Merry Christmas

Thought I would share some pics from Christmas morning. We went to Tampa to spend time with Clay's family.

What a blessing!!

Tate has been such a blessing to our family!!! I'm not gonna lie the first few weeks were rough!! Trying to care for 3 kiddos is alot harder than I expected. I also didn't expect for Clay and I to do it alone without the help of family...but looking back now (i'm writing this 18 months later) I realize Clay and I grew some much closer. When Tate was 3 weeks old we all got really sick (except for Clay). Tate had his first ear infection, Mason and Lyla had ear infections and really bad respiratory issues and I was extremely sick trying to care for everybody. To top it all off Clay had planned a hunting trip with the guys in our family and he left town for 4 days...he did send his mom down to the sick ward for backup which was the only way we (Clay especially) all survived.

The big 5

Happy Birthday Mason!! We celebrated with a "Playball" party at Princeton Park. The kids played all kinds of games with a sports theme. Mason had a blast!!

Tate Clayton Rein

Welcome Tate Clayton Rein!!! Born Tuesday, November 24, 2009. He weighed 7lbs. 13oz. Happy and healthy!!! We were able to bring him home after 24 hours which was a wonderful blessing since Mason and Lyla Grace both stayed in the NICU for a week.

No more training wheels!!

Mason is riding his bike with no training wheels!!! A little bribery goes a long way...Clay told him if he learned to ride his Auburn bike without training wheels then he could pick out a new "big boy" bike. It took him about 5 minutes and he was riding on his own!! We are so proud of him! Mason was also happy to pass down his Auburn bike to his cousin Eric...of course after Clay took him to get his new bike!

Tate's Baby Shower

So special to share the evening with my mom :)

My sweet friends (J. Stead, J. Maynard & S. Wright) hosted a baby shower for me to celebrate baby Tate. It was a great night catching up with friends and sharing the excitement of God's new blessing to our family!

Halloween

Halloween night we went to the Armstrong's for a party and trick-or-treating. It was so fun to watch the kids enjoy the night together :) Since Lyla Grace was sick last year she didn't really get to enjoy Halloween so this was her 1st year experiencing going up to the door...she was SOOOO excited to get candy and loved eating it before she put it in the bag :) It was even more special because Nanna was here to share it with us!! (Daddy was at the Auburn vs. Ole Miss game)

Pumpkin Patch

Lyla Grace and I spent the day at the Pumpkin Patch while Clay took Mason to the Auburn vs. Kentucky game. The weather was perfect (sunny and 70) especially for a big pregnant girl :) We had a great time with friends and picking out pumpkins!

Is that Ben Tate???

Mason is in L-O-V-E with Auburn football!!! He wears his jersey to bed every night. He loves watching the game on Saturdays and wants to watch the taped game all throughout the week. Clay is thrilled to have a "buddy" who loves Auburn football as much as he does!!!

Sweet Little Momma

Lyla Grace is obsessed with her babies. She has 9 babies and has named each one of them. She reads to them, feeds them and each one has an assigned sippy cup! I am a little nervous about how she is going to treat Tate when he arrives. It is going to be hard for her to understand that he isn't her baby. So much excitement...

Labor Day Weekend

We spent the weekend in AL with Clay's family. Clay took Mason to the Auburn game with Eric and Will. Lyla Grace and I had a "girl's day" shopping and out to dinner. It was fun spending time with her by myself...she is so sweet!!!

1st day of school

Mason and Lyla Grace started their new school today. They were both so excited to play with friends and meet new ones!! We love their teachers and are excited about a fun year :)

Muddin in Nashville

We spent the day at Edwin Warner park hiking, splashing in the creek and Lyla Grace loved the mud!!

skipping rocks

climbed the hill and down the slide

little muddy buddy!!

Bittersweet

Just got back from Nashville today :( We all had the best time playing and loving on everyone!! Thanks so much Nanna and Grandpa Tim for such a wonderful visit!!!

Day at the Gobble's

We spent our last day in Nashville at the Gobble's pool. The kids swam for 5 hours nonstop and had a blast!!

Mason and Lyla Grace trying to swim together...gotta love sweet moments!

Mason on the slide

Teddy and Lyla Grace swimming together

Mason in his gear :)

Lyla grace and Nanna resting

Grandpa Tim Vacation Day

Grandpa Tim was able to get away from the office and spend the day at the pool with us today :) Mason and Lyla Grace enjoyed playing, swimming and sliding with him...gotta love Grandpa Tim.

Nanna got a little lovin too!!!

Canoe Trip down the Harpeth

Clay was able to fly to Nashville for the weekend and take Mason on a canoe trip down the Harpeth River. The canoe capsized and Grandpa Tim and Clay saved Emma Claire and Mason. I hear it was a very adventurous day on the water...sorry I missed out!!

Muddin in Nashville

We spent the day at Edwin Warner park hiking, splashing in the creek and muddin.

Mason is contemplating getting dirty and then decides definitely not. Lyla says...let the muddin begin :)

It was hilarious watching her enjoy the mud!! It took days to get the mud out from under her fingernails. So glad she can enjoy getting dirty and still be a prissy girl :)

Bird Watching at Nanna's

We arrived in Nashville yesterday to spend 2 weeks with Nanna and Grandpa Tim. The kids helped Nanna fill the bird feeders and anxiously awaited the arrival of all the beautiful birds.

Return to blogging

After talking with my friend Heidi yesterday and then looking at her cool new blog I have returned to blogging. I have made an attempt to blog the last 15 months of our lives in one day...crazy! Mostly pictures but I am hoping to journal more over the next few months...we'll see how that goes :)

Lyla Grace's big girl room

We finished Lyla Grace's room...finally!! She loves sleeping in her big girl bed...especially since it has baby dolls all over the quilt.

Dress up days

The kids have really enjoyed dressing up in costumes since we have been spending so much time at home this summer. So cute...