Jailhouse Rock Cast

These are some pictures of the cast from Jailhouse Rock that Erica and Spencer were in. Erica was "Excited Erin". She played the part of an excited cheerleader that never left her friends except for when there was a snake at camp ... to which she ran off stage screaming! She was amazing .... totally in her element and never stopped smiling the whole time. Erica is in the top picture, bottom left corner.

Spencer was "Brock the Jock" ... the football player that didn't want to do anything but play football at camp and be the guard with a sword! He is in the second picture, Patriot football jersey with hat.

After three months of weekly rehearsals, we were all absolutely amazed at the job they did. They sang and danced ... Spencer learned choreographed moves and sang at the same time! Erica danced and sang her little heart out .... a total of four performances, three of them sold out! Again, I see the hand of God in all things ... He has truly blessed us beyond imagination the last three months. We have met the neatest kids and warmest people. I will try to get Scott to post a video so you can see a few clips from it that he videoed ... my parents said it was worth every minute of the drive and they couldn't imagine missing it!! Erica and Spencer! Thanks for persevering and seeing it to completion! You totally bless us every day with your zeal and love for life!!

Our First Easter in NC

It was nice having my parents up for Easter weekend. It didn't feel nearly as lonely as it would have had they stayed home. We were glad for the company. We had a meaningful worship service at church, communion, and then Mom and I made a wonderful dinner. After dinner, we hunted Easter eggs filled with money and candy. Do kids ever outgrow this fun? We hid them all over the backyard and had three special eggs, one for each, to find. It was fun and they enjoyed doing it. Even Chip got into the action .... two days later when he found Erica's bag of Easter eggs with chocolate and he helped himself to cracking the eggs open and eating all the candy. Nice .... very nice ..... just help yourself, Chip.

A Dream Fulfilled ...

We said a few weeks ago, if our move was only to fulfill a little girl's dream, then the move was worth every effort. Erica has always had this dream to wear a skate dress and ice skate for an audience. I can remember her reading books on ice skaters when she was in second and third grade. She would actually pick out these books to purchase for bookfair! Living in Florida? That was never going to happen ... ever! Needless to say, we started lessons in January and she is getting ready to pass Basic IV ice skating and she LOVES her lessons every Friday! She has also met two other girls she performed with and has made some neat friendships through this process. She looked absolutely beautiful in her dress and she was so happy she didn't fall! It was a very proud moment for all of us. Jack was very proud of his sister ... he never took his eyes off her the whole performance! Very sweet ..... and very beautiful young woman. She truly is growing up ....

Working on her Tan ...

I couldn't help but laugh after a few minutes .. Erica would not stop sitting on Memaw's lap. She would sit there and then kiss her cheek. And then a few minutes later, Erica would kiss her cheek again ... it was pretty funny ... but a nice smile was had by all!

Another Form of Entertainment

While we watched the game, Erica entertained herself with a friend .... you know you've pushed your kids too far when they resort to making friends with flies ..... oh to be 12 years old again...can you see the little fly? She wouldn't want you to miss it ;)

Pap is in THE House!

Yo yo .... Erica was having fun with Pap's hat ....

I'm gonna get killed for this one for sure!!

Father/Son Flag Football Part Two

So the other third of our party --- the passion third, had the BEST time playing this game. I mean, how could it be more fun. We actually get to show up the parents? Or how about I get to actually take someone down with my Dad next to me?? I think Spencer thought this was the best day of his life. He had so much fun playing alongside Jack and Scott. I just love the picture of the boys together. That was very sweet. Then I just loved the picture of Spencer running the ball and these three GROWN men with the looks on their faces is hysterical! I mean, seriously guys, it is just a game with little kids!! And then the one of Scott and Spencer running for the quarterback? That little man didn't have a chance had he decided to keep the ball!! Scott was like a bull in a china shop; especially when he tried to catch an interception, lost his footing and landed flat on his face. Literally. I think he paid for that at least three or four days. And then my favorite is the last one ... totally captured Spencer's passion .... game on. This kid has got to play tackle at some point.....he just makes me smile.

Father/Son Flag Football Game!!!

The boys are playing flag football with the Homeschool Football League in Raleigh. What a great program they have running here with tons of boys playing. Over Easter weekend, they have a father/son game and I got some great pictures while we were there. I had to photograph Jack. He continues to be a delight ... pure entertainment! He was in the game ... and then he was kind of having a little game of his own he was playing! I am always humored by his little mind ... Scott helped him out in the beginning ... by the end, he was just hilarious to watch!!! Just love this little guy to pieces!!

The Family in Town

My parents came back for a week long visit to help me with the play and visit for Easter. I think Chip was equally as happy to see my Dad. He followed him around and sat by his feet all week long ..... and then you had others who were just as happy that Memaw and Pap were here!!! Luckily, we had great weather and they left just in time before we have had this incredible heat wave!! I'd put a picture of Memaw but that will be on the next post!!

When You're Just Plain Bored ...

Well, I have now officially resorted to 1,000 piece puzzles ... Thomas Kinkade at that. I worked on this one for a week and finished it. Can I tell you that I had a little help from Erica and Scott? Can I tell you Spencer and Jack were very interested in the last fifty pieces, especially the last piece? This really was a very pretty puzzle .... this blog entry is even boring as I'm typing it ... blah blah blah ....

Six Little Helpers!

I had lots of little helpers the last couple of days ..... some helped in the kitchen and some helped eat the food!!!! We also invited Dana's in-laws for dinner and they came for the evening! It was so wonderful to have a house full of people laughing and talking!!! The boys made great homemade waffles (Jack prefered being served) and poor little Carly ate really good until her nose was stuffed up she couldn't taste anything :( And we did have a little dance competition ... very cute and very hysterical!!! Loved the spinning ..... loved the spotlight!!!

I'm also noticing one other thing .... my kids have totally lost their tans from this super cold winter in NC and overcast rainy days!!! HYSTERICAL! They look so pale in comparison!!!

A Visit with the Sabat Gang

This past week, the Sabat gang came to our house while in NC. It is so nice to have company and someone familiar again!!! We had such a good time! The kids had a ball and other than the evil plotting between girls and boys, we had a wonderful visit and can't wait for them to return this summer!!!! GOOD TIMES!!!

ANOTHER NEST!!!!

For those crazy enough to keep up with my blog, you might remember the story of the bird's nest in the bicycle seat about two years ago in the spring in Florida. And you might remember that the eggs, hatched, we watched it (very cool) and then I was worried about the kids knocking the bike over ... and then I was cleaning and I ended up knocking it over and the little baby birds fell out and were flying about two feet off the ground, couldn't get back in the nest, etc....yes, it was a nightmare. Go back two years on the blog ... quite a hysterical little story.

Well, this past week, I realized as I was taking the trash out to the garage, a little bird flew out. I didn't pay much attention until later when I returned to the garage and it flew out again. I glanced over to the garage wall where Scott's golf clubs are hanging (the ones he never uses) and saw this .... a bird "couple" have decided to use his bag as a nest for their soon to be family!!! LOL!!! Needless to say, I am going to leave the bag hanging there just in case they decide to use it!!! And hopefully, I won't knock it off the wall this time!!!

Serious golfers would be appalled ..... I know.

Happy Birthday Jack!!!

Well, Jack turned 8 years old this past week. I can't believe I am actually typing this and he is 8 years old. We didn't think we would survive this far .... I guess God has bigger plans than mine!! Every year, each person "orders" their favorite, absolute favorite meal and cake. Jack ordered homemade macaroni and cheese with ham chunks and green apples. And he wanted chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate on it and chocolate ice cream. So he got what he ordered and was very, very happy! Jack continues to be a neat little guy. I just love his expressions, his sense of humor, sensitivity and spirit. He continues to be such a blessing to our family and we are thankful every day for his life. I can't wait to see him grow up into a man and how God will use him in His own way! I just love how Jack marches to his own beat .....