Fall 2020 Pictures

Bonnie always does such a great job no matter what mood or setting we have. This photo session didn't disappoint!

I love my sweet boys face in this one. He has such a tender heart and yet is so steadfast in his opinions. He has no filter, letting you know just what he is thinking. We laugh often about how he will listen intently to a conversation and then drop a one liner that will have you rolling. He doesn't budge a bit when he delivers it either. Layne gives the best hugs to those he loves. He doesn't hug just anyone though. His affection is only for those he truly trusts and knows. He does talk a lot more to people even if he they aren't part of our usual circle of family and friends. 

Oh and I must mention how much Layne acts and looks like his daddy! They are definitely twins! Only difference is Layne's lighter hair and the fact he likes more foods than Tyler ever has!

And this one, he is tender hearted, too. But quiet and more reserved. He is growing so much and so fast. I have to stop every so often and just be with him cause I feel he is so independent and quiet. We are usually talking about sports or food when we go to and from school. Garyn loves to check ESPN and we are currently all apart of a Fantasy Football League. He manages my team for me.

Almost as tall as Tyler!

Our baby girl is growing up, too. I see this picture and cringe a little because she looks so grown and beautiful. She is a strong willed yet sweet girl who challenges me daily. She has opinions, wants and desires that sometimes go against what Tyler and I say. Imagine that! But man, she is my little shadow. We love to shop at Goodwill, play dress up, paint each other's nails, watch girly movies and decorate together. She will be a wonderful wife and mother one day!

Now here is the funny story of this session. Layne had spent the night at Nana and Poppa's the night before. We had a big dinner there before heading to meet Bonnie. On the way downtown, Layne fell asleep. We had gotten there earlier so let him sleep about 30 mins and then woke him up. He was ok but a little irritable. Well when he kept running off and not cooperating for pictures, Tyler said, "Boy, I'm gonna crush your skull if you don't get over here" Layne took that quite literal and this was what we got for that picture......

It was funny to everyone but Layne. I don't think we got many pictures of Layne after that because he was up under the bushes hiding from Tyler half the time. And in a cascade effect, Garyn was getting mad at Layne which got him in trouble and  he started to cry, too. But hey, like I said, Bonnie always gets the best of our craziness!

Somehow, we just laugh it off every time. The craziness will only last a little longer and then we will miss it!

End of the school year 2017-2018

Garyn and Ansley had a great school year with lots of learning. Layne also started learning a lot this year in mother's day out.

Garyn had Mrs. Elrod for 4th grade. He liked his class and was with several kids he had been in class with before.

He ran cross country and track again this year.
He was able to decrease his running time to less than 8 mins.

 Garyn also had his first "job" this past year. He had to "interview" he said to be a tutor for the Kindergartners and First graders. He actually just raised his hand and volunteered. It was super cute though to hear him talk so big about his "job". At the end of the year, he also was given the job to help all the 5th grade girls down the steps at graduation. He did so well acting polite throughout the graduation. I teared up thinking what a good young man he is becoming!

For the first time, Garyn played football last fall. Tyler was an assistant coach for the team. It was a fun, learning season for him. The number 52 was Tyler's number in high school; it was neat to see him with "Rich" on the back as well. He says he wants to play again next year and eventually play college at UTK! Big dreams!

Ansley cheered for the Soddy Kids Club and was able to cheer at a couple of Garyn's games. She still loves gymnastics and cheering.

He also did Science Olympiad for the second time. While he didn't place in any event, he and TJ, his teammate, barely missed the mark.

Garyn played basketball for the 4th-5th grade Basketball school team. Tyler coached him and they had a good season. Garyn has gotten better at defense and offense being much more focused; in tune with the game and where he needed to be.

Garyn played 9/10 baseball this spring and while they didn't have a winning season, they played hard and came close several games. Garyn has gotten really good at being the catcher.

Ansley had Ms. Dent this year. Garyn had also had her in 1st grade.

Ansley did really well learning to read more fluently. She struggled some in math but will be doing some tutoring this summer to help her stay on track.


Ansley hopes to play basketball for the school next year. She played for Upward this winter to get herself prepared for next year.

Ansley also played soccer for the first time. She hadn't ever asked before but seems to be getting into sports more. She catches on quick; never complaining about practice or games.

Layne also had a great year in preschool. He continued at Rechoboth in the 3 year old room since he will be going to Kindergarten just after turning 6 years old. He loved having Brinkley in his class.

After Christmas time, he started asking if he could go to school on days he wasn't supposed to. So he started attending Stuart Heights preschool program 1 day a week; meaning he went a total of 3 days a week to "school".

Layne started learning to write his name well this past year. We also worked on counting to 30 and reading some sight words. Layne recognizes at least half of the alphabet letters now, as well.

Layne played baseball for his first time this spring. He absolutely loved it and did well.

Now we get to enjoy summer hoping it never ends!

First Day of School, 4th grade; 1st grade; and preschool

Summer goes so fast! We are already in school full swing but wanted to remember the fun excitement about our first days this past fall!

Garyn didn't say much about school in the days leading up. That night before he did say he was excited to see everyone and see who all was in his class. Mrs. Elrod is his teacher this year.
The 4th and 5th grade hall is in the back of the school so we haven't been back there much! Neither of us knew much about Mrs. Elrod so we were both anxious to see how this year would go!

There were several people in his class he had never been in class with. I'm still trying to remember everyone's names. And as usual, he is doing well in class and Mrs. Elrod is great!

Ansley had a familiar face! Ms.Dent was Garyn's teacher for 1st grade, not that she remembers that!
Even still, Ansley was excited to have the same teacher. She doesn't have many people in her class from last year so that took getting used to. I went to eat lunch with her one day and she was sitting with boys.(Not that this is bad, she just usually plays with girls more) I asked about it and she said she wanted to sit there so she would be next to her friends from last year sitting at a table next to her. She has since started making friends with girls in her class but it took some getting used to. She also had to get back in the swing of being away from mom and home. She cried a few times after the first few days, not wanting to go. We had to start offering a shopping spree for not crying all week. She loved that idea! After two weekends, we scaled it back until we didn't even need to mention it anymore.

Ansley was pretty excited the night before, I went to lay at her first day outfit and found that she had already done that and had shoes ready too!

Layne has his same teacher and is in the 3 year old room again since he won't go to Kindergarten til 2019. He now has class with Brinkley though so he was excited about that! (And we love Ms. Debbie who he has again!) The first day of school, we got report that Brinkley held his hand all day and another girl was kissing him on the cheek! Starts young these days......:)

Layne still likes school for now and gets excited most days. He did however have a couple of weeks were, when I took him, he cried to not go. He would go fine for Pop.

I totally forgot to do his picture in front of the chalkboard but here is him starting to write his name!