UT vs Vanderbilt

Every other year, the University of Tennessee plays Vanderbilt in Nashville. Growing up, it was always tradition for us to go to the game when it was played here. I thought it would be fun to start that tradition with our kids too!

This year, we secured (though our very generous friend, Jason) four tickets to the game. Wesley, Jackson, Philip and KD bundled up and headed to the stadium. Elizabeth and I stayed back this year - it was a cold one!

Sadly, UT could not secure a victory and the Commodores won 45-34. Not a great game for the Volunteers  but a fun time was had by the Bender Boys!

Booster

Someone is excited about her new ride!!! At 40 pounds (which she is "this" close to), you get promoted to a big girl seat and this little angel was so excited to join her brothers in a booster!!

Thanksgiving

Wesley and I hosted Thanksgiving at our house this year for the Moss family, Mimi & PopPop and Uncle Melvin. Since we all had enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving meal with various other groups over the past week, we decided something different was in order and Wesley grilled up a delicious steak dinner for us! Yummy!

Decorating the Tree

With a quiet Thanksgiving morning on the schedule, we decided to get out our Christmas tree and start decorating! How fun!

First ornament - Elizabeth

Star on the top - Philip

Thanksgiving Outing

I love it when watching Leighton overlaps with the boys being out of school. We always find fun activities to do! Today, we headed to lunch at Moe's and then off to Chuck E. Cheese!

Small World - We ran into Laura's little girl, Allie, at CEC!

Philip's Thanksgiving program

Ms. Hannah planned a little Thanksgiving program for Philip's class. They sang several songs and then we all enjoyed fresh pies that some of the moms had brought in.

I am thankful for:
Mom
Brother
Sister
Sunday
Dad

Friendsgiving

Have we started an annual tradition?? Wesley invited the "Growing Families" Life group over for Friendsgiving. It was so much fun and might just become our new Thanksgiving tradition!!

We had meat, meat and more meat!
Smoked Ribs, Brisket, Country Ham and a Fried Turkey

And a few sides

And several YUMMY desserts!

All Wesley did all night was stand by the meat table and eat! 

After dinner, we had a healthy "Head's Up" competition.

Casting Crowns

After the amazing experience seeing tobyMac in March, we decided to head to another concert this fall - Casting Crowns. Casting Crowns is my favorite Christian group and although the concert was not as entertaining as Toby's, it was a good night filled with great music.

Dinner before the show at Satco

Donnie, Hope, Leanne, Tracie, Pierce
Joe, Philip, Hudson, Robbie, Contessa, Jackson, Becky and Wes

West End CoC Preschool Program

Tonight was Elizabeth's preschool Thanksgiving program. Ever class performed on stage and it was adorable. Elizabeth's class did three songs and she was a rock star. After the performance, we all went downstairs where the directors of the preschool, Leslie and Amy, had prepared a Thanksgiving feast!

Leighton joined us to watch Elizabeth perform! 

Amy and Leslie

Happy Birthday, Sweet Elizabeth

Happy Birthday to our little Princess!
Her smile brings us JOY!

For her birthday, Wesley and I took her to the American Girl Cafe!
Baby Scarlet joined the festivities too!

Daddy helped set Scarlet up with her own lunch tray!

After lunch, she picked out a purple cookie for dessert!

Her celebration continued at church where we had cake and candles for Elizabeth and her birthday twin, Mr. Joe.

Let's get FANCY for Elizabeth's 4th birthday!

When I asked Elizabeth what she wanted to do for her birthday party, she replied "Go to the Puffy Muffin!" That was an unusual request and took me by surprise. I mentioned it to Emily and she said "Oh, this could be cute!"

So we decided to do a "Fancy" lunch with her little friends. Everyone came dressed up and ready to "do lunch!"

One requirement was it was girls only. When Pop Pop arrived to say "Hi" to the birthday girl, she replied "Pop Pop, this is only for the girls" and would not let him join the fun!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Elizabeth! We all enjoyed celebrating with you in your unique style!

I was able to wear my great aunt Evelyne's mink stole

Grammy was able to make the party and she and Elizabeth wore hats belonging to Elizabeth's great grandmother, Momie.

It is hard to wait on your friends to arrive! 

Oh, Darling, you are here! 

Let the party start!!!

Embry, Leighton, Aubyn, Elizabeth, Lillie, and Eva

Baby Sarah Cate and Allen joined the party too.
It was okayed by the birthday girl for Allen to attend :-)