Future Volunteer...

We're off to a good start!

We went to the Memphis game this past Saturday and despite the loss we had tons of fun! Andrew had a great time watching the game and the entertainment, while Davis had a nice nap!
After the game Andrew got a few things signed by Coach Pearl. Look behind the table right between Bruce and Bob Kesling to find Andrew. He didn't think he needed to wait in line and just made himself at home getting right up there between them! Andrew enjoyed some court time of his own. Not to be that bragging mom, but the boy can dribble!We got a picture of some of our crew up in the box while we waited. We also got a picture of Andrew with Bob Kesling (the voice of the Vols)!

A day at the circus

We went to the circus on Sunday with Andrew (Davis had to stay with Mimi since he had gotten sick Saturday night)! We had a good time, although it was very different from the Ringling Bros. three circus of years ago. I actually still prefer the Shriner's circus over this one.
Andrew had a good time though and I think the highlight for him was the white tigers!

Playing in the "snow"

The boys and and I were hanging out this morning waiting for the carpet guys to arrive and noticed all the snow coming down outside. I bundled Andrew up and sent him on the back deck while I got Davis dressed. Not knowing how long this snow would last, I had to get a picture of the boys before it stopped snowing and melted.
Kevin came home for lunch and since it was still snowing and sticking a little this time, we decided to try for a few more pics and then Andrew and Kevin had a little snow ball fight out on the back deck. Lucky for me, I was able to capture the fun from the safety of inside.
They even built a tiny little snowman! Sadly it was time for daddy to head back to work, with a promise to go outside again after work if it was still snowing. Andrew had to come back in and admire the snow from inside.

First introduction to the Wii

So yesterday we promised Andrew that we would pull out the Wii and let him have his first go at it. To my surprise he did well with some of the games that didn't require a lot of button pushing and such. He beat me at tennis the first time and then he "beat" me again during boxing. Kevin was thrilled at the prospect of having a new video game buddy, especially since attempts to convert me have failed for the most part. When it was all said and done, I think he was secretly a little disappointed that he didn't immediately pick up on all games and become a little vidoe game protege. Of course Davis was close by making note of all the new skills his brother was learning, he may pick up on this earlier than I'd like.

Band Practice at the McArthur House

This is a typical night at our house. Too bad, we didn't get a very good video to capture the sound for your listening pleasure!

Andrew even plays the guitar behind the head (where he learned this trick, I can't be sure)!

Pump knot or goose egg...

No matter what you call it, we've got them. Many of you may recall the famous picture of Andrew and his battle wound after having an encounter with the door frame/trim.
Well now little brother has gotten his first one. Here is Davis' first battle scar wound after some rough housing with big brother (actually Andrew had just left and Davis just hit the coffee table leg perfectly). Although it isn't quiet as big and impressive as his older brother's, he did get his at a much younger age.
At least we made it 8 months without incident. I imagine we will see a few more pump knots/goose eggs on both boys over the next few years.

MIA

We've been a little MIA the last week or so, partly because we are recovering from a busy holiday season and partly because we have been finishing the boys playroom. Here are a few pictures from the last week or so. Pictures of the finished room will be posted soon. We are awaiting carpet installation!

A picture of the boys hanging out in the kitchen after a long day of working in the basement.
Davis playing peek-a-boo after getting back from dinner one night.
Andrew helping daddy paint the basement stairwell.

Christmas across the state!

We started off our Christmas festivities on the 24th at Anne's house here in Knoxville. We had Christmas dinner, watched Mark and Melissa's episode of DIY to the Rescue, and then opened tons of great gifts. We had a great time Nana, Yia-Yia, and Mark!
Then it was off to West Tennessee for Christmas Eve dinner, we got there just in time to make cookies for Santa before sitting down to eat a huge and delicious not so traditional dinner of brisket, sea food gumbo, and tons of other yummy goodies.We had our first annual fireworks show (great idea Uncle Bob and Cousin Susan)! Finally it was time for gifts. Again, the boys got tons of wonderful goodies, Thanks Doc, Mom-mom, Pooty, Nanny Goat, Sandra, Jake, Bob, Brenda, Stacey, Stephanie, Nick, and Susan!Then we set out our Santa cookies and milk and headed off to bed. The boys woke up early, as expected, and anxiously waited in their new matching pj's to go downstairs and see what Santa had brought.
After playing with all our new toys for a bit, it was time for breakfast and more gifts under the tree. Thanks G-Pop, G-Nana, G-Dada, Mimi, Randy, Sarena, Rae-Rae, Russ, and Susan for all the great gifts! Finally it was time to sit back and relax, play some trivial pursuit, eat some more of course, and play with all our new toys! I see tons more days like this one in our future!

Pre Christmas Festivities

I wanted to post a few highlights from our pre Christmas festivities before the holiday fun begins and we forget about these.

We went to a Christmas party the other night and had a blast. Santa made an appearance and handed out gifts for the kids. Andrew took his gift from Santa with a big smile of course and was even captured with his hand on Santa's hand!!!!!
We also got a few pictures of the boys with a large dancing Santa statue and a decent family shot.
Then we headed to Nana's house the other night for pizza and gingerbread house making time!!! Andrew did a great job, loved every second of it, and of course had more than his fair share of sugar!!! Happy Holidays from Santa's little helper and rudolph's protege!!!!