Smokey Mountain Memories and Welcome Home Daddy!

This spring has been quite hectic for the family. Chris has been to both Budapest, Hungary and Cebu, Philippines in the past two months. During this time, I have also completed 20 student teaching observations and parented a 4 year old and an infant. Whew! I get tired just typing this. For the reasons listed above, the old blog has taken a backseat for a time. I am happy to come out of blogger hibernation to provide loved ones with the ups and downs that have occurred since February. One of the highlights of this time was our trip to the Smokey Mountains for Spring Break. Due to Chris's unexpected absence, I had the "honor" of taking Leah on her first vacation as a single parent. Luckily, Chris's family went with us. We had a fantastic time relaxing in the mountains, shopping, swimming, and being a total tourist. What fun!
We stayed in Chris and my favorite lodging in the Smokies. The Preserve Resort. It is about 20 minutes outside of Pigeon Forge near Townsend, Tennessee. It is so remote that you can't help but relax (once you have climbed the mountain and pried your fingernails out of the dashboard). I have become used to the climb and enjoy it more each time I visit.
Here are the cabins. They are fairly new, and all three floors are ours!
Sarah is so excited to finally have arrived. She couldn't believe we made it in one day! (I guess most of her vacation memories included an overnight stop).

Here is our beautiful view. Even though the forest is not quite green, it was beautiful anyway. I think Sarah's beauty rivals the mountains, but I am biased!
Sarah and "My Amy"
Leah was not quite as happy to pose for the photo as was Sarah, I am sure I will get many beautiful smiles in the years to come.



Our photo session continued. We just don't take the opportunity for family photos very often.

Charles, Jo Ann and the grand kids. I cannot tell you how blessed I am to have such supportive and loving in-laws.





Mamaw and her girls.

What a poser. Between her artistic skills and her interest in fashion and posing, I am thinking I will be the parent of a model or designer!

Our other beauty. What a sweet little face!

Leah is becoming much more active of late. She is reaching for EVERYTHING and loves to put her toes in her mouth! She is also sitting up unassisted (at least for a few seconds at a time, but it's a start). Her other favorite past time is screaming (her sister loves to scream back and I don't see this ending anytime soon). She also sings herself to sleep. It is adorable!

She does not like lying back at all. She pulled herself to sitting while I was trying to feed her cereal! This seems to be her only perk from living with 5 months of reflux. All that sitting up strengthened her muscles!


Sarah and I took some time to shop at the local outlet malls. Sarah is falling in love with shopping (I can hear the money flying out of our bank account as we speak). She has an opinion about everything she wears. The last time I took her to Gymboree, she preferred to shop with me rather than watch the cartoon in the store..Yikes! Sarah's newest milestone occurred at the water park. She began swimming underwater unassisted. She is so proud.

Our four days came to an end so quickly! I was not looking forward to the drive home and 6 more days of single parenting. We left on Easter morning, so the Coleman clan loaded up and attended church in Knoxville at the Laurel Church of Christ. Chris and I visit there often. We love the singing, fellowship and especially the preacher. He is honestly one of the best speakers I have ever heard!
My little cutie looks just like a baby doll! Thanks Julie for this adorable outfit!

I was so happy to be able to attend church with Chris's parents and sister. What as special blessing!

The Coleman girls clean up pretty well!


Sarah loves to dress up, even at home. She has worn this dress and sweater on many occasions just to spin around and look at herself in the mirror. What a girl! She was so excited to have a chance to finally wear it to church!

Half way home, we took a break to let everyone stretch their legs. Sarah spent her time playing at the McDonald's Play place, Leah on the other hand, relaxed in aunt Amy's arms.

Once home, I begged my mom to come down for a few days. She was happy to visit with the girls.


Leah loves the warm weather. Her mood changes from mad to happy within seconds of moving to the front porch.

Now for the main event. After a two week absence, we decided to surprise Daddy at the airport. I had tears when Sarah came out of her room dressed in her favorite dress and hat to welcome home Daddy. She told everyone who would listen about how long Chris had been gone, and how he was going to "blow her belly button" when he returned. I was not the only one in the crowd who was teary eyed when he descended the escalator. There were actual cheers when she ran to him! How special.

All is right in the world...Daddy's home!

Chris was so happy to hold Leah in his arms.

Smiles all around. I am so glad we decided to come to the airport!

Sarah's traditional ride on the luggage. I wonder when she will grow out of this?

The Coleman girls couldn't be happier to have our"Prince" return.

More to come (hopefully sooner rather than later) :)

February with the Colemans

We are right in the midst of birthday party palooza. Virtually every kid we know has a birthday between January and April! Every year I buy presents in bulk and prepare for busy weekends. Sarah is in heaven! She wishes every day was a birthday party day. Here is the most recent party we attended.

Sarah's good friend Lily had a dinosaur themed 4th birthday party at her house. Sarah had a great time playing all the games that Lily's mom created.



Tristan had a great time just being cool! I love this photo!



Julie and her girl. Sweet!


All of the kids joining in the fun


Lily preparing to blow out the candles on her smoking cake!


I love the hat!




Dawn outdid herself with a "real" oozing volcano. Check out Sarah's expression. Do you think it was a hit?


Sarah is really into dressing like the Disney princesses these days. We bought her this Belle dress for her birthday. She is so cute when she runs around the house acting like a princess! Today she let me in on her play. I was the fairy Godmother! Luckily the next birthday party we are attending will be a Princess tea party. Do you think she is excited? You bet!
> Mom bought Sarah some Princess Wigs last year for Christmas. Boy are they getting used now (by young and old)!

Look at that luxurious mane.




Not forgetting about our littlest Coleman, she likes to lie around and watch all the fun!




I love those blue eyes and her cute little nose. She is really changing lately. She is trying her best to roll over (if she could only move that arm).



She is such a sweet little Mommy's girl.

Sarah could just eat her with a spoon! I can't wait to see these two grow up together. I just know they will be close!



Leah has been a sick little girl during her short 4 months on planet earth. Between reflux and two ear infections, she has had little reason to smile. I am so happy when I can catch her cute smile on camera!

I like to call this her "Wasssuppp" expression. She loves to stick out her tongue. Especially when she is getting kisses!



More tongue action.


She likes to sit up, it helps with her reflux issues. But I also think she likes seeing what is going on from this vantage point.


I have so few photos with Leah, I attempted to take one at arms length. Check out her expression. Priceless!

Sarah loves to take photos, so she snapped one of me. I call it "exhausted but happy". I am so looking forward to Spring so that I can officially introduce Leah to the outside world. I can't wait for our Spring and Summer adventures to come. Stay tuned!

New hairdo and snow too!

Sarah is now a 4 year old! I can see the little woman appearing more and more each day. Latest example: Dad takes Sarah to the hair dresser. She walks up and tells the lady exactly what type of hairstyle she wants. Chris lets her do all the talking . The result is really pretty! See below.

My big girl looks so grown up!

My little one is growing at a feverish pace as well.

Sarah loves to "snuggle" with Leah all the time. I am not sure how much Leah enjoys this now, but perhaps she will soon.

What a cheeser!

It is probably one of the snowiest years of my lifetime to date. I only wish I could get out in it more often. Leah is just too little to venture out just yet. She is very ready for the snow season to end so she can get out and actually see the world!

Katie doesn't seem to mind snow at all!

Sarah went out front to try and make an igloo with a ice block maker that Mamaw gave her.

Sarah also attempted to sled in our backyard, but is not having much luck by herself.

She may not be sledding, but least she is stylin'. Ha!

Leah is changing so much. She is now over three months old. She is beginning to grasp items, and she has the cutest smile. She loves blowing bubbles, and she can roll to her side. Fun times for a three month old!

She also seems to love her "baby" as much as Sarah loves her yellow one. Hilarious!

Sarah is a wonderful big sister. Leah is so lucky to have a sister who cares for her so much. She loves to dangle toys for her, sing and read to her, and give huge kisses!


What a beauty! Brown is definitely a great color for Leah. We are blessed with two wonderful kiddos!