Brotherly Love

Reed's first time on ice! He was a natural.

Bonding.

Awww this looks sweet! But really I'm just there for josh's support.

We went hiking at Ruffner Mountain.

On the trail.

At one of the overlook views.

Looking over the quarry.

Conquering the Quarry.

This past weekend my brother Reed came down to visit Josh and I for a couple of days. It was so great getting spend some time with him and hang out with him for a while. He is always so much fun to be with!

While he was here we took him ice skating at the Civic Center here in Birmingham. He did really well, especially for it being his first time on the ice! It was alot of fun getting out there trying do some figure skating moves from the Olympics, and looking like crazy people. Of course, even better than that was getting to watch the other people making fools of themselves (always hilarious).

The next day we loaded up in the car and went to a place called Ruffner Mountain to go on a hike in the beautiful weather. Ruffner Mountain is a new preservative park that just opened up to the public but is owned by a private individual. It's very beautiful out there. We had alot of fun hiking the trails and enjoying the beautiful day!

Me? Sewing? That's Crazy Talk!

This is what the chair cushions looked like when we first got them.

And this is what they look like now!


I've been wanting to recover our chair cushions since we first got them, so last weekend when Adam and Bentley were here, Bentley helped me pick out some fabric designs and taught be how to make them! They really turned out great, much better than I ever would have thought. So thanks Bentley for teaching me how to use the sewing machine and for helping me finaly get these cushions done!

Our Visit With Adam, Bentley, and Ella

Ella Loved watching Josh and Adam fly the helicopter.

She helped Josh and I make pizza for dinner one night.

She loved bouncing on the excercise ball.

Ty, Amanda, and mom all came over to eat dinner and visit one night.

This was taken at the McWane Center in Birmingham. Ella wanted to see what it would feel like to be in the middle of a hurricane. Didn't scare her a bit, she loved it!

Ty and Adam jammin on the giant piano at the McWane Center.

Ty and I playing with all of the fun exhibits.

Ella had fun playing the cashier with Amanda.

Josh and Adam. Just being the crazies that they are:)

Ella took us all for a ride!

Us with our imprinted faces

Josh playing the soccer goal keeper.

Amanda on the bed of nails.

Bentley and Ella playing in the water.

Testing my strength abilities.

Fish bait!

This weekend Adam, Bentley, and Ella came over to visit Josh and I in Birmingham. We had so much fun getting to hang out and catch up with them, and of course spending time with Ella is always a blast! They recently got news that they will be moving to San Antonio, Texas in a few weeks for work, so this past weekend was bitter sweet for Josh and I. While we are very excited for Adam and Bentley and this wonderful opportunity that have to start a new job in a new exciting place, we are also very sad to see them go. They have always been such an important part of our lives, even from the time that we first started dating. They have always been there for Josh and I throughout our relationship. They have always been mentors for us, a couple that we have been able to go to for anything and everything. As they were leaving our apartment Josh turned to me and said "It's amazing that I've only known them for a few years and I already feel like they're MY brother and sister". We were both very sad to see them go.

Adam, Bentley, and Ella, we love you all so much, and we will miss you even more. Thank you for everything that you do and have done for us. And whether you want us to or not, we will be visiting often, so be prepared:-)

Josh's Scarf!

Josh posing with the new scarf I knitted for him.

Last weekend my good friend taught me how to knit si Ive been working on this scarf for Josh all week. I finished it this afternoon and in perfect time for the snow!

Sarah's Visit!

Sarah and I catching up after months of seperation, and preparing the kitchen for some baking.

Getting strarted on our triple chocolate cake!

We took Sarah out for her first Moe's experience (she loved it).

Showing Sarah the sites of the 'ham.


The final product. Amazing!

Eating cake and playing some Yahtzee. Josh the rookie dominated.

And to top it off, Sarah taught me how to knit while she was here! I'm making Josh a scarf:o)

Sarah (one of my best friends since childhood) came to visit Josh and I this past weekend for a couple of days. Her younger brothers are good friends of my younger brothers and we've all been great friends for years. Her family moved from Alabama to Tennessee about ten years ago but we've all stayed in close contact with each other over the years. I love getting to spend time with Sarah, talking about past times and what our plans are for the future. She has such a heart for the Lord, and is so encouraging to talk to about the struggles that life brings. We had so much fun getting to hang out, and catch up this past weekend and are looking very forward to another visit very soon!!

Patton's Football Signing Day

Patton and I before his big signing.

A view of the stage.

The head coach saying a few words about the players.

The Family giving our support while Patton signs the next four years of his life away.

Patton giving his big acceptance speech.

My youngest brother Patton started playing football as a kicker for the Gadsden City Titans two years ago. He had never played on a football team before, but has always been very athletic. I remember after he came back from his first football tryout, he told me that he was going to do whatever it took to do his best on this team and get a college scholarship in his senior year. Patton really impressed every one with his athletic abilities, and the way he caught on to the whole "football" thing so well. He started as the kicker in his very fist game against Hoover, and kicked the winning field goal. It was at that point that I thought "wow! he might really be able to do this". Well today he proved that to everyone. He signind on as the kicker for Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama on almost a full scholarship.

We've been told by his coaches that in order for a kicker to be offered a scholarship with any college right out of highschool is very rare. Patton has proved himself to be one of the top kicker in the state of Alabama, and thus has had many different colleges interested in him. Congratulation Patton, for everything you've accomplished in the short two seasons that you've been with Gadsden City. We're so proud of you and can't wait to see what the future holds in store for you!

Our Visit to Illinois

On our way to Maryville, Illinois to visit Marc, Trish, and little Corrine.


After a 7 hour drive we finaly arrived at around 10am on Friday morning.

She made the drive totally worth it! Meet Miss Corrine Nichole Smalley:o)

So Sweet!

Proud uncle Josh! Although he insists on not being called uncle. Not sure what to call him?

Trish showing off some of her tricks of keeping a calm baby. Corrine loved to be held this way!

Josh and I had a blast getting to visit with Marc and Trish for the weekend, and getting to meet our beautiful niece Corrine! She is absolutely wonderful, and such a good baby too! Marc and Trish are blessed, and are making wonderful parents for little Corrine. We are so proud to have ya'll in our lives, and we look forward to watching Corrine grow everyday!