October trip to the mountains

I forgot to mention --in my very long catch up blog--about our family day in the North Carolina mountains. We try to go every year in October for a little day trip and photo session. This year we went to Stone Mountain National Park and it was beautiful! We hiked down by the Stone Mountain Falls and took lots of fun pictures. The kids were fascinated by the ladybugs and rocks...I love it that they love nature and are so taken with things like rocks and bugs! Isn't that what being a kids all about?!

Here's one of the many rocks they tried to keep. This one just wouldn't fit in anybodies pocket!

It was tough keeping up with Eliott! Chloe was a little easier to keep up with.

Isn't this the cutest picture of Millie! Precious little baby face! I am so glad we still have that little baby face---I am not ready for her to grow up!

Here's Chloe and Eliott's "silly picture"...looks a little bit like a High School Musical Wildcats dance move, doesn't it!?

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the day. I have also been playing with my photo editing program so you will have to let me know what you think about my "creative" pictures. :)

Me and my girls by Stone Mtn. Falls

Millie got tired of hiking...very quickly!

Sweet Sisters

Family Photo

Eliott's ladybug

Eliott took this picture of me and Jeff...not too shabby! Especially considering what he had to work with! :)

It's been way too long!

My name is Barbara and I am not a blogaholic....if I were a blogaholic it would not have been 6 months since my last Blog!!! We have had lots of computer problems (crashed twice and lost about 5 months of pics), but the real reason I haven't been blogging is because I am just not very good at making time for it. It's kind of like exercise...I really want to do it, I know it will make me feel better to do it, I know that once I get started it will only get easier, BUT I just can't seem to get it into the day. I am thinking about joining a support group. I'll let you know how it goes...
So, here it is: A blog that will cover 6 months of the Trinh Family fun! (minus a few great pictures that were lost in the crash)

May-
-Chloe was in the second grade musical called Mighty Minds and she sang the multiplication tables with a group of kids. Super cute--unfortunately no pics. :(

-Eliott and Millie were in the preschool end of the year program. They both sang their little hearts out and of course were unbelievably precious. :(

June-

-Enjoyed spending long days together, hanging out and playing and going to the pool with KL and Bekah (mooching off our friends with a pool membership)

-Kids went to Art Camp with Miss Watts (Eliott's preschool teacher). We love her! and the kids loved Art Camp and want to go every year.

July-

-To Chattanooga for the Wooten Family Birthday Bash.

-Began talking to Cabinet people about getting my kitchen redone, taking measurements and picking out cabinets(wow! has it really been that long we've been talking about this?! we really need to get on the ball and do it!!!)

-Working at church almost everyday to get ready for VBS Cosmic City.

August-

-Chloe went to cheerleader camp with Mary Alice and had a blast. Now she cheers and dances all over the house...wait a minute, she already did that.

-Cosmic City VBS blasts off at South Fork Church of Christ. This was the best VBS yet--way to go KL and Karen!

-Jeff turns 36 and had a lame church party after VBS--some may not find this so lame...Chloe thought it was AWESOME that all of our church friends were there to eat cake.

-Seabrook Island vacation with the McCalls--it's always a good time when you're with good friends!

-Back to school for Chloe...2nd grade!

-Millie turns 3! Is it really possible that my sweet little Millie is 3 years old! I can't believe it. I am so grateful for all the joy and happiness that she adds to our lives. Everyday she makes me feel so loved and she always makes me laugh. She is such a big girl!

This picture is from her actual birthday. David and KiKi came over for cake and brought her a new purse with a wallet and GUM inside! She was so excited!
September-
This is a picture from her big party!
-Great Lady bug Birthday party (thanks to Aunt Joy's decorations) and Labor Day cook out with friends and we even got to celebrate Steve's birthday too! Happy Birthday Stevo!

-Back to school for Eliott and Millie
-We have a new neighbor--baby Wyatt is here! Check out the Bekah's blog to see what a cutie he is!

-School, preschool, piano lessons, Brownies and soccer all in full swing and Jeff leaves the country for about 2 weeks! Obviously I survived, but it was scary!

Here's an action shot of Eliott. He was awesome this season. He scored almost every game and was a great team player. Jeff was sooo proud! And of course I was too.

And here's Chloe in action. We were afraid she didn't really like Soccer at the beginning of the season. But once she scored a goal she really got motivated...and I guess her competitive spirit kicked in a little bit too. She has improved so much this season. We have really enjoyed watching her play...and score!
-Baby Tyler was born! I have to put this on my blog because I was actually there for a large part of it, but unfortunately missed the delivery. Check out Kiera's blog for more pics. He is so cute and Chloe can't wait to baby sit!

Chloe and Millie holding Baby Ty-Ty for the very first time. :)

I LOVE this picture of Millie and Charlie...don't they just look like they might get married one day?!! So sweet!

October-
-Dixie Classic Fair! We go every year and although I don't really like the fair, the kids (and Jeff) love it! So, if you can't beat 'em join 'em!

Chloe's art work was selected to be at the fair art exhibit...such a proud moment for me! :)
-Sherwood Forest Elem. School Family Fun Night....it was so chaotic we didn't even take pictures! But Chloe and Eliott had a great time playing games with their new friends Jack and Sara.
-We walked in the Winston Salem walk to defeat ALS. It was a really cold morning and as you can see....the kids were very happy to be out in the cold! :) HA!!! It actually warmed up to be a beautiful day and it was a great way for us to remember Uncle Bill and raise money for ALS research.
Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Yes...there are 2 small children under that blanket!

-Messiah Moravian Preschool Carnival-- the kids all dressed up in costumes.
Here's Eliott with his teacher Mrs. G And Millie's teachers Mrs. Lanka and Mrs. Chickensen (actually Mrs. Fallanca and Mrs. Christiansen, but we like the way Millie says it better!)

Millie with her friend Evvy and Eliott with his friend Jake.
-Chloe's Birthday party... 8 friends at the Children's Theatre to see Madeline and the Bad Hat and then back to our house for cake and pizza. KL was the support mom---there to transport children and also help control the masses at the home front. What would I do with out you?!

Wow! Chloe is 8 years old---is that possible?! Where has the time gone? I am so proud of the big girl she is growing up to be. She is so smart, she works so hard in school, she really loves to learn new things, and she is truly a joy to be around. We have so much fun together. It's hard to believe that 9 years ago I was so distraught and depressed because I didn't think I would ever get pregnant. And now I have these 3 beautiful, crazy kids filling my life with all kinds of joy and frustrations. I am so very blessed! And so very thankful!

-New York City! We had a great trip to NYC. We got to visit with my sister-- Aunt Brenda, Uncle Philip and cousins Laura and Jonathan. I am still so tired!!! I am going to do another post so I can add lots of picture of our fun family trip. Also, that might ensure that I blog again real soon! But don't hold your breath! :)

Chloe's first "girl's weekend"

Chloe and her friends Olivia, Liddi and Courtney.


Chloe had her first girls weekend last weekend and I had the privilege of coming with her. We went camping with her Brownie's troop and a Jr. Girl Scout troop at Camp Seven Springs. The weather was great and I know she had a great time with all her friends. I was excited that she wanted me to come. I wonder how long that will last? I guess I better enjoy it while it lasts!

We arrived early Saturday morning with 10 seven year olds and all their "gear".

The Girl Scouts did all the work...they cooked, cleaned up, made their beds...or should I say rolled up their packs, and even entertained us with a couple of skits. It was neat to see them all work together and I think Chloe learned a lot from the big girls. She was very concerned about me on the hike because she didn't want me to get anywhere near the poison ivy...what a sweetie!





I hope Chloe and I (and Millie too) have many more girls weekends together. But I am actually looking forward to my girls weekend this weekend with my girls friends!!! Sorry Chloe, your not invited this time! :)

How many parties does one guy get?

We celebrated Eliott's birthday before we left Orlando--this actually was his real birthday--
April 4th. We didn't have any cake, but we had a candle and some ice cream. Nobody complained.

I can't believe my little boy is 5!

Then we celebrated in Charleston the next night with Jeff's family. We didn't have any candles this time but we had cake. Joy held up a lighter for Eliott to blow out! How resourceful! He was so excited to get a remote control motorcycle.

When we got back Eliott celebrated with cupcakes at preschool.

And finally on April 11th we had a Chuck-E-Cheese birthday party. We had cake and candles and friends and presents and games...What a fun night!

look...Cake and candles...we finally got it right this time!

The birthday boy

Millie dancing with Charlie

Chloe enjoying yet another birthday cake! I'd say we all benefited greatly from the multiple celebrations!

Here's Eliott and his friend Rachel.

I think that's enough celebrating for one year! Happy Birthday Eliott! I love you, my sweet little boy....or should I say big boy? I am so thankful that God blessed our family with you. You bring so much joy to our lives. I just wish you didn't have to grow up so fast!

Cooper River Bridge Run 2008

The kids had a great time on the way back from Orlando we spent a few nights with Jeff's family in Charleston, SC. The kids participated in the Bridge Run Kid's Run with cousin's Cole and baby Hannah Rae.

Cole and Millie ran in the toddler race and it was insane! I tried to get some pictures, but the crowd was so thick. I did the best I could! Cole made it to the finish line first and if you look close you can see a little pink--that's Millie! They made it and got a medal. We're so proud!




Then they had the race for the big kids...a quarter mile run. I got stuck with the stroller and couldn't get through the crowd. Joy got stuck with the little girls and Jeff ran with the rest...eventually we all found each other.




Jeff ran the bridge alone the next morning while the rest of us slept in. We'll be back next year...right Joy?