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Another fun and exciting weekend on The View. It was a typical Saturday that included kickball, water hoses and a TON of juice and water bottles. However, the way we ended the day was a totally different story. A special thank you to Mark & Michelle for hosting a fabulous movie night in their yard. I think all the kids AND adults had a great time!
p.s. If anyone is looking to move to the BEST STREET EVER...there is a house for sale but buyers beware some people have called us a cult. :) Hehe

Goodbye CDC...until we meet again...

To say the last four years of my life have been the most difficult would be an understatement. I have fallen more times than I care to count but have also gotten back up each time. I am a better person for it and I think that I learned what truly matters in life. I have been blessed with two amazing little boys that love me unconditionally, a loving and supporting family and a group of friends that have truly made all the difference. That being said it was time to make a change, take a step back and figure out what truly mattered. I decided to leave CDC to take a job closer to home, to be closer to my boys. Dropping them off at 7:00am and picking them up at 6:30pm was not what I wanted for them and in the end no amount of money was worth it. To say I incurred a cut in pay would not begin to describe it. I have accepted a position 4 miles from home. I am excited about it, but mostly, I am excited about being able to spend more quality time with my boys. I have to go to work each day, I can’t control that, what I can control is what I do and where I am. Thank you Jack and Andrew for always being such good sports when you were the first boys on the school bus and the last boys at afterschool, for teaching me patience, for teaching me to believe while at the same time realizing that some things are just out of our control but mostly for always, always, always continuing to be the amazing little boys you are. I feel blessed and honored to be your Mom.

Relaxing Weekend on the View

Nothing new to report after the weekend but the Monday morning routine went so much better than it usually does. I came out of the bathroom and Jack was standing there all dressed and ready to go...WHAT?! That never happens. It's amazing what a little rest will do...lol

So, the boys got to go out with their Dad for a few hours on Saturday and they were so excited to see him. He has been in Huntsville, AL at bomb school for 3 weeks and has 3 more but he came home to see them for the day Saturday. The boys told me they had a great time fishing until the thunder came but then they headed to the Olive Garden or as they call it, "The Noodle Store" for a late lunch and then went and saw Smurfs (I'm kinda jealous, I wanted to see that). Well, what did I do, you ask? I spent the day with friends. Tammy, Laurie and I went to lunch and just sat and chatted for a while both at the restaurant and then back on Laurie's front porch. The group got bigger once we got to the porch. We sat there for hours just talking and then decided ice cream was a good dinner choice so we headed to Cold Stone Creamery. I say it was a great choice! We got back about the same time the boys did and we just watched them all play the rest of the night. Sunday was also super relaxing with bike riding, wiffleball and kickball! I love relaxing weekends!

Andrew's 1st Homework Assignment

Drew had his first homework assignment tonight. He had to pick out the pictures that start with the letter C, color them, cut them out and paste them. I think he did a great job!! Way to go, Drew!!
I would like to add that he said cap and I said hat and in the end he was right. Hello, Springfield...could I have my money back please? My 5 year old seems to be smarter than me.

Triathalon, anyone? ;)

August 15, 2011

It was a long time coming but today it happened. Today was a big and exciting day for Jack Walker Welch. I have never seen him look so proud! Great job, Buddy!! xoxo

"Now I can do a triathalon cause I can RIDE A BIKE!!!" -Jack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iEEYEqP0Io

Jack Crosses the Finish Line

Here is a link to Jack crossing the finish line at his race last weekend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwZJzqC-hQ4

"I was 2 minutes slower than my last race." -Jack
Okay, I admit it, he may be a little too competitive but man do I love that kid!! xoxo

Tubing in Helen, Georgia

August 13, 2011 A group of us headed up to Helen, GA to go tubing yesterday as a Back to School adventure for the kids. They all had a successful first week! We had a great time floating down the river and grabbing pizza after! Thanks for a great day everyone!!

Regan, Cooper, Payton, Andrew, Peyton, Jack, Ethan, Lucas & Andres

Jack goes floating by...

Thumbs up from Drew

Mommy & Drew after he jumped in my tube!

Regan, Andres & Andrew riding the rapids

First day on the bus

August 9, 2011 - Our street has always been car riders, seems crazy really but it's just the way it has always been. Jack and Drew told me they wanted to give the bus a try and since they would be together, I agreed. We also found out that Jayden and Raelyn would be riding too! So, we have a Kindergartener, 1st grader, 2nd grader and 5th grader riding the bus at 7am. This was their first day riding the bus because I brought them to school yesterday. I can't wait to hear all about it! Andrew, Jayden and Jack

Cute little guys waiting for their first big school bus ride!

"MOM, enough with the pictures!!!"

And away they go...

No Cavities for The Welch Boys!!

August 8, 2011 - The boys had to go for a cleaning today. I know what you're thinking, what kind of Mom makes you go to the dentist on the first day of school? How cruel can you be? Well, the good news is they had great check-ups and even got to write their names on the No Cavity board. I love that Jack wrote, "Thank you. from Jack W." What kid thanks the dentist? He makes me giggle...Great job boys!! xoxoJack looking good.

Drew did not take it as well as Jack

Look at those teeth...so clean and NO CAVITIES!

First Day of School 2011

August 8, 2011My big boys are ready for Kindergarten and 2nd grade!

Jack Walker Welch - Ms Jaskot

Andrew Joseph Welch - Ms Henderson

Mommy & her boys

Jack, Payton, Drew & Jayden

My boys heading off for their first day!

Verandah View Girls Night Out

Saturday, August 6, 2011

GIRLS NIGHT OUT!

The Ladies of the view...minus a few. We missed you!

Me, April & Laurie

Brandy, Jen & Angie

Thank you Disney Channel look-a-like waiter guy for the water! ;)

Look who showed up on the scene...KIM!!!

We had been talking about going out for a while. We spend a lot of time together on the street playing wiffleball, watching kickball and just sitting and chatting but this was an evening full of fun, laughter and good times minus the "Mom, Mommy, Mom, Mommy...Momma!!"

Thanks for a great night ladies! xoxo

Atlanta's Finest 5K - August 6, 2011

We all know Jack loves to run and fortunately he has parents that enjoy it as well. Saturday he ran in the Atlanta's Finest 5K Road Race with the Atlanta Police Department. He wore his SWAT shirt, ran with his Dad and did a great job! He will proudly tell you that he beat the entire Atlanta Police Academy Recruit Class...he really did too!! Great job, Jack! You continue to amaze me! Jack crossing the line!

That is one sweaty boy!

Drew waiting on Jack & Neil eating some snacks! At least he is looking like an involved participant! :)

Jack and Neil before they ran

Drew's favorite part...the SWAT bomb robot.

Fresh New Haircuts!

August 5, 2011Look at those little cuties...all ready for school! Their hair was SO LONG! I think people were starting to wonder if they had parents. :)