Mercy Girl

Here are a few pictures of Mercy. She has found her place in our home. She is fun, quiet, excited, energetic, and wants to be wherever we are. At night she passed out on the floor wherever she falls first.

If a blanket or towel is on the floor, she is going to lay on it. Even if it is not hers.

She is a great dog! And she is my buddy.

Hugs, Hallie Mae

Exercising Mercy

Our new dog Mercy requires a lot of exercise. She is up at 5:55 every morning wondering when we are all going to get up. She will come in my room (because my door is cracked) and lick my feet to get me up. To help with this, we have to run her and get her moving. One day this fall we took her to the park to run her while we rode bikes. We are pretty cute, aren't we?

Hugs, Hallie Mae

I'll show you....

For school I had to create a character pumpkin based on a favorite book of mine. I choose "I'll show you Blue Kangaroo" and the main character Lily. I did pretty good, I think!

Much Love, Carlisle Drew

Annual Trip to Gentry's Farm

We went to Gentry's Farm this Fall with friends. Hallie and I ran all over the property going through the mazes, playing with the activities, and riding the hayride. Mommy also found a way we could both ride the tire swing.

Much Love, Carlisle Drew

I am a Daisy

This fall I joined a new Daisy troop at my school. Memie and Mommy were both girl scouts and have been telling me about their times in girl scouts. I have enjoyed my experience so far. And I am selling cookies right now!

Much Love, Carlisle Drew

Weddings, Weddings, and More Weddings

Mommy and Daddy have had a lot of weddings this year. We have gone to a few of them and have had a good time. We went to a wedding this fall for friends of Daddy's. It was on a big hill that overlooked lots of trees. We had to stand in the back because we got there late, and Hallie doesn't sit very long.

We went through a lot of suckers.

There was a swing at the reception that Hallie and I wore out.

More pictures to come..... Much Love, Carlisle Drew

Daddy's First Tri

Daddy started training for a sprint triathlon this summer. He wasn't going to participate in one until next May but one came up in September and he decided to sign up. We got up early on a cold, rainy Saturday in September and went to cheer him on. Here he is all suited up:

It was cold and windy.

He swam first and it was a brutal swim. But he made it and finished!

He is doing another tri this spring. Go Daddy go! Much Love, Carlisle Drew

Two peas in a pod

You may know we have a new puppy, Mercy. Mommy says some days she feels like she has twins with both of us. We are a funny pair! See what we did this fall:

Hugs, Hallie Mae

My first Day of School too

I go to school too. I am in the two's at my school. My teachers, Ms. Laura and Ms. Kellye, told Mommy that they were so excited to find out I was in their class. My friends are Mia (from last year), Lilly, Scarlett, and Henry. There are other kids in my class but I do not talk about them like I talk about these 4. I love going to school!

Hugs, Hallie Mae

Lost photos

We have had a busy fall..clearly. Here are some lost photos from the summer. Mommy's camera was broken this summer. So she had to use her old point and shoot. She now has a new camera and has been clicking away. We went to the pool one last time after school started for me. We went at night when we could all go. Hallie Mae sometimes got frustrated with her water wings.

I, however, took off with my swimming and did really well this summer.

I enjoyed the pool a lot.

Hallie Mae did enjoy it too once she would just get in and have fun.

After watching the Olympics, I wanted to practice my backstroke. I only did it once and need some practice. I love to swim!

Much Love, Carlisle Drew

Beginning of First Grade

First Grade has started, and it is great! It is hard and I read a lot but I love it. My teacher's name is Miss Spurlock. She is nice, but she likes Kentucky. Daddy told her we would still like her. I have several friends in my class from church and from my preschool. I have made new friends too. I also lost my first tooth at the beginning of August. The tooth had been loose since March! Since then I have also lost a second tooth - both on the bottom. Daddy has helped me pull both of them. He said Mommy gets to do the next one. I have lots more stories from first grade and Hallie Mae also started her new school year so stay tuned! Much Love, Carlisle Drew

More pictures from the Lake

Back to the Lake

Daddy took us to Lake Junaluska this summer with Uncle Andrew, Granny, and Grandpa. Uncle Andrew and Daddy worked at a camp while we played. We had a great week. Daddy took me down Sliding Rock for my first time. It was cold, but I was brave. Then we went to the Graveyards, but we went during a thunderstorm. Lightening struck near us, and it was scary. I cried. We made it back to our car soaked but safe. We all changed clothes on the side of the road so we could ride home in dry clothes. No one saw us thankfully.

I took Hallie Mae on walks around the Lake and showed her how to smell the roses on the Rose walk. She caught on quick.

We also celebrated Granny and Grandpa's 40th wedding anniversary. We took them to dinner at a nice place. Hallie Mae and I tried to sit still as best we could. We did okay.

More pictures to come. Much Love, Carlisle Drew

Golf Camp

I went to a golf camp this summer. I went every day to the course and worked on something different every day. One day we played a game at the end and I was one of the finalists against two boys. I did pretty well. I had outgrown my clubs I had so Daddy helped me pick out a new pink bag and clubs. I really like golf!

Much Love, Carlisle Drew

My first haircut

I had been warned. Mommy had talked to me for a long time about my first haircut and what would happen. Carlisle was excited for me and talked to me about it. Well, we went to the hair cutters. It is the place where Carlisle goes to get her hair cut. They put me in a chair and handed me a lollipop. I was ok until the lady put the cape on me. I started crying and screaming. It was awful! Then she sprayed my hair with water. That was even more awful. She cut my hair quickly. Then she put in a ponytail, glitter spray, and a crown. I was so upset! Then I saw myself in the mirror and loved it! I was able to get down from the chair then, and I ate my lollipop.

Hugs, Hallie Mae

Jackson in July

We traveled to Jackson to see my cousins this summer. We hung out at their house and swam in their pool. Grayson, Holden, and I took turns jumping off their diving board and playing games. I showed off my strong swimming skills. Hallie Mae did not like the pool; it was chilly. So she sat in the boat with the pool toys. Much Love, Carlisle Drew

This Summer

I had fun this summer! I played a lot. Mommy says I started this phase she calls the "hoarding" phase. I put stuff in something and carry it around. I really like my shopping cart. I will stack it high and push it around. I like food, utensils, purses, dolls, teddy bears, and lots of other things in it.

I also did not want to be shown up by Carlisle learning to ride her bike so I asked for my bike. I got on it and took off. I call it "puddling". I puddle up and down the road.

Granny and Grandpa came to visit us one weekend. It was fun visiting with them.

Hugs, Hallie Mae