Happy Birthday, James 3.22.09

James showing Rebekah around (and how to walk)Contemplating his cake.

Showing him how to do "cake"

He got it.

She's really enjoying it.
Socializing.

Acquiring some splinters.
Very determined.

James is the son of one of my close friends in Hattiesburg. He and Rebekah were born about two weeks apart. So close together in age, that I still wasn't allowed to drive when he was born. So I had to wait until he was home to meet him. And he is a precious boy.

Ask me if I still think he is precious when he is 15...

Several little things

1. I saw the following video here .



2. And this post by Angie is pretty amazing too. I really appreciate and relate to the art analogy. And did I mention I got a great deal last week on a jumbo canvas? That canvas is just waiting for me to let loose on it.

3.Last week I made a spur of the moment cake for Jennifer's impromptu birthday get togehter. It was not very pretty, but was very good. "You can't judge a book by its cover".






4.Rebekah has a step stool puzzle thing spelling out her name. She also has a new found enjoyment or putting things into larger containers/receptacles...like all the letters of her name and everything else from the bathroom floor into the bathtub.

5. Rebekah got the flu from "I don't know where" so we've been laying low. It hasn't been fun but she is much much perkier today.

6. That's all. I'm done now.

Team Hoyt

Found this and thought it was amazing...


And here is the rest of the story.



Still amazing...

Spring Break: Atlanta

The 4D ultrasound of Baby Will

I didn't get pictures of this amazing sight.

But Marie did. So click here.

4D ultrasounds are so interesting and amazing.

I love that little baby boy and can't wait to see what he really looks like on this side of the womb. Sweet boy.

Shower #1

Admiring the decorations with Omathe Carter girls

Playing with Tara, Rebekah loves other kids

"Aunt Marie, I'll help you with this present."

"Mom, I found the chocolate"

the loot

even better loot

Shower #2

The Carter family, 'cept J.R. got cut out of the picture somehow

My loves

KaaKaa and Beks
"Cousin Will, come out and play!"

Spring Break: Rock City

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rock City is a roadside attraction near Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Lookout Mountain in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, located near Ruby Falls. It is well-known for the many barn roofs throughout the southeast United States that have the slogan "See Rock City" painted on their roofs. In total, over 900 barn roofs in nineteen states were painted by Clark Byers for Rock City.
The publicity and lore claim that it is possible to see seven states from Lover's Leap, a point in Rock City, but this has not been proven scientifically.

Here we are at Rock City

Lover's Leap

Really neato bridge

Sitting on a big rock

Sittin' Pretty
Goblin's Underpass

Pretty sights

Swing bridge

Fat Man's Squeeze

Mushroom Rock

Some of you won't appreciate the following but I LOVE it.

Spring Break: Cades Cove

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Cades Cove is an isolated valley located in the East Tennessee section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA... Today Cades Cove is the single most popular destination for visitors to the park, attracting over two million visitors a year, due to its well preserved homesteads, scenic mountain views, and abundant display of wildlife.

Cades Cove, though geographically isolated, is today a very popular tourist destination in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A one-way, eleven mile (18 km) paved loop around Cades Cove draws thousands of visitors daily, and can take over four hours to traverse during tourist season.

The cove draws attention for numerous black bear sightings, although many enthusiasts make the trip for the abundant hiking access and well-preserved 19th century homesteads. On most days, multiple deer can be seen in the meadows and woods throughout the cove. Popular hiking trails within the cove include the trails to Abrams Falls and Gregory Bald, the latter named after Russell Gregory, a prominent resident of the cove. In addition to hiking and general sightseeing, horseback and bicycle riding are popular activities.

Ready to head out from the hotel
Rebekah with one of the hundred of Santa Claus who were in town for their Santa Convention.
Beautiful girl, beautiful nature

That beautiful smile is for her Daddy and her Daddy alone.

Too sweet.

John Oliver's cabin built in 1822

Another building
Rebekah singing and dancing to Johnny Cash as

she waited for me to get back to the van.

God's creation....amazing.HIS creativity abounds.

Neat barn.

Becky Cable House

Deer panting for the water.

And the best part of Cade's Cove was this face
resting in her Momma's lap admist the beauty of Cades Cove.

The first paragraph here defines me.

Happy First Birthday, Alli and Ava!

On Sunday, Rebekah and I went to her first birthday party (not for her).

Alli and Ava were born two days after Rebekah. We were two rooms apart in the hospital.

We hadn't gotten the girls together since September.

It is difficult to get a picture of 3 one years old all looking in the same direction.

Rebekah enjoyed playing in their playroom.

She particularly liked this glo-worm.
Time for cupcakes!
Alli loved hers and ate every crumb.
Ava was not a fan of the sticky icing on her fingers.
Rebekah showed everyone what a pro she is at cupcakes.

They crawled around a bit and stared out the windows.
Rebekah decided she'd try to climb stairs for the first time ever.

She was very successful!

We had a great time at the party.

Rebekah enjoys the twins.

And it is a good thing, she will be going to the same sitter with them next school year.

We are very excited!!!

Our next friend's birthday is this week and the party is on Sunday.

This week is Spring Break. We are taking a break in Gatlinburg. We will be following our break in Gatlinburg with a fast trip to Atlanta to visit with Marie and Jeremy before Will arrives.