You Can Ring My Bell

Last night Zach, Max and I rang the bell for the Salvation Army. When Kim came later with Logan and Olivia we ran down to the dollar store and got candy canes. It boosted our receipts because people were actually getting something in return, but honestly, wouldn't you give this goofy little elf your change?

Sunday's Art Work

On Sunday mornings the boys like to drawer on the inserts in the bulletin. I usually don't pay much attention to what they've doodled, and the art work gets filed in my purse with all the other loose paper from the week. Today, I cleaned out that paperwork and took a gander and wow - I'm pretty sure Pastor's sermon wasn't about any of this...Max did the top picture, Zach did the bottom one.

I'll Take That

Gee, Papa that bread looks pretty good!



Maybe you should get a piece for yourself -



That one looks good too!



Yum! Papa you really should try it!

Happy Birthday Zach!

Saint Grandma

Last Sunday we celebrated All Saints Day, and at church, they honor those who have passed in the last year, by adding them to the Memorial Wall. Today while Zach and I cleaned up the Coffee Fellowship, Max took pictures of Grandma's Memorial.



On the way out, he said "wait, I have to take a picture of that beautiful tree!" The tree, hangs over a bit of the wall, and he was right, it was beautiful today, and I love how he got the colors of the sky behind it just so right!

Halloween 2010

It's not like I'm busy??? I just haven't been on this site in a while. Here's the only picture I have of all the kids together at Halloween. A little goofy but cute all the same. This is at the Fall Fest in the square on the 23rd, and then the following weekend we had Trunk or Treat, Trick or Treat and Greatest Treat. Glad we survived - now on to Thanksgiving. (I'll try to be better, but y'all have heard that before.)

Sugar Rush

Zach's Cousin Olivia

When she was born he avoided her like the plague. Now that she's growing up, he finds time to spend with her. Especially when Max and Logan aren't around.

Spirit Night Sept. 2010

Jefferson had their first spirit night last Thursday. It was held at Chik-fil-a here in Shelby. I thought I'd end up taking Zach and Max but then Jake and Nikki went too. We ended up staying nearly the whole 2 hours, chatting and getting refills on our drinks while the kids played.

Grape Stomping

Eating ice cream treats

Gem Mining

Carriage Rides

Ok, so we didn't get to stomp grapes but we did do other fun stuff.

Gem Mining

After lunch at Fatz, and apple picking we headed up to Chimney Rock. We got caught in a crazy mountain thunderstorm, but waited it out so we could walk around the village and go GEM MINING!!

Looking Glass Falls

Jake and Nikki were with us on this adventure - as well as Fifi, Bootie, and Papa

Sliding Rock

Last week we went on few adventures during Jo's visit. Thursday we headed up to Pisgah State Forest, and Chimney Rock - these are pictures of the Sliding Rock area. Sliding Rock is an all natural water slide. Although none of us went down it, a few of our group ended up in the water. Maybe next time we'll have some takers.

Recycle!!!

Saturday In The Park

The boys and I joined Kim, Logan, and Olivia at Shelby City Park - they had a good time, and when the rain came, we continued the fun at McDonald's

7 outta 10

Last week when we were in Illinois the cousins got together every night. Sunday it was Sami, Matt and Dani, Monday it was Erik and Jess, Tuesday?? (hmm we didn't) Wednesday everybody but Jeanne and Devin went bowling, Thursday everyone but Nate went to Lynn's, Friday we missed Sami, Matt and Dani at the zoo, and got home to late to see them at night - Saturday a bunch showed up at the wedding, and since we missed all 10 of them together on Thursday, we didn't want to miss at least a bunch together. Here they pose with Grandma - Erik with Abbie, Zach, Jake with Devin, Max and Jessica.

New Background!

Yeah - there were some new background choices so I thought I would update our look a little. I either need to nix the counter or try to move him as I don't care for the over lap on the side. I've been soooo good at putting pictures up on Facebook, that I just don't do it here - so it's time to try and start this up again and mix it up a little. Afterall not everybody has a Facebook.

Olivia and the Lime

Tastes good!



Maybe not!

Spirit Night

Tuesday night was Jefferson's Spirit night at Challenger 3 - the boys played mini golf where Jake won, and Zach came in last.



Then we grabbed a bucket of balls and all 3 boys hit the driving range.



Putting it on the tee just right.



Wow - look at it go - he hits 'em straight and out to the 75 - especially if he gets frustrated and wails on it.



We also had Dairy Queen and hit the batting cages - yes, even Mom hit the batting cages and I did pretty good! All in all it was a fun night and it benefitted the school!

Mr. & Mrs. Casey Burnett

Today Jake's friends Casey and Brittany were married. Jake and Brittany have been really good friends since middle school, and he and Casey became friends when they were playing football together and Casey started dating Brittany. It was a very pretty day, and they looked very happy - we wish them all the best!

What's in the Bud Vase?

Zach was out at dusk, and came in with a firefly for himself, and a daisy for the bud vase.

Bugz

Last night was the kindergarten musical at the boys school, and Max was part of the Army Ants. He's on the top row in the middle. They did a great job, and it looked like they all had a lot of fun.

What's in the Bud Vase?

This is a new segement that we will call "What's in the Bud Vase?" Every now and then Zach will pick something from the yard, and it will appear on the window sill in my bud vase. This weekend - it was wild strawberries.

Grandma Jany

Grandma Jany passed away this past Sunday. She was 96. Amazing. Last Wednesday she was playing with the Zach, Max and Logan, tossing bears at them, and making Olivia laugh. At 96 she still played games with the kids, and read to them. She will be missed. God's Blessings Grandma!

Sorry, We're Closed

So last Sunday was the last day for business and the last day for my staff. I got to stay on a few more days to transfer out all the merchandise. I will miss my store, my staff, my customers...
...on to new things :)

Are You Closing?

Honestly, I don't know what would give it away? A couple of weeks ago I found out from my boss that my store would be one of the 150 that Blockbuster is closing at this time.

Sad? A little. I've been working at this store since Zach was 6 weeks old. He even went on the interview with me (at the request of the interviewer - she didn't want to wait for my babysitter). It was my part time job, two weeks later a key holder quit, and I got keys...few months later I was working full time hours, and then they finally put me thru as full time. I took over the store after having 4 store managers and every other one was a yahoo - if it was time for a yahoo, it was going to be me. I've seen kids grow up. Teenagers graduate high school, and college, get married and start families. I will miss customers, and that feeling of being part of the community.

Oscar Night at Fifi's

Fabulous fondue with friends....








...and I win the Oscar crown! What a fun night!

Shrove Tuesday

Games, Potatoes, Desserts, and Fellowship!

Sitting at the Table

Olivia sat at the end of Bootie and Papa's table, she follows you with those big blue eyes, and only cracks an occasional smile for me. Of course her father, her brother, my father - can all get really good laughs from her, I just never seem to snap those pictures. Here we let Olivia help me take a picture of Zach and Grandma.

Happy Valentines Day 2010!

Tim's boss gave him a gift card for Mama Ricotta's or Cantina 1511, so we decided Valentine's Day would be a good day to go. Bootie and Papa joined us, and Jake watched the boys and Gert (Fifi stopped by there too). Food was really good, conversation was good - just a really nice day. Check out their website - www.cantina1511restaurant.com. Tried to get these two to pose...

Good Morning from Pepper!

So, I had Jake clear off my memory card so I could start taking pictures and blogging about the boys again. I took the camera to school today for Muffins for Moms and I didn't even take one picture. Not of the boys or their classrooms or the muffins, nothing....not even Max's admirers who pointed and whispered as we walked in the room. Did I tell you he's shy at school? Crazy loud never stops talking Max, whispers and keeps to himself in the classroom. His teacher says he interacts, and does everything normal - he's just reserved. (That's cuz he saves the crazy for home)Anyway...


...while I had the camera out, I thought I would get a shot or two of goofy girl. She's about a year now, since we got her last year mid-March and at that time they thought she was 6 to 8 weeks old. We still don't know what her mutt mix is. She still doesn't like strangers, she digs, she chews, she likes to jump on the boards that are leaning on the wall of the 3 season room (it was our carport) make them move, vibrate whatever, and then bark at them. I don't think she's all there. Still the goofy girl, fits with us.

Johnny B. Goode

Zach's class had their 2nd grade musical yesterday, it was titled Johnny B. Goode, and al the kids dressed in white t-shirts, jeans or poodle skirts. Zach asked if he could wear his (faux) leather jacket, and they thought that would good. Not one to take a lead role, I am just pleased he doesn't freak out like Jake used to!