My Old Kentucky Home

We’re back!!!

That’s right, we are finally back after being away for two weeks. (Thanks, Val for taking care of our house and our furry kids while we were gone.) We spent one week in Kentucky and one week in The Smoky Mountains with my family. It was our first vacation with Brennan and although we did have a lot of fun, it is very nice to be back home. If you’re up for a picture-heavy blog post, read on.

Brennan experienced his first plane ride. He was a good flyer and only made a few fusses. We had a lay over in Baltimore.

He fell asleep right before we boarded the plane in Baltimore, but woke up before the plane took off and was awake for the remainder of that flight.

My sister and dad met us at the airport. It was my dad’s first time seeing Brennan! Lauren said he teared up as we were walking towards him, but he held it together while he held Brennan. I didn’t take pictures at the airport, but here he is with Lauren and with my dad.

We arrived in KY on Wednesday and weren’t leaving for Tennessee until Saturday, so we had a few days to relax. Ha! There is never much relaxing when we’re at home; too many people to see. We stayed at my parents’ house, also known as “Marilyn’s Bed and No Breakfast”

We saw Kyle’s dad, brother, and Linda. We went out to dinner with Kyle’s friends Danny and Deirdre. We also went to dinner with Kyle’s extended family.

We also got to see my old roommate, Val, when we ate at Steak-n-Shake. YUM!

We started driving on Saturday, but made a stop in Lexington to see the old gang there and eat some Chick-fil-a!

Then we finally made it to Tennessee! My mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, half-sister, two nephews, and granny were already there. Instead of writing about each and every single day, I’ll just post some pictures with captions of some of the highlights of our time in the Smokies!

We went swimming almost every morning.

We met Laura and Peter in Spartanburg, SC!

Brennan watched some TV. (Without mommy knowing about it!)

We ate good food! This is the whole gang at the Mellow Mushroom.

We went to Ripley’s Aquarium.

My nephew, Tevin, went bungee jumping.

We had my family's traditional breakfast at The Apple Barn!

And of course, Brennan got spoiled rotten!

On Saturday, we drove back to Kentucky and finished making the rounds of seeing everyone!

We visited with Kris and Phil who just recently moved back from Germany.

We also saw Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton. Thanks for a great dinner and for our birthday presents!

Here are a few more of my favorite photos from our vacation.

Tonight it was great to pull into the driveway and see this:

Time for a vacation from our vacation! :)

Mommy's So Funny

Check out Brennan laughing at me as I keep jumping out from behind the couch!

Young Adult Fellowship

Earlier this evening the Young Adult Sunday school class at our church had a get together up at Bethel Park (land owned by GHBC in Ledyard, CT). Kyle and I haven't been back to Sunday school since Brennan was born. We have to be at church early on Sunday mornings for praise team practice and I end up having to feed Brennan during Sunday school, so the timing doesn't work out so well for us. It was good to fellowship with everyone. Kyle and I invited a lot of new couples that just recently started going to our church and some that haven't attended before, so it was also a good outreach.

It was certainly hot out there, but Brennan managed to get lots of loving. Enjoy some pictures of our day!

I think he looks so cute in his little hat!

Here is our Sunday school teacher, Arla, holding B. What a good smile for Daddy!

Here is our friend Amanda and her daughter, Emma.

Friday's Fab Five - SUYL - Meet Val

Happy Friday! Welcome to a very special (and early) edition of Friday's Fab Five!

Over at Kelly's Korner, people are linking up and sharing about their single friends.

I would like for you to meet my {FABULOUS} friend Valerie. She is 32 years old, a music teacher, and lives in Connecticut.


What makes her fabulous? I could come up with WAY MORE than five things, but you'll have to let me know if you'd like more information!

1. She is an amazing Christian! As she says on her blog, she's "just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life, trying to do my best for the Lord each day." She is actively involved at our church. She serves with the youth group and is a mentor for the teens both in and out of church.

2. She's a super talented musician! As I mentioned before she is a music teacher. She teaches at an inner city middle school and does an amazing job. She plays the flute. She also sings in the choir and praise team at church.

3. She loves her family. She is a wonderful daughter, sister, and aunt. She would do anything for her family.

4. She has a great sense of humor. If you spend more than five minutes with Val, you'll be laughing. She is always looking for the positive in all situations!

5. She is a fabulous friend! She has been there for me in good times and bad. She is a great listener and gives great advice, even if it is hard to hear at the time.

Basically...she's awesome! And I cannot wait to see the fabulous man God is going to place into her life.

Finally, here are some words from Val. She says she's a lover of: jesus, the red sox, my friends, washing dishes, all things pink, praise and worship, naps, my family, hanging out, fenway park, my car and the rockers on my parent's front porch.

Want more info?!?!

Leave a comment with your email address!

Family Cookout!

On Saturday we drove up to Southington to Uncle Billy and Aunt Sherri's house. Uncle Tommy and Aunt Wanda were up visiting from Kentucky. Beth, Luke, and Taylor were there too! It was neat having some of that side of the family together because it was Mamaw's birthday. We all miss her very much and many of the foods we were eating reminded us of her! Brennan certainly got spoiled. Probably just a little preview of how spoiled he will get when we travel to Kentucky in a little over a week. Although I'm not sure we're going to be able to get his Geegee to put him down!

Here's Brennan and Miley (Beth and Luke's dog).


Here's Brennan with Billy and Sherri.


Here's Brennan with Tommy and Wanda.


Here's Brennan with Beth and Luke.


Here's Brennan with Taylor. He would only hold him while sitting down.




Here's the whole gang (minus Kyle who was taking the picture).


And one more (minus Taylor who was taking the picture).


Nice funny face Kyle!