Hot Rod Hatmaker Boys

So Uncle Bubba has built a T-Bucket.  He started with boxes, bits and pieces and an engine from an El Camino.    He managed to turn it into a really cool toy.  Since then he has become involved in the National T-Bucket Alliance (NTBA).  Back in June, the NTBA had an event week in the Chattanooga area.  They drove the Dragon's Tail, went over to the Jack Daniel's Distillery, spent a day driving to the Gordon Lee Mansion in Chickamauga and they came to the Mom and Dad's farm for a cookout.

Uncle Bubba's Hot Rod

Let me just tell you about the hot rods.  These were some SERIOUS hot rods.  They were loud, and custom painted and had enough chrome on them to open a store!  Some were two seaters, one was a four seater, some had roofs, most did not.

This is about half of the cars that came to the cookout.

There were flames, an engine out of a viper a pink one and one with working beer kegs. We didn't see that one in action, just took the guy's word for it...unless you can get diet coke out of a keg, we're not takers.

Anywho, Jax isn't a huge fan of the Unc Bubba's hot rod because it is so loud.  He always wants to see it, but never wants to hear it.  So I headed to the hunting department of Academy Sports and bought him some ear muffs to muffle the sound.  Then I decided I'd best go ahead and get some for Hoss since his ears are one of the few things that seem to be 100%.

Dressed and waiting on the first Hot Rods to arrive.

Jax headed to the pasture in his Gator.

When it was time to party, we got our ear muffs on and headed to the pasture.  Hoss loved them and Jax did to although by the time the evening was over, he had decided he wasn't afraid of the noise anymore.  He sure did enjoy looking at the cars and telling everyone about his Uncle Bubba's hot rod, but he didn't want to have anything to do with riding in them.  I'm ok with that since most of them don't have any form of seat belt, much less a five point harness, side curtain or any other air bags or any form of head protection.

'

Hoss rode int he car with me and Daddy down to the campfire.  He's still too "bounceable" to ride that far with Jax.

It was a fun evening and not something that every 4 year old gets to experience.  We roasted hot dogs over the bonfire, made s'mores and told and heard lots of tall tales (It was a pasture full of car guys.  Let's face it, there were definitely some tall tales.).I'd say a good time was absolutely had by all!

We even had Jax's pedal Hot Rod on the table.

Summertime and the livin' is easy

We've been taking it easy this summer.  We haven't had any major medical issues except for the feeding tube coming out and having to be replaced.  Hoss has therapy two days a week and a third therapy every other week, so that has kept us busy.  We've been hanging at the house and taking it easy.  Here's a picture recap!  Enjoy...

Aunt Audi got a dog.  She named him Panda. He's cute and fluffy and she and Jax adore him!  

We've tried Mississippi Mid Pie and loved it!

Then we stripped out of those "muddy" clothes and loved that even more!

Jax had his end of the year program at preschool. 

And he got to wear a goofy hat.  It was supposed to be a beret, but he wouldn't wear it that way.  Nope, no beret for him, he went for the shower cap look.

We said goodbye to Mrs. Melissa.

and a favorite friend who's moving to Nashville.

We have celebrated Uncle Bubba's birthday.

and helped blow out candles.

We had a FIRST birthday celebration for Hoss.

and had a blast with cousins. (I do think it would have been easier to get a school of fish all facing the same direction for a picture).

We've worn silly hats that Mama will use pictures of for blackmail in 20 years.

We've played in the sprinkler

and under the sprinkler.

We've impersonated Gene Kelly (singin' in the rain?).  Of course he was probably singing Country Girl, Shake it For Me.

We've attempted to make homemade ice cream

only to discover that the freezer was broken and it was a swing and a miss.

We went to see some fireworks

and they will both need counseling someday because their awful parents terrorized them by taking them to said fireworks.  Terrified doesn't begin to describe it for Jax, and Hoss was tired and not feeling the Tot Rod.

Jax has mastered swimming with no swimmies and is a little fish.  He actually has a tan line for the first time ever and that's with faithful sunscreen application.

Hoss has cruised around the pool a few times...this was the first time he wasn't screaming.  I think he's finally getting used to it!

Granddaddy put Jax's old swing back up on their screened porch and when it's not too hot, Hoss does love to swing.

And, last but not least, Jax and Vince went to see the imagination movers Live in concert in Atlanta.  This time, we splurged and bought the back stage passes and it was TOTALLY worth it!  He got everything you can think of autographed and I believe he would have brought them home with him if he could.  He had a blast.  If you have kids in your life, check out the Imagination Movers!!

That's all for tonight.  That's enough isn't it?  Whew, before I wrote this, I was thinking we hadn't done much this summer, but somehow I now feel like we need to slow down a little bit!.  I can't believe Jax starts school in about 6 weeks.  Where does the time go?  

Back to the Blog

Hey y'all!  Many of you may remember my blog from when Jax was little.  He often wrote to let you know of his many adventures and first time experiences.  Then, I got pregnant with Hoss and we moved and life got a little hectic for the last year or so.  You know, two open heart surgeries, esophagus surgery, and 9 gazillion Dr.'s appointments will keep a mama preoccupied.  

However, now that we have settled into our new normal, I think it's time to fire this baby back up!  Don't you?  Some of you are our old friends and family, and some of you have found your way here from Hoss' facebook group.  Whatever reason you're here, Welcome!!  This is the place for me to tell you how wonderful my boys are and the brilliant things they are doing now days.  I will still post all of Hoss' medical updates and any prayer requests on Hoss' Facebook group page for those of you who don't care to follow the blog, but if you want to know what fun things he's up to and see some pictures and the occasional video, this is the place!

I'm going to try to get some pictures uploaded tomorrow with an update of the summer's activities so sign up to be a follower of this blog and it will send you a notification anytime I post.  I think.  I'm still learning all of the in's and out's of blogging.  

So, Goodnight or as the boys sometimes sign off...TTFN (TaTa For Now - don't you know your Tigger quotes?)

Pumpkin Huntin'

Fall has finally arrived!  It was a really long and hot summer, even for a three year old like me.  This time of year, we always head to Burt's Farm in Dawsonville, GA.  They have more pumpkins there than you can imagine and it's the best place around to go Pumpkin Huntin'. So we put on our Pumpkin Huntin' clothes and headed out! This year, I was so excited to go.  Baby Hoss...not so much.  He'll learn!

This year, Uncle Bubba went with us.  According to mom, there is a running joke in our family that after two hours on the road to anywhere, we finally make it to Ringgold.  This trip was no exception.  GrNanny, Big Guy, Unc Bubba and I were headed down Ooltewah Ringgold Road with Daddy, Mommy and Baby Hoss behind us, when all of a sudden, a car was flying through the air on the other side of the road.  Big Guy slammed on the breaks and we stopped in the middle of the road until that car stopped.  Apparently, a little old lady had turned right into the side of this guy and had sent him off the road where he hit a culvert and launched his Audi like a rocket!  Fortunately, no one was hurt, but we stopped and waited for the police.  There was one funny officer who asked the man if he had a pilot license...you know, since his car was flying!  GrNanny even turned around Big Guy's truck so I could see.  I told her he wasn't going to like her driving his truck and she said Granddaddy doesn't always get his way.  Now I say that...alot!  Anyway, Mommy said she was too busy keeping me out of the road to think of taking any pictures of the wreck, but here's one of the Racetrac where we stopped just before we got to Burt's Farm.  It was about our 6th potty stop on the way there, and we had to go around the world to get into the parking lot.  The grown ups were so relieved to be there...me, I was just enjoying the ride and the company.

We hit the ground running with me leading the way.  Granddaddy had to whistle at me to get me to stop and look at some pumpkins.  I was having fun running between them. 

I liked this one.  It was the first one Mommy could get me to slow down for.  But we decided it wasn't "THE" pumpkin.  Keep looking!

Daddy and I liked this one too...but it wasn't as big as some of the others, so we kept looking!  Did you know giant pumpkins make a really cool sound when you drum on them?  I found that out, but Mommy said I shouldn't drum because I could bruise them and make them rot faster.  Party Pooper.

Hoss was mostly a happy camper.  He loves to be outside, so he really couldn't complain and it was a gorgeous day.  Plus, he had his hand to look at and keep himself busy.

Finally!  We found IT!  The 2011 Great Pumpkin!!  Granddaddy got us a wheelbarrow and some guys to load it and then I got to sit on it.  I felt like the king of the ummm...Pumpkin!

I also found this little green one I liked.  I don't know why, but I think it is cute, so we added it to our 'barrow.  I did like that I was strong enough to pick it up by myself (almost)! 

Next we decided to try to take a family picture.  First Daddy was taking some.  Hoss was not happy about it and I was pulling Mommy's hair...see that pesky look on my face?

Take 2.  Hoss still not happy and Mommy telling me not to "Pat" him on the head while she was still trying to smile.

Take 3. I was an angel this time, it was all that fussy baby's fault.

Finally, GrNanny took over the picture taking and Daddy was able to get in the picture and help Mommy corral us boys.  Even Hoss knew playtime was over and settled down a little bit.

And, just to prove it lasted longer than the one snap of the camera, here's another family portrait!

To end the visit, Daddy went with me on the Hay Ride.  It was drier this year than in the past, so it was more dusty.  I didn't care though.  I just love to ride up front as close to that John Deere as I can get.  There's nothing like the smell of diesel on a crisp fall day when you're a farm boy!

What a day!  We were tired and hungry when we finished at Burt's Farm so we stopped at Longhorn in Dawsonville and ate supper.  Mom and GrNanny must have been tired too because neither one even mentioned going shopping at the HUGE outlet mall across the road.  I don't think it had anything to do with the six hour trip to get there, or the three hour ride facing us to get back home.  I just think Pumpkin Huntin' is hard work  for adults.  Only us kiddos are hardly affected by it!

*Mommy would like to add that the above mentioned "kiddo" who seemed to be hardly affected by pumpkin hunting was asleep about five minutes after we left Longhorn and slept all the way home.*

Stay tuned for our carving adventure...we're waiting until closer to Halloween!

Love ya!

Jax

\

A day in the life of Hoss

Hi everyone!  Mom thought you might like to see what it's like for me to have a check up.  This is what it's like when I go to the local cardiologist, Dr. Johnson. 

First, we get there and have to wait until they are ready for me.  Sometimes I think I've spent half my life waiting for a Dr. to see me.  Of course, I'm only 4 months old so half my life isn't all that much!  At least I'm happy in my stroller while I'm waiting.

Next, they take me to get my EKG.  The nurse hooks me up to lots of leads and she and Mommy and GrNanny have to hold me down to get an accurate reading.  This was the first time ever that I didn't cry through the whole thing.

After that, I go downstairs, through a long hallway to X-ray.  They have to suspend me to get an accurate picture of my heart.  This is my side shot, and they also take a front shot.

Once they read the X-rays and are sure they got what they need, they send me back down the long hallway and back upstairs to wait for a little longer.  This time I didn't have to wait for long.  I got right into a room so they could start on my vitals.  Can I just tell you I hate, Hate, HATE having my blood pressure taken.  This time was no exception.  Even Lammie didn't help.

Next I get weighed and measured au natural.  Good thing I have my hands to distract me from the fact that Mom is really taking a picture of this.

In my down time, I practiced my rolling over until....

I got distracted by my hands!

Next, they took me for my echocardiogram.  I am really hard to get good pictures of and it took two techs and the Dr. to try to see what they wanted to see and they still couldn't find what they were looking for.  I like to try to guide them by holding onto the wire, but they make me stop every time.

At last, Mommy gets through talking to Dr. Johnson and I get to settle back into my carseat.  I was so wound up and so worn out that it took two Lammies to calm me down.  Thank goodness Mrs. Kelly at Genevieve Bond was able to get me some extra Lammies.  Sometimes one just isn't enough!

That's a typical checkup for me.  Mom will be on here soon to post an update on what the Dr. said.  To me, it all sounds like a conversation between two Charlie Brown school teachers, but they seem to be in agreement and have a plan.  I think Mom will also post some more pictures soon.  We've been really busy enjoying the weather and making memories!

Thanks for all your prayers!

Love,

Hoss

Dusting Off the Cobwebs

Hey Y'all.  It's Carie.  Just wanted to let you know that I'm dusting the cobwebs off and I'm going to try blogging again.  There have been lots of changes since Jax last updated, most notably we've switched the blog from Jax's blog to a family blog.  There weren't any problems or safety issues or anything like that, but our family has grown and there are times when another of us wants to post an update.  So, I may not be able to catch you up on all of the events of the past year that you've missed, but I will try to post much more often going forward. Check back in a couple of days!  Now where did I put that broom??