Star Student!

About a week ago, MJ's teacher started giving out the "Star Student" award to the child who was the biggest "star" in class that day.  I was at the preschool today for Ty's Halloween party and when we went out to the atrium to get MJ, he was beaming....

MJ: "Look, mommy, I was the STAR student today!!!"  (while holding up his cardboard star with pride)

Me (holding back tears): "You must have been such a good boy today!  I am SO, SO proud of you!"

And I am, every day.

Birthday Weekend

My birthday was last Friday (yep, I turned 32)!   My wonderful husband sent a gorgeous bouquet of flowers to me at work while Tammy and Tasha (my incredible medical assistants) decorated our entire pod with balloons and banners in GT colors.





When I finished seeing patients, I came home to my beautiful family. 


Eddie even stopped by to bring me a card and some delicious homemade cupcakes (that he baked himself!)  The boys dug into them while Steve and I went to dinner.





Hubs and I headed out to Decatur and got drinks at a place called Leon’s – I had a yummy cocktail of rum, apples, and salted caramel.  We then walked over to Two Four Six for dinner.  When we got there, Steve told me we were going to sit at the Chef’s table… an intimate tabletop that overlooks the kitchen.  They serve a 5 course meal and don’t tell you what you are going to eat until they present it to you. I am a fairly picky eater so I was a little nervous about it at first, but let me just tell you that it was probably the best meal I have had in Atlanta.  Each course was incredible!  Here is a picture of the hazelnut cake:

 

On Saturday morning, Elizabeth (my dear friend and running partner) came over and we drove up to Chattanooga for the Seven Bridges Marathon. 



As soon as we arrived, we went to the expo and got our race packets.  After a series of mishaps (including one that involved a miscommunication between myself and the reservationist at the hotel – LONG. STORY.), we drove back down to Calhoun to spend the night with Mike and Lee (thanks again for letting us crash at your place)!  That meant that we had to get up extra early to drive back up to Chattanooga for the race.  Elizabeth (who had surgery back in July) was cleared to run the half marathon while I ran the full. 

Miles 10-18 were a little boring because that section was mostly roads/highways, but the rest was was very pretty- we ran over seven bridges (hence the name) and through a few beautiful parks.  The trees were just gorgeous with the leaves changing color.  I was so happy to be back into marathon mode after baby #3! 

Me and Liz

 

After the race, we jumped in the car and drove home.  The kids were very proud of mommy and wanted to wear their medals too!

 

 

Tampa Trip

Go Bucs!

 

A little over a week ago, we went to Tampa to watch the Bucs play the Kansas City Chiefs.  As most of you know, Steve’s brother Andrew is the long snapper for the Buccaneers.  Steve and I decided to only take MJ on this trip – it was going to be too hot for Catelin and Ty is still a little too young to sit through an entire game (and we were  determined to stay until the end!).

 

We flew out Saturday morning- MJ was just as excited about the massage chair in the airport atrium as he was about going on the plane!

 

We spent Saturday getting some sun at the pool and catching up with Andrew and Leah… Mike and Lee were also down for the weekend!  Sunday morning, we dressed up in our Bucs gear and headed to the game. 

MJ and Aunt Leah

 

Steve, MJ, and Uncle Mike

 

Andrew was able to get us passes to go onto the field before the game.  It was such a special treat- especially for MJ (who was enamored the whole time)!  He got to meet a few of the NFL players and even wore Andrew’s helmet!








Those guys look big on t.v., but they are even bigger in person!



MJ had his usual unhealthy food/snacks at the game and had a blast.  The Bucs won 38-10 – YAY! 

Cotton candy!

MJ, Mike, Lee, and Leah
 

A big kiss for Aunt Lee

 

I almost felt guilty about leaving Ty and Catelin at home – but they had a ball while we were gone!  Ms. Lisa watched them Saturday and my parents watched them Sunday and Monday (thank you!). 
 

They saw Cee Lo Green at our local waffle house on Saturday morning:

Ty went to the pumpkin patch with cousin James:




They went on trips to the park and Hippo Hop and Ty even helped fix things around the house with Granddad!






And, of course, Ty enjoyed his decaf latte from Starbucks

Yum- thanks Grandma and Granddad!

 

 

 

Catelin’s Baptism

Catelin was baptized at OLA last Sunday, October 7th.  It was a very special/busy/fun weekend for us.  As you know, Ty turned two on Friday and his birthday party was Saturday.  Sunday morning, I ran the Atlanta half marathon (which was a great race with perfect weather!); then, we went to the 11:30 mass with Catelin’s baptism following.  My whole family was in town for the weekend and everyone on Steve’s side was there except for Andrew and Leah.  Ms. Lisa even came to join in the festivities!

Catelin with her Godparents- Aunt Ann and Uncle Eddie

 

 

It has been increasingly difficult to take all of the kids to mass these days (MJ actually ran up onto the alter during communion one Sunday a few months ago- NOT. EVEN. KIDDING.)  So, we brave it about once a month with the whole family and Steve and I go to separate masses the other weekends.  As you can see from the pictures below- this one was no different.  :)





Catelin’s baptism was wonderful – she didn’t even cry as the Deacon poured the water over her head!    Here are a few pictures from the ceremony:








And some family pictures:

The Engle Side

 

 

The Economos side

After the Baptism, everyone came over to our house for a cookout.  It was a gorgeous afternoon and the kids had a ball playing outside.  Catelin was pooped after a fun-filled morning and took a long afternoon nap.

“God Bless Catelin”

 

 

Our sweet girl

 

 

With her Grandmas!

 

 

The weekend was made even more special when Ann and Jeff announced that they are expecting their first child in April!  We couldn’t be happier for them…and MJ, Ty, and Catelin can’t wait to meet their cousin!

 

 

Ty Turns Two!

Happy birthday, Ty!! 

 

 

Ty has been celebrating his second birthday for a week now.  Four of the kids in one of our playgroups turned two within a week of each other, so we had a party for all of them last Wednesday.  They had a great time- and (as you can see below), Ty LOVED the cake!


The two year-olds: Zack (in blue), Ty, Vivi (in pink polka dots), and Reese (you can only see her hair in this pic!)





Friday was Ty’s actual birthday, so I took the day off of work and we went to the zoo.  It was so nice to have some alone time with him.  He had a ball telling me about all the animals and the sounds they make (especially the lion- ROAR!). 







On Saturday morning, we threw a train-themed birthday party for him in our backyard.  We had a balloon lady (who made almost ANYTHING out of balloons- it was incredible!), a bounce house, tons of bubbles, and homemade playdough.  There were about thirty kids there and everyone had a blast!  I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

My little pirates

 

 

Catelin and Ms. Lisa

 

 

A kiss for our sweet boy

 

 

The Engle side of the family (Ann and Jeff were in from Florida!).  I hate that Catelin missed the picture, but she needed her beauty sleep!

 

 

The Economos side

 

 

This morning, I went to OLA for Ty’s classroom party - they sang Happy Birthday and ate oreos.  It was adorable.




Another year has passed, and I can’t believe my precious baby boy is two.  I will do his two year update later, but let’s just say that my nickname for him is “bruiser” – he is one tough cookie. 

Happy two years, my precious Ty Ty.