Fouth Continued

This is probably one of my favorite photos of my crew.  This is my happy place. :) 

There are two things that are a must on my birthday.

1. We must go to a parade... this year I got to share it with the Hubby & family.

2. We must go to the fireworks.

Check & Check

IT WAS A GREAT DAY!

It was great to have the two other men in my life with me.  Daddy is usually at home "staying up all night and morning" smoking the Bar-b-que.... and David is usually half way across the world protecting our freedom.  I hope this becomes a tradition... every year. :)

Family, Friends, Fun, & the Fourth of July

One of my favorite holidays is the Fourth of July.....

For obvious reasons, its my birthday, but it is also a time to get together with all of my friends and family to celebrate this wonderful nation we live in.

This year we were invited to the Graham's for a Pre Fourth of July Fireworks show.

The kids had a great time and Duane put on one heck of a show. :)

The kids had such a great time playing after the fireworks that Madison had to be carried home.

Madison + lots of boys + playing "man hunt" in FLIPFLOPS = sprained ankle.

Yes.... those would be crutches.  There's my sweet girly-girl all dressed up and no where to go but to Mimi's and Pawpaws for our annual 4th of July cookout.  It was so nice to hang out with my family.  I love them all and feel so blessed to have all of them so close to me.

Schools Out For Summer

Today was the last day of school for the kids!  My sweet teacher friend Tracey invited us over to hang out in her cool garage.  Who needs to go out when you have a garage like this? We had such a fun time..... It's going to be a great summer!

Me, Denise and Tracey

 

February Break

I love my job.  And I really love our school calendar.  Darin gives me a hard time about the school calendar.  He says "I wish I could get a week off every six weeks."  My response... "It's nice isn't it?"  :)  He's just jealous.

He couldn't take off from work this February break due to his surgery...He just got back to light duty. So, what do I do?  I ask  tell my mom that she is going with me and the kids to the mountains!  TN here we come! 

First stop..... Wilderness in the Smokies Water Park!!! 

I wish I had gotten more pictures here... my camera went dead. :( 

No school, more snow, more memories.......

The kids (and I) were tickled pink when school was canceled!!!!  Everything was cancelled......who am I kidding, we live in the south.
It was a nice to be forced to do nothing.  No work, no grocery shopping, no cleaning....
I got to see the world through my children's eyes.

This one is going in a frame.

Happy New Year!

This year we were invited over to some friends house for a Crab Leg Dinner/ New Years Eve get together. We had a great time! I am so glad that the kids were all invited too. Have you ever tried to get a babysitter on New Years Eve?

Especially for all of these kids??

What a great group of kids!

Remember those crab legs we were invited to eat???  Well, this is what Darin did most of the night.  He cracked them for almost all of those kids.... and me.   He was a crab crackin' fool!

The girls ready to ring in the NEW YEAR!!

The boys waiting to ring in the NEW YEAR!

We had a great night with great friends and I can't wait to do it again next year!!!

HaPpY NeW YeAr Y'aLl!!!!

Christmas + Snow = True Happiness

After all the presents were opened and all of our sweet family went home we were given another present. 

A White Christmas!!

This is probably my favorite picture.  I am so blessed.  Thank you Jesus for my blessings and for your sacrifices.  I am so undeserving. 

See what a little bit of team work can accomplish? 

It has become a tradition that we stay in our pajama's all day Christmas day......

Yes, I always host Christmas dinner at my house and yes I stay in my jammies.

That's how I roll.....the parents and in laws are used to it now.

Speaking of roll..... That new jacket gives me a roll....

Not a nice picture at all. But one day I know I will look back on it with fond memories.  Today I just say ewe..... I look terrible!

White Christmas




Drew's note to Santa......... Dear Santa, I would like to have an xbox 360 kinect...... I have been a good boy

 

Madison's note to Santa.... Santa, I would like a phone even though my mom won't let me have one.....

Mommy's note to Santa..... Dear Santa, I want a white Christmas.... I've been a good girl too.
Thank you Santa.

My Charlie Brown tree

We have 4 Christmas trees in the house and this little guy is my favorite.  It is my Country Christmas Charlie Brown tree...
It makes my heart happy.

And I should give a shout out to my husband. Although he couldn't really get around, he fluffed and put together all four trees.  And thank you to my FIL Don for getting all of the trees out of the attic....... Poor Darin couldn't do much after ACL surgery.

No picture November.....

I don't know how it happened.... November went by and I didn't take one picture.
But here is my sweet Drew last year as the Pilgrim minister in his kindergarten Thanksgiving play.
I have so much to be thankful for......

I am now the mother of a tween? Say what!!!!

Some of the party crew...... I don't remember having parties like these. :)

The 'boy-friend"........ I don't think I had a boyfriend @ 12.  Good thing I know his parents. LOL

Sweet girls!

Nothing like having the skating rink to yourself!!!

And so it happened, just like that my sweet girl became a "tween"


Am I even old enough to have a tween? (Don't answer that.....)

Where did the time go?

A week ago today I was all packed and ready to leave for our beach vacation.......... tonight I sit - taking a break from lesson plans - looking back on the memories we made. 

Oh how I will miss you..... but one day we will meet again. 

To know him is to love him

Take one

Take two

Friday Night Lights

Although Madison may not think so, I still remember the excitement of Friday Night Football.  The stadium lights, the band, all of the students piled on the big M in the stands..... Oh how life was so simple then.  If I only knew then what I know now.



JoJo, Syd & Madison 
Three of the sweetest girls I know. 

The Crew..... oh puppy love. 



A boy with many legos and his four legged friend.

The pictures are horrible I'll admit....I left my camera in my classroom and I didn't want to miss the moment. So an i phone picture will do......Our days are becoming consumed with activites, homework, activites, housework, activities... and did I mention activities? A downtime moment is rare in this house. So here sits my little man, after cub scouts, after his bath.... and before his clothes. :)

There is always time for legos!

And next to him is my other little man..... the cat. I'm a cat lover, always have been and always will be. Peppers is secretly waiting for Drew to leave a lego on the floor so he can scoot it around the house at night. He loves getting frisky and making loud noises at 2 am with any type of toy. And watch out silly bands.... this panther will eat you. He takes no mercy!

Toes in the water.....

We are on week three of the kids being back to school and week four of me being back to school! And......

 I NeeD A VaCaTiOn!!! 

I love our schedule... Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, Christmas Break, Winter Break and Spring Break!!!  I count down to each one. And Fall Break is 5 weeks away!!!  Don't get me wrong,  I love my job... it is one of the most rewarding things in my life... next to being mommy to Madison and Drew.  But, because of Darin's ACL replacement surgery we didn't get to go on vacation this summer and this momma is feeling it. :)

SO, soon in 5 weeks... I will once again be sitting on the beach looking out at the Alantic Ocean..... only this time a little further north. :) 

Whoo-hoo... let the count down begin.

School has started...

School has started! It has been a busy time around here.... I still can't believe that Madison is a big sixth grader (eek!) and Drew is in first grade! Where has the time gone? And how do I make it stop?

Thank you to Miss Madison and Drew-Drew for putting up with and letting me take your photo. You are growing up and I want to remember every moment.

Miss Madison Bailey (6th grade) and Mr. Drew Hunter (1st grade) on the 1st Day of School  2010

Drew (Kindergarten) and Madison (5th grade) on the 1st day of school 2009

Madison (4th grade) and Drew (Pre-K) on the first day of school 2008

MOMMY LOVES YOU BOTH!

 

Just one picture for mommy?

Ever since I can remember my mom has taken me to the Marietta parade for the 4th of July celebration. It is a tradition....it is expected. Today, we broke tradition. -eek- I was a little hesitant only because I didn't want to hurt my mom's feelings. Turns out, she didn't care what parade we went to....I love that woman. I digress....

We went to the Woodstock parade this morning for a few reasons.
1. It's closer
2. We should support the towns we live in.
3. My good looking husband was going to be in it. :)
Reason # 3 was good enough reason for me!!! It was neat seeing him ride by in his patrol car with our crazy K-9 in the back. My heart swelled when the kids waved and yelled "Daddy!!" And the wink he gave me when he rode by wasn't too bad either.

Here is a picture of two of the most important ladies in my life. This picture brings me to tears. Here sits a red head called Mimi by her grand kids and known as momma to me. She is an amazing woman. I love her so much. :) She has taught me so much.

Sitting in her lap is my little girl - - Sweet Miss Madison. I find myself saying things to Madison these days that my mom use to say to me. I SWORE I would never say those things. When I was Madison's age, I would get so mad at my mom at the things she would say. I would roll my eyes at her all the time.... I was convinced she just didn't know what I was going through. I am sure Madison feels the same way I did when I was a kid. She probably thinks I'm old, I don't understand.... etc. But, if I can be 1/2 the mom to Madison that my mom is to me.... I guess all of the eye rolling will be worth it.

Here sits my Yoo-hoo boy - chocolate mustache and all. He was so excited about the parade. He is very patriotic and loved seeing all of the red, white, and blue. He wants to be an "Army man." I am glad that he has a love for his country but this momma isn't so keen on her baby boy wanting to be in the Army. I have seen the fear and pain in my mommas eyes every time my brother has gone off to war. Luckily, he is six and we have a few more years before he has to make a decision of what he wants to be when he grows up.



What can I say about this picture? First I should say THANK YOU..... getting them both to smile at the same time these days is almost impossible. So thank you Madison and Drew... this meant a lot to your momma. Now could both of you stop growing so fast? Not only are my babies are getting older...but so am I!!!!

This picture should need no caption. But for those who are interested...
Me: Madison, Drew... lets take a picture together.
Madison: My eyes hurt
Me: Drew come on... you get on the other knee.
Madison: My eyes hurt
Drew: Move over Madison
Madison: The sun is bright, my eyes hurt
Mom: (taking the picture) Drew move your head.. I can't see your mom.
Mom: Madison smile
Madison: My EYES HURT!!
Mom: Say cheese
Madison: Ah, I think I blinked
Me: Forget it.....

Happy 4th of July!!!!!

Stone Mountain

What a great evening for a laser show! While Cherokee county was getting hit hard with thunderstorms, we enjoyed a overcast, breezy night at the rock. Love me some family time!