Ogletree Fun Run 2011

Nathan's school had their annual fundraiser at the beginning of September. The kids love this event and really do get in to it. I am proud to announce that Nathan was one of the top $$ raisers in his class. YAY Nathan!!!! Way to go buddy!

The class got to pick a "team name" so they went with Howell's Hurricanes!!!

Little man came out to support and cheer on his big brother.

On the very last lap, the kids get to grab a parent/or special someone to run it with them!That might have been the most running I have done in a long time, ha ha! ;)

Great job Nathan!

Afterwards, the class got to celebrate with Popsicles!!!!!

Nathan and Walker! You guys did awesome!!!

Wilson/Foster Beach Trip 2011

I only have two things to say.......FAMILY and FUN!!!!!
I will let the 1 million pictures do the talking!

Big Time 2nd Grader

Yes this post is a little late seeing how we are about to start week 4 of the school year but better late than never, right?!?!?!? Nathan is full speed into his 2nd grade year and seems to be enjoying it. He did say that they sure do have to do "A LOT more work" but he seems happy, so no complaints.
This year Nathan has Ms. Howell for his teacher. She is precious.....very sweet and soft spoken. Thank goodness for the FM system and hearing aide. But Nathan really likes her and so do I.

Meet the teacher night. Nathan & Ms. Howell

Off to the first day of school!!!
Check out his new backpack. He insisted he have an orange one this year for Auburn. Boy is it orange!!!!
Of course, Wilson was extremely happy to see his big brother after a long, boring day at home with mom by himself.

And there is no better way to end a hot first day of school than Popsicles with friends!

Notice anything different????????

When you look at this first picture of Nathan do you notice anything different about him????????

Let me help you out......................................

We are LOVING the new hearing aide!!!!!! I don't think Nathan ( or Rod and I) have stopped smiling since we got this precious new item on Monday. Nate's doctor decided that it was definitely time to amplify. To give you a little history on how we got here let me back up.................. Nathan received his first tube in his "good" ear at the early age of 6 months, since then we have averaged about 1 tube replacement a year. So if you do the math ;) he has had 7 tubes since he was born. The last one he had put in late last spring....well when it finally dislodged (or Nate's ear rejected it) just a few months later it left about a 30% perforation (hole) in his ear drum. NOT GOOD AT ALL!!!! This caused a major decrease in his hearing. The hole has finally healed completely but he is still suffering from a mild/moderate conductive hearing loss in his only hearing ear. BOOOOOO!

Nathan got the aide on Monday and let me just tell you, this momma cried some happy tears that day. The look on his face was priceless when we turned it on. To quote him..."mom, you are so clear and loud.......wait, I'm so loud"! That's when the tears started to fall. Rod had his teary moment in the car with him on the way to baseball....Rod called and said, "I can't believe I just had a complete conversation with Nathan and never had to repeat myself or turn my head around so he could read my lips" WOW!!!! How blessed are we?!?!?!? And to top it all off, Nathan is just as proud of this hearing aide as the rest of us. He shows everyone that stops to talk to him....too funny!

Just a Ridin'

FINALLY!!!!!!!! It's been a definite struggle trying to get Nathan to want to learn to ride his bike. I mean seriously, your almost 8 and you don't want to learn to ride so eventually you can take off with your friends in the neighborhood!!!!???!!! That just shows you how cautious my oldest child is and has always been.
A couple weeks ago after much chit chat and negotiating he caved and spent the morning with his dad learning this 2 wheeled contraption. Notice in the pics we are all decked out in every piece of protective gear we had........elbow pads, knee pads and of course the helmet.

Good job Nathan ( and good job daddy)!!!

I am also proud to report that we have also graduated to helmet ONLY!!!!