proved to be quite the adventure.

Every week, you both got better and better, and you both were participating in scrimmages at the end. It was great to see you navigate on skates and chase the puck relentlessly.  It didn't come without falling on your butts a whole bunch, but you popped up every time.

Cadence McCarty Came to Camp, too!

Hockey Camp Group Photo

I was very proud of both of you for trying something new! I want you to always remember that- every once in awhile, just trying something that might seem difficult or outside of your comfort is what life is all about. You might like it....or....You might hate it...or you might not be any good. But at least you can tell yourself that you tried something, and that's what creates great life experiences.

Love you both,

Dad