Blog Hiatus

Well ... it's been a while ... but we're back! Caroline is creeping up on 16 months (this weekend) and in full-time daycare, Ben is nearly finished with his first quarter of year #2 of school, and I'm still busy working away. We had a great summer and now settling back into the school/Fall routine.

It's amazing how much Caroline has changed over the past few months. For those of you that haven't seen her in a while - she has a great disposition and personality. Very easy-going and all-around cute (of course, we're biased) and curious. She has about 20 "favorite" words ... from cheese, shoes, socks, Bo-Bo to Go Gators! (her latest from Aunt Shelley), Mimi, cookie and doggie ... she is chatting up a storm. She loves the daycare (Timmy is there three days a week - what's not to love?) and has enjoyed making some new friends.

Ben and I have been busy - trying to take advantage of nights out and hanging with friends. We've enjoyed entertaining at our new place (yes, we moved AGAIN at the beginning of August) and drinking vino and grilling up steaks on the patio. We've had a few weddings (congrats to Tim & Jo, Ed & Erin, and Luke & Arianne!) since the end of August ... and of course Ben has tons to do for school. Between "Finance Day," recruiting and networking events, being a TA for an old professor this year, and general schoolwork, Ben's a busy guy with lots of late nights and Monster drinking. But through it all, he keeps a great attitude and we are so proud of him. Hard to believe he'll be back in the workforce in no time!

The latest addition to our family was a new (gently used) car purchase in September. Aunt Susie sold us her Saturn VUE and we're thrilled to have more space for the ever-growing Caroline and all of her things! Jim bought our old car and flew out to pick it up a few weeks back. It was a short trip, but good to see him before his last CPA exam and the start of his new job. Many of you know that Jim was laid off during the summer, but he's working with Uncle Jerry at Altom Transport as the "CFO's right-hand man." He's in week 2 and seems to be doing great so far.

Here are a few recent photos of Caroline and Timmy's trip to the pumpkin patch last weekend - the weather was fabulous and they really had a fun time running around and checking out all the cool things (e.g., slides, Noah's ark, petting zoo, tunnels, pumpkin picking area, etc.). What a great way to end the weekend!

This Saturday we're gearing up for Maggie's birthday bash ... YMNO (Young Mom's Night Out). We've already prepped the pull-out couch for Maggie and Kaylee to spend the night. Break out the vino ... the Trader Joe's appetizers ... we're ready to party!

Have a great week everyone. Stay tuned for more updates!