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Grumpy came up to visit us last weekend and, of course, to run the half marathon! Jason, Hank, and I got to go to see him run. Hank was so excited to watch Grumpy run and even cheered on all the other runners!

Taking a cheering break to wear Daddy’s shoes

We found Grumpy at mile 4! RUN GRUMPY RUN!

We even got to see some more friends! Ms Julie and Ms Sharon from my work…they ran the whole 26.2 miles!!!

And we saw Chris…look closely, he is fast!

After mile 4 we went around to the finish line at the Coliseum. To say it was crowded would be an understatement. So, the Bynums found the only square inch of shade available and parked ourselves. We kept ourselves pretty entertained until Grumpy found us!

We found Aunt Alex and her buddies!

Alex and Chris

Grump was a little worn out…it was HOT!

Grumpy finished with GREAT time and we are so proud of him! In fact, since Saturday hank will randomly break out into yelling “Run Bumpy!” and take off running…super cute!

The Flowers Girls invited us to play at the zoo with them this week. Of course, we accepted… I would NEVER turn down a chance to go to the zoo and Hank would NEVER turn down a chance to see Charlotte!

We saw a few of our favorite animals but spent most of the time playing in the bouncie house and on the playground…which is awesome!

Hoe cute are these two?!?

Tackle!

Don’t worry! Miss Charlotte can hold her own! Maybe that’s why they play so well together?

Sweet Caroline

It took us a little while but we finially found the smaller kids playground which was really fun and way less crowded. We had to do some major “off roading” in the strollers but it was totally worth it!

Charlotte was kind enough to share her sunglasses with Hank!

We love these girls! We are keeping our finger crossed that they make a move for the West coast sooner than later!

Today was such a beautiful day that we just had to get out and enjoy it! We called up the Newell family and met them at the Nashville Zoo. You might remember our post from last year, also featuring the Newells…they must be our zoo buddies.

Ava & Hank are ready to go in our awesome wagon (Thanks Aunt Janine & Uncle Carl!) that even has a UV protection cover!

Checking out the Meerkats

Love those pigtails on Ava! She is just the cutest!

Hank & Daddy watching Zebra…this exhibit also has Ostriches which Hank appropriately called “Ducks”. I said “No Hank, that’s called an Ostrich” and he replied with a point and a “Quack Quack”!

Tower (Jonathan), Ava, Jason, & Hank

The Newell Family…We love these guys!

Checking out a goat. Hank was showing Ava that goats are friendly.

She needed a little more help from her Daddy.

But soon enough, Ava warmed right up!

The goat was a hit…maybe that should be our next pet!

…And my favorite, The ELEPHANTS!

“What does an elephant say?”

The Bynum Family

We ran into some friends from Murfreesboro, The Johnsons. I love how sweet little Owen and Jeff have the same expression on their faces! Ha!

How adorable is Owen?!? Finally another child who might be able to rival Hank in size, we love big boys!

Off to the Carousel

What an amazing day!?! I can’t think of anything more perfect!

We are so thankful for the warm weather and have been soaking up as much vitamin D as possible! Every chance we get we head over to the park and have even tried out a few new ones! Check out all the fun Hank has been having!

Big Muscles

Afternoon ball playing with Grammy

Hanging out with Granddaddy

At the park with the Flowers Girls!

Charlotte (The love of Hank’s life…besides his Momma, of course)

The Whole Crew: Hank, Charlotte, and Caroline

Hank and I met the Flowers girls for an afternoon of fun. We met up at Opry Mills mall and rode the carousel in the string ray petting store. And yes, if you are not from Nashville, the Opry Mills mall has a store solely dedicated to petting string rays…kinda cool, kinda smelly. Hank was fascinated by the sting rays and all the fish. But, the carousel made him a little nervous, he rode it several times but made sure I was holding on tight to him which is good because I felt much safer holding on tightly!

Hank and Momma

Charlotte, Caroline, and Sara Jane

Can’t wait for our next day out with these girls! Prediction: Hank will marry one of these two, one day!

Last weekend while Grammy, Aunt Lucy, and Granddaddy were in town visiting we took the opportunity to get into the Christmas Spirit. First, on Saturday morning, we went to “Breakfast With Santa” and Hank’s school. It is their annul fund raising event, and we were all very excited. A pancake breakfast, creating home-made ornaments, and a picture with Santa all set to the tune of a blue-grass band, makes for a fun morning.

Hank had a whole table full of family…Thanks for making this day special Nana, Elvis, Aunt Lucy, Grammy, and Granddaddy!

Hank and Daddy making an ornament

Momma’s turn

Hank and his best friend Drew giving “High Fives”!

Hank started jammin’ to the blue-grass band

Taking a break to hang out with Grammy and Granddaddy

After a fun morning, it was time to finally put up our Christmas tree. Grammy and Aunt Lucy know how much I LOVE real trees and they graciously took us to find the perfect one! It was cold and a little damp but, as always, we had a ton of fun!

Once we got our perfect tree home, it was time to decorate, which took everyone’s help!

This tree is BIG!

Hank’s first time decorating the tree

Special ornaments

Daddy put the star on top

The Finished Product

Every year we use Thanksgiving as an excuse to spend some time in Bolivar with Grammy, Granddaddy, and Aunt Lucy, and of course, this year was no exception! We also get to go Grandmother’s house (Hank’s great-grandmother) for Thanksgiving lunch and a visit with Jason’s extended family. We don’t often get to see everyone, so we really enjoy this special time.

Um, could someone get baby Jackson away from my husband…I don’t want him getting any ideas!

Hank discovered Jackson’s Bumbo and was trying to teach him how to use it…

…but got stuck instead.

Norah trying out the Bumbo

After lunch at Grandmother’s we headed back to Grammy and Granddaddy’s to start preparing for dinner. Hank was such a big helper, though I think more marshmallows made their way into his mouth than did on top of the sweet potatoes!

And, who cold forget Miss Charlotte…isn’t she sweet?!?

On Friday, we needed to get up and move around after all the delicious Thanksgiving celebrating from the day before. We took a little walk down to the pond and Hank made a few new friends.

We had the privilege of attending Charlotte(Flowers not Bynum)’s 2nd birthday party! Jason and I have been friends with Adam and Sara Jane since college and they are such a sweet couple. It seem like yesterday that found out SJ was pregnant and now, in the blink of an eye, she is a smart, articulate, sassy, 2 year old! And, another fun fact is that Hank LOVES Charlotte! We don’t get to spend as much time with the Flowers as we would like but we count them as great friends! Hank was a wild man at her party, so needless to say, we didn’t get great pictures because it’s hard to hold a camera when your trying to prevent a toddler from tumbling to his death (I am not even joking!)

Opening presents

Did you notice Hank in every picture “helping” unwrap the presents? Thanks for sharing with us, Charlotte.

After yummy cake and lots of fun with friends, we took Hank out to the playground. It was a cold day, so not everyone was up for outdoor play, but there is not much that can keep Hank away from a good playground.

He was determined to do the slide by himself, with NO HELP from mom or dad. And, I am happy to report the he did really well and does not have a skull fracture.

There were lots of dangerous climbing apparatuses, which seemed to be the most fun things to do!

Hank even mastered the BIG twisty slide, all by himself.

Though I am continually on the verge of a heart attack from his very boyish, rough and tumble play, I am also constantly amazed. His ability to climb and run and jump is truly mind boggling to me, perhaps because of my own debilitating clumsiness, but watching him this afternoon brought on a whole new realm of amazement. He was unstoppable, unyieldingly persistent and determined to be independent. He fell numerous times, banged, bumped, and even bruised slightly, but he was able to do every part of the playground, without help. I was (and am) so proud of him!

Today was “Family Fun Day” at the Frist Center for Visual Arts. Jason had to work today until 4pm, therefore Hank and I were on our own. So, after going to church this morning with Nana and Elvis and a long Sunday afternoon nap, we were ready to meet Daddy for a little culture. Not only did Daddy meet us, but Hank’s new BFFs Laura and Casey came too. Hank did a great job and I think he actually enjoyed all the sights! There was a photography exhibit and a sculpture exhibit, but were wonderful and I would highly recommend it!

The Bynum Family…don’t we look more cultured?!?!

Casey & Laura

Hank had his first Halloween Party at school! All his friends cam dressed-up for the occasion and they joined the preschool class for Trick-or-Treating.

Hank, the turtle and Drew, as Donald Trump

Hank is ready to go!

Delaney, the Bumble Bee

Let the Trick-or-Treating begin! (His turtle hat didn’t last long)

Daddy and his turtle

Momma and her turtle

Ms. Norie Anne and Delaney

Friends

Hank and Momma, right before Hank’s big meltdown…we are hoping he lasts a little longer next year!