Blowing Rock, NC

Autumn Kaleidoscope
Last weekend we went to the mountains with some friends of ours and had a BLAST! We rented a house in Blowing Rock, NC that was on the side of the mountain. We spent the days hiking in the woods, throwing football and relaxing by the fire. The kids (all 7 of them) loved climbing this huge hill that was across the street from the house. It was very steep, but the kids managed to make it to the top. We arrived first Friday afternoon and enjoyed a picnic together and later decided to stop by a Winery that was in Banner Elk by for a wine tasting. We ended up buying 2 bottles it was so delicious.

All of us

The Winery

Happy Halloween

For the past 4 years at Halloween Eric's work has a "Fall Festival" where all the employee's children come to the office to trick-or-treat! They also have a costume contest. This was the first year we got there early enough to enter Tyler.... and he won!! After the contest, all the children were called up one at a time to receive a ribbon and the winner would be announced in an email later that day. I liked that idea because all the children were just too cute!! Tyler dressed up as Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Carribean (thanks for the costume Mimi) and Caiden was a Pea in the Pod (or green bean as Tyler called it). Thanks Ash for letting us borrow it! After the party we went to our friends house to let Tyler trick-or-treat with their kids, Tyler and Abby. They had SO much fun and got LOTs of candy!!

Halloween morning I decided to set up a little photo shoot for the boys... I was pretty happy with my results, what do you think? :)

my hero...my sister... my friend

Katelen Dixon #13

Pos.: OH Ht.: 5-10

Here's a little bit about her last 3 years at Tampa...

As a Junior: First-team AVCA All-American...First-team all-SSC...AVCA all-South Region...Second-team Daktronics all-South Region...NCAA South Regional all-tournament team...NCAA National all-tournament team...SSC Offensive Player of the Week (9/5)...SSC Offensive Player of the Week (9/11)...SSC Offensive Player of the Week (10/23)...Colorado Premier Challenge all-tournament team...SSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll...Posted 28 double figure kill performances, including final five matches of season...Registered 18 kills in national championship against #6 North Alabama (11/18)...Season-high 19 kills came against #10 Florida Gulf Coast (11/11) in NCAA II South Regional final...Also had 14 double figure dig matches, with top performance of 24 against Augustana (9/1)...Had a double-double with 19 digs against North Alabama...Had 13 double-doubles on the season...Turned in eight blocks against #2 Minnesota-Duluth (11/17) in national semifinal match...Had season-high three service aces versus Florida Tech (10/24) and Wingate (11/9)...Finished the season as team leader in kills while ranking second in digs and third in blocks...Became 13th player in Spartan history to register 1,000 kills, against Nova Southeastern (10/22).

As a Sophomore: Second-team all-SSC...Honorable mention All-American...NCAA South Regional all-tournament team...Played in all 33 matches, starting a team-high 32...All-around player who was a top performer in attacks and digs...Finished season with 10 consecutive double figure kill performances...Matched her season-high with 19 digs and four blocks against Grand Valley State (12/2) in national semifinal...Had 12 double-double matches...Registered four blocks on three occasions, including the national semifinal...Had four service aces against Eckerd (10/7)...Ranked second on team in digs and receptions, third in kills, attacks and points and fourth in blocks and service aces...Was team’s only player to record over 300 kills and digs.

As a Freshman: Was an honorable mention All-SSC pick and made the SSC All-Freshman Team...Strong rookie campaign included 333 kills, 272 digs, and 23 aces to go with 17 solo blocks and 34 block assists... Posted a double-double against #5 Barry (10/2 - 16 kills, 12 digs) and totaled 19 kills the second time the teams met (11/7)...Notched an impressive 28 kills vs. #12 North Florida (9/23) and scored double-digit kills against #26 Armstrong Atlantic (10/16 - 23 kills) and USC-Upstate (9/4 - 15 kills)...Also had six matches with doubles figures in digs, with her best numbers against #17 Florida Southern (11/10).

High School: Was a two-time all-state selection as well as an AAU All-American...At Countryside High, she was enshrined into the Hall of Fame her freshman year...Also named Pasco County Player of the Year...Set school record for kills and aces...Member of honor roll.
Personal: Club team placed fifth at the Junior Olympics...Daughter of Joseph and Melody Dixon...Communications major...Birthdate: 1/16/86.

Katelen, I'm so proud of you. You are an inspiration to me and every young girl out there! You're so beautiful and talented in many ways. Your voice and smile can light up a room. You have a kindness about you that linger on for life. You can get all sweaty and mean while you dominate the volleyball court. You have a love for animals as you strive to become a Veterinarian. Your family, friends, and boyfriend are lucky to have you in their lives. I love you Katelen and I'm so glad we are sisters! Good luck Saturday as you play your last home game!!

http://tampaspartans.athleticsite.com/article.asp?articleID=502

http://tampaspartans.athleticsite.com/article.asp?articleID=601

You are my Sunshine

For my birthday we all flew down to the "Sunshine State," aka Florida to visit my family! It was so nice because I not only got to see my mom, dad, Kate, and Jay, but our great family friend Lisa from Seattle was there and my Nana! We had a wonderful time together. I got to see both my brother and sister play volleyball and go to the beach too! Wow.. beach in late October!

Here we are climbing "Spiderman's Web" (as Tyler called it) at the park near my mom's work. We met there during the week for a picnic!

Papa and Caiden outside the gym after Jay won his volleyball game! GO JAY!

Here's some more pictures from my mom's camera...

Caiden's 10 weeks old!

Wow does time fly! We took Caiden to his 2 month check up today and it went very well! Here are his lastest stats:

Birth Wgt: 8.7 lbs
One Month: 11.5 1/4 lbs. ~ 90%
Two Months (10 weeks): 14.2 1/4 lbs. ~ 85%

Birth Hgt: 20 3/4 in.
One Month: 21 3/4 in. ~ 60%
Two Months (10 wks)- 24 in. ~ 70%

Caiden is starting to smile more and "cooing" a lot. He follows your voice when you talk to him by turning his head. He enjoys looking up at his mobil and at bright objects. Tyler puts his little bear next to him that plays music and he loves that! When I lay him on the floor he tries to roll over. I almost caught him the other day! It won't be too much longer until he'll be taking off on his own!
At the Doctors office today Tyler was really sad for his brother when I told him that Caiden has to get 3 shots in his leg... he actually had tears filling up in his eyes. It was so sad but I tried to explain to him that Caiden needs these shots to stay healthy and it will only hurt for a short bit and then we can give him lots of hugs and kisses! Tyler liked that, and sure enough, he gave Caiden plenty of kisses... he even played music from his teddy bear (it plays Christmas music..... I guess someone's ready for Santa!)

Tyler's Clubhouse

On Sunday Tyler helped Eric stack some wood to make a fort in our back yard. It turned out awesome! Tyler can't wait for all his friends to come over and play in it. I helped Tyler make a sign to hang. He did a great job painting :)

Caiden- 7 weeks old

We can't believe it's already been over 7 weeks since Caiden came into the world! We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family. Caiden goes in for his 2 month appointment later this week and it's not going to be a very pleasant visit because he'll have to get about 4 shots! It hurts me to see babies cry...

Caiden has started to hold his head up more and smile at us. He enjoys laying in his crib and swing and looking up at the mobil. The one we put up in his crib was Tylers'. It has all the bright reds, yellows, blacks and whites in different shapes and plays classical music by Mozart, Bach... he LOVES it.

I'm SO excited about this week because not only is it my birthday but we are flying to Florida for a WHOLE WEEK! OMG! I'm just so excited!!!!
Here's some of the latest pictures of Caiden and Tyler!

A click of the camera...

Eric and me before going to a wedding

"why does my mom take so many pictures?..."

"yaaaaaawwwnnn"

50 Questions (thanks Jen!)

1. What time did you get up this morning?
Off an on since 3 AM.. I got "out of bed" at 7:20
2. Diamonds or pearls?
I love both! My diamonds on my finger and my pearls in my ears :)
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Well, the last film I saw at the cinema (that sounds funny) was Knocked Up! LOL... funny film!
4. What are your favourite TV shows?
How I Met Your Mother, The Office,House, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives
5. What did you have for breakfast?
Special K with Strawberries and Skim Milk
6. What is your middle name?
Nichole
7. What is your favourite cuisine?
I love salads, fruits, Stir-fry with loads of veggies!
8. What foods do you dislike?
I'm not a big fan of fried foods and last night I had eggplant for the first time and didn't like that at all... too chewy~
9. Your favourite Potato chip?
Sour Cream and Cheddar Baked Lays
10. What is your favourite CD at the moment?
it's gonna be Carrie Underwood's when it comes out this month!!
11. What kind of car do you drive?
2003 Ford Taurus (same as Jen!)
12. Favourite sandwich?
Turkey wrap with spinach,tomato, cucumber, honey mustard
13. What characteristics do you despise?
I agree with Jen: Ignorance, close-mindedness
14. What are your favourite clothes?
don't really have a favorite...
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Eric and I LOVED Hawaii and can't wait to go back!!! Looking at pictures from Paris makes me wanna go there though..
16. What colour is your bathroom?
LOL.. haven't painted it yet.. we're waiting until we've been here 5 years to start... :)
17. Favourite brands of clothing?
I like whatever looks good on me
18. Where would you want to retire to? I love it here because you're close to the beach or the mountains
19. Where were you born?
Hawaii
20. Favourite sport to watch?
football and volleyball if my sister is playing
21. Who do you least expect to do this/send it back?
Nobody really, but anyone can :)
22. Person you expect to send it back/steal it first?
hmm, maybe Morgan
23. Coke or Pepsi? neither... Sweet Tea :)
24. Are you a morning person or night owl?
morning person
25. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share with everyone?
We're all going to Florida in a few weeks AND my birthday is this month!!!!
26. What did you want to be when you were little?
A teacher
27. What is your best childhood memory?
oh so many... I love having such a wonderful family!!
28. What are the different jobs you have had or do in your life? Wet Seal, Atlanta Bread Company, Peak Fitness, The Sunshine House (daycare)
29. Nicknames? Baby, E, Mom, E-Money (thanks Justin), Mom
30. Piercings? ears
31. Eye Colour? Hazel
32. Ever been to Africa? No.
33. Ever been toilet papering? nope
34. Been in a car accident? not really.. a car hit me in a parking lot but no major damage
35. Favourite day of the week?
Friday because it's the beginning of the weekend!
36. Favourite restaurants?
Firebirds, Chilis, 90's
37. Favourite flower?
Gerber Daisey
38. Favourite fast food restaurant? Chick-fil-a
39. How many times did you fail your driver’s test?
Never.
40. Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail?
Stacy
41. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
Target
42. Who are you most curious about their responses to this questionnaire?
Don't know who will see it, so can't say.
43. Last person you went to dinner with?
My family
44. What are you listening to right now?
Disney Channel and Caiden in his bouncy seat
45. What is your favourite colour?
purple
46. How many tattoos do you have?
None.
ummm...47-49 disappeared somewhere...
50. How many people are you sending this to?
I'm tagging Morgan and Ashley to repost with their answers on their own blogs!

Birthday Outing...

Last Friday was my good friend Ashley's birthday and she wanted us all to go to Coyote Joe's, a country bar here in Charlotte. I've only been there a few times and it seems to be a neat place. They have an awesome house band, Out of the Blue, that plays many of our all time favorite country songs! I'd love to get there early one time to learn some line dances. My sister knows a few and it just looks like so much fun!
Here's a little slide show from that night (my first night out after having Caiden!)
Happy Birthday Ashley!

On Saturday morning I went with some friends of mine, Jenn and Jess that work at Peak Fitness to Symphony Park in South Park to walk the 5k that helped raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness. Peak Fitness raised over $1000!! American Cancer officials estimate 4,000 people took part in the walk on Saturday. They hoped to raise more than $400,000! It was such a beautiful day and I was so glad I could help :)


A few inspirational quotes:
* Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. ~Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book
* We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey. ~Kenji Miyazawa
* He who has a why to live can bear almost any how. ~Friedrich Nietzsche
* You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. ~Eleanor Roosevelt
* Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today.~~James Dean~~

Jenn, Jess, Me, Scott

Tummy Time!!
Caiden got in a little tummy time today! It didn't last very long before he got uncomfortable, but at least you can see how much bigger he's gotten! I already had to clear out all his 0-3 months footed pjs! It's amazing how fast babies grow!
I hope you all enjoy the little clips :)

Go Panthers!

Caiden's One Month Check-Up:

Birth Wgt: 8.7 lbs

One Month: 11.5 1/4 lbs. ~ 90%

Birth Hgt: 20 3/4 in.

One Month: 21 3/4 in. ~ 60%

Caiden is growing beautifully! He did very well at his first appointment, luckily there weren't any shots this time, but next time might be a little rough because he'll get around 4 vaccines. The Doctor gave me some drops to put in his eye because I've noticed some discharge coming out, which seems to be a clogged tear duct . This seems to be common and can be easily fixed with some eye drops. An article I found online mentioned how expressing drops of breast milk can help, so I tried that and I think it helped!
All in all, Caiden is doing great and Tyler got a sticker from the Doctor because he was such a big help!

Caiden is 4 weeks old already!!!

Hey Grandpa!!

This past weekend Dave (aka "Grandpa") came for a visit and it was SO nice to have him here. It was the first time he'd seen Caiden since he was born (which was only 4 weeks ago) and us since his beautiful wedding in July! We had a layed back weekend enjoying each other's company. Tyler taught Grandpa how to play Wii, so they did that a lot together as well as hide-and-seek. Tyler came to me after him and Grandpa were playing and said, "Mommy, I like Grandpa.... did you know that he's daddy's daddy?" That Tyler man just cracks me up!

So cute...

Caiden- 4 weeks

Doctor, Doctor, give me the news!

I had my 4-week postpartum check up yesterday and everything went great! (Especially the weight loss!) When my Doctor originally scheduled the appointment after I had Caiden, I was curious as to why it was at 4 weeks and not 6 like it was with Tyler and how it is for most people, or at least I thought. Any way, I'm not complaining because now I can head back to the gym! I'm so excited! In fact, I'm going to take cycle today! Exercising makes me feel so good and I love it.. I missed not being able to go these past few week but have enjoyed all the outdoor fun with the boys! When I told Tyler I was going to the Doctor, he said to me "Is he going to tell you you can run now?" I thought that was so cute because he's been looking forward to me running with the baby while he rides his bike! Speaking of bikes, I rode mine with Tyler for the first time in a few months and Tyler kept telling me "I'm so proud of you Mommy for riding your bike" and "You're doing a great job Mommy!" ... he's SUCH a sweetheart! I LOVE it!

Where is thumpkin?

Tyler and friends...

After polling all my wonderful family and friends we've come to a final decision on our new blog name:

MICKTASTIC4

www.Micktastic4.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for all the wonderful ideas!!

Nike+ ipod

So, I already have the Nike+ ipod gear, now I just need the Nike+ ready shoe. I went last year with just a normal Nike running shoe, and would put the censor between my shoelace and tongue of the shoe. Yes, that worked most of the time. There were only a couple instances when it fell out, with the major one being right before my first 10K race last November. Luckily my ipod still worked! Now, I'd like to purchase the shoe that goes along with the Nike+ gear. I love customizing my own shoe. My last (and current) pair I called them my "cotton candy" shoes because they were light blue and pink! I love it because no one had a shoe like it (well, not that I know of..). Anyway, I've designed a few pairs and tried to post links below of each of the shoes, but I wasnt' having any luck with the url addresses. Thanks for those who caught that for me!

More bike riding...

For the past two weekends we've been taking Tyler to ride his bike on the trails near our house. It's so nice because we don't have to worry about cars and such. I've been going along as well pushing Caiden in the stroller. Before I was pregnant, and even during the early months of my pregnancy, I'd ride with Tyler and Eric and we'd pack a lunch to eat by the small lake. It's SO much fun. I'm glad we all enjoy the outdoors. Tyler could be outside from sun up to sun down if we let him! I can't wait to be able to ride bikes again as a family... Caiden's still a little too small ;)
Here's a clip of Tyler going down this really big hill we found off the trail. He made it down half-way with Eric's help, and the clip shows him going down the remaining way.

I've been slacking...

Please forgive me fellow readers of our blog, it's been over a week since my last post.....

We are all still doing great, loving life and making the most of our days. Eric went back to work last Tuesday after staying home for over a week with us and the new baby. It sure was nice having him home and it was definitely a big transition for Tyler and I when we leave the house. On Tuesday morning I had a dentist appointment and brought my whole crew with me. Tyler packed his new Spiderman book bag with his crayons (for some reason I pronounce them as "crowns" and I don't know why..), paper, cars, a snack, etc, etc.. lets just say he was prepared :) Little Caiden was an angel too... he just slept. As for me, I just laid there in the big leather chair while the hygienist cleaned my teeth (no cavities, YAY!). You know what I don't get? Why is it that they try and have a conversation with you while they stick a metal object in your mouth..... I just don't get it! LOL.

The rest of the week was great, I've started walking again and it feels wonderful. Tyler rides his bike while I pushed Caiden in the stroller. Caiden LOVES being outside. His eyes are wide open just staring out... I can't wait to start running again. I go to the Doctor next Wednesday for my 4 week postnatal checkup and I'm SO excited because that next day I'm going to put on my running shoes! Hooray! My goal is to train for a half-marathon. I'll start of slow until I get back into it because it's been quite a few months since I've ran. Hopefully I can get some new Nike+ shoes to design on my own. Any ideas?

Eric's doing great too! He's been working like crazy and still getting home early so we can all eat dinner as a family and ride bikes with Tyler around the neighborhood. I love him SO much, he's such an amazing husband, father, friend.

Caiden- 2 weeks old

Last Saturday we went to a festival in Matthews and Tyler (and Eric) got to sit inside a real Firetruck!