My Firstborn Is Fifteen!

On February 5, 2001, I became a mommy...& 15 years later my firstborn child is FIFTEEN!!!
It's so hard to believe that time has gone by so fast & that my first baby is so old & so big (literally)!
It seems like just yesterday he was born...

Not too long ago, Tim & I were young, energetic, new parents...

15 years & 3 more kids later, we all look (& feel) much differently!

We're so proud of the young man Timothy has become -- so smart, so sweet, so responsible, & so handsome!

My parents stayed in town (remember they came on Tuesday for Tanner's Grandparents Day?) to celebrate Timbo's birthday with us & we were all excited to enjoy some festive bday fun last Friday evening.

First, we went to Fairhope for a Mardi Gras parade (more details about that coming up in a later post).

Then we went to Shogun for dinner. Hibachi shows & meals are always fun. Plus, this was Kallie's first time & it was funny to see her reactions. (She kept saying "ooohh!!" but definitely didn't like the fire. Our cook thought she was hilarious.)

We sang "Happy Birthday" & had just a little cake before leaving the restaurant.

Then we headed back home for presents & more cake!

Wait, was that Big Ben?!

Here are a couple pics of Timbo the next day...in his new shirt, a new pair of socks, & new Nike slides! (Wonder if some of his new money was tucked in those pockets?!) My dad took him on a little shopping spree during the day & he got even more gear!!

 

HAPPY 15TH BIRTHDAY TO OUR TIMOTHY!!!

Now keep studying that booklet so we can go get that driving permit...!

Signing Day

All of the long hours on the road, visiting schools & homes, & hosting prospects & families on campus FINALLY pay off when Signing Day arrives! We're so proud of Coach Bowens & the rest of the coaching & support staff at South Alabama for a job well done...they recruited & signed a fabulous class!! We enjoyed a fun Signing Day Social on last Wednesday night at the Mitchell Center on campus. We ate, we watched a highlight vid, we heard about the signees from Coach Jones & the assistants, & were able to celebrate a new class. Can't wait to see these guys hit the field in the fall! Go Jags!!

Grandparents Day

Wednesday was Grandparents Day at Hutchens. Students and their special visitors enjoyed lunch, pictures, & a classroom visit. Tanner is so blessed to have THE BEST grandparents in the world. They drove 5 hours in the middle of the week just to be there with him on this special day...even when I told them they didn't have to.  MaMa & Papa G are definitely, positively, hands down, no doubt about it, THE BEST!!!

Doctors & Lunches

Kallie was 15 months old on January 23 & we headed to the doctor a few days after for her 15 month checkup. She was her usual silly, charming, outgoing self...walking around talking to everyone, laughing & making those faces...until the nurses or Dr. Weinacker tried to "examine" her in any way. She'd cry (more like scream) when they got close to her with the stethoscope or attempted to weigh her or measure her. And we won't even mention the shots. As soon as the "examining" part was done, she'd go right back to being cheery & happy (like right back)...pretty amazing...& that takes some skills! Ha!!

One of her favorite parts of the trip was being in the waiting room with another baby. It was a tiny newborn & she was simply enthralled with her! She kept saying "Baby!!!" & trying to see her or stand next to her. She even tried to hold her hand (grab maybe?)...& rub it (did I see more of a scratching motion?!). Kallie can sometimes be a tad bit aggressive, but that's just a side effect of living with 3 big brothers! And when she wasn't trying to get to that baby, she was dancing & singing!

After leaving the doctor's office, we went to one of our favorite spots for a girls' lunch. Hanging out with this little girl is nothing short of pure entertainment!!

 

Dental Hygiene

My boys do pretty well taking care of their teeth & always have great reports from the dentist, but the youngest member of our Bunch has taken her dental hygiene to another level. With 2 teeth at the top & 2 at the bottom, Miss Kallie Larkin is always ready to brush her teeth...whether it's her toothbrush or someone else's...whenever others are brushing...even riding down the road. 

She knows that candy is not great for teeth.

And, she already knows flossing is important...she's become very skilled at emptying the dental flossers (along w/ many other things) & keeping a few for her own use.

Looks like this sweet girl will be following in her brothers' footsteps & keeping those teeth in tip top shape!