Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Sing out!

MK and I went to a music festival on Saturday with her boyfriend and his mom while the Big Man and T. Willy had (according to T. Willy) "the best day ever."

Our festival was at a really neat venue in Panama City, and we had a wonderful time. We saw Jamie Grace, Peter Furler, Family Force 5, Switchfoot, and (the highlight for me) Toby Mac. They were all good, but Toby Mac was definitely my favorite. Here are pictures.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

My dad is a ray of sunshine!

My family made it through an earthquake and a hurricane in the last week. My mom sent this picture of my dad dressed to fight the elements last night because he had to go outside to empty the pool as it overflowed.

Friday, August 26, 2011

It's that time again!!!

The kids and I went to an away football game tonight. We didn't come away the victors, but the game didn't carry any importance, so we still had a great time. We had boiled peanuts and a lot of fun cheering for our Bulldogs!

Also, the Big Man did inventory at work tonight, so he had to spend time in the freezer. He sent a picture of himself dressed for the cold.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

T. Willy asked me to video him doing this.

So I'm putting it here for posterity.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Pictures - take 2

First day

The first day of school was yesterday. MK and I ride to school together, and she snapped the picture of herself on the way. She wasn't happy to go, but I think she left happy. The Big Man puts T. Willy on the bus, so he took a picture of T. waiting at the bus stop.  It's very convenient to have our house on the corner where his bus stops.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Ready or not....

Monday is coming. I think I'm ready. Here are some pictures of my finished room. You'll notice we still have props left from the plays last year.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

It's shaping up

The painting is finished, and there are desks in the room. Open house is tomorrow. I still have a lot to do before I'll be completely ready, but I'm closer. School starts Monday!!!!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Monday, August 15, 2011

MK and the Man

Here are a couple of pictures of MK and the Big Man tonight.

Today was my first day back at work. I really enjoyed it. It's so great being back there. We had a wonderful and long summer, and we're ready to go back. MK likes most of her schedule, and T. Willy's teacher comes with high recommendations. I'm teaching English, my first love in education; we are looking forward to a great year!!!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

The thought does count!!!!

MK loves peach rings. The Big Man's restaurant sells them, so he surprised her today with a box of them. Unfortunately, he left them in the truck, and when they made it home, they were a bit liquified. However, after some time in the refrigerator, they should be okay. And she appreciates how kind he was to bring them for her.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Brightening up

This year I'll have the same classroom that I had last year. It was a dull yellow, so I decided that I wanted to paint. MK recruited some friends, and they helped tonight. We are about half finished, but it already looks better. Pictures!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Hot Dog!

We had a good first day back home. We cleaned and mowed and laundered and grocery shopped. We are ready to get back into our routines.

There was an arts festival in our little town tonight. We had a great time walking around and sampling some local foods and listening to music. MK was able to catch up with friends she has missed since we were away.

She also debuted her new shirt, so here is a picture.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Home sweet home!!!

I took one last picture of our beautiful cabin view, and we hit the road! We are home and glad to be here. We brought with us wonderful memories!

On our way home, the Big Man surprised us with a trip to my favorite place for lunch in Birmingham. If you know me, you'll know that's Cheesecake Factory! I had the same thing I always have, and I loved it!! Thank you, Big Man!!!

We are unpacked; laundry is going, and it is good to be home!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Last night

We did some shopping today for school clothes and shoes, and we rested at the cabin for awhile.

For our last activity we played mini-golf. It was really fun (and I'm not just saying that because I won!) We all did really well. Before we went, the Big Man offered $10 to anyone who made a hole-in-one. I made two, but I only took $10 for one, because the second happened when my ball was bumped. T. Willy also earned $10! He is saving his, but we were all hot and thirsty after golfing, so I spent mine on Icees. They hit the spot!

Now we are back at the cabin. We'll get up early and clean up then get on the road.

This trip exceeded my expectations! We have had so much fun. T. Willy was saying how sad he was to leave Tennessee, but I said that while we've had fun here, we're taking the best part home - our family. It sounds corny, but I truly mean it. Everything we did was a blast because we did it together. The kids were great and adventurous even when they didn't think they would be, and the Big Man made everything fun. He is a great navigator and had really good ideas. I will be forever thankful that we had this time to reconnect and make memories!

River Rage

We spent a couple of hours on the Little River today. We rented tubes and floated down the river on them. A shuttle picked us up, and we could have done it all day if we'd wanted to, but we decided once was enough. I'm so glad we did it, and I'd definitely do it again. The river was low, but we still had plenty of fun. Since we left our phones in the car, we don't have pictures of us, but I was able to snap some pictures of others enjoying it.

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Hello, Dolly....wood!!!

Another fun day! We didn't fight crowds; we had really great weather...oh my goodness, it was a great day!!! We rode things that were too scary for Ty (and me, but I ride them anyway,) and we rode a lot of things perfect for our whole family.

MK led the way; she is so brave! The Big Man and I took turns riding with her and watching T. Willy. MK even sat with him while the Big Man and I had an adventure. I nearly chickened out, but I did it, and it was fun. T. Willy rode several things that he said he wouldn't and liked all but one. We found Dollywood to be a really family friendly place. People were so nice, and we are exhausted. We're back at the cabin for awhile, then we may do some shopping later.

Monday, August 08, 2011

Waiting to go into the Dixie Stampede!!

Before we go into the DS, we are listening to bluegrass and having snacks.

Sunday, August 07, 2011

One of my favorite pictures.

More pics...

More fun!!

We spent a lazy morning at the cabin then went to the Apple Barn. It is a complex of shops and restaurants. We ate a delicious lunch and did some looking around and shopping.

After that we went to the Titanic Museum. We learned a lot, and they had some really neat hands-on exhibits.

We spent the afternoon enjoying the cabin, then we went to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and drove and drove. We stopped along the road and walked in a creek which has been my favorite thing so far. The water was cold and felt great, and we were all adventurous.

I can't describe how much fun we're having...not just the sights and activities...just spending time and doing it all together - not thinking about work or school for awhile. Bliss.

Saturday, August 06, 2011

Dinner

We ate at the "Old Mill" tonight. We had such a fun time. So far this trip has been great. The kids have been wonderful, and the Big Man is an excellent navigator.