Parents to be

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon to snap some maternity pictures of Tandi.  She is just glowing these days!  A very cute couple...makes for a very cute baby!  I can't wait!

Our fall festival

Madi loves hotdogs!

 Is this a cute face or what?

Portia with her dog getting ready to make it a hot dog!

 These potatoes and onions were de-licious!  Thanks Pa!

Tandi getting her hotdog black and blacker...it's already been cooked once on the stove!

Sweet girls...Tandi and Madi

Our view across the lake.  Love the colors!

Brady enjoying his first ever hot dog roast!

 Pa cooking more potatoes.  They were a hit! Yummy!

We borrowed Madi's wagon to haul stuff!  Good idea Tandi!

Sunday afternoon is a perfect time for a hotdog/marshmallow roast!  The weather was perfect!  It was warm, sunny and beautiful.  And, Madi was here!  We had planned to take her to the corn maze but this was way better!  Everyone enjoyed s'mores for dessert too!  

Brady's Labor Day...a little R&R!

Brady catching a few zzzz's on Pa's front porch swing on Labor Day!  He really enjoyed being outside.  It was a relaxing day just watching him sleep.  What a sweet baby boy!

My Baby is having a baby!

It doesn't seem possible that my baby, Tandi Elizabeth, is having a baby!  She is 20 weeks (Labor Day week).  We can't wait until Sadie Elizabeth gets here!

Tandi, you look beautiful! 

My babies!

Madi enjoys holding Brady for a few minutes and then she's tired of him.  Today is UT's first game of the season.  I had Madi a UT dress but it was too big.  :(  The sleeves wouldn't stay on her shoulders.  Need to get her a white shirt to wear under it.  It was bugging me so I know it was her too!
But, Brady is dressed in his big orange and ready for the game to begin!  GO VOLS!

The REVEAL PARTY! And, IT'S A GIRL!

The cake is PINK!

It's a GIRL!

Sweet outfit from Sheila

One of many gifts from Aunt Portia

Madi helping with the gifts!

She had a gift too...a new book!

No wardrobe is complete without something orange and white!

The party began at 6 with a taco bar.  The food was yummy and we had way too much, as usual!  Next came the gifts and then the grand finale of cutting the cake.  Everyone gathered in the living room while Stacy and Tandi stood in the hallway.  When Tandi lifted the cake and it was pink, everyone screamed with delight!  MamMaw screamed and danced!

  Those present were: me, Greg, Madi, Johnny, Portia, Aubrey, Lozena, Steve, Suzie, Mary, Chris, Stephanie, Carson, Reg, Peggy, Brandon, Amy, Kipton, Ronnie, Sheila, Marley, Megan, Barbara, Art, Judy

Everyone had so much fun!  Thank you Portia and Suzie for all your help!

Now, we are preparing for our little Princess, Sadie Elizabeth, to arrive!

Brady Christian is ONE month old!

Check out that hint of a smile!

Our sweet baby boy, Brady, is one (1) month old today!  He changes every single day!  He loves to snuggle and he loves his mother more than anyone.  I don't blame him either; she is a sweetheart! 
My life is more enriched everyday because of my family!  I love, love, love them...so much!

Madi's August Visit

All Smiles at Poppie's house!

What a life...barefoot, swinging on the front porch and eating chips!

It's all in a day at Pa's house!

Welcome Brady Christian Shanks

Brady Christian arrived on Monday, August 2, 2010, at 6:45 pm.  He weighed 6 lbs 9 ozs; 20 inches long.  Portia was a trooper during the whole birth.  She maintained her hair-do, makeup and even wore earrings.  Dr. Johnson was impressed!  :)  There were approximately 25 people in the waiting room anxiously awaiting Brady's arrival. 

Parents-to-be

The time is very near when Brady Christian will enter the world.  In just a few days, Johnny and Portia will become parents...Daddy and Mommy!  I can't wait!  Motherhood is the greatest of blessings!

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

Sticks & hawks...

Madi in her hat and covered in sunscreen throwing sticks into the water

On Sunday afternoon, in the heat of the day, we walked down to the lake to throw rocks into the water.  But since there were no rocks, Madi settled for sticks instead.  It was fun because she could see the sticks floating in the water and watch them float away.
At one point we heard the water splashing and looked just in time to see a hawk catch its lunch.  It circled the neck of the lake three times and then flew directly over our heads.  That's when I got the picture!  You can see the fish perfectly and it's a big one!  
The air conditioner never felt so good when we got back in the house! 

Brady's Nursery

We are ready for Brady Christian to arrive!  His nursery is just sooo sweet!  Don't you agree?

Fun in the Sun and on the Water

We enjoyed a fun day at Lake Holiday.  The weather was perfect for water play.  The boys really enjoyed riding the jet ski.  I'm not a water person so a soft seat and an umbrella to shade me from the sun was ideal.  The girls soaked up the sun and when the heat got unbearable, they floated in the water.  Afterwards, we came home and had a great meal: grilled steaks, baked sweet pototoes, corn on the cob, salad, strawberry pie and lemon icebox pie!  Yummy!
A perfect day!

Father's Day

Portia, Dad and Tandi

Johnny and, his dad, John

Steve and Stacy

We all met in Cookville to eat at The Mandarin Palace for a late lunch.  It was nice to honor all the Dad's on their special day.   

Poppie's Day

Poppie was thrilled to have Madi girl here on Poppie's Day!  She made the day even more special! 

Madi came to us with a "boo boo" on her knee.  Evidently it had just happened and was very sore.  If she didn't have a band aid on it or if she thought about it, she was not able to walk.  She would limp and it was hilarious to watch her.   But, she had Poppie to carry her anywhere she wanted to go!   

Graduation Day!

Stacy & Tandi

Love the sign, Tandi!

After graduation we went to Johnny's favorite restaurant, Central BBQ. 

We enjoyed that good Memphis BBQ for the last time!