Busy, Busy, Busy...

I know it has been awhile since I posted last. I thought I may update everyone on what is going on in the Russell house...or should I say outside the Russell house...because the Russell's are not inside their house to often. :)

Both kids are still swimming...last weekend we went to a meet in Nashville (thank you Tim, Donna, Jennifer, and Tiger for letting us stay with you) and they both did great. In case you did not know this already Colin is ALOT more competative then Kennedy is. He wants to win and she wants to socialize. Kennedy is also running cross country and she LOVES it. Who would have ever guessed my little dancer would turn into an athlete.

We just finished our first six weeks of school and all is well. I love my placement this year...the teacher I work with is great and I am next door to the one who I was with last year. Honestly I could not ask for anything more. Kennedy has earned her way to "teachers pet", I am sure this shocks everyone, haha. Colin has had to relearn that even though he knows how to do an assignment that he still have to take his time so he does not make a bad grade. Both kids love their new schools and their teachers...what a blessing!

I will do my best to get some pictures on here soon!

Some great kids...

We had our annual cousins pictures yesterday. I cannot even begin to say how great they did, sitting there for two hours taking and picking out pictures. (our photographer took about 150 so it was no easy task) No whining, no fussing...just great kids! The result...great pictures. I always makes me sad to change out my picture frames to see how much older they look. WOW!! What a change from last year to this year.

Having fun at Meme's house...

Me with my brothers and sister...Tyler, Brittney, and Chad

Sisters!

Me and Brittney with our mom! We love you mom.

I am going to put icing on your face Brittney...

I told you! :) Even though I did have to call in help.

Kennedy with her Aunt Brittney and her cousin Halley.

We had a fun time making and decorating cupcakes...

...and of course eating them! :)

Happy Birthday Colin...

Well what can I say...my babies are growing up! Colin is officially 9. We let him choose what he wanted to do for his big day and he chose hiking (pics to come).

Thanks Meme and Pappaw, Grammy and Pappy, and Mommy and Daddy for the bike!!! He LOVES it! Oh and lets not forget Whitney, Matt, and Ben for the speedometer so he can see how fast he is going!






I made cupcakes for him to take and share with his friends at his baseball banquet. I am by no means "Martha Stewart" but I thought they looked pretty cute.

Before and After...

As I post these pictures I am totally "wowed" at how much my little girl has grown up. After 19 months of braces they have finally come off. What an exciting day for her, but I must admit it makes me a little sad because now she looks so grown up. Do they have to grow up so fast??

Hiking to Rainbow Falls...

Our first experience hiking was great. We hiked a 5.5 mile trail. Once we got to the top is was so worth it. The falls were beautiful and the kids had a blast. We are planning our next hike but aren't sure what trail we want to take. It was a great family outing :)

BETA Field Trip to the Space Center...

Kennedy had so much fun with her BETA friends and her daddy at the Space Center in Alabama. Jason had a great time too...this was a "mostly daddies" field trip, a great experience for him :) However, he did carpool with a few of the other dads so he missed the whole bus experience. Which as alot of you moms know, is an experience all in itself. :)

Kennedys Field Day...

These pictures are from Kennedys field day. It was such a fun day, I took off of work and spent the day with her. I love watching my kids play around with their friends. We are so blessed that both of our kids have some really great friends.

Kennedy and Chandler won the 3 legged race :)




This is part of the gang...



Kenndy and Talia

Look at those Azaleas...

I thought I would post a picture of our every growing Azalea shrubs. They get prettier every year.

We woke one morning to find this turkey in our backyard...

Busy, Busy, Busy...

First let me say Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms. I thought I would make a quick post. As with most of you, we are so busy with end of the school year stuff and sports. I wanted to give you a quick update.

Kennedy and Colin of course are still swimming their legs off again after about a month break. They have had one long course meet, it was just with one other team but it was great and very relaxing and fun. Colin did have a "qualifying time" in the 50 Breast, which was very exciting. Unfortunatly he will not go to that meet because it is the same weekend as City Meet, which we look forward too. Summer swimming sign ups start tomorrow, summer swimming is so much fun. Oh and don't let me forget to say that the last full week of school Colin will be at swim camp and Kennedy will go on May31 and be there for the week, she will get to miss the last day of school. They both have lots of friends going so they will have so much fun!

Colin is hot and heavy in baseball which we call our family sport :) We just love it so much. He has had a great year. But boy am I worn out :) Last week at his game he was so close to hitting a home run. Jason said maybe another foot or so. Hopefully he will hit one before the season is over. He went last week to visit the Intermediate School...he is excited yet a little nervous about going into 3rd grade. He is a very smart boy and will do great!

Kennedy was chosen to run with the Middle School in a track meet, however it got rained out. We are not sure yet if it will be rescheduled or not. She was so excited...and to think we used to think she had "slow legs". Our little girl has come so far :) She is growing up so fast and it really makes me sad...and let me just say she has been keeping us on our toes. She gets her braces off on June 8...that is the highlight of her life right now. She is very excited, what a great way to start Middle School.

We have 15 more days of school...and yes we are counting down! June 1 here we come! :)