Fancy Nancy Party at Chick-fil-A

Today, Catherine and I went to a Fancy Nancy tea party at Chick-fil-A. Fancy Nancy is one of her favorite characters. We have books, puzzles, a doll, dress-up clothes. It was a really cute event. They had the restaurant all decorated with table cloths and balloons. The fancy little girls got to decorate their silverware with rhinestones and gems, decorate butterfly placemats with stickers, and make beautiful necklaces. They had lemonade in teacups and little cinnamon rolls. For lunch they were served chicken nuggets, fries, and fruit on a beautiful pink plate and then had a "parfait" (ice cream with sprinkles) for dessert. Catherine thought the whole thing was wonderful and looked beautiful in her fancy dress. How fun!

First Days of School

Catherine and Will started their preschool a week or so ago. Catherine was so excited to start back and see her friends. She missed them this summer. She thinks school is fantastic and is ready to go! I can't believe she's already in K3. I'm okay with her at school for 2 mornings a week, but I'm already thinking about how it won't be long until she goes to school every day, and that makes me both sad and excited that she's growing so fast.

Will is also going to preschool two mornings a week this year. He is very excited about the idea of it and super excited about his lunch box (it looks like a dog). He was not excited though when he realized that Mommy isn't staying with him at school. So we're working on that. It may just take a few days for him to be comfortable with the separation after not really being separated from me all summer.

Their program is great and I think is really good for both of them. And we're thankful to be getting back into a routine for the fall.

Happy Labor Day

We enjoyed a great labor day just running some errands and doing things around the house. We did head to Chick-fil-A for lunch to get our free chicken sandwiches. If you wore a shirt for your favorite sports team, you got a free sandwich. So Jay had his Marshall shirt, I wore Furman, and Will had this really cute football jersey for the Navy that Jay's aunt gave him. He looked so cute and like a little football player himself, I couldn't resist taking his picture! (Catherine didn't want to wear a football shirt; she wanted to get all "fancied up"--surprise, surprise. So she and Will just shared his sandwich.)


This is what Will does when you tell him to smile for the camera. He smiles so much he closes his eyes.

Such a big and strong boy!

Such a beautiful little girl!

Hatten Family Fun Weekend

We had our annual "Hatten Family Fun" day/weekend. We went to Atlanta on Saturday to the baseball game (Braves vs. Reds--Jay's favorite team) and then went to the aqaurium on Sunday. It was great to do something just the four (well, five) of us. I love making memories with my family!


outside Turner Field--after riding the Marta, a golf cart, and a bus which Will thought was the best part of the day!

Catherine and Will at the baseball game. I think they enjoyed the food more than the actual baseball, but that's okay.

At the aquarium on Sunday morning, looking at the beluga whale (I probably misspelled that).

Looking at the colorful coral reef fish. The aquarium had so many cool exhibits.

Growing Our Family

We are so excited that God is growing our family. We are expecting baby #3 in the spring! We are at 9 weeks, and had a great doctor's appointment yesterday. The ultrasound showed a healthy little one with a strong heart rate. We are very excited about this addition and thankful for the Lord's provision of a bigger home to fill with His little children. I guess He has perfect timing--we found out we were expecting the day we closed on the house. We ask for prayers as this little one grows and develops and as we still settle into our new home. Yeah for babies!

First Dance Lesson

Catherine had her first dance lesson last week. She was sooo excited that she was ready to put her leotard on at 7am and then refused to nap that afternoon before we went (which is very unusual for her). She is so thrilled to put on her ballet shoes and twirl and to put on her tap shoes to make noise. It's so cute! So much fun!

Catherine with her friend Abby, all ready for class to begin.

seriously excited about the dance lesson....

Will isn't sporting a tutu, but his newest accessory is a belt. He wants to wear this belt every night to show us how strong he is. This is him showing us his muscles. He's such a silly boy! I love it.

Beach Week

We moved into our new home on July 31st, unpacked for a week, and then went on vacation. We had our annual Hatten week at the beach. It was great weather, not as hot as it usually is for August (still plenty warm though). Catherine was very excited to swim now that her cast is off. We enjoyed lots of lazy days just hanging out with the family.

Catherine and Will ready to walk down to the beach. This is really the first time I've ever seen Will's ribs so clearly. He is definitely slimming down from him very thick baby days.

All week Jay tried to convince Catherine and Will to get in the ocean. No, no they just wanted to go to the pool. Finally on Thursday Jay got Catherine to go in and she loved jumping over the waves. When Will saw her in there, he wanted to go too. So at the end of the week, they both decided they liked the ocean and wanted to play more (but then it was time to go home :( ).

Will enjoying some Coca-cola cake from Jestine's Kitchen in Charleston. I just think his face is so cute--this is what he does when you ask him to smile for the camera.

Such grown up little kids--I can't believe how big they both look in this picture.

Yeah for the beach!