Check this out!!!!!!

Hey Everyone,

If you haven't already, you need to check out my mom's blog, (well - you ladies need to check it out, the guys might not be too interested.) 

Click here:homegrowncozy.blogspot.com

She's doing a great job and I am so proud of her!  (I taught her everything she knows......just kidding!)
I love my mom.  She is the most wonderful mom a boy could have!

Happy Reading!
Colin

Nic's Birthday....There is something fishy about this!

     Friday, September 3rd,  Nicholas turned 12.  For his birthday he wanted to go to the Tennessee Aquarium.  (The Aquarium here is amazing and it is one of our family's favorite places to go.)  We decided to do an aquarium theme for Nic's party.  My Mom made him a fish cake.  And we decorated a plain blue tablecloth with tons of fish stickers and Swedish fish to eat!

        On Thursday night,  me & Ethan, and my Mom stayed up late and decorated the house.  We blew up a bunch of balloons and made posters for him and everyone wrote him messages.  When we were finished decorating,  the house looked fantastic!!!   Ethan and I were completely out of breath after blowing up 25 balloons!

  

 Nic made a special request for his favorite meal............Petros!!!  YUM-O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After we ate, he opened his presents.  We got him a Bible, 3 books, a Webkin, a slingshot, and a Starwars ship!!  We had so much fun watching him open his gifts!

      At the aquarium we spent most of our time at the River Otter exhibit.  The River Otter is Nic's favorite animal. 

     After a couple of hours at the Aquarium we walked around downtown and got ice cream and played at a park.

     Nicholas had a fishy-fun birthday!  He was so happy with all we did for him.  Nic is a kind, loving, wonderful  brother and I am very proud of him.  Nic is a godly example to me and he always puts others first.  I am so thankful God gave Nic to our family.

Happy 12th Birthday Nic!!!!!!

Virginia Tech vs Boise State

     On Monday, Virginia Tech ( my favorite team ) played Boise State.

  It was to be their biggest game of the year.  Tech lost 33-30 and boy, was it an exciting game!  It came down to the end and we were very sad when it was over.  We had been looking  forward to this game for weeks.    
     Here is a picture of the Moran Men decked out in Hokie attire!!  You can tell by our smiles this picture was taken BEFORE the game!  

Fun with the Anders

     Yesterday our best friends, the Anders, came down from Knoxville to visit us.  We were able to visit ALL DAY!  When they got here we spent some time talking and catching up.   A big part of our get togethers is always FOOD!!  Mrs. Angie made delicious chicken salad and veggies and dip and Mom made a cake and some cookies and lemonade!   After  lunch and went downtown to play at Coolidge Park.  While the little ones played in the fountains, some of the older kids and Mr. Gary played football.

     When we got home we played games while Mom and Mrs. Angie made dinner.  (We played Catch Phrase for a LOOOONNNNNGGGG time!!)  The moms made a delicious dinner of spaghetti and garlic bread while the dads went to the store to buy ice cream!!!  Shortly after dinner the older kids took our dog on a walk.  We enjoyed walking and talking together, and we REALLY enjoyed sitting on the deck eating cake and ice cream!
     When it was time for them to leave we were all sad and  very tired, but thankful for a great day!  We loved having our house filled with 18 people.  That's 4 parents and 14 kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

14 kids and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!