Graham's 1st Day of School

Graham began a new chapter in his life today ... he has started "real" school.  Today was his first day of Jr. Kindergarden at St. Paul.  He came in our room this a.m. a little after 7 all dressed and ready in his uniform and was very excited to head out to see his new classroom and meet his new friends.  I can't believe he's gotten so old, and esp. that I'm about to begin this new phase of life where I'm probably about to spend more time away from him than I am with him.  Since it was just a half day, we picked him up and then went across the street to Kevin's office to get him and all 5 of us enjoyed a lunch out at Five Guys.  Graham was happy and talked mostly about his time at P.E. and out on the playground :) I pray that this will be a great year for him!!

 He didn't waste any time and started playing immediately

 With his teacher, Mrs. Cooke

 Eating breakfast on the red plate

Showing off his cool new backpack

Separate Weekend Getaways

Kevin and I just returned from separate weekend getaways.  I met up with my parents and both brothers' families for a weekend at the lake, and Kevin and his sisters took their dad to Chicago to celebrate his 70th birthday.  Both trips were short but sweet and great memories were definitely made!!

Just hanging out on the boat house roof :)

 Jake, Wils, and Graham ready for a wild ride!!!

 Say Cheeeeese

 Loving a sea-doo ride with Bet Bet

 Luke loved jumping in the lake from the dock

 Dinner time

 At the Cubs game

Out to dinner at Table 52

Destin Trip

We just returned from a great week in Destin!!  We all soaked up the sun and great time with family ... my boys were in heaven with all of their favorite playmates.  We began the week with Pops, Gigi, and the McCallas and ended it with all the Moores and Hutchinsons.  

 My boys with their McCalla cousins

 Everyone loved being buried in the sand

 Luke and Carter have become great little swimmers

 Fun family reunion with my dad's sister's family

 Moore boy cousins ...

  ... and even more boy cousins

Sleeping Beauties

How have they gone from this ...

... to this so fast?!?!?

I am so utterly grateful for their tight bond and can't wait to watch it continue to grow and grow!!!

Hot Date

I got a real treat to take Graham to a family wedding in Birmingham last Saturday night.  It was his first wedding and he was really excited about it :)  In preparation, we talked all about what happens at weddings and the reception, and we even looked at our wedding album.  The whole event really exceeded my expectations.  Graham was very quiet (some smarties in Bet Bet's purse helped!!) and loved watching everything happen at the ceremony ... when the bride and groom walked down the aisle at the end, he asked me if they were going to the "cake place." The reception was a blast and Graham loved eating, drinking Sprite, and of course the cake!!!  We even got him out on the dance floor for a bit.  I really had such a fun time with him and am grateful to Kevin for staying home with Luke and Carter, so we got to have this special date :)

My handsome date!!

So excited about the cake

With Bet Bet and Snacks

The moment finally arrived ... he was extra excited that there were 2 cakes and preferred the chocolate groom's cake

Dancing with Bet Bet

His crazy dance mooves

Taking it all in

With the groom, William Moore

To make things even better, we got to stay with my college roommate, Robin ... here is Graham with her two precious girls, Anna and Elizabeth.  Thanks Robin and Todd for letting us crash ... it was short but definitely sweet!!

Anniversary Trip

We just celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary and took a trip down to Boca Raton, FL and stayed at the Boca Beach Club ... I think the word "ahhhhhhh" pretty much sums it up.  We slept in, ate great meals, chilled by the pool and on the beach, got massages, had uninterrupted conversations, and just really enjoyed being Kevin and Shellye for the weekend instead of Daddy and Mommy.  I truly am so grateful for the man I have and pray that our marriage only continues to grow stronger.  I didn't take many pictures (too much relaxing), but here are a few.

Dinner at Cielo ... you can't really tell but we had a gorgeous view ... the restaurant is on the 27th floor 

 The view from our room ... they even brought us a bottle of champagne at check-in :)

 We got a real treat to see my camp friends, Ashley and Brett Birkeland, who live in Miami

And while we were away:

 Sno-cones after an afternoon swim

Fun at the Big Backyard.  

Thanks to grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins ... it really does take a village!!  And I know our boys had a blast being spoiled by everyone ... until next year ... it's a big one: #10 :)

What we've been up to

I can't believe we're already a full month into summer.  We've been having a ball and finding ways to stay cool.  We've been swimming at least 2-3 times a week, but I haven't taken my camera out to Richland yet.  Here are some pics of my boys enjoying the summer heat!!

 You can find us doing this most afternoons in our back yard

 At Cheekwood ... their new Treehouses exhibit is awesome

 At a Nashville Sounds baseball game

 The only place they wanted to be at the park since it's so hot

And yes, even when I thought it wasn't possible, Luke's hair is actually getting blonder :)