Yaaaaahooooooo!

The day finally arrived - and it brought the rain with it!

This year, our little miss decided on 'Jesse' from Toy Story 2.
She has wanted to be this crazy cowgirl for about 6 months! As with birthday 'themes', she usually sticks to her guns once she has decided.

Granddaddy and Grandmother dropped by, in what is now a tradition, to see the costume and the girl.

First 'Trick or Treat' down as Miss Louise's house.


Yo Gabba Gabba (L.), Jesse, and the beautiful pink princess (E. F.) live just around the bend.


Posing with Daphne from Scooby Doo (Lou) and the White Fairy (A.G.)

Leaving a house with her loot!

Even though we weren't able to make it to parties that were rained out - we had a great, soggy, time!

Day at the Farm

Possibly, my favorite event at our Church. We got there early to help set up the covered-dish tables. There was SO much to do.

Ann and Campbell entertained themselves for a while, while their Moms helped get everything ready.

Of course, Daddy joined in on the festivities!

There were hay rides (through the Haunted Barn) ...

Unicycles?

Horseshoes (and target practice with pellets) - I didn't do a shabby job, if I do say so myself!

I believe there is a written law about face-painting being a 'requirement'!


We had about 350 people there. Another 'written law' at the Presbyterian Church states that...
"If thou gatherest one plus any others in the presence of God and everybody, you MUST serve food." And, we did!

Frances and Betty are also on the awesome Social Committee, and we helped get drinks and chicken and to organize the essentials for the covered dish and pie contest.

Dr. DeCelle is part of a mountain dulcimer group that performed in addition to a hammer dulcimer group from Florida, Sweet Prospect.

First Presbyterian Law #3...
"Thou shalt always have the good graces to invite Mama Jama! "
(and the privilege of hearing those stories!)

You can just guess from her face that she had a great time, played with the Frisbee and side-walk chalk, etc. , etc., etc.

For the end of the day, it was so nice to see all of these sweet little ones still having a great time. LOVE this shot of Andy.


Luke tried on Campbell's Frisbee hat, as well!

Campbell and Lily, thick as thieves at the end of a great, beautiful day.

Until next year!

Mi Nino Bonita

I always love the opportunity to share a sweet pic of my beautiful girl!

It's a Croc!

Well, after a couple of years of wear...ALL of these Crocs must be on their way to find a new home. Luckily, Grammie scooped up the opportunity to take our little miss out to find a replacement pair. WHAT would we do without 'do it yourself/waterproof' shoe wear!!!

Gotta Dance - Again!

She is pretty excited about starting back with ballet and tap.
She gave me a little preview in the driveway!


Her ballet backpack is just perfect to carry a change of clothing and her ballet shoes.


Luckily for me, the classes are back to back on the same day. She starts with tap with Miss Ang and then moves on to ballet with Miss Ashley and Miss Skye.

I was excited as she was to be back!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

My Sweetie turned 41 today!

These are the cupcakes that Campbell decorated for Daddy (and the rest of us!)

Campbell sure does love that Grandmother of hers!


WHEN do we get to eat the cupcake?

Etcetera, Etcetera, Etcetera!

I have always loved the thought of having such incredible arts programs for such a small town. I mean, when people ask me about LaGrange, I mention this as one of the 'bonuses'! However, enjoying the arts has, sometimes, taken a back seat to everything else. Here is a sampling of what we have:
LaGrange Symphony Orchestra
Lafayette Ballet
LaGrange Art Museum
Lamar Dodd Art Center at LaGrange College
Young Singers of LaGrange
LaGrange Chorus
LaGrange Lyric Theater
Lafayette Theater Company

Sons of Lafayette Men's Choir
New Horizon Community Theater, West Point
West Georgia Children's Theater, Hogansville

That does it! It is my goal to see as many local productions as I can afford and handle in the coming years. A nice start to this school year is The King and I. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the show - and recognizing some of the actors.
I'll keep you updated on our progress!

Discoveries Picnic

We had a great time with our Sunday School class out at Highland Park. As you might notice, there are lots of kids. Also, there was lots of fun, food and fellowship - in a beautifully casual setting.

Let's Bowl!

Some girlfriends and I loaded up our kiddies (and those of some of our friends that were at work) and went bowling for the afternoon!

How did I do?


Casually enjoying the afternoon...


M.M.'s turn at the pins!


What is a day without silly?


...and MORE silly!

N. giving me the look!

Three sweet girls, all in a row.

Hey There Campers!

Well, it is that time of year again. Time for the time-honored tradition of Camp Viola!

These three are a FORCE to be reckoned with! Wendy, Coleman and Lori handle this LIKE IT'S THEIR JOB! Well, I guess, for the week, it is. Anyway, they have two years under their belts, and the kids are better for it!

The crew!

Acapulco - Paradise Found

Upon our arrival to the room. No matter how cheesy these towel/flower 'sculptures' are - it did give me a smile. (can you imagine how long it would take to lay out all of those petals?!?! This was on a king bed!


The view from 'our' room. This is the same room we had on our honeymoon - so romantic!

Our favorite restaurant - yum!

This trip, we decided to take a little 'hike' to the top of the mountain. The Chapel of Peace resides there - it was WELL worth the hike. Just beautiful!

Until next time!

Summertime, and the Living is Easy...

OK, this should be SOME type of summer commercial!

This might be one of my favorite photos of my girl. She is incredibly happy with this watermelon! This photo should be dedicated to her cousin Kenny. He understands that my girl LOVES some watermelon. He says that he brought one just to watch her it it!

All this to say that I hope you are all enjoying your summer as much as we are!

Happy Birthday USA!

As usual, this is a very busy, fun-filled day in our family.

We start off the day, bright and early, with the Sweet Land of Liberty Children's Parade.

The 'theme' this year was Red, White and Blue goes Green. So, Coleman helped Campbell wire up the tricycle with solar panels that powered a fan and a little radio. This year, she really enjoyed working the crowd! It is her 4th year, and it was her first year not being pulled. She was really proud!


Here is a shot of some of the neighborhood cuties working on the banner for the group.

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NEXT!!
Off to the 'Farm'. Anyone that knows me, knows that I could live a thousand years in air-conditioned surroundings. However, I have grown so to love the farm. Campbell LOVES visiting with 1st, 2nd, 3rd cousins. We go fishing, play at the creek, ride the Ranger, see donkeys and cows...you get the picture.

These SWEET children are just one of the reasons I love to visit the farm.


First of all, if you didn't know from hearing me tell the stories - 8 of these 12 children are siblings. I think I am in awe, because I can't imagine that I would have a hair left on my head if I had 8 children. Their parents, however, seem to be the most laid back. Secondly, Jodi, in the red/white stripes - LOVES my little girl, and she LOVES her back. She is so attentive with her, despite their age difference. There are reasons to love each and everyone of them (including their friend Austin on the right, who gave me his 'picture smile' each time I took a shot!).

Here is another reason to love it...see this 2 year old? She is catching fish in a bucket (See, the cliche is right!). Someone brought back a little blue-gill from the lake to take to their pond.


She just reached right in and picked it up. Too much! I guess, when you have 7 older siblings - you aren't afraid of much!

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LASTLY!
We went to Franklin to watch the fireworks. It was so nice and relaxing.

It is a very family friendly atmosphere. Just sitting on a blanket near the river.

We went with Casey and A.G. It was this little one's first time seeing fireworks. She thought it was AWESOME!

Campbell loved it too - she just doesn't LOVE the initial BOOM. So, she brought her trusty hunting headphones. Just like her Daddy, always prepared!

WHAT A DAY!