August 2014

Edenton, NC

 Thanks again to Mom and Daddy, Kevin and I were able to get away for a couple of days. We went to Edenton, the oldest town in NC. It was the first capital of NC. We went on a walking tour and saw a lot of the older buildings and homes. It is right on the Albemarle Sound so we took lots of walks along the water for the cool breeze.

 The original court house.

 Roanoke River Lighthouse

Visit to the Beach

A visit to see Grandma and Papa Jack always means a visit to the beach as well. We had fun times on the beach and in the boat. I've never been stuck in a down pour on a boat before. I can't say it was fun but it was an adventure and something to remember! Kevin, Papa Jack, and the boys left me and Sarah on an island while they went fishing off the boat. The sky started looking a little dark and the wind picked up. The other people on the island started taking shelter. One guy even mentioned my being stranded out there. I told him not to worry that my father-in-law takes storms near the water very seriously and would be there to get me anytime. About ten minutes before it started raining, the boys were back, the umbrella, sand toys, and stuff was loaded, and we were headed back to the boat ramp. Unfortunately not soon enough. It was pouring, thundering, and lightning all around us. Everything was soaked and the kids were a little freaked out, but we made it back safe and sound!

 

 

Jackson threw the throw net and caught a crab!

 

 Sitting on one of the boat docks in Morehead City.

 There was a cute little park under this bridge in Swasnboro. Just walking under the bridge with cars riding over your head was fun enough!

First Day of School

Sarah started at a new school this year. She is in the preschool program at Burlington Christian Academy. Her first day of school was about a week earlier than the boy's. Jackson is now in the fifth grade and Adam in the first grade at Smith Elementary School.

 Sarah's first day. Her teacher is Mrs. Suzanne. She is in the Shining Stars K3 class.

 Adam's first day. He has Mrs. Campbell.

 Jackson's first day. He has Mrs. Porterfield for homeroom and Mrs. Sharpe for math, and Mrs. Mize for science.

 Adam sitting at his desk.

 Jackson is a safety patrol this year. He arrives at school early every morning and helps open car doors. He also assists at dismissal, too.

Kevin's Birthday

We went to the lake to celebrate Kevin's, Philip's and Val's birthdays.

 Ivey looking cute.

 Julia's not sure about all these people.

 Licking the icing from the candles.

 Cousins!!!!

Can't go to the lake without some swimming and some fishing!

April 2013

Cruisin'

Mom and Daddy graciously took care of the kids so that Kevin and I could celebrate our 15 year anniversary in style. We went on a four night cruise with Royal Caribbean Cruiselines. We stopped in Cozumel, Mexico for a day where we spent the day at a resort sunning, swimming, snorkeling, and sipping. The lunch we had there was delicious- maybe even better than on the ship.

 

 

 We spent the day before we were supposed to get on the ship on an island north of Tampa. There were several dolphins playing in the water. 

 Waiting for the ship to launch. We left on a rainy Thursday with some thunderstorms. No worries. The rain stopped before we left the dock but the clouds stayed around. It all cleared up about noon on Friday and turned out to be beautiful the rest of the time.

 

Our room attendant left surprises everyday.

 

Sitting on our private deck watching Cozumel come into view.

 

The beach in Cozumel. 

 

 Kevin went snorkeling and I rode along in the boat.

 Heading back to the ship after a day of fun in the sun. 

Another surprise from our room attendant.

 

Playing Putt-Putt on the top level of the ship. It was very windy.

 

 Our last evening in paradise.

Cub Scout Camping

 Too many s'mores for Adam?

 

November 2012

More Soccer

 Jackson played goalie for several games this season.

Burlington Christmas Parade

 The boy's afterschool program had a float in the Burlington Christmas parade. I see Jackson but can't find Adam. He's up there somewhere.

Fun at The Great Wolf Lodge

 Eating dinner in the dark. The power went off in the whole hotel. At least we were out of the water park! Thank goodness it was back on in about an hour.

 Watching the Story Hour Show in the lobby.

Thanksgiving at Aunt Jamie's and Uncle Roger's

 We brought our firiends, Will and Matthew to celebrate with us.

Picking the Perfect Christmas Tree

 Sarah was not cooperative with the camera. 

 There were so many pictures of this shot. This is the only one where everyone is looking at the camera and no one is covered entirely by a tree branch!

 Is this the one? Don't know- can't remember!

New Car Day

Our schedules are crazy this year. For example, on Wednesday, Sarah has dance from 4:15-5:00 in Burlington and Jackson has soccer practice at 5:30 in Mebane. Throw in the fact that I have a technology meeting from 3:30-5:30 one Wednesday a month into the mix and things get very complicated. Last Wednesday Kevin was able to run the kids all over the place while I was in my meeting. The three kids can't fit in his little Civic, so he had to come trade it out for my van. When my meeting was over, I hopped in the unair-conditioned car on the hottest afternoon ever to head home. Not only was the air not working but the car started over-heating. I was at a red light and thankfully it turned green just in time. When we all got home I told Kevin it was time for him to start looking for a new car. He reluctantly started looking online and talking to dealerships. He found a Honda Accord in Danville, VA with a price tag he couldn't ignore. We got up early on Saturday and and headed to Virginia. Luckily it was only an hour away. Kevin did most of the paperwork stuff over the phone so that it would a somewhat quick trip. When they showed us the Accord, the kids had a hay-day. Here was Sarah's reaction:

They gave us such a good deal on the Accord, we asked them about trading in the van for a newer one. I wasn't really a fan of the brown, so a new color was very appealing and so was the lifetime warranty. Now I really can drive this van forever.

 

Now that we have replaced the Civic, it was time to get ready to sell it. The boys and Kevin spent time on Monday washing and vacuuming it, getting it ready to sell.  It was so dirty they ended up wasing the logo off. Kevin says it is the end of a legacy.

Believe it or not, we actually sold it in less than 24 hours. Kevin put in our front yard and put a very honest sign on it listing all of its problems. He parked it on Monday, put the sign up on Tuesday around 2:30, and a guy came by at 3:00 on Wednesday, drove it around the block and bought it.