DC Trip

IMG_0048
Originally uploaded by Teddy Winter

Davis and I took a whirlwind trip to DC to see Tony and Lizzi this past weekend. We had an awesome time seeing the sites and getting to do some incredible things. You can click on the picture of Davis and it will take you to our Flickr site that has all the pictures from our trip. We actually got to go down to the Senate floor and see all of the things there but were not aloud to take pictures so all we have are memories. Hope you enjoy!

these are some pictures from davis' spring soccer season with the county's youth league.  he enjoyed it sooo much!  he asked me yesterday, as we were driving home from his last game if he could play again in the fall.  one of the pictures is of him scoring a goal (he scored 4 goals that game and they are only 30 mins. long!!!!!!)  the picture of him and the other little boy is porter...his best bud!  they are inseparable and they really enjoyed being on the same team this year.  

some more disney pictures...

i'm FINALLY getting some of these disney pictures up here!!!  this is just a snapshot of all the fun we had!!!  annabelle with her beloved mary poppins and then her twinsy picture with cinderella in the castle!  the kids had such a blast and keep begging to go back...annabelle prays almost every night the mommy and daddy will take her back to disney world.  

Soccer season has begun!

Today was Davis' first game of soccer this year. He had a blast today and did an amazing job. He scored 2 goals and really played well. Probably helped that I wasn't his coach. We're both happier that way. Here's some pictures and a couple of video's from today.

swim lessons!

well, we have started swim lessons and we are now officially half-way through.  davis is like a fish to water and is doing great.  i am sure he will come out in the end swimming laps!  annabelle is doing great too, but had a bit of a rough start.  she cried through the first 3 lessons, but really turned the corner on the 4th and didn't shed a tear!  here are a few pics of them at their lessons.  by the way, when we are not at swim lessons, annabelle is STILL in her bathing suit.  sometimes she even naps in it.  that's about all she wants to wear.  so, the picture of her and mia is at home and that's because annabelle talked mia into putting them on and she was showing her how she does swim lessons by jumping onto a blanket in the basement.

Snow tubing!

Sunday night we got the largest snow that we've had since the kids have been born. Monday was too cold to get out and enjoy but it warmed up enough yesterday for us to go tubing. The kids (and Erin) were a little apprehensive about sliding in a tube down a sheet of ice but eventually got comfortable with the idea. Soon Davis and Annabelle were racing each other down the run by themselves. We had a blast getting out and enjoying the late winter snow. Here's some pictures and some videos of the day.

Snow tubing! from Teddy Winter on Vimeo.

Davis and Annabelle snow tubing from Teddy Winter on Vimeo.

Little video of the kids

They got out and enjoyed the spring like weather. Annabelle even throws out her favorite Mary Poppins song.

Times like these..

well, i am trying to upload a cute photo of the 3 kiddos but i can't get it to work...so i will at least write about it.  (photo added now) 3 weeks ago i started watching a little girl during the days.  she is from china and some friends of our adopted her last september.  she is about 6 months younger than annabelle so currently, i have a 4-year-old, 3 year-old and a 2 year-old running around my house during the days!  it's interesting to say the least.  

it's been a little tough...transitioning from our comfortable home life and accepting in a 3rd.  the kids have had some adjustments to make as have i, but it's all really gone relatively smooth.  mia is full of life and has had so many changes in her little world over the last 6 months.  she was left in china, presumably by her mother and was found and taken to an orphanage.  she also spent some time with foster parents while in china.  i tell you this brief story to let you know how blessed teddy and i feel to be a part of her life.  a year ago, her parents approached us and wanted to know if i would watch her whenever they got her and i totally felt like this was something God wanted me to do.  of course, even though we do things God wants us to do, it's not always easy or without challenges.

God had laid this on their hearts over 5 years ago...to adopt a little girl from china.  3 years ago, God brought us to our church where teddy works and where we first met kevin and bridget (mia's parents).  they made first mention of me watching her last year at the super bowl party at church.  then, we started making plans to build a house up here in north asheville.  we sold our house in june.  we bought this house in august and just a few short days later, kevin and bridget left for china to get her.  i guess today, since it is relatively quiet at my house for the moment, i am just reflecting on how God uses our obedience and blesses us.  not that He has too, but because i think He wants to.  it's easy to write all of this in one paragraph and make it all sound so nice and neat, but it's not that way.  there was a lot of faith building and trusting going into all these changes.  but, now that i feel like i am somewhat on the other side of it all, i see how God has a plan.  he doesn't necessarily need us to complete it, but if we are willing and obedient to what he has for our lives, we get to take part in this amazing journey and experience Him and His glory along the way!  we serve an amazing God who takes on a wild ride...not without hard times or even pain, but a journey so worth it!!!

snow day!

i am turning a new leaf...again...i am really going to try to update the blog MUCH more often. it is snowing here today and the kids are very excited! it's super cold and is only going to get colder! the forcasted high for friday is 25!!!!! so, for those of you in florida reading this...i am super jealous of your weather right now!

Some Thanksgiving Day fun

Here's a little video of the kids getting excited about Thanksgiving. Hope you all have a wonderful day! We miss getting to see you all but hope to catch up soon.


Thanksgiving Day Dancing from Teddy Winter on Vimeo.

The past couple of weeks

Deedee Doodle on her scooter
Originally uploaded by Teddy Winter

We took the kids to Clemson for their first Clemson game and also celebrated Annabelle's 3rd birthday. We are going to have her party this weekend and she is so excited to see everyone.

Fall pics

Looking out from the porch
Originally uploaded by Teddy Winter

We've posted some new pictures of the kids on Flickr. Just click on the picture and you'll be taken to the new ones. Enjoy!

The rockin' princess

Annabelle has started to enjoy performing for everyone now and is quite good at it also. Here is a little video of her getting ready for a show. She is quite a handful. We are having a blast.


The Rockin' Princess from Teddy Winter on Vimeo.

Davis has learned to ride his bike

Here are some pictures of Davis riding his bike this week. He was able to do it without much effort. He really is enjoying the long driveway and hasn't had a bad wreck yet. He's doing awesome!

Moving in

Front of the house 1
Originally uploaded by Teddy Winter

So, we are in the midst now of unpacking at the new house. We are officially out of our old one and have moved all of our stuff in. Not sure where the stuff is but we are certain it is in this house. Somewhere. We have everything finished on the house except for the driveway. That will go in when it quits raining. Finally got our internet up and running so we can post some pictures. Enjoy!

House update

Garage side
Originally uploaded by Teddy Winter

Things are really picking up at the house. We will be in the house in under 2 weeks. It is looking really great and we are more than excited to move in. Here are some pictures of the progress.

This is what we do...

Guitar Hero! from Teddy Winter on Vimeo.

Davis taking a slow ride. Annabelle trying to throw him off his game.

Summer nights

Sunday we had a get together with our Sunday School class at a friends home. The kids played on a water slide, road bikes, and ate ice cream with some friends. Looking forward to our house being done so we can do this more often. Davis and Annabelle didn't want to leave. Gonna be sad when the sun starts to go down earlier.

House progress

Siding is going up today and will be done tomorrow. Drywall starts Wednesday. We close on our present house Thursday and will be renting it back from the lady who has bought it till the end of august when the new house is done. It's getting pretty exciting here.

Wii time

We just got a Wii. Here's some video of Davis playing it.


Davis on the wii from Teddy Winter on Vimeo.

More of the house

IMG_5471
Originally uploaded by Teddy Winter

House is moving along quickly. Should be all dried in by the end of this week. Drywall goes up next week!

More photos

Basket time
Originally uploaded by Teddy Winter

We have put up some more pictures of the house and also one of the kids playing at home. Hope you all are well.

House progress

Driveway
Originally uploaded by Teddy Winter

Here are some pictures of the house. Framing starts Monday so progress will pick up quickly. Enjoy.

Beach pics

Sunset walk #2
Originally uploaded by Teddy Winter

We have posted the pictures of our trip to Sarasota. Enjoy!

Clip from Sarasota

We are in Sarasota for the week on vacation. Kids are having a blast in the pool and on the beach and we are really enjoying relaxing. Here's a little video of Davis enjoying the new Coldplay album.

Oh the days with Annabelle

Dish duty
Originally uploaded by Teddy Winter

Put some new pictures up of the little girl. Been some fun times and also some crazy times. Enjoy.

And we're off

Driveway
Originally uploaded by Teddy Winter

Broke ground on the new house today. Lots of excitement. Click on the picture to see a couple more pics of the groundbreaking.

Davis' first soccer game

Davis' first soccer game 4
Originally uploaded by Teddy Winter

So Saturday was our first soccer game. It was cold and slightly rainy so that made for an interesting time. We started the game by allowing 6 goals in the first 3 minutes. Not a real good way to start the season. We regrouped and scored two goals in the second period but that was it. By the end of the game, we only had 2 of our kids playing. The rest were cold and tired so they quit playing. Fortunately, we don't keep score. I couldn't count that high anyway.
Click on the photo to see more of Davis in action.

Soccer Practice

So, we had soccer practice Monday for the first time. It was fun and no one got injured. Actually, the kids on the team were really attentive to what I had to say. Although, having not played soccer before it was difficult telling them what to do. The other teams coach had his whistle out and had his kids doing all these soccer drills. My kids were doing basketball drills such as suicides and defensive slides. Gotta do a little more research before next practice. Fortunately, they are only 4 and 5 years old. Plenty of time to learn how to play correctly from another coach.

Here's a picture of Davis in his uniform. (Matches my sweet Gazelle's that Erin made fun of me for buying several months ago before Davis was signed up to play. Looking good now.)