Valentines Day

Bryan and I were able to go on a date for Valentine's date without Mattie Kate! This was our first date without her and we were able to enjoy some quiet time! Our tradition is to go to Gatlinburg for Valentine's Day - we have done this every year since we started dating and this year was no different! We left Mattie Kate with Bryan's parents and headed up to Calhoun's. On the way back we stopped and got coffee at Starbucks and ice cream to enjoy. Since Bryan had a meeting on Valentine's Day, Mattie Kate and I left him some special treats!

Lots of Fun!

Mattie Kate at 1 month old! It's hard to believe she is now 6 weeks old!
Loving nap time with her owl!
First trip to the mountains! We went to Elkmont and went for a hike!


We have been having lots of fun! As a family we have gone hiking, seen a new fire truck, and done much more! Bryan turned 30 this year and we had several get togethers! Bryan ... we love you! You are an incredible husband and dad!

Lots of Firsts...

We have been busy with lots of firsts! Our first shopping trip to TJ Maxx, first bottle from daddy, first lunch with daddy at work, first trip to Sevierville and much more! Two weeks have flown by and we are more smitten each day!

Mattie Kathryn "Mattie Kate"

Life has changed a lot in the last few days for the McCarters! We have added a wonderful addition to our family! Mattie Kate was born on December 29, 2011 at 5:46 p.m. She was 6 pounds 15 ounces and 20 3/4 inches long! We are elated and blessed to have this beautiful little girl!

We are home and enjoying our new family! We are excited for Mattie Kate to meet all of her family!

Bryan McCarter, CPA

Well after almost 3 years, Bryan passed his last CPA test! Yahoo! We are so excited that this chapter of our life is complete! We celebrated with our friends... chili... apple cider... and of course a 10-key cake!

Thank you for all of your prayers, support and encouragement!

Bryan McCarter, CPA

Summer Happenings...

So I figure I am probably the worst blogger ever! It has been months since our last update! So in brief here we go...

School is out so I get time to catch up with friends and family. Bryan and I have had lots of fun hiking, traveling to Michigan, going to Dollywood and much more.

Update on Bryan....

Finishing up his last CPA exam! YAHOO! Enjoying summer and the slower pace at work. He has been hiking and out on the lake!

Update on Anna...

School is out! Still teaching 1st grade next year! Very blessed to be in a school that I love so much! Running the 1/2 marathon in Nashville in September!

This summer we are going on some fun family trips! In 2 weeks we are heading to Mexico with the White family for a gradulate school celebration! Yippee we are finished with graduate degrees (Josh, Emily, Anna and Bryan - CPA). In July we are renting a convertible and driving the Blue Ridge Parkway with friends!

Pictures and more of an update to come... hopefully I will be better at this during the summer!

Tax Season

Welcome to tax season! To most this would not be a big deal... but this family is headed up by none other than an accountant! Bryan began working every Saturday starting January 1 and has really gotten busy at work! I (Anna) made him a paper chain and he gets to tear one link off when he gets home each saturday! Surprisingly things have been going quickly! Check out our Festivus Christmas Party attire... yes my sweatshirt is a picture of Bryan with a funny hat (this is pre-Christmas)!

School for me has been wild! Wild I tell you! I love every minute of it, however I am busy busy busy and attempting to teach in the midst of taking care of everything else at school! ha! It works out well becuase Bryan is really busy as well! I love what I do and I love going to work each morning! I am truly blessed with a family of co-teachers that are encouraging, supportive, fun, and wonderful Christian people!

What do we do for fun you might ask?

*wii Olympic Sports with friends

*skiing

*training for the Knoxville Half Marathon

*spending time with friends

*planning summer camping trips

*hiking, hiking, hiking in the Smoky Mountains! (This is Rainbow Falls - totally frozen... 90 ft. waterfall)

Do we actually get to see each other in the midst of this craziness?

YES! We have been able to spend time with each other at night when we both get home as well as on Saturday night and all day Sunday! Check out a few pictures of our adventures since the Holidays!