Dragon Boat Races!

Today the fam headed up to Concord Park for the Dragon Boat races to benefit the Knoxville Area Rescue Ministry. The event had been promoted on LOVE 89.1, the Christian radio station I listen to in the car. We had never heard of "Dragon Boat Racing" and had to check it out! There are 22 people to a team: 20 rowers, 1 drummer to keep time, and 1 person in the back to direct the boat using a paddle as a rudder. There were 40 teams participating with corporate sponsors such as CVS, Covenant Health, and Merrill Lynch, as well as church sponsored teams. There were tons of people, food, and fun! The Daugherty fam joined us as we watched the races. The boys did well and even napped a bit! Check out the pics below!

Girls Nite!

Friday night was "Girls Nite"! Tiffany, Susan, Kelli, Christine, and I headed to Cancun's and then to see "Sex and the City". It was wonderful to go out with the girls and come home with Eli in bed for the night. Jay and Eli had lots of fun together while I was out. Thanks Jay! Movie was great... I laughed and cried through the whole thing! Thank goodness I had napkins for the popcorn to dry my eyes! Who woulda thought!

Slideshows!

Okay, so I'm finally figuring out this slideshow thing! Check out the slideshows below! FYI... I did them on Photobucket and they were relatively easy!

Davis Family Adventure to Destin!

My Precious Little Eli

Wet N' Wild

Last week Eli and I went swimming with Kellye and Cole in Fairfield. Eli is so relaxed he can almost float on his back by himself! It is important to Jay and I that Eli is comfortable in water since we love swimming, boating, kayaking, etc. I'm excited to continue taking Eli swimming and teach him to swim on his own!

This weekend Jay and I also went out in the kayaks. I love being out on the water early in the mornings when the lake is so still and the wildlife is out. We saw several different types of birds including those ducks that dive underwater and pop-up down river. I also love the physicality of kayaking and it is an excellent ab/arm workout! It was FAB! Thanks Gram and Granddaddy for letting us borrow your kayaks and for watching Eli while we played!

4 Generations!

Look at these good looking Owings men!

Papaw, Big Daddy Sam, Jay, and Eli

Eli + Cole = E.Coli

Eli is such a lucky little boy to have cousins close in age! Cole is 7 months older than Eli, and Josiah is 3 weeks! Cole is now crawling and pulling himself up. He is all over the place and can't understand why momma won't let him play with Eli yet! It's going to be so much fun to watch the boys when they are both old enough to play together. Kellye and Cole kept Eli last night so that Jay and I could go out for our anniversary! Thanks a bunch guys! Here are some recent pics of Cousin Cole!

Thank you Amy Griffin!

I must take this opportunity to virtually kiss the feet of Amy Griffin... Thank you, thank you, thank you! Amy is now preparing for her 3rd child and was such an inspiration and role model to me as I prepared for my 1st. Her children Ella and Jude have always been great sleepers and fun kids to be around. Before Eli was born, she recommended a book to me called "On Becoming Baby Wise". I read it... Jay read it... and we decided that this strategy of "parent directed" feeding and napping would work for us. Well, Eli is 10 weeks old and has slept through the night 4 times in the last week! YEA! He has been going to bed at 10 and I wake him between 6:30 and 7 the next morning. Of course I still get up at least once in the night to check on him, but I'm sure I'll soon get over that. So thank you Amy! Here are some pics of my napping angel. I had to rig a canopy until we get a shade for the arch in Eli's window!

"He's got the whole world in His hands"

Catch-Up!

Here are just a few random blogs to show that I do still have a life outside of parenting! :)

Recently, Eli and I attended a Bridal Shower for my friend Wendy. Despite the fact that he is carrying her away to Spring Hill, Brad is a wonderful guy and will make a great husband. We are so happy for Wendy and cannot wait for the wedding!

Parents' night out on the town! Carrie Quarles wedding, June 6th. It was one of the shortest (and hotest) weddings I have attended. The wedding was at Dara's Garden in Knoxville and it was an absolutely beautiful setting. Jay and I thoroughly enjoyed our night out alone! Thanks Gram and G-Daddy!

i heart dad!

Eli was too cute today in his "I heart daddy" shirt and plaid shorts! I just had to post a video and some pics from his first Fathers Day. Jay, we are so blessed to have you in our lives! You are a wonderful father and continue to grow into the man that God intended. We love you so much and look forward to many, many Fathers Days to come!

Happy Fathers' Day!

Happy Fathers' Day to all you dads out there... 1st time dads, experienced dads, dads with children grown, and dads-to-be! I think it is wonderful that there is a holiday to just celebrate fathers. Fatherhood is such a huge responsibility for any man. Despite the feminist movement, fathers are still the head of the household, leaders of the family path, and responsible for providing a Christian foundation. Fathers must be brave to fight off closet monsters, kind to kiss boo-boo's, trustworthy for a child to confide his deepest concerns, humble to seek God's guidance in new situations, and loving when a child makes a mistake. So go give your dad a big hug and a "Thank You" for helping to mold you into the adult you are today. The responsibility is enormous, but the rewards are too!

Eli's 1st Fathers Day! He got daddy a new iron and a golf bag organizer! (And yes... Jay actually asked for a new iron!)

The Davis Crew

Dads! Jay, Eli, G-Daddy, Josiah, Mike

The Owings Crew!

Dads! Keith, Cole, Big Daddy Sam, Eli, Jay

Return of the Beach Bums!

Well, the beach bums are back! We had a fabulous time in Destin with Gram, G-Daddy, Mike, Katie, and Josiah. We stayed in a townhouse right on the beach with lots of room for the babies and a fantastic view. We even got to watch a beach wedding from our balcony one evening. Of course mom took pictures and then found the mother of the bride during the reception to get her e-mail address!!! :) HA! Sorry mom! Too funny! We ate lots of shrimp and seafood at some of our favorite places: the Back Porch and the Lighthouse. FYI... for those of you who haven't been there in a while, Harry T's is no more! I was shocked and very disappointed! We had donuts at the Donut Hole (twice) and did a little shopping at Silver Sands. Eli enjoyed his first beach trip, even though we didn't really spend much time in the sand. I'm more of a concrete and chlorine kinda girl, but I LOVE to sit out on the deck, coffee in hand, book in the other hand, and watch the waves! Here are some of my favorite pics from our trip. I'll put a slide show together if I ever figure out how! :)