Pirates of Penzance

We've been going all year up to Spivey Hall and taking advantage of some really good plays at really cheap prices. So, when they sent us an email about participating in one of their programs, my kids were all about it. However, when we got the CD for the music in the mail, we were quite surprised to find out they would be singing opera music. We all laughed so very hard. Alec would do great impersonations. Bless his heart, after hearing this, he really didn't want to do it. . . . However, being the meanest mom on earth that I am I told him he had to do it b/c he had committed to it.

It didn't help either that he was the oldest kid in the bunch.

He really was such a trooper. He didn't complain.

He did make me laugh ALOT!!!!!!!!!!

I told him I really hoped this wasn't one of those things a mom makes someone do as a teenager that he would end up hating me over. . .

All said in good fun, of course. . .

The girls had a blast. . .

And, even though having a blast is a bit strong for Alec. . . .

I do think he's glad he did it. He really enjoyed the acting part of it.

Can't you tell?

Much better. . .

And, we got to do it with our friends, the Hendrixes and the Cobbs.

We really did make a great memory!

Arrrr mateys!!!!!!!!!!!

A Beautiful Day for Callaway

Callaway Gardens was offering free admission until the end of February. . . what a perfect time to go and ride bikes. . . . I decided to take Jon's truck and Trish and her kiddos went with us for a day of bike riding and picnicing.

These kiddos were such troopers (especially the smaller kids). We rode 10 miles that day!!!

Alec, Ash, and Campbell pretty much led the pack the whole time. They were so obedient to wait at each stop sign for us. Otherwise, they would have blazed the trail.

Landon and Hanna and I hung out on our bikes.

And, to boot, a big bonus was at the last minute John and Judy C. decided to join us. We had such a great time spending the day together.

While Trish and I took the smaller kids to the picnic area where John and Judy parked, the older kids rode bikes back with them. However, Alec was goign pretty fast and a bug flew in his mouth. He went to spit it out and ended up hitting a tree. He had some pretty good road rash and messed up his bike. A few days later we actually thought his wrist may have been broken. Thankfully, it wasn't.

Every good story needs some pictures, so I got some pictures of his "war wounds" for him.

Firecracker, Firecracker, Boom, Boom, Boom & Other Basketball Tales

Although I told myself I wouldn't do it. Although I told Kelly I wouldn't do it. I DID IT!!!!!!!!!! Really all in the name of family time. If I didn't coach Hanna's cheer leading squad this year, she would have practice on Thurs. nights. That would mean all of us being gone every night of the week again (just like soccer). . . . so I, reluctantly, agreed to do it. I really did have a lot of fun with it. Here's a few pictures from the season!!!!!!!!!!

Jon was coaching basketball (Ash's team) and refereeing some this year too.

We even managed to do some pyramids. . .

My most favorite cheerleader. . .

Silly pose!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me and Katy (she helped me with the girls some. She cheers for her school)

Ash's # was 13 this year.

Surprise Noelle!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sweet Noelle is always giving every one surprise parties, so when it was time for her birthday, we all just had to give her a party. . . . she was so very surprised. It was funny she actually ran in our house straight to the bathroom b/c she had to potty. We all yelled "Surprise" and she just couldn't believe it.

Look at that cake. My Aunt Wanda (mom's sister) made it.

We had wonderful time celebrating a very precious girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!