A Visit from the Crimson Tide!!

WOW!! What an AWESOME day!! We had 3 VERY SPECIAL visitors at our school today!! Our WONDERFUL music teacher, Mrs. Susannah Herring, arranged for a visit with Rashad Johnson (yes... THE Rashad Johnson, "free safety" for the Crimson Tide and currently the #1 "defensive back" in the nation!!), Antoine Caldwell (anchors the middle of the Crimson Tide's offensive line as the starting "center"), and B.J. Stabler (offensive guard and tackle for the Tide in 2007... decided not to play this, his final year of eligibility, after several injuries to his knee). Mrs. Herring's husband advises and mentors the three UA players/graduates.

The guys graciously agreed to visit Eden Elementary during their week off before the Iron Bowl next weekend. They talked to our 3rd and 4th graders about staying in school, making good choices, and perseverance. Afterward, they hung out for about an hour with a few of the staff for brunch, photos, and autographs. IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE!! I actually got to sit with them and chat about normal, everyday things. I still can't believe it!!

Here are some pics from the day...

Cade and Rashad became fast friends!!

Check out this one of Cade on Rashad's shoulder!!

B.J. Stabler speaks about his childhood and growing up to play for the Crimson Tide (yes, those are "funeral arrangements" around the Auburn painting in our gym... )

Antoine Caldwell spoke to students about growing up in Montgomery, AL and the choices he made that enabled him to attend and play for the University of Alabama while others around him were becoming involved in violence and drugs.

Rashad Johnson talks to the 3rd and 4th gr. students at Eden Elementary about perseverance and the importance of good character.

Cade Update

Wes and Cade went to the race on Sunday. One of Wes' customers gave him 2 tickets (great seats too... right on the Start/Finish line about 4 rows back!) Cade was very excited all week about going to "the big race." They both had a GREAT time!! Cade's new favorite race car is "the Red Bull car" (he doesn't know it is Brian Vickers... he just likes the race car!!) LOL

We had our first REAL visit from the Tooth Fairy last week! Cade lost his first tooth (without the help of the dentist this time! LOL) at school on Monday. He came walking in my office to show me the little bloody hole where a new tooth is already trying to come in!! (Thank you Ms. Whitten for all of your help!!) After waking up with money under his pillow he is anxiously wiggling THE OTHER LOOSE TOOTH right beside the one he just lost!! He is already figuring up how much money he will have after he loses this one too!!

New Teeth

Cole has 2 new teeth!! That makes 6 in all, so far!! He is still acting like his gums are bothering him so I am sure there are more ready to pop through. Because his gums are driving him C-R-A-Z-Y he wants to bite everything and EVERYBODY!! Cade was laying on the floor watching cartoons yesterday and Cole crawled over and bit him on the NOSE!! It was funny but I know it hurt!! He doesn't mean to hurt you when he does it... he just wants some relief!! : )

Happy Baby!

Watch and enjoy our happy baby...

Boys Will Be Boys

Well, the saying is true... boys will be boys!! These 2 are 100%, full-blooded, all-American BOYS!! There is never a dull (or quiet) moment at our house when these 2 are awake! From horse-playing & rough-housing to pestering & pretending... the excitement and adventure is non-stop... well, almost... check out the LAST picture in the post... proof that brothers do love each other, no matter what!! : )

Couch Potatoes

Those of you who know Wes won't believe this picture!! He NEVER sits around watching TV. (Unless, of course, Alabama is playing... but that's a given!) I just couldn't pass up this Sony moment!! Cole sat on the couch with Wes for about 15 minutes or more without moving. At one point, he even had his legs crossed at his ankles... LOL!! He looks like such a big boy... channel surfing with Daddy! : )

First Day of School... Ahoy Mateys!!

Cade had his first day of school yesterday. Pell City does things a little different for the Kindergarten students. They invite the girls only to a Princess Tea Party the first day and the boys only to a Pirate Party on the second day. This gives the teachers and the students a chance to have a little more one on one before the first full week. Cade had a BLAST at the Pirate Party. Several of the boys dressed up... Cade included. They used a special "treasure map" to take a tour of the school. They ate "pirate food" (fish sticks, goldfish crackers, and root beer). Even with all the "pirate fun," he told us that his favorite part of the day was "PG" (aka PE) and seeing the chickens in our outdoor classroom (yes, we have a chicken coop with real chickens!!) I am so thankful to have him there with me. I saw a lot of teary-eyed mommas this week. I can't imagine having to leave my little boy at "big school" by himself without people I know. I guess I will be crying when Cade gets on the bus to head over to the middle school for 5th grade!! I am sure that will be here before I know it!! Enjoy the pictures...

Ready for the big day...

Cade and Ty... ready to walk to class

Cade and Ms. Whitten

Ahoy mateys... it's Pirate Cade

Back to the Beach!

We took one last trip to the beach before heading back to school this week. I refuse to call this a "vacation" because it was far from it!! Taking a 7 month old and a 5 year old on a 5 + hour drive is NOT an enjoyable experience!! We were on the road less than 30 min. when Cade started asking "are we almost there" and "how much longer?" Cole wasn't much better... he started "expressing his opinion" not long after we left home.

Anyway... I did get a couple of pictures of Cade and Cole (just not together... that is an ordeal in itself!!) and a cute video of Cole crawling in the sand. He is trying to put some in his "pocket"... aka... "mouth" : )

Six Flags Trip #2

Well, we went to Six Flags, AGAIN!! It was much cooler on this trip than last time (just a week and a half ago), believe it or not!! It was overcast most of the day with a nice breeze blowing.

We started our day on the Log Jamboree. Next we visited Thomas Town where the kids played and actually got to ride on Thomas! We also rode the Mine Train, the Wheelie, several rides in Bugs Bunny Town, and everyone's favorite... The Monster "Presentation" (that is what Cade calls Monster Plantation... LOL). We didn't get to ride everything but we had a GREAT trip and can't wait to go again!!

Trip to the Zoo

We went to the zoo today with the MOPs group from Cropwell (MOPs = Mothers of PreSchoolers). We had a blast!! We watched the sea lion show and saw lots of animals... monkeys, tigers, lions, camels, etc. We rode the train and the carousel, played in the Foam Zone and the fountains, visited the butterfly exhibit, walked & walked & walked some more, and of course... we sweated a TON... (it was 98 degrees!) Here are a few pics...

P.S. Cole did not make this trip to the zoo... it was just way too HOT for him!! He stayed with my sweet friend, Dorita, and enjoyed the day playing and having fun in the air conditioned luxury of her house!! Thanks again Ms. Dorita... we LOVE you, BUNCHES!! : )

My Little Farmers

I am very proud to show off the hard work of my 2 little farmers! Cade and his daddy planted a small garden this summer and we are finally reaping the benefits. We are picking at least 8-10 ripe tomatoes a day and about 7-8 bell peppers so far. Wes and Cade are also taking care of a watermelon vine that will hopefully produce at least one small melon for Cade to enjoy. They have a pumpkin vine that is full of blooms. Cade is checking it often in hopes of finding a baby pumpkin for the fall.

Cole Crawls... Part 2

Well, Cole has finally mastered "the art of crawling" for sure! Here is a video of him doing what he does best these days.

He is also pulling up so I am sure it won't be long now before he starts trying to take a step or two. Cade walked at 8 months, and it looks like Cole is well on his way to doing the same! : O

Cole Loves His Daddy!

Cole is definitely a "daddy's boy!" He lights up when Wes walks in the room!

Oh Brother!

Well, now that Cole is crawling, he is already busy exploring his environment. This morning he discovered he could crawl between the loveseat and the end table. I am in BIG trouble because I am use to a 5 year old who knows his boundaries. Looks like I have some "baby-proofing" to do... and QUICK!! : )

Tooth Update...

Well, here they are! I took this picture almost a week ago, but I am just getting around to posting it. I wanted to go ahead and get this picture on the blog because Cole is already working on more teeth! I can't tell which ones are coming next for sure. His gums on top are really swollen but he also has some white spots on each side of his 2 bottom teeth! Oh well, it looks like we are headed for FUN TIMES!! : )

Best Friends... Ty and Cade

We had VBS this week at Cropwell Baptist. Our theme was "God's Big Backyard." During the week, the kids learned all about serving others. Cade had a blast! Here is a picture of Cade and his best friend, Ty Hannah. They love to cut up and act silly when they are together... Reason # 1 for why they will be in different classrooms when they start Kindergarten in August!! : )

Crawling into Your Heart

Well, Cole is finally beginning to master the "art of crawling." He has almost figured out that if he moves his hands AND his knees, he can move forward!! Of course, in this video he has a lot of support from his own personal cheering section!! It's funny at the end when he has to make a choice of where to go, to Mommy or the toy... you'll never guess what he chooses!! : )

It's Official!!

Well, it's finally done! Cole has his 2 bottom teeth!! I have tried several times to take a picture of them up close but he just tries to eat my hand AND THE CAMERA!! I guess he is anxious to try them out!! I am still very determined to get a snapshot of the new additions, so watch for an update to this one!! : )

After a Swim

Cole was all smiles after his swim with his big brother today! As you can tell, Cade was worn out after swimming, diving, and going down the slide at my friend's pool. Thanks for the invite, Kimbo... we had a BLAST... and can't wait to do it again!! :)

Cole's New Tooth!!

Cole has his FIRST TOOTH!! He has 3 more ready to break through the skin any day now!! : ) We go to the doctor for his 6 month checkup next week. Hopefully, the ear infection will be gone completely!

Play Ball!!

Cade just finished another year of t-ball. It was a pretty good year overall... we won some and we lost some but the end result was awesome... a lot of FUN and some great new FRIENDS!! -- GO TIGERS!! --

Cole's Jumper

Cole got a new toy today!! As you can tell by watching this video, he LOVES it!! I only recorded about a minute, but he played in it for about 30 min. before I took him out to eat. I am sure this will be his new favorite activity, next to "holding his mommy!" = )

Mr. Handsome

Cade is such a big boy!! This picture was taken at Pirate Golf in Gulf Shores, AL. He hit a hole-in-one on the 18th hole!! He was so excited!!

All in the Family

The Bryant family has increased by 10 feet!! LOL = )

This picture was taken at our Memorial Day BBQ.

WOW, we have really cute kids!!

(Clockwise from the top left corner: Cole Bryant (dob: 12/12/07); Kinsley Crow and Landon Crow (dob: 12/17/07); Braxton Hallman (dob: 9/13/07); Katie Bryant (dob: 1/10/08)

Cole Train

Our little cutie patootie is growing fast! He is trying to crawl and sit up all by himself!! He loves for you to hold his hands so he can "stand up." He thinks he is a big boy just like his big brother, Cade!

Cole's Birth Announcement

Pirate Cade

Arrr, Mateys!! Cade LOVES to play dress up! He got this really cool pirate costume for Christmas from my friend, Jennifer. He spent the day looking for buried treasure and making his Daddy walk the plank!!