Five for Friday

Just some quick thing to share with you today.

1. Today is my last day of being 31. I am headed out tonight with my friend, Cristina, to celebrate. We are going to the Frist museum and out to eat. I am really looking forward to this.

2. I have been blog hopping today and found a site that I totally adore: http://todayscreativeblog.blogspot.com/

3. My mom and Craig bought a boat and we are going out in the morning. We are all really looking forward to this. It is a pontoon boat that seats 15 people so we will have plenty of room. This will definitely make living near a lake much more fun.

4. I am in a huge mood to purge, organize and decorate. I will share with you the changes around here as I get them done.

5. Just when I thought are doing well financially, my freezer starts leaking water, my air conditioning breaks down, and medical bills pile up. Don't even get me started on medical bills, ouch!

Our resident smarty pants

Today was the awards ceremony (as well as the last day of school) at Brianna and Arick's school. Only the 3rd through 5th grades participate which made Arick sad. I was supposed to be there but I was locked out of my car, so Andrew hurried over to support Bri and apparently she needed lots as she won LOTS of awards. Here is the list:

Principal's List for the entire year award (1 of 4 kids in her grade to receive it, must have straight A's for the entire year)
Top scores in Science
Top scores in Social Studies
Top scores in Math
Top scores in English
Geography Bee School Winner
Art Award
Music Award
PE Award
Top Accelerated Reader for 4th Grade
Top Accelerated Reader for the entire school with 341.8 points (70 points higher than second place)

At the end of the ceremony, Brianna resembled Mr. T with all those medals around her neck. She was beaming to say the least.

Our beach vacation

We went on vacation last week to Wilmington, NC to visit Andrew's sister, Jamie, and her husband, Andy. Andy's daughter, Emma (7), was able to spend time with us too which my kids loved. It is about 10 hours to drive there. We spent time at the beach, visited the local children's museum, made scones, played the Wii, and just hung out. We had such a great time and definitely look forward to visiting again.

Verizon or AT&T?

We are almost at the end of 2 year contract for our cells and we are trying to decide who to go with next. We love AT&T and the idea of getting the iPhone is a huge thrill for me, but it seems like most of my friends and family use Verizon and I love being able to call for free.

So if we talk even if it is once a year, please leave a comment and let me know what service you use. Thanks!!! Can't promise anything, since the iPhone is pretty tempting.

FHE at the park

Here are some pictures from our latest Family Home Evening at the park. The weather has been perfect lately. We had a great time together. You can see the pictures bigger if you click on them (blogger is making these photos darker than they are, so excuse that, I don't have time to find out why). Make sure you don't miss the picture of Ty with his new haircut.

Notice anything wrong with this picture?

Ty decided to play barber today and cut his hair. As you can see in the photo, Ty has learned that Mommy and Daddy don't like when he plays barber. Oh well. Andrew has always wanted to try a really short (bolo) summer look for the boys and now he has an excuse.

Five for Friday

Here are five facts for me to share with you this Friday

1. Arick was hit by a rock thrown by a bullying 12 year old in our neighborhood. He ended up with 2 stitches (hit right between the eyes) and a whole lotta ice cream. He is fine and is proudly showing off the threads to all who are interested.

2. I am currently craving Stouffer's Stuffed Green Peppers, yum.

3. Ella loves to ask "Where is it?" and when she find it, she says "Dare it is!". She is also becoming attached to blankets and shouts "Gankie!!!" when she finds one and wraps it around herself.

4. Sickness has been rampant in our home, but Andrew got hit the worst, as it has left him with terrible vertigo.

5. I learned to make cinnamon rolls this week and it isn't too hard. They taste much better than any I have bought.

Here are some photos to enjoy.


Ella loves shoes, especially to take them off and put them back on.


Brianna and all her craziness.


Ty and his melt-you-heart smile.


Arick reluctantly letting me take his picture. Probably the last one without braces, which he gets next week.


Arick just after he got hit by the rock. Look at how sad he is, by poor little buddy.

She won't stay still

Ella loves to be outside and loves to run, especially away from me and then back to me.

A photoshoot early in the morning

Had an early session this morning. This young man is in our church and it excited to graduate in a few weeks. I couldn't wait to share.

Have I really been gone that long?

I can't believe my last post was over two weeks ago. I will admit that these last two weeks have been incredibly busy but wow! Hope you all haven't felt abandoned.



So today, I just have to share this photo of everyone's favorite 4 year old taken with my new camera. I have some adjusting to do (buttons and dials work differently). I also got a couple of new lenses so that will keep me busy as well. I am so excited and I feel like a kid at Christmas. Every morning I wake up so excited to play with my new 'toy'.

Prepare yourself, you will be seeing lots more pictures this week.