Keepin' Up with Hunter Bug

Just a couple of weeks ago, Alison asked me to take some pictures of Hunter since he was turning 2...already!! So we went to Downtown Knoxville and let him run wild! It was so fun! I ran around (like a crazy person)and snapped picture after picture. Here are just a few of the pics that I think turned out pretty darn good! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Hunter!

Saturday was Hunter's 2nd Birthday party at the Bounce House! It was a blast! Everyone, even the adults, had a great time!














"I got that shot, did you get this picture??"






All that playing has made Kainaan thirsty.




We needed a little sugar fix, too.






It was a nice turn-out!


My baby patiently waiting for his cake.




He's still sitting...patiently waiting for cake.


Alison, Brett, and Hunter












Oh, its CAKE! They are being so good!




Nice blue teeth...that icing was yummy!


Of all the presents, Hunter wants the balloons...just like every kid!

A Mother's Day To Remember

So I was not home with my baby for Mother's Day, but in Hammond at Tickfaw State Park surrounded by some of the BEST women in the world! My Mom and her sisters and their daughters decided to have a retreat weekend in memory of my Grandma Bess. We talked and laughed and cried. We strolled down memory lane all the way back to the 1890's!! I always knew my past was full of colorful women, but being a mom now made me really appreciate it and truly embrace it! For so long, there was so much to be whispered about and memories that everyone carried some shame for, but NO MORE! Its our past, and we are the legacy...its not a fairytale, but its history, its family history, and its a part of us! My Great Grandma Gish and my Grandma Bess endured more than anyone could imagine and I am so VERY PROUD to say that they are MY Grandmothers! And I will carry our colorful and complicated past with me with my head held high for always! And I know that my female cousins there this weekend feel the same! We are the women of Great Grandma Gish and Grandma Bess, and will be forever grateful for the struggles they lived through. Its their strength and wisdom that course through our veins and with that I will say,

"Happy Mother's Day to all Moms! And we are all in a league of our own!"

This was the best saying at this little church just outside the park. Fitting for our weekend.

Mom and Aunt Silva hanging by the bank of the creek.

The 3 Muskateers getting into....something!?!?

Jen and Amy just hanging out and talking.

What the hell is Mom doing?? Haha!!

Why do we always end up in the kitchen?? Cookin' and a cussin'

Aunt Effie, Aunt Silva, and Aunt Ester cleaning...

And Mom being the baby and playing around instead of working! HAHA!!

Renae and Aunt Effie going over some history...Renae has been working on our geneology for 2 years!! Its amazing!

Kainaan's Class Pictures

Here are Kainaan's class pictures. He has 3 classes left for the year! I can't believe it, where has this school year gone!?!? I think they should go year round! :-)

This is his Monday Class with Ms. Sheryl and Mrs. Mitzi.


This is his Wednesday class with Mrs. Mitzi and Mrs. Becca.