The Days of I

If you were around the twins from the time they started talking, you know that they called each other "I" (or "eye" or "ai" or any other way it could be spelled...we're not sure what they meant). Anyway, about 6 months ago Corinne began calling Emma by her name, but Emma continued calling Corinne "I".

Well, as of the past few days we've heard her say "Co-win" many times. It seems that those precious days of one of our favorite memories of the twins being toddlers is passing. Now be sure that if Emma is highly irritated or excited, Corinne is still "I"! :)

Here's a photo of them eating dinner with their bicycle helments on (am I THAT bad of a cook!?) and one of Emma "brushing" Corinne's teeth when Mommy isn't looking (or so they thought). To keep my name clear, I had just brushed their teeth but not put away the toothbrushes.

Going Hiking

Around 11am this morning, the kids left "on an 8 day hiking trip into the woods". They had books to read in their backpacks and their "hiking rope" so the twins wouldn't get lost. Less than an hour later then were back on the deck thirsty and hungry:) They settled for a picnic lunch on a beach towel in the driveway sitting in the shade.

Hannah keeps saying that she wants to go camping since she's heard some of her friends talk about going this summer. We may need to do a trial run in the backyard one night with a borrowed tent.

(Disclaimer: I could see them from my kitchen window all the time. In their minds they were miles away from home. Such fun times!)

Vacation - Friday/Saturday

After our goodbye's Friday morning, we loaded up the van and headed south. We stopped in Nashville to show the kids Centennial Park and the Parthenon. (We'll be studying ancient times this year so it was a good "field trip" experience as well:) When given the choices of eating lunch in Nashville or going to play with cousins, the answer was instant...LET'S GO PLAY!! So we drove on to Thompson's Station where Aunt Heather, Mia, Ethan and Ella Kate were awaiting our arrival.




The kids ate a quick lunch and proceeded upstairs to investigate every toy in the house with their cousins. Uncle Shawn (Sabrina's brother) was home by 2pm. The afternoon and evening were a fun time of being with family. That night the kids had a "campout" in the playroom. Ethan ended up in his bed and Brock on the floor beside Ethan but Hannah and Mia lasted all night with their "sleepover". (Thanks, Mia, for letting Uncle Brent and Aunt Sabrina sleep in your bed!)

(Photos...Hannah couldn't wait to hold Ella Kate again; Mia and Hannah dressed up like twins, also pretending to be princesses from an American Girl book)

After a Monkey Bread breakfast we loaded up the van one last time and headed east. 11 hours later we were parked in our driveway, happy and thankful to be HOME! We made lots of good memories and look forward to the next time we can visit our family and friends in Tennessee.

(Photos...six of the eight "Hanks" grandchildren - clockwise from bottom left corner - Hannah, Mia, Brock, Ethan, Corinne and Emma; saying goodbye...Sabrina, Hannah, Ella Kate and Emma)

Vacation - Thursday

Our week in Tenn was coming to an end but there were still things to do, places to go and people to see. And we did just that...




Thursday was our last day at Nana and Pawpaw's house. While Brent went to play a round of golf with Bro. Bill, Nana and Pawpaw went to deliver meals for their church. So the kids and I spent the morning outside with Jess blowing bubbles and running around outside. Nana and Pawpaw made it back for lunch. Uncle Stephen finally showed up after lunch to "build a tent" to play under, and give 4-wheeler and tractor rides. (That's Brock "driving" the tractor.)





After naptime we got our swimsuits on and headed next door for one last swim at the Barn. Joe and Vicki Swann came over with their kids. Ms. Anne Swann (Joe's mom) and Aunt Mar Swann came also. Nana, Pawpaw, Stephen, Connie and Jess were there. And I can't forget the homeowners, Kenny and Lori Swann and some of their gang were there. We had a good time swimming, eating and catching up. Hannah commented as we were walking back to our house to change clothes, "Now we have playing friends in Tennessee too!"




First photo...L to R Stephen, Joe, Pawpaw, Kenny, Brent - just like the old days:)
Second photo...Nana, Lori, Ms. Anne, Glenda (Lori's mom), Connie, Aunt Mar
Third photo...Emma, Corinne, Jess, Connie, Aunt Mar and Vicki

So it was our last night in Cross Plains, but the fun wasn't over...

Vacation - Wednesday - 4th of July

Wednesday was another eventful day. As usual it began with a ride on the 4-wheeler. Emma never would get on when I had the camera with me so I didn't get a picture of her this time. She had plenty of rides though.

Brian, Debbie and Jessica drove up to spend the 4th of July with us. We went swimming then ate lunch. I can't remember what everyone else did while Jessica, Corinne and Emma napped. Oh well. Guess it wasn't too memorable:)

We (Brian's family, Brent's family, Nana and Pawpaw) went to a nearby church for a cookout with the Traughber side of the family (Nana's family). Stephen, Connie and Jess met us there. We took the opportunity to take a family photo (with Debbie's camera:) but I don't have one yet to post. I'll post that later when I get it from Debbie.

We had a good time visiting with all our extended family. The kids were excited to see Uncle Paul and Aunt Kay. They had kept the kids a couple of years ago when Brent and I went to a Vols football game in Knoxville. There were too many people there for me to name everyone but it was fun! The homemade ice cream was a good way to end the evening.

When we got home Brent and Stephen had a supply of sparkler and fireworks for the kids (yeh, BIG kids) to enjoy. Brock and Hannah are happy to say that they held sparklers. They even liked the bottle rockets. Well, Brock is still uncertain. Nonetheless, the finale was about 300 fireworks in less than a minute. The big boys were pleased:)

It was a fun 4th of July. We certainly remember all our friends and their families who are serving in the military.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA! GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Vacation - Tuesday

Everyone was up bright and early Tuesday morning (our kids were still "on Eastern time") and our guests just couldn't arrive soon enough. Even blowing bubbles and a ride on the 4-wheeler while waiting didn't pass the time enough. Finally around 10:30am Aunt Heather, Mia, Ethan and Ella Kate arrived. Hip-hip-hooray!! Let the fun begin!!

After the initial hugs and "oh yeh, I remember you" passed, we all put on our swimsuits to go swimming at the Barn. We played in the pool for a couple of hours, stopping only to have a picnic lunch. Cousin Jessica Haley (whom I'll refer to as Jess from now on in order to avoid confusion with Jessica Freeland) joined us for swimming. While swimming Brent rode the 4-wheeler over and Ethan went for a ride. Mia passed on the opportunity (she's our city girl:) When swimming was over we played on the swingset and trampoline before changing clothes. Heather decided she wanted to leave early enough to beat the rush hour traffic (and get very tired kids home for bedtime) so we didn't get to do all we had planned. However, we did make it into town for a milkshake at the historic Thomas Drugs (minus the twins who were napping). The drug store has on old-fashioned soda counter. It was a hit with all the kids and parents too!

(1st photo - L to R - Brock, Mia, Ethan, Hannah; 2nd photo - Emma (L) and Corinne swimming with Jess; 3rd photo - At Thomas Drugs...Hannah holding Ella Kate, Mia in pink hat from VBS, Brock hiding behind Sabrina and Ethan)

Our goodbyes weren't too sad or long because we knew we'd see them again later that week. Heather said her kiddos were asleep before they got to the highway.

We returned home to play outside and enjoy being with Nana and Pawpaw. We also went through Uncle Stephen's corn maze that is only neck high right now, Hannah rode one of Jess' horses, and Brock caught a fish while we were fishing. Brock caught a fish with Dad's help!!

Petting horses with Jess in Uncle Stephen's big barn. Hannah is wearing her Laura Ingalls bonnet:)

The next day had plenty more fun times in store for us...

Vacation - Monday

Last Monday was not a terribly eventful day as far as vacation days went. We had a lazy morning around the house. The kids stayed with Nana and Pawpaw while Brent and I went "out" for a few hours. The previous Friday had been our 11th wedding anniversary but we didn't get to celebrate that day. So Brent took me on a walk down memory lane...one of our first dates was to a driving range to hit golf balls. Knowing that he was playing golf later in the week, we went to a driving range for him to hit a bucket of balls.

We drove around White House a bit, Brent showing me where he played ball as a kid and other memorable places. Then we headed to Cracker Barrel for lunch. It's always a treat to eat a meal while it's warm without having to cut food for little ones.

The rest of the day was just riding 4-wheelers and jumping on the trampoline. (Kenny and Lori gave us "run" of their backyard as well as use of the Barn.) We went to bed that night looking forward to our guests arrival the next day...

(Sorry, I didn't take any photos that day.)

Vacation - Sunday

Okay, I'm going to try to recap our vacation one day at a time. That seems more likely to happen for me than remembering everything at once. So I'll start with last weekend...

Brent had the privilege of preaching at his parents' church Sunday morning. Mt. Carmel Baptist in Cross Plains, TN provided a scholarship to Brent when he was attending SWBTS in Fort Worth. Their generosity made our time at SWBTS much easier financially. It's always a joy to go back to visit there. It's even more fun for Brent when he gets to preach:) The kids and I made it to Sunday School and the second service.

Brent's family was there to hear him preach as well. Brian drove up with Jessica that morning (Debbie was out of town). Stephen and Connie were there with Connie's son, Travis. Of course, Nana and Pawpaw were there. After church we all went back to the house to eat lunch. We spent the afternoon talking and playing. The 4-wheeler was riden by some excited kids. Joe Swann, a childhood friend of the Freeland boys, stopped by to visit for a while as well. Oh, the stories that can be told with all those guys together!

The day ended with Stephen, Brent, Hannah and Brock going fishing in Stephen's pond. Hannah caught a fish the first time her line was cast. By the time they left, Hannah could cast her own line.

The attached photo is of the Freeland grandkids. We didn't plan on the coordinating outfit with Jessica but her daddy picked out just the right outfit!