Beach Baby, Beach Baby, there on the sand...

Well...this was an unexpected little vacation. It started out as a family road-trip to the ocean for 1 day and possibly 1 night, but turned into a 5 day, 4 night stay. Isabelle and Jacob (via their grandparents) decided to use their birthday money for a longer stay in Florida. We found a seriously GREAT DEAL (better than a motel!) at this cute little Pineapple Beach Resort. As you can see, it was right on the ocean front with awesome views, plus it was small and had a private beach so it was WAY less crowded. The weather was great.


Here's Jakey and his poor, wrapped-up pinky, looking down at everyone else having fun in the pool. We eventually let him in the pool and one of us just kept a hold of his left hand to keep it from getting submerged. Of course, the kids spent most of their time in the pool because, you know, that's really why you drive 10 hours...not for the beach. :~) Actually, they did enjoy the beach and it was Isabelle and Jacob's first time to the ocean. The water was warm...yet cool enough to cool you down from the heat. Perfect! Unfortunately, by the 2nd day, there was a lot of seaweed. Big bunches that would wash up on the beach. Apparently, some storms farther out to see kicked up the ocean floor...which usually doesn't happen until August. It was still beautiful though. For the first week home, I actually found myself missing that salty sea smell that permeated the humid air down there. ***sigh*** :~) Farewell until another time, dear ocean.

New Age...New Room

Well, my little girl...oops...I mean Brooklynn is growing up. So down came the pink princess decorations and the search began for a new room theme (on a tight budget) for my super-cool, super-mature 8 year old. :~) Brooklynn likes lots of things but some things she loves are music (rock-and-roll, mostly) art (drawing, painting, sketching, and even writing & illustrating her own short stories) performing her own dance recitals and play-acting. Can we say "Drama Queen"? Anyway, this room seemed to fit her cool, funky style plus gives the girls a neat place to display their art work (without using TAPE on my walls!). We drilled a few eye-hooks into the wall then strung wire that is used to hang picture frames though the eye hooks and twisted the ends until it was tight. Then and added mini-wooden-clothes-pins from the craft store, that I painted the different colors from her bed spread. They are perfect for hanging up their projects.

A Beary Fun Day!

AWESOME!! That would be one word to describe this party. Broolynn and Isabelle along with a few close friends (and mom's) went to Build-A-Bear at the West Town Mall in Knoxville. We had a small party scheduled which came with our own "guide" who was so sweet and enthusiastic and made the girls feel extra special.


They each got a new furry friend and cool outfit then we headed to the food court for lunch. Okay Moms...here's the deal. I figured the cost if I had a "friend" party at our house (lunch, cake, ice cream, decorations, games and prizes...not to mention the precious TIME to clean up before and after...remember, I also had a baptism and gathering to plan) and then I looked at the cost for this and this option was great!!! I scheduled a small party online for B.A.B. which gave several discounts, then I brought my own cooler-on-wheels with the ice cream (on sale) party-table-ware (on sale) grocery store cupcakes (good deal) soda pop (great sale) and I had a coupon for a chicken nugget party tray from Chick-Fil-A in the Food Court. While we were picking up the chicken tray, the other moms (thanks gals) spread out the table-ware and got drinks for the kiddos. The tray came with an assortment of dips and it was just the right amount of food along with cupcakes and ice cream. And finally, when it was time to go, we folded up the plastic table covering with all the dirty plates, etc, and stuffed it in the trash! Can I get an "Oooooh yeah"!!!! The best part for me...easy-peasy, no stress, so I could enjoy the day and have a blast with my kids. Loved it!!!

It's GREAT to be 8!

Wow! What a huge milestone in Brooklyn's life and in mine! I've been thinking about this day for 8 years now and it was on my mind a lot the past 6 months...but it really feels like I blinked...and the day was here. We've talked to Brooklynn several times in earnest about this important step and tried out best to prepare her and hope it was enough. Honestly...the day before and this morning were a little stressful for me...there were several things that totally slipped my mind like speakers, music...you know, little stuff :~) As I watched from the side of the baptismal font as my precious little girl went underneath the water and then rose out of it in a symbol of her faith in Jesus Christ and what He does for us..I said a little prayer that Brooklynn's little 8 year-old heart would somehow be able to understand what a wonderful thing it was that she was doing. As she walked out of the water and I wrapped her in a towel and hugged her, I noticed she was shivering...and smiling. She wasn't cold but she was shivering from excitement! She bounced up and down saying, "I did it! I did it! I can't believe I did it! I'm so happy! I'm a member of Jesus' church!" And that right there, ladies and gentlemen, was all a I needed to ease my heart and soul. For that moment in time, I think my heart felt as blissed-out as Brooklynn's seemed to be. It was perfect.


The party afterwards was a lot of fun. Especially watching all the kids trying to be pro-hoola-hoopers!

2nd Grade Graduation

Brooklynn was on the High Honor Roll and earned straight A's. Way to go Brooky!!



Here is Brooklynn with her best friend, Kayla. They are soooo cute together! They think each other is the funniest person on earth and they really seem to bring out the best in each other. I am so glad Brooky has such a good friend.

Easter Fun

On our way out the door to church.


Look what I found!!!

How do ya get this thing open?!?

Hey...there's candy in these things!!

Howdy folks...we're still here. Russ isn't much of a "blogger" so now that I'm working outside of the home, the blog is gonna have to wait until the weekends. We've been having all sorts of fun this winter. We have had more snow this winter than in the past 10 years! We've gone sledding, made snow angels and Brooklynn made her first snowman over the Christmas weekend when we got snowed-in at Russ' grandma's house out in the hills. I hop e you all had a wonderful Christmas too.

One evening, we were all in different rooms of the house doing different things...when I suddenly realized it was too quiet. Now, Jacob was quietly sleeping and Brooklynn was quietly working on a project...but my sweet, energetic middle-child rarely does anything quietly :~) so off I went to investigate. When I entered the kitchen, I found this...

I Love Fall

The Fall is my favorite time of the year! I love the bright, clear sunshine together with the slight chill in the air...it reminds me of all the fun holidays and family get-togethers that are on their way. This Fall has been a crazy one for us. New baby, new job, new family-dynamic, etc. Russ is adjusting to being a stay-at-home-dad and I am adjusting to being back at "work"...although in my opinion being a home-maker is STILL the toughest & most important job in the WORLD. And, yes, I do miss it...though I feel extremely blessed to be back at ORNL credit union. They have been sooo good to me. So we are ALL adjusting quite well to everything. Jacob is such a BLESSING!!!! He is the best baby in the world and I cannot imagine my life without him. He has such a pleasant personality and practically exudes joy and happiness. It is seriously impossible to be in a bad mood when you're around him. Just as his baby-blessing foretold, he is a "mighty example" and an "inspiration". The girls are so cute with him! They love to cuddle and coo with him...and Brooklynn is quite the nurturing little "mommy". I absolutely ADORE my little family and am so thankful for every moment. I just pray that I can be everything for them that they need and deserve.

Luigi and Mario!

We celebrated Halloween on Saturday night this year with dinner, games and trunk-or-treat at church. At first Brooklynn wanted to be Sonic the Hedgehog, which was going to take quite a bit of time and creativity on my part, so I was happy when she fell in love with this "Iron-ette" costume. (Think Iron Man's younger, super-cute sister) Red and shiny with a cape and boots!!! What's NOT to love? (Brooky dressed up as a scientist for school.) Izzy wanted to wear the good-witch, hand-me-down costume. Only Izzy can make a witch look angelic! And I finally succeeded in getting Russ to "dress-up" for Halloween this year. We used eyeliner to darken in his "scruff" and make his eyes look akin to Captain Jack Sparrow. He blackened out a tooth and donned some minor costume items and VIOLA...Captain Russ Williams, aarrgh!

Well, hello there!

We're still here! Sorry it's been so long since I've posted, but we've had alot of changes around here. In addition to a new baby, Russ and I have had a change in careers. After 8 years in the insurance business, we decided to get out. The stress of sales along with the expenses of running a business made Russ realize that insurance just isn't what he wants to do until he retires. So I have gone back to work and he is at home with the kiddos while studying to get certified in repairing computers. Talk about changing things up!! Blessedly my old employer ORNL Credit Union was hiring and the timing was just right to where I was able to actually go back into my same position at the same location! It's been an adjustment for both of us, but we're all doing great! Russ is, as always, an awesome daddy!! He is a natural...we just hope he'll be able to find more time to study once we find a good routine. :~) So here are some pics of what we've been up to lately.

7/25 First smile caught on camera. 7/31 Grandma Su-Su's visit to TN. Brooklynn was introduced to the wonders of shopping. Thanks Grandma! :~)

8/1 Jacob's Blessing Day. 8/12 Brooklynn's first day of 2nd grade.

8/28 Grandpa Tom & Grandma Diane's visit to TN. We went to Dolly Parton's restaurant/show, The Dixie Stampede and we went sight-seeing at the top of the mountain that overlooks our county. Poor Diane got stung under her eye while we were trudging through the woods. :~( Other than that we had a wonderful time.

9/14 My adorable LiTtLe MaN!! The camera makes his hair (what little he has left) look blonde but it's actually light brown. It may lighten up to a dark blonde like Isabelle's did, though. Both my girls have big, beautiful blue eyes but Jacob definately has the Hodges-squinty-eyes. His pretty, blue eyes nearly disappear when he smiles...just like his momma. :~) He is such a good baby! He sleeps through the night with only the occassional night-time feeding. He has the most gorgeous smile which he loves to show off. It seriously melts your heart! He is very interactive now. He looks at you very intently when you talk to him and he tries to talk back. He makes all sorts of cute faces and coos at you and spits bubbles. Very talented, of course! Brooklynn is enamored with Jacob. She "aaaaah"s at everything he does and bursts with pride at everything he does. Isabelle also loves her baby brother...sometimes a little too much! We have to keep an eye on her. ;~)

12 Days Old

Jacob Russell Williams in 12 days old today. Although he is screaming as I type this :) he is really a very content baby. He eats good and sleeps good with minimal fussiness in the evenings. He's definitely a cuddler and prefers to be held. (I hope he gets a little more independant as he gets older and more alert...so my house doesn't always look like it does at the moment) He is sweet as can be and it is near impossible to resist kissing those cheeks of his. I better go relieve Daddy, but I will try to get more pics with his eyes open as soon as I can. Love y'all!

The 2 Hannahs trying to entertain themselves while stuck inside. It's just too hot and humid past 11 am lately. Luckily, they're pretty imaginative.