Cruise to Cozumel

On Maddie's Fall Break, we set sail on the big blue sea. Our family, Tucker's parents and his sister's family, Jessica and Marshall, Joy (Nana), Uncle Frank and Aunt Ann, Jim and Anita, and the Harris Family (8 kids among us) went to Cozumel, Mexico on the Carnival Holiday. We had great weather, lots of fun, good quality family time, and enjoyed the beautiful beach in Cozumel. Nathan had a great time playing in the sand and loved the water. He had only seen the beach once before when he was 11 months old and didn't care for the sand much. But, he had a blast this time! Maddie was a little fish in the ocean and had a great time as well. The last day at sea was a little challenging with 8 kids. We had gone through a cold front and the ocean was a little on the rough side. The pools were not open and it was very cool. Maddie and Nathan spent some quality time together at Camp Carnival and had a lot of fun. Next time, I think the kids are going to be a little older before sailing with Carnival again. Maybe a Disney Cruise will be our next high sea adventure.....................


Nathan and Maddie at the muster station training.
Our first beautiful sunset

Mrs. Frances and Joy

Jessica and Marshall (getting married October 2010!!)

Nathan having fun with Daddy

Daddy and Maddie at the Captain's DinnerMama and her precious babies at the Captain's Dinner

Another beautiful sunset

Nathan enjoying his delicious ice cream

The best family picture at the Captain's Dinner

Our Elephant waiting on us after dinner one night. The kids loved the towel animals, so did Tucker and I

Terrorizing Daddy as he tries to put on his shoes

Fun times at the beach

Maddie found some coral

A monkey in our room!

The chocolate buffet....yum, yum!

Nana and her two favorite pirates

Maddie and Nathan participated in Camp Carnival's Talent Show

Maddie took this picture! Pretty good, huh?

Nathan took this picture, pretty good too!

Maddie and Cooper Harris making funny faces at the camera

The last beautiful sunset after the "storm"

Rolin (our wonderful server) and his new best friend

Gentry's Farm 2009

On Sunday, we went to Gentry's Farm in Franklin. It was a beautiful day and the kids had a great time. Audrey, Ruby, Nana, Susan, and Granny made the day even more fun. However, we missed Hallie who got sick after church and could not come. We went on a wagon ride around the farm, played in the barn maze and the corn kernels, and saw chickens, goats, roosters, ducks, and cows. We came home with a nice pumpkin we are planning on carving before Halloween. I love going to Gentry's Farm and it wouldn't be fall without a trip there!

Ruby, Maddie, and Nathan
Nathan, Maddie, Audrey, and Ruby

Audrey praying for a good crop this year! Ha, Ha!

Nathan having a lot of fun with the corn!

The Hobbs Crew

Mama and her sweet pumpkins!TROUBLE!

She is getting so big!

Nathan is growing like a weed!

Best friends forever!

Updates and Previews

The Hobbs Crew is still here! It has been a very busy month around here. Maddie is doing great in school. She is able to read a 5-6 word sentence and knows about 30 sight words. She got her first report card 2 weeks ago and it was perfect! She is enjoying school and is meeting lots of new friends. But, she does not like to do homework. Little does she know, her homework is going to get a lot harder and in more quantity than just a half of a worksheet and sight words! This week she is out for fall break, she couldn't be more excited!

Nathan is out of DIAPERS!!!!!!! Hallelujah! He has been in big boy underwear since July and is doing great! We still have an accident every now and then when he is too busy playing. But, he has had only 2 accidents at preschool since July! I am so proud of him and so excited about being out of diapers. He still needs to wear a pull-up at nap-time and during the night, but I am not complaining! He can count to 14 and knows his ABC's. He is not quite as excited to learn as Maddie was at this age, I guess it is the boy in him!

Tucker is doing well. However, his right eye that had the retina detachments and tears has a cataract. He goes to see a cataract specialist at the end of the month, probably looking at surgery. He has a little trouble driving at night and in the rain, but other than that, all is well.

I have been working 4 days a week for the last 3 weeks. It has been quite busy at work and my boss was allowed to go over her budget. I like the extra money, but it is hard to get home, cook supper, and do homework all before 7:30 at night when we start getting the kids to bed!

We are planning some fun activities this next week. Tomorrow, we are planning on going to the pumpkin farm and next week we leave for a 4 day cruise to Cozumel. The kids are so excited and ask everyday when we are leaving. Nathan keeps saying "big boat, fun". I can't wait to see their excitement play out and looking forward to having a great time.

I will post some pictures soon, so stay tuned! Happy Fall!