Big News!!! 28April08

Here is our little "pea-nit"! Travis thinks it is cute the way I say "peanut", so I had to let you know. This is actually my "pea-nit" translation, not Brady's. Anyway, when I was telling Travis about the ultrasound on the way home, he asked if you could see a peanut. I told him you could see its little "pea-nit" arms and Travis got tickled...so here is our "pea-nit"!!

Today was my first doctor appointment since finding out that Brady is going to be a big brother!

We are so excited!

As of today: I weigh 162 pounds (that is just for my remembering when I look at this several years from now!)

I am 8 weeks 1 day

The baby's heart rate is 160

My due date is set for 7Dec08

I go back on 14May08 for a full workup and bloodwork...keep you posted!

LoveYall!!! ;o>

A beautiful home...27April08

Today after church we went to take pictures of one of Travis' projects that he did for our friends, Dan and Carrie. Travis did all of the trim work in the house and this windowseat/bookcase. They have a beautiful home! I want one for myself now!!!

Collins Barbershop! 1April08

Time for the boys to get a haircut. It is so much easier, and cheaper, for us to just open the Collins Barbershop for an evening than it is to take them somewhere to get it done! Brady thought it was pretty cool to have his daddy cut his hair!
Such a good boy!

And people say he looks just like Travis...ya think?

Gatlinburg! 25March08

My friend Megan came to visit us for Spring Break! We took our annual trip to Townsend & Gatlinburg...the "WATER HOUND" had to stop at every water he saw, again!

"I so cute!!!!"

It was a perfect day, not hot, not cold...

Brady used up all of Mama's pennies at various other fountains. When we got to this one, he asked me for a penny...I said I did not have any more...he immediately turned to Megan and said "Megan have some pennies!" And, of course, she did and willingly handed them over to be thrown into the water, much to the delight of a little "monster boy!"

We were headed back to the car and Brady wanted to stop in this arcade type place. You know, sounds, flashing lights, etc. He decided he would like to sit for a ride with these animals...

We had a great day! Thanks for coming out Megan, can't wait til next time! LoveYall!

Easter 2008! 23March08

We started the day out at 7:30 a.m. for Sunrise Service at church. Next, we had a wonderful breakfast provided for us by the church. Then, we went to Sunday school and Lindsey had KidStuf...Then we were off to Mimi's house. We stopped and picked up some chicken (one of her favorites) so she could have dinner with us. After eating we took this picture. As you can see, Emory is having none of it, Caleb and Brady are entertaining eachother, and the rest of us are doing our best to take a decent picture...except Travis (as usual) looks great! After Mimi's we headed to Travis' cousin Kinmberly's house for dinner and egg hunt...Here is Emory being very independent in her hunt...she found as many as the big kids!

Once Brady got the idea of what he was supposed to do he thought it was fun...

Lora helping Bubba find eggs...Emory posing for a picture for Kimberly and Kenny...and Brady posing for Daddy!

Once all of the egg hunt excitement wore off the kids, and Kenny, thought it was great fun to take turns sitting in the giant basket...

Hope yall had a wonderful Easter! Miss you!

Family Adventures! 12-22March08

Here is Brady watching Sesame Street. Elmo's World was on. He was learning about birds and asked TV to turn on the "bird channel". The "bird lady" was singing the chicken song and doing the chicken dance. Here is Brady doing his chicken dance with Elmo...

We traveled to Fort Bragg in North Carolina to see Lora off the plane from Afghanistan. Sweet time to see The Wee and her mommy...

We took a shopping trip today and to meet Megan off the plane. The kids did well in the car and even posed for some "cheese pizza" pictures!

and some HAT pictures!

Caleb a.k.a. Bubba...

Emory a.k.a. The Wee...

When we finally got home Travis and I were going to take Megan for a walk to the creek on our property. Travis had to get out the "new to Brady" shotgun that Papaw (Travis' dad) had whittled for him when Travis was a boy.

Of course, Brady already knows what to do with it...he wanted to go outside and shoot some rabbits...sorry Annie =)...psfewww (gun noise)!

After dinner Travis was in the floor being crazy with the kids...are you surprised? He is the bull and Brady would ride him and get bucked off and run for the fence...

Stay tuned for more adventures from the Collins family! LoveYall!

Adventure #2! 10March08

Today is Monday = Adventure Day! We took the kids to Roane County Park to play. It was a beautiful day, plenty of sunshine, warm, and not any other people...Our first stop was the big playground with 3 slides, monkey bars, a tunnel, and swings! Brady was first down the big twisty slide!
Next Emory came down...

Finally, here comes Caleb. In his own way, of course! He sure does go fast that way. Maybe that is his plan?

After playing there for quite a while, we decided to walk along the trail by the water to the other playground...

There is a fishing pier on the way. The kids loved to look over the water and watch the seagulls diving for minners (minnows) in the water. Caleb refused to sit for the picture...he was exploring!

The swings were the next thing to try...Emory liked for Travis to spin her around on the swing more than to swing.

Brady was the bravest one on the swings. At first he did not want to go high. He would tense up and kindof grunt if he went too high. Then he could not get high enough..."go fast Daddy!"

Gotta love this face! What a great day!

Emory wanted me to help her on the jungle gym. This one was about 1/2 the size of the ones we used to play on when we were young!

Caleb was like a little monkey and had NO FEAR! He would slip and actually catch himself with his hands and hang on! Wow!

Caleb also had NO FEAR when it came to the monkey bars! He went right across and wanted to keep turning around and going back. Travis is strong, but even his arms got wore out!

Emory and Travis had a lesson in trusting Uncle Travis and overcoming your fears! It was precious to see Travis be so patient with her and help her to climb this pole. It took many baby steps, but she finally made it to the top!! Good job Emory!

After this everyone was getting hungry and sleepy, so back home we went. All of the kids, and Travis, took a 3 hour nap! Can't wait until next Monday = Adventure Day #3!