The Jackson's

the M-E-T-S

2011-06-18T06:51:00.000-07:00

We had a great season with Gray and her team the METS!! She started out good maybe a little shy (couldn't believe that one!), but with more experience she got better each game....and LOVED it more than Brad and I could imagine! It may have helped Mac, Bo, and Abby were all on her team too!!

the Mets ended up WINNING the city championship!! It was so exciting at closing ceremonies each child's name was called and they received a trophy!!

What a fun season with Great KIDS! YEA METS!!!

Awards day for Mary B

2011-06-07T18:07:00.001-07:00

Yay Mary Bradford! You finished 2nd grade with a B-A-N-G...so proud of you and your awards presented at Ben Davis....

TIE Technology Award for the most outstanding Internet club member, Principals Award for all A's all year, Student Representative for her class, PE leadership award, IB Student Action Award for Enrichment, and ART achievement award for her class.

After the overall 2nd grade awards were done, we headed back to Mrs. Hughes room for a classroom ceremony ....which was themed with candy bars. Just like everything else this wonderful teacher has done the whole year lots of time and effort went into each award...

You, Ashton, and Alissa were presented the 3 Musketeers award. Not only was she proud of the extra research you did in Enrichment on Maps complete with an interactive bulletin board for outside Mrs. Weems classroom (can't believe I didn't take a picture it was 3-D and ALL), you 3 made and a power point to show all of the 2nd grade classes. Also for creating a song and dance about the FBI (fungi, bacteria, invertebrates) your 3 little minds composed to share with other 2nd graders ! According to Mrs. Hughes you 3 loved inquiring, investigating, and contributing. How creative you and your friends have become this year!

This was of course complete with more tears from me, Mimi, and Mrs. Hughes. What awesome things you have learned from her...She said over and over how much she LOVED her 1st year at Ben Davis and how proud she is of each student ...and with more tears how she hates to see them going to Leon Sheffield but KNOWS they are ALL ready! We LOVE you Mrs. Hughes!!

Mary Bradford the LEADER

2011-06-07T08:31:00.000-07:00

Mary Bradford we are always so proud of you, and earning STUDENT OF THE MONTH for LEADERSHIP at Ben Davis shows us just one of the reasons why! Way to go precious girl, as you were called to the front during a recent assembly Mrs. Weems presented you with your medal.....

and Mr. Kross read why Mrs. Hughes nominated you for your leadership....

I didn't get tears that day due to being so excited for you! But when you came home with a copy of what she wrote and that BIG grin the tears came along with a little celebrating too!

We love you so much, you always give it 100% and MORE and it shows!!

End of Kindergarten for Gray

2011-06-07T07:58:00.000-07:00

the 1st day of Mrs.Hand's precious Kindergarten class seems like just yesterday.....

I am trying my hardest to make this short and sweet with no tears, but it's going to be tough!

Gray you have had the BEST kindergarten year...complete with the BEST teacher who learned fast to adjust to your energy, has taught you so much about responsibility, always doing your best, not to mention the real stuff like reading, telling time, math, and what you say is your favorite lots of FUN Science stuff!
You also have made the BEST friends. We knew more than HALF the class when you started, but I have to say know the WHOLE class now and love them all so much!

Last day of PE you and Ellis on the playground...

Awards ceremony..You, Mary Bibb, and Serenity

and SO proud of your Heisman award....Mrs. Hand says usually this goes to a boy in the class, however, since you were able to keep up with them the whole year you deserved it!

I love you sweet girl, and know you are going to be GOOD and READY for Ben Davis and FIRST grade even if I am not....

Happy Birthday Mrs. Hughes

2011-05-16T16:35:00.000-07:00

We arrived early to school to decorate for Mrs. Hughes surprise birthday breakfast!
I had lots of great help....

She was so surprised and so excited! Even though it was early and Monday morning all the kids were precious. Mary Bradford and Banks met everyone before coming in the classroom to remind them of the celabration and to tell Mrs. Hughes Happy Birthday FIRST thing! She gave lots of hugs, thank yous and a few tears....we love this sweet lady.

I can't say enough about Mary B's 2nd grade year nor Mrs. Hughes. She sees the best in everyone of these 2nd graders, she tells them daily how she prays for them and encourages them to be their very BEST at all times...She sets a great example and made the BIGGEST impression on Mary B. I thank God every night for having her in our lives this year...we will miss her so much when MB moves to Leon Sheffield in 3rd grade.

sweet Caroline

2011-05-16T16:28:00.001-07:00

While Brad and Gray were busy with t-ball...Mary Bradford and I headed to Birmingham to hold and love on the newest girlie in our family...Caroline Frances Coulson

She is as sweet as can be, and let me and MB pass her back and forth and take pictures without ever waking up. She is just beautiful and we can't wait to hold her again soon.

Springing into Spring......

2011-05-16T16:01:00.000-07:00

Although you are both enjoying gymnastics and Mary Bradford is LOVING tennis, this is where we have been spending a lot of our afternoons and nights.....

We weren't sure how this would go with Gray (paying attention, getting out, practices, games in the heat, games in the cold, etc., etc.) but bug you are loving it as much as Mary Bradford did....and we are so glad!

Many more pictures to follow as we are finishing up the season!

Gray also just finished up her very first FIELD DAY at Eastwood! Even though she had no clue what to expect, she didn't sleep and was very easy to wake up and get her "field day garb" on!!

What a great year it has been having Gray at Eastwood AND having the best girlies in her class!! Love you buggie!

Beach Time!

2011-05-15T19:22:00.001-07:00

We were invited by our sweet friends the Coulters for a long weekend to Orange Beach and it just happened to be the weekend North Alabama and many other parts of the south got hit by a rage of tornadoes. We were without power at our house for 4 days, so glad it worked out we could get out of town. I couldn't help but think about all the people affected by this weather and continue to pray for all of them. The rest of the Eyster/Vickery/Peek family joined us so it turned out to be a big time! ..Caroline hung in there with the big girls like she was 6 or 8 too!....

I missed getting precious Jackson in the pics, he was a trooper! whatever we did, he was happy doing the same...so glad we got to share a fun weekend away with our sweet friends!

Easter time

2011-05-15T17:46:00.000-07:00

So I wasn't the best at picture taking for this special holiday, and one of my FAVORITE...it was a wonderful service at FBC and then to BCC with Mimi and Gandy and Gene Gene for a yummy brunch. Sad, Gray was the ONLY one who would get in a picture with the bunny.....

Gray's SIX!

2011-05-15T17:28:00.000-07:00

It is true...and I TRULY can't believe it Gray is 6! She and Copeland decided to double the fun at Rhodes Ferry Park, complete with baseball and face painting (thanks to big sister Mary B.) and most of Eastwood Kindergarten plus several other special friends!

On the real day Gray chose fudgesicles to share with her class and once she was done...she quickly ran to Mrs. Hand to ask when they were going to sing to her?!? I think after several birthday meals, her party, etc. we had sung to her at least 10 times. It's GREAT to love your birthday as much as buggie does!

Weather Makers

2011-05-15T15:48:00.000-07:00

Kindergarten play time..I love it!

We have weather whether we like it or not was the whole theme of Buggies' play....she played a snowflake! Loved that not only did she do a great job with her 1line, she mouthed most everyone else's lines too....guess they did lots of practicing!

here is the snowflake with 2 of her friends raindrop and cloud.....

Spring Program at FBC

2011-04-13T08:46:00.001-07:00

The girls have both worked hard on Wednesday nights in choir and missions. We recently had our Spring program and Gray's chior (led by one of our favorite people Mrs. Tommi Jo) sang 3 precious songs before the 1st-4th graders took the stage.

I was amazed at how much this group learned and how well they did telling the story of Naaman. Mary B's group were dancers and did outstanding!

I am so glad the girls get to be a part of this group who puts such fun and interest in learning more about the Bible and it's many stories!

our newest addition

2011-04-05T19:29:00.001-07:00

Catherine Hester Wise.....now that she is 2 (and a few days) weeks old I am doing her post! Her cousins were SOOOOO excited to see her...I am pretty sure both Kindergarten at E-wood and most of 2nd grade at Ben Davis know about this precious angel. We have been praying and talking about both she and my sister (Aunt Leigh Ann) for a while.
We are ALL BESIDE ourselves she is here and healthy!!

Wish I knew what Mimi and the girls were saying here....diaper change time, Mimi always makes the BEST out of any situation!

Wetland's Edge with Gray

2011-03-29T19:31:00.000-07:00

I am MORE than enjoying this Kindergarten year with Gray and was so glad I got to tag along with she and her precious class to Wetland's edge....

I do not think I have seen a cuter...and closer group than this!

They loved getting to see and hear about lots of animals...they had been studying about many of them before the trip and knew so many fun facts! I loved hearing each of them share what they had learned......

It wouldn't be right without a "Gray moment" to end the field trip....when the class was asked who wanted to try out the snake as a necklace...guess who volunteered??

I am going to miss her precious face at Eastwood next year....and can NOT believe her kindergarten year is coming to an end soon....but trying to enjoy EVERY minute we have together. LOVE you bug!

What has been going on........

2011-03-15T15:48:00.000-07:00

Well LOTS and LOTS....so much I have been a major slacker on the blog, but before Spring gets into full swing I am going to get caught up!

At Ben Davis in January one of MB's favorite events comes around.......

This year was especially fun since she and one of her best friends Mere got to emcee the show! I loved hearing their "ad-libs" after each performance, they got to make up their own so it was pretty entertaining to hear what was going to be said.....

Here they are with their group who preformed the CUPID SHUFFLE and did a great job plus had lots of fun!

Tommi Jo was so sweet to come and support all the FBC kids, Mary Bradford was excited she was on the front row with us!

Over at Eastwood in February it was JUMP ROPE FOR HEART time and Gray got really good with the jumprope (and I LOVED IT!)>>>

The kids raise money for a great cause, get to come to a special party with ALL kinds of jump roping before school AND get fun prizes....it was early, but FUN!

CHRISTmas with Family

2011-01-04T18:05:00.000-08:00

It is the most W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L time of the year......and according to Gray's latest story (which they write themselves first, then it's corrected , THEN they re-type correctly and illustrate) it is as follows:

As usual we started off celebrating the birth of our savior in Anniston and Talladega...oh how I LOVE Christmas with all the JACKSONS....and at Nana and Pop's the fun NEVER ends.....

So glad to finally meet our newest cousin Emelia, Gayle and Michael's little girl, they live in California ....so glad to see them!

Henry was a great traveler, and did lots of this while we all did Christmas.....

We headed back to Decatur for FBC Christmas Eve Service and had both Gene Gene, Nana, Mimi and Gandy to our house for dinner afterwards..

Then after a pretty good nights sleep (latest they have slept so far...7:45)..the excitement begins...This year not only was it the most thrilling, but really serious too....they even reminded me to get a picture of the "before they see if he came,bed-head" picture....love this!

And he DID come .....

We had to pause during the excitement and look out our front window to THE most exciting part of our morning....

Girls quickly wanted to take a brake bundle up and PLAY....

Later that afternoon my sisters and families arrived at Mimi and Gandy's for a full rest of the day and NIGHT's fun with lots of sweet cousins, wonderful food, and great family time ......

We let the kids go one at a time with their presents which is quiet the entertainment 6 8 and under..soon to be 8 under 8...and when it was MB's turn Mimi insisted she run to her closet, we followed to get the reaction....

and guess who it was?? Mimi knows MB has a serious case of BIEBER FEVER so to say the least this was THE hit!

Carter and John David really loved Henry and were very sweet with him....so we paused for a little photo shoot....

We spent our last part of Christmas in Moulton at Nana's which was pretty special...all 12 great-grands got to come!

Thankful Thanksgiving

2011-01-04T16:46:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful week of THANKSgiving fun with family. My sisters and their kids came a few days early so we had lots of fun cousin time..

Sally and I loaded our kids up for a day trip to Nashville to visit the Opryland Hotel and the Ice Exhibit....

So glad to have a week at home full of family fun....and lots more to come PLUS I am also going to be an aunt of 2 sweet nieces...It will not be long Leigh Ann is due in March and Sally in May...can't wait! Thankful, thankful, and MORE thanks!

Saying goodbye to an old friend...and hello to a new one..

2011-01-04T15:30:00.003-08:00

We recently had to say good-bye to our 13 year old lab Scout which was possibly one of the saddest I have ever seen my girls and THE saddest I have ever seen Brad. He has been around longer than Me, Mb, or Gray .....so he was more than a SPECIAL part of our family. He was the best pet for Brad and I pre-kids and an even BETTER more loyal pet since we have had the girls! We will miss him but since he has been sick for a while we are thankful he doesn't have to suffer anymore...

We will NEVER be able to replace our big Black dog....but (after lots of puppy research) decided for the girls we would do the inside small dog thing when the time came...so MERRY CHRISTMAS a few days early to Mary B. and Gray....we welcomed Henry! He has been a precious puppy so far and we feel like we have known him forever. His breeder assured of us if we kept him on schedule he would do great and so far so good!

December is here!

2011-01-04T15:16:00.001-08:00

December is a very busy month with school and after school activities.....Eastwood's Christmas program was a hit as it kicked off this wonderful time of the year. Kindergarten's part was to dress in their pj's so I had to sneek at PE and get Bug and a few of her sweet friends......

here they are in action....too cute, singing, motions, and lots of precious smiles too!

Mary Bradford has been at Southern Spirit for 2 years and this semester did a cheer exhibition team and LOVED it....they participated in one competition in Huntsville and did and EXCELLENT job!!
Gray insisted on doing doing a little pre-preformance stunt with MB and her friend Sophie...

here's the group all together!

Great group, so proud of you Mary B.!!

10 Years..Happy Anniversary

2010-12-10T20:52:00.000-08:00

The pictures only tell a little bit...what a wonderful anniversary trip to New York City! I never thought I would get home and think.....wow, I can't wait to go back...what a great way to spend such a special time!

HALLOWEEN

2010-12-10T20:39:00.000-08:00

I am just posting pics because we had so many fun things go on from both Eastwood and DCMS Fall Festivals to neighborhood trick-or-treats....the girls had a Ball!

lots and lots of FALL

2010-11-23T13:48:00.000-08:00

....where has the time gone AND my POSTS??? We are out of school for our week-long Thanksgiving break and I am determined to catch up.....and these are just a few pictures to describe a lot memories!

We went to TATE farms for a quick KINDERGARTEN field trip...quickest ever, due to TORNADO warnings, but oooh so fun, nonetheless!

Not sure there will be a cuter class than this...and I am being SERIOUS...P-r-e-c-i-o-u-s!

Mary Bradford played the Mayor in her 2nd grade play and I am biased, but not sure another 8 year old could do a better job in a more perfect part......here she is with her precious perfect TURKEYS (created by none other than Mrs. Hughes)

and here the Mayor is with one of the most popular people in our house right now Mrs.Hughes....

and her best buds Alyssa.....

Back at Eastwood.....heres Gray at her thankful FEAST dressed in her INDIAN attire (by choice, she could have been a pilgrim....?!) so happy!

Trip to MSU

2010-10-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

It's always a Great weekend when we get to load up and head to Starkville! We chose an 11 o'clock game so met Aunts, Uncles, and sweet cousins for a breakfast tailgate before the game. The girls LOVED every minute of it....and even Daddy said he loved coming to the MSU stadium, it's such a great place to watch a game!!! We just may make him a bulldawg yet!!

Open House at Eastwood

2010-10-13T19:13:00.000-07:00

It was fun to go see all Gray has done so far in Kindergarten.....even though I am there with her everyday, I loved getting my own special tour of her classroom, and telling me all about what she is learning!
thanks Buggy.....We are so proud of how well you are doing and love you soooo much!

gt;

Simple..it's GREAT to be 8!

2010-09-20T19:14:00.000-07:00

I always start these birthday posts with "I can't believe it...just seems like yesterday when.....and/or something like that " and YES time does fly....however, I am so happy to say Mary Bradford is quickly becoming the most independent, kind hearted, helpful, smart, caring 8 year old little girl (or young lady as she likes for me to say). Brad and I are amazed daily at all she does and thank God for all he is doing through her.

Mary B. what a gift you are to your daddy and I .....We love you so much and are so glad we got to share another wonderful birthday with you.....

a little run down of how the festivities went......

Mimi and Gandy took she and Gray to a Birthday Eve dinner at the club...she came home and said " it was so cool we had our own private party room"!

then she woke up on the BIG day to her favorite from our local donut shop......

I later headed to Ben Davis for recess and she was so excited to pass these out to her friends....(I couldn't help but wonder how much longer I GET to do this before it's NOT cool??YIKES!, hopefully MANY more)

That night we celebrated with birthday dinner and she got her present from us!

Nana and Pop came in town too....so glad they got to celebrate (of course, camera battery DEAD so no pictures) and stayed next morning for Grandparents day too!

The next weekend came the party....and she designed the invitation all by herself!

she had all her friends young and old to Southern Spirit to flip, cheer, and flip some more!....Even though the party was a little later, this was one excited 8 year old about her birthday! and loved every minute of her party....WHAT FUN!!

happy happy Birthday Sweet girl! We love you bunches!!!

Labor Day weekend

2010-09-12T18:43:00.000-07:00

WE started our weekend with a the tailgate party at D-HIGH! The girls and all their friends didn't miss a beat with the band, cheerleaders, and the Chic-fil-A picnic right before game time!!

We then all headed to where the cheer camp girls were a part of the pre-game show...here we are catching a few photos with friends before getting on the field!

They did great! What fun to get to feel like a "REAL" red raider cheerleader!!

so glad Mimi and Gandy came for the show....

and Gray found her new sweet little friend Anna and cheered and played and cheered some more!!

The next few days of our holiday weekend were the annual BYRD BASS GOLF TOURNAMENT (congrats to the AMERICANS for a victory!)so Morgan and I decided to load some of our favorite little girls up and head to Florence to the Marriott for some spend-the-night fun! We fit a lot in to these 2 days...swimming, splash pad, night movie by the pool, HUGE fireworks show, and the girls were all great!

T-t-t is for Teddy Bear

2010-09-04T10:05:00.001-07:00

It is so fun to re-live these letter weeks with Gray in Kindergarten just like we did with Mary B....surprise sack, special snack, and this was a fun letter T week!It was complete with them making their teddy bear t-shirts to wear on Friday and bringing their favorite teddy bear, it was so much fun! We walked in with Mary Bibb so I stopped them for a quick pic.....

Then when the whole class came to PE I got to get these post-playground.....lots of sweet, sweaty red faces...but this is one class that is so excited about school, so glad I get to see Gray and all of her friends enjoying their Kindergarten year....

Many more of these posts to come.....love these days and can't believe it's already been a month...time flies!

Meet the RAIDERS

2010-08-17T15:22:00.001-07:00

It was an event that was ALMOST as exciting as starting back to school....and I do mean that! All the girls that did the Decatur High cheer camp this summer were invited to preform with all of the cheerleaders on the "real field" (as Gray call it) at meet the Raiders! Mary B. really got into this, they have both been practicing all the cheers and the dance since camp, but Mary B. decided she didn't really even need to stand behind one to watch and hopped right on front with her friend Meredith!

(thanks Andrea for the pics above....your camera and ZOOM blow mine away:)

Gray and Mary Reese.....

here they are after the BIG show with sweet Lilly who is one of our favorite friends and babysitters.....

We can't wait for FRIDAY Nights at Ogle Stadium...Let's gooo Raiders!!

WE made it...1st week of Kindergarten and 2nd Grade

2010-08-15T16:25:00.001-07:00

It was quiet the week with my sweet girls....I have to start with my buggy. YES mommy was emotional, excited, sad, nervous, AND not-sleeping-much...but the time has come my sweet Gray started Kindergarten. Her start was very hard for me, I knew it would be, but didn't realize it would be hard for her too.

I do have to note...The girls laid out all 5 outfits for the week on Sunday night...Gray's were all smocked dresses, Mary B. went more shorts and skorts....I love that we took over an hour to do this!

ok, back to our week...........
You would never know there was about to be a MAJOR breakdown with both of us here.....

and even snapping more pics with my sweet 2ND grader we still didn't know it was coming......

but the next 3 days as I took her to school(she had to start at Walter Jackson due to our system rules, however, this was not at all the cause of the breakdowns) it was just the simple fact that I had to face my little bug was growing up....she cried, I cried, and we both cried some more......NO I didn't get any pics of this and now I wish I had but my nerves had the best of me!

then on Thursday she got to start at Eastwood with ME and she was all smiles and so was I...when we saw just like Mary B, she got Mrs. Hand....

I love this little sign, just at their levels ....here they both are their first day in Mrs. Hands class.....

We are still adapting to all getting up and out the door at the same time to be at the same place, but Gray LOVES it and so do I!

As for Mary B. she is LOVING 2ND grade, she got Mrs. Hughes and was thrilled! Mrs. Hughes also taught her 1st grade Sunday School class which makes her a very special lady to Mary Bradford and her mom and dad too!

It is going to be a great school year.....I am so proud of you both and look forward to hearing what happens in your classes everyday, looking in your backpacks to check out all the notes and schoolwork you bring home, and sharing in all the fun things you will do with your class and your new friends!

Sweet Company

2010-08-04T04:45:00.000-07:00

The girls enjoyed their sweet Coulson cousins spend the night with us while Sally had to work.....Mary Bradford led them in a Duck, Duck, Goose game while they waited on me to load the car and head for a swim at the Coulsons....

Poor Maury ended up with a fever so stayed with Mimi and Gandy....but Car-Car (as Gray likes to call him) hung right in there with us, slept good, ate good....and got up ready to play in our "truck"!

Later in the week, Gray went to Anniston alone to spend a few days with Nana and Pop (and shopped, and played and shopped and did whatever else she wanted!)....so Mary B got to have company all by herself! We decided to do a mommy daughter trip with Missey and Meredith to Bridgestreet to start off the evening....
We saw Beezus and Ramona (which the mommies loved as much or MORE than the girls), shopped at my least favorite store in the world, but one they love JUSTICE, and had dinner at Red Robin...what a treat!

The next morning these 2 decided they wanted to dress as movie stars, I could be their driver and wanted breakfast at McDonald's...so that they got!

Pretending I am the paparazzi "UGH....NO pictures!" Not a DULL moment with MB and MERE...

I sure have enjoyed this Summer that is coming to a Fast end...and so glad I get to share these fun treats with my girls!

Red Raider Cheer Camp

2010-07-27T05:01:00.000-07:00

Summer is moving right along...and another highlight at the Jackson house was last week when Decatur High's cheerleaders hosted a fundraising camp. The girls were SO excited the first morning.....

When I dropped them off it brought back so many memories...a gym FULL of sweaty (and it was only (a.m.) excited,and really cute Noisy little GIRLS!!!!
At the end each age group showed us a little preview of what they learned.....

Gray really got into this....I do believe cheering is going to be right up her alley.Tickled to death does not describe her feeling when she won the DHS t-shirt at the Game station! Her competitiveness is a little much for me to be just 5, we will see if this is tamed some when she gets to PE in KINDERGARTEN:)

Girls, I am so glad you enjoyed this....I enjoyed watching you both MORE than you know...I love you both bunches!

4th of JULY

2010-07-07T05:38:00.000-07:00

It was another Happy Independence day!!!

We started celebrating a couple of days early at the Terrace with Gene-Gene at the Terrace with a festive burger/hot dog lunch!

On Friday we headed to the Wallers house for another weekend of fun at the lake.....

The Murphrees were at their place a few miles down the lake...and a fewer down the road so we swapped and had the 2 youngest together and the 2 oldest, which worked out perfect! They play so good together!!

Banks and Mary B. entertained themselves a lot hunting frogs......

these 2 are a lot-o-energy......but a lot-o-fun TOO!

We all loaded up for an exciting boat ride to see Smith Lake's fireworks...

on the actual 4th....we did some corn-shucking......

and some of our own fire-works too!....

Another FABULOUS FOURTH!!

Fathers Day weekend at the Lake

2010-06-24T10:26:00.000-07:00

HAPPY FATHERS DAY to you DADDY!!!

It was a hot but eventful weekend at the Wallers Lake house....anytime the Waller boys, Taylor kids, and Jackson girls together there is never a dull moment!

Picture requested by bug a lug....can you tell??

Mr. Ryan couldn't wait for all the kids to try out the new "learn how to ski thingy"...

and on Sunday we did some tubing...here's Mary B. and Jack

then Gray hopped on and the brothers watched....so sweet, these kids love each other!

then it was back to Decatur for dinner with my daddy.....

The girls are so fortunate to have a wonderful daddy, Gandy, and Pop! We love you all

A fun summer day at La La's

2010-06-22T05:27:00.001-07:00

We rode with Mimi for a visit at Nana's (aka La La)in Moulton which is always a treat! So glad the girls have 2 sweet great-grandmothers to visit...We always have a little surprise (never know what) waiting on us when we get there...We took chic-fil-a sandwiches and she had these waiting on the girls...

Following lunch we visited Moulton's new Splashpad!! I told Mimi and the girls wish we had this to visit when we were their ages.....

I only had my phone to take pictures so not really good, but here Nana is in the 100 degree heat watching the girls with her always so special smile......

Saddle Ridge Ranch at First Baptist

2010-06-16T17:39:00.000-07:00

The Theme for our week at VBS.....simple and to the point!

Mimi and I taught Mary Bradford's class...what fun to get to hear the questions and responses of these 6 and 7 year olds to all the Bible stories! They were great and seemed to learn so much by the end of the week PLUS have fun too!

Gray invited her sweet friend Mary Bibb.....this was the 1st year they came to worship really and participated in all the rotations! I think they knew the songs and motions as quick as most of the big kids!

Our VBS songs are always wonderful but this year was exceptional! The words will always stick in my head (and yes we are still listening to the cd in my car but that is not why)...but because they go right along with our daily bible verses from our week......
*I am who HE says I Am....*God Cares.....*Like JESUS......*I know what I'm gonna do (to live in ways that honor you)

And yes Bug chose to wear her cowgirl costume Mimi made to really get into this year's theme...and loves our sweet preacher so caught him one day for me to get a quick picture...thanks Dr. Hurt!

On family night we had a special guest "The Christian Cowboy" who did some really neat tricks while talking to us about the special gift we all share: God's love. He then led us to the Rock and along with the gang from the Guinness Book of World Records BROKE a record of balancing a 58 foot pole on his chin......WOW, pretty neat!

To Fort Morgan with the Fam

2010-06-09T15:11:00.002-07:00

I could keep going on and on and on with this post but decided to stop and just give a brief few statements and my favorite pictures! We had a week's worth of excitement at our annual Mimi and Gandy beach trip with our aunts, uncles, and cousins! We kept saying how it gets easier with the kids as they get older (I even have 2 that can swim now..yea!!!) but it also keeps getting more fun too!

Daddy had to work the 1st half of the week but joined us the 2nd half and we were so glad to see him!

We spent lots of time on the beach....this was Gandy's favorite spot!

and Plenty of Pool time!

And even though there were a few stormy afternoons, the kids had fun inside......

We did a little crab hunting....

More beach time.....

This was one of our FAVORITE times of the day.....they hit us up pretty much everyday!

We were sad when we had to leave our last day...but what a great week!

Thank you Mimi and Gandy....what an extra special week of fun!
We love you so much

LAST day of Pre-K for Gray

2010-05-28T21:40:00.000-07:00

Both of your 1st days of school are always going to be important! Even if Gray's Pre-K is going to our church (where we all are a minimum of twice a week) or starting a BRAND NEW SCHOOL (like Mary B. did at Benjamin Davis this year), it's just an EXTRA special day!...here you are GRAY, starting your 1st day of PRE-K..I remember you didn't want a picture by yourself, you always want your sister close by!

and here you are this morning starting your last (you are good with being photographed by yourself now I guess!)....helped that it was "board game day"...You were so excited to teach your "friend-boys" how to play a PRINCESS game (and according to your teachers "you taught them well and they LOVED it"....)

I knew when I picked you up it would be hard...
but you had that special smile (trying to change the subject) and it took my mind to other places, that is a very generous gift you have..Thank you!

I was very proud of your progress report and that you already wanted to start on the summer workbook your teachers sent home.

1st Baptist has let you grow not only spiritually, with your sweet blessings before meals and prayers before bed time, but socially with all the things you have learned from your teachers and friends.
I LOVE you buggy, Watch out KINDERGARTEN....here she comes!

Final Days of First Grade

2010-05-28T15:11:00.000-07:00

Mary Bradford has had several busy days during her last few weeks in 1st grade....Awards Day at Ben Davis was great, it started with an assembly with all the first grade classes. Mary B. received an award for ALL A's....

and EXCELLENCE in MUSIC! Way to go MB...we are proud of you!

then each class was dismissed to go back to their classroom for awards...and Mrs. Hart gave each student an award and was very detailed in describing ...

...Mary Bradford got Miss Congeniality (finally found a word she is having to LEARN how to pronounce)...and Mrs. Hart described it as "a Friend to everyone, always makes good choices, and has a happy heart!"....

(not sure if anyone but myself will remember how much she LOVES LOVES LOVES her teacher...she is going to be VERY hard to replace)

I sent Brad and the camera to the End-of-the-Year water party....really sad I missed it but glad I got to see Mary B. in action, looks like it was lots of fun...hot, hot, hot but FUN! complete with picnic lunch, cupcakes, AND Popsicles!

Brad and I discussed should she stay after the party or check-out?! well, the sentimental part of me insisted on her riding the bus with Mrs. Armstrong one more time (even though she will have the same bus driver..who is PRECIOUS in 2ND grade) but when she got to me at EASTWOOD and I saw the TEARS..due to "I already MISS Mrs. Hart"..I realized OH, maybe she wouldn't have realized it if Daddy had checked her out...I am going to MISS Mrs. Hart too!

Mary B. you have had a GREAT 1st Grade year....and we will always have a special place in our hearts for Mrs. Hart.

Manic but Magnificent Monday

2010-05-17T18:37:00.000-07:00

With our school year coming to an end there is lots going on! Our schedules are full, homework has ended (thank you Mrs. Hart), but still busy, busy!Even though it does get to be A LOT, Brad and I still feel like sitting down and having dinner at night is extremely important. Baths got done before dinner tonight, so the girls had extra play time after we finished eating. As I was cleaning up, I hear lots of moving around, Miley Cyrus, etc. but didn't realize we were going to get one of the biggest shows yet!

I love these days...sometimes I wish I could just hit PAUSE at our house, and on these 2 precious little girls lives.......

not sure who is more excited about Gray learning to be DJ....Mary B. or GRAY?!?

Gray's Grand at her End of the Year Program!

2010-05-17T18:15:00.000-07:00

This is something I Really had no idea would come so quickly....my little bug finishing pre-k....getting ready to enter BIG school!?!She just finished her end of the year program/luncheon at First Baptist and so I guess it is really happening!

She was so proud of herself, her songs, her bible verse and all her projects! We had heard it all lots at home so knew she KNEW her stuff and she did!! Daddy, Mary B. and I are so proud of how well you did Gray, we love you so much!

<

Spring Break

2010-05-02T08:18:00.000-07:00

We packed a lot of fun in to a week....started with a girls trip to Atlanta that Mimi planned with our aunts and cousins. We all arrived at the hotel with our American Girl dolls to find these waiting on us!

Since the trip started on Gray's real birthday and Char's had just passed we had to celebrate a little (thanks Aunt Leigh Ann and Aunt Sally for the Fancy Cakes/candles)!

The next morning we got up bright and early and headed for Cleveland, GA ....home of Babyland General aka the Cabbage Patch Doll hospital...it was far more than what we expected. They recently built this new hospital and did not miss a trick ...complete with nurses, doctors..

We even got to see a real delivery...the girls thought this was so neat .....

Gray was the 1st to hold the new baby girl!

and since this day was my actual birthday, here we are outside the "baby viewing window">>>where her card read "April 19"

It was a perfect day to find our way out to Babyland general...the girls purchased their dolls and stopped for one last picture before we headed back to Atlanta!

The rest of our stay consisted doing lots at this place......

it was so fun to see the girls this excited!!!...I wish I knew how many times we had flipped thru the catalogs or watched the Jon and Kate episode of when they took the 2oldest girls Maddie and Cara to the store to prepare for our trip....but I wasn't prepared as how ECSTATIC they would really be!!!

Thank you Mimi, I think it was all of our best Spring Break ever! I asked the girls what they like doing the best?? and it was a very hard decision...we LOVED it ALL!!

After our Atlanta trip, I met Nana in Anniston and the girls stayed a few nights and they again had so much fun! they shopped, went to Jackson's games, and shopped some more! Brad and I then picked them up and headed along with our friends the Gantts' for some R and R at the cabin....I always love this sunset....

We took in the sun, cooked out, and just relaxed....

and who would have guessed thanks to Stephanie bug and I did a little more 5 and 35 celebrating...YUM Corner Bakery cupcakes!! thanks steppie

a 5th birthday filled with FLIPS!

2010-05-02T07:21:00.001-07:00

Since Spring Break was during the real birthday we postponed it a few days and celebrated at Southern Spirit ...Gray's choice of course! She and Mary B. have been taking gymnastics this year and LOVE this place. All your friends had such a good time Gray, you all played games, did tricks on the trampolene, and flipped around on all the mats! I can't believe we have registered you for Kindegarten and now you are 5 ....time flys by buggy! I do not want you to grow up, but you remind me daily "mommy, I will still always be your baby"...and I hope you keep doing it! I love you Gray.

Lots and lots of SPRING!

2010-04-10T06:17:00.000-07:00

A lot to catch up on so this is going to be a long one! We have been so excited about the sunshine and that Spring is finally here!

The girls recently had a chance to be a part of the Junior League American Girl Doll Fashion show. It was a wonderful event that raised money for the new hands on children's museum at the Carnegie. Our cousins, aunts, grandmothers, great-grands, and even Daddy and Uncle Reagan came to see.

Gray and Charlotte (along with Elizabeth and Kit) played VIP parts of the show at intermission...they did great!

Mary Bradford was Ruthie. She loved it and learned all about every doll which will be great for our Spring Break trip to Atlanta....we can't wait!

Mary Bradford had her friend Fiona over for the afternoon before our neighborhood egg hunt and we found these at Target so they got busy quick! I didn't know 1st graders were so into detail and very artistic. So glad they were kind enough to let little sister join them....

The Roberts and Perrys hosted our neighborhood egg hunt complete with all our sweet friends. The young group hunted in the frontyard....and the big kids were in the backyard...I got a quick shot before they got the GO (and their were some SERIOUS egghunters with lots of experience)....we loved it!

After a fun filled afternoon, it was time to jump in bed so that Ebunny would come by..and he did!

We loved what he left....expecially our ZHU ZHU pet accessories!

I LOVE our church, but Easter is one of my favorite times of the year...we take flowers for the living cross and then have a wonderful service.

After church we headed to Mimi and Gandy's for another photo shoot while we waited on everyone to get here for lunch...which I loved that they are finally to the age they enjoy the family picture thing (sad they are growing up) but NO tears nor whining was nice:)!

At lunch we ran into a special guest and got to thank him for our goodies he left....Gray was very into Mr. bunny and gave him lots of love!

After lunch, it was back to Mimi and Gandy's house to play...1st thing was to get the dresses OFF ...then they decided to cartwheel in their slips for a little while..

then to celebrate with Carter, it was his real birthday...and he is 2!!

Cupcakes are his bestfriend...you would never know this was like his 100th time to celebrate his birthday....still so excited!

then a little dress-up and more playtime..had to get Gray in her GARB...she loves to deck out!!

It was back to school, and I got to spend a day at the Zoo in Birmingham with Mary Bradford and her class. She decided the gorilla was her favorite!

I treasure all of these precious times with my sweet girls and already starting to realize time is going by too fast...

a TERRIFIC Tuesday

2010-03-02T15:34:00.000-08:00

and today was just that!!
Bug woke up and could not even THINK about eating her breakfast (cinnamon rolls ...her favorite) for pressing her nose against our kitchen window and loving all the SNOW we got ...so sweet, and yes this is her BED HEAD do each day we get to see:)!

I couldn't help but show this too... art from school yesterday which went straight to my desk at Eastwood so I can enjoy it each day! Gray (in her beautiful dress) and Scout with her famous flowers! I love these flowers, this is what she likes to draw best lately!

This week all our schools are celebrating READ ACROSS AMERICA with lots of fun things to do each day! Today happened to be Dr. Seuss's birthday>>>Mary B. and I had fun with making her look like the Cat in the Hat today....

The Emperor's New Clothes

2010-03-02T04:00:00.001-08:00

At Ben Davis each classroom pairs with another to do their play. Mrs. Hart's class along with Mrs. Chapman's class chose The Emperor's New Clothes. Here is Gray making sure Mary B. looks just right, she was sooo excited about Sissy being "on stage" and she got to go to school late too!......

They had such a great time, worked so hard, and it all paid off!

We were so proud of you Mary Bradford, you were a great narrator....and we enjoyed seeing all of your friends, they did a great job too!

An Eventful Weekend

2010-02-17T17:56:00.000-08:00

It was a very "PLANNED" weekend that quickly became unplanned Feb. 12-15!! We had invited 5 couples to Cheaha Mtn. to the Jackson cabin for a "Couples Retreat"...but, weather did not PERMIT! We left after lunch and had planned to drop the girls at Nana and Pop's before heading up the mountain. Our friends were to be there by dinner...(all meals were planned,lots of books/magazines purchased...and lots of relaxing was in our future!)Brad and I chose to go the back way and ended up hitting ice, spinning and spinning..then smashing into RYAN mountain totaling our car. No bruises no scratches....I always pray for safety for all of my family(especially my sisters and their families because I do not get to see them as much as I would like)...Fortunately he made Brad, me and the girls very SAFE that Friday...thank you.

We still made it a Happy VALENTINES day, how could we not with these 2?

We were so glad Aunt Sally had to move Maury's 3rd birthday party up till Sunday too...we got to go and it was sooo much fun......

Aunt Leigh Ann and I decided that a night in a hotel to end the weekend and the birthday festivites would be a treat(plus we thought ALL of us at Aunt Sally's would be a WHOLE lot!). It's just the small things....couchbed, popcorn, and a yummy breakfast the next morning hit the spot!

The Greatest Show on Earth

2010-02-08T16:56:00.000-08:00

Mimi had the Wise cousins over the weekend so what more fun outing on a really cold day than the circus that she planned for us??!!

We loaded up after packing lots of Pig Wig snacks (thanks to Gandy) and $ General glowsticks (which all turned out to be quiet the hit!) and headed to Huntsville for the BIG show....Gray and Char began to ask about 1/2 way when they were going to see the tent and that was a little tough to explain. However, John David did see a construction site tent where they were working on the VBCC and said "There it is, we are HERE!".....some of my favorite moments:

All 4 held up very well for a LONG show until we are walking out and of course, all those light up toys, stuffed animals, etc., etc., ETC are REALLY being thrown in their little faces and Gray had a meltdown....as seen here we stopped right by one of the stands and she was still a little mad at me....

what a FUN day with such sweet girls and a very sweet little boy, thanks Mimi we love you!!

Ben Davis GOT TALENT!

2010-02-08T16:27:00.000-08:00

The night was FULL of fun....Mr. Kross asked Mary Bradford to pass out programs, and she was very glad to do so, of course taking her job pretty serious......

Then I got a quick shot of the HARTbreakers before their preformance....Janiyah, Meredith, and Mary B. cute as they could be ready to HOEDOWN THROWDOWN .....

We were so glad our cousins came, Mary Bradford was thrilled about showing them all off...and Carter came and just SHOWED off, think he had more fun than anyone in the show!

Here are more friends in Mrs. Hart's room who participated ....

It was a hoot!! so glad all our sweet friends and family came to see my sweet girl...she and her little group did Great, I was so proud of all of them!

TALENT!

2010-02-01T17:59:00.001-08:00

The girls newest LOVE is nightly performances!! Brad and I happen to enjoy them too!I just finished Eastwood Idol(talent show at my school that the girls LOVE!)and BEN DAVIS got talent is coming up THIS THURSDAY ....so practicing their talents is all these 2 want to do lately!!

Tonight's show was extra special, so I decided it deserved a post. Not only did we have programs but a costume change too! They worked hard on this one and after 2 full songs 2 full times, we knew why we hadn't heard from them the entire time I was cooking dinner.....
The 1st act was a little Miley Cyrus action:
(hard to get a cartwheel with a major delayed digital camera)

and after the costume change they slowed it down to a Taylor Swift favorite......

FLY AWAY of course...........

Reminds me of Leigh Ann, Sally and I's many MANDRELL SISTERS shows! SISTERS are so much fun!

Ice Skating Princesses

2010-01-20T17:53:00.000-08:00

It was Another school holiday (MLK JR. BDAY) so thought we would try the ice skating thing. I let both girls invite a friend...Mary Bradford loves it, this was Gray's first time but she could not sleep the night before talking about how much fun she was going to have!

Here they are all smiles BEFORE we started (I say "WE" because I got to try my skills too even though I have no pictures to prove it!)

Mary Bradford and Meredith had a blast.....

Gray had a meltdown before entering the ice so I went and put some skates on,and she was all smiles. Her sweet friend Mary Bibb did great and soon they were off by themselves on their little bars for added support....

I only got a few pictures due to getting in trouble for taking my camera on the ice with me while we skated!? (guess I didn't look like I was too stable?! oh well!!) I had so much fun with these precious girls....they were all so sweet!

Snowballs

2010-01-10T17:21:00.001-08:00

What could be a more appropriate homework assignment than what Gray had to do during our "SNOW DAY and a HALF" break we had from school. Her class has been reading the book "Snowballs" and were asked to gather things that were listed in the book to decorate their own snowman (ours is of course a snow woman!). She was SO excited about doing homework like Mary Bradford and can't wait for Mrs. April, Mrs. Cathrine, and Mrs. Alisha to see her masterpiece!

Lots and Lots of CHRISTMAS!

2010-01-02T07:57:00.000-08:00

It was more than a MERRY Christmas for our family....It is our favorite time of the year and we are so blessed to be able to spend time with each member of both the Nixon and Jackson families. We started before Christmas eve in Anniston then Talladega, back to Decatur on Christmas eve (and yes SANTA did come; Mommy was just too excited/tired to capture those early morning pics!) and then even continued celebrating after Christmas with a great ending in Moulton complete with a birthday party for JESUS! (and all of Nana's great-grands)

Mary Bradford's Field Trip

2009-12-21T09:05:00.000-08:00

It was a Full field trip day with Mrs. Hart's class on our very last day of school before Christmas break...we started at Santa's village, then headed to the Early Works Museum and attended ELF UNIVERSITY, and finally ended at Huntsville Depot for some games and stories! It was such a fun way to spend our last day, I loved seeing you Mary B. with all of your friends, thanks for letting Mommy tag along!!

Picked pics that represented the "highlights"!

The Polar Express

2009-12-19T12:37:00.000-08:00

Mimi took us all on a trip to the North Pole via the Polar Express....oooh what fun !!

First, we got our tickets punched....

checking out our tickets....

We were all SOO excited I tried to get a picture with the conductor, but he was a busy guy and all the kids had WAY too much to look at, oh well....

Gray spotted all the lights, Toy shop...we had made it to the NORTH POLE and 2 very special people were there waiting on us and waving BIG....the kids were BESIDE THEMSELVES!! and so were their mommies and mimi!!

Here the elves made their way thru to let us know it was almost time for Santa and Mrs. Clause to arrive on our cart.....

they boarded the train and the girls couldn't wait to see them and let them know EXACTLY what they wanted! (Gray forgot specify which American girl she wanted so when they made their way back thru she ran to catch Santa by his coat to make sure he knew to bring "ELIZABETH")

they all held on to their tickets for most of the ride....

Carter enjoyed his milk and cookie!

the elves made their way back thru with everyone a special SILVER bell and Christmas ornament...

Thank you Mimi, what a fun night and so glad we got to share it with our sweet cousins and Aunts!!

A fun start to the Christmas season

2009-12-19T12:26:00.001-08:00

We have been very busy with lots of fun festivities to celebrate the girls (and mine too) FAVORITE time of the year. We had Mimi and her friends annual get together with the grandmothers, mothers, and children. It was complete with crafts, snacks, and of course a present for each from the grandmothers.

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We went with our friends the Coulters and Pylants to see "Christmas Now and Then"....and although I didn't get any pictures from the highly entertaining program I did capture our "American Girl Dolls"...in their coats bundled up ready to go before we left!

Our old pal Fiddle has re-joined our family for the month of December and he seems to be hanging around lots of different places this year, and making a few messes too!

We try not to ever miss the Christmas parade. Even though it was very cold, and rainy we got a great spot thanks to our friend Kathyrn and stayed warm and dry....it was great but didn't EVER think Santa was going to make it by! He finally did and Mary B. thought he looked SLIM this year....(maybe it was the angle from the top of the fire truck?!)

Thanksgiving at the Cabin

2009-12-02T18:57:00.001-08:00

I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving....after what has happened at Eastwood recently...Family is one I of many things I am MOST thankful for, and have learned not to take a single day for granted. Going to the cabin is always a treat..From the competitive games we choose to involve everyone in (PICK UP STICKS was a hit on this trip!), to the beautiful scenery, to the relaxing we get to do it is the perfect get away. We loved getting to spend time with Nana, Pop, Aunt Amy, Uncle Mitch, and Jackson!

SMORES

2009-11-23T20:15:00.001-08:00

A great start to our Thanksgiving Break......we had our sweet friends over for some backyard smore making FUN....

Football at MSU

2009-11-16T18:54:00.001-08:00

The AL/State game is one Brad and I try to attend every year...this year we decided that the girls were both old enough to enjoy ALL the festivities so we started early!

We loaded up and headed to Tupelo to meet the Wise's and caravan to Starkville...Char and John David were so happy to see us when we drove up they were ready to play!

Then we met up with the rest of the Wise's and Sally, Owen, Maury and Carter for the tailgate...

then off to the game, what FUN even if it was a loss for me, it was a WIN for Brad so everyone was still happy and I loved seeing the girls cheering "GO-STATE, GO STATE!!"

We had what the girls love to call a "cousins sleepover" and woke up early for a yummy breakfast and then decided to take the kids on campus for a photo shoot and walked around campus....it was a beautiful day and such a GREAT weekend!!

Beautiful Fall Saturday

2009-11-11T15:22:00.000-08:00

...a little behind, but last weekend while Daddy and I had friends over for a little football Mimi took you 2 for a fun day in Moulton. Mimi always has a way of thinking of great, creative, educational (AND fun) games....this one consisted of first picking up Nana, a picnic in the park, and then nature walk along with a scavenger hunt. I sent my camera so I wouldn't miss anything...I didn't get a picture of each of your collection bags before Mary B. took it to share with her class but it had lots of different colored leaves, walnuts, bark, and rocks...ooh what fun to share with a grandmother and great-grandmother!

Halloween

2009-11-04T13:56:00.001-08:00

We got an early start to this year's Halloween by putting on the costumes before NOON and heading to Moulton to see Nana, Aunt JoAnn, Uncle Roger, and the rest of the gang...so our first house to hit when we got back home was our sweet neighbors....here the cowgirl and hippy are at our 1st stop this year...

And here is the little ballerina and Jasmine at our first stop last year, Mimi's...

Our friends the Taylors hosted a Halloween trick-or-treat party complete with hayride so after seeing our neighbors we headed straight over played a little while and then loaded up with all of our best friends....

We went from street to street in our neighborhood, all the kids had a BALL....at this house we thought someone was just asleep on the front porch?!

..oooh not so much BOO!

I loved seeing the girls ENJOY the trick-or-treating so much...it was a very fun Halloween!

Miley Cyrus Concert

2009-10-26T18:22:00.000-07:00

The fun started around lunch time on Friday when I went to check Mary B. and her friend Meredith out of school. When I got there Mrs. Hart made me aware the 2 had been packed and ready for me for 30 minutes---and EVERYONE knew where they were going! We could not think about leaving school without letting Mr. Kross (their principal) know they were really leaving, and I think he was as excited as they were because they had already filled him in on ALL of our plans for the day!(I've learned working at an Elementary school there are NEVER any secrets, so I shouldn't be surprised at anything they say..however?!)....Then we met up with Meredith's mom and I let her in on the news "We were in for A DAY with these 2 DIVAS!!" ...we had given this little trip to them both for their birthdays!

We had a ball, 1st stop was the sum mitt for a little window shopping and some dinner at Cheesecake Factory (where their were lots of little girls dressed like ours headed where we were!)The manager came to our table to make us aware they "had just delivered Miley's food to her, this is her FAVORITE restaurant!" I think that made all of our food taste even better!

Then it was time....we were OFF to a sold out teenage Superstar's concert...we parked beside one of many cars painted on like this......(only pic I have of the 2 in their "concert outfits" because as soon as they got their new t-shirts they put them on!)

I do not think I have ever seen Mary Bradford as excited...we got there early so we could take in EVERYTHING...lots of fun, screaming girls!!

It was a fun, fun night...I am so glad you enjoyed it Mary B.! I enjoyed watching you even more!!

Tate Farms

2009-10-21T20:27:00.000-07:00

Kathyrn, Morgan and I thought all of our sweet girlie's needed a trip to THE pumpkin patch of North Alabama (and not in Huntsville like I thought, Meridianville...which was a little bit of a trip...but SOOO worth it!)So we all loaded up in one car 3 adults and 5 little girls, Mary Bradford took her sweet friend Fiona and headed to Tate Farms. It was great...animals, swings, tractor slide, hayride, and lots more. However, as you can tell by the red noses and wind blown hair I think we chose one of the coldest days we have had all year..

<

As we were leaving, everyone a little cold, and hungry I thought we needed a group picture....here's how it started.....

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and this is about the best I could do....what a FUN FUN day!!

Fall Soccer comes to an end

2009-10-21T18:00:00.001-07:00

Both girls have had a rainy but fairly good end to Fall Soccer....thanks to a wonderful coach (Daddy), who made it lots more fun!

One of Mary Bradford's last games was against her friend Sally...here she, Meredith, and Sally are before the game...this was Daddy's Birthday and the game she got her first goal!!

Brad and I had the team for a very CHILLY end of the year pizza party at Rhodes Ferry Park. Lots of fun, trophies, medals, and WIND!!

Gray did lots of high stepping, a few cartwheels, but most of all was a great cheerleader for her team...Yea SKUNKS!!!!

Fall Break

2009-10-13T18:44:00.000-07:00

We headed to Cheaha to the cabin to spend a few relaxing days and take full advantage of Fall Break.

We loved spending time with Nana and Pop, Aunt Amy, Uncle Mitch, and our SWEET, patient 6th grade cousin Jackson!

Aunt Amy agreed to a glitterful makeover on the deck...and glad we chose outside because we ALL had glitter on us by the time these 2 got done!

Scout LOVES the cabin as much as we do, he did as much lounging as we did. It was all he could do to lift his head for a picture.

This was the first time Gray got to join the other 2 in the hot tub, still a little hesitant here....

...she ended up LOVING it!!

Then we headed to Birmingham with Mimi for a fun day of shopping and playing with Maury and Carter...so glad to spend a little time with our 2 little cousins too!

Gray SINGS

2009-10-13T18:22:00.000-07:00

Just a few pictures to show Gray's chior singing for the first time in our Wednesday night worship service where we celebrated Missions. She was so excited to finally be "on stage" like Mb had been so many times.

Boo-Hoo 2 girls with the flu

2009-09-24T15:08:00.000-07:00

I do not think since birth you 2 have been sick at the exact same time with the exact same thing so guess I thought I better do a post so we would remember. Even though you felt very yucky, especially since you never run high fevers and you did, we managed to find a little fun to have when you felt like it!

The flu hit little bug first...she felt soooo bad Monday morning and by 3:30 we knew she had tested positive according to Dr. Hay. The next several days this is where I found her and how she looked.....

Mary B. when you got home from school on Monday with 102, I hopped in the car and met daddy and Gray leaving dr. Hay's office and you tested positive too! I am glad we got the last tamiflu left in Decatur because by Tuesday afternoon you had perked up a lot! (may have had a lot to do with the get well fairies who brought lots of fun things like this cute puzzle!-thank you so much!!)

Mimi brought goodies too, Gray hadn't eaten much at all and finally perked up and loved the icing on these.....

Today Mary B. you went back to school and are feeling much better....and Bug, you were in and out today, but when Sissy got home this afternoon and I heard the Taylor Swift concert it convinced me you are lots better too!
Here's Taylor and her costume designer who helps her get ready between songs!!

Bleacher Creatures at Decatur High

2009-09-20T17:04:00.000-07:00

Friday was the much anticipated "Bleacher Creatures"....where all the little girls are asked to join the cheerleaders in cheering for the Raiders!! The girls had a ball, lots of Mary B.'s class from Kindergarten reunited which was really fun for the moms to watch! Gray and Hilton's little sister Harrison hung right in there with the big girls!

Open House at Ben Davis

2009-09-20T16:43:00.000-07:00

We recently got to visit Mary Bradford's 1st grade class to see what she has learned so far. Each child got their own checklist and she was our "tour guide" through the school.

Our first stop was outside her classroom at the GUESS WHO? wall....notice the adjectives she used to describe herself....

Mary B. you love Mrs. Hart and are off to a great start to first grade....

A little more birthday fun with Nana and Pop

2009-09-16T17:37:00.000-07:00

Friday after the party was over we had a little more celebrating to do not only for Mary B.'s birthday, but Grandparent's day at Ben Davis too!...Nana and Pop came from Anniston and we fit a lot in. They, along with Mimi and Gandy, joined Mary B. at Ben Davis for the grandparents' day festivities...then came the fun presents especially for her new doll "Julie"..who now goes most anywhere we do as long as I say it's ok....here they are in their matching pj's......

On Friday nights as long as the Decatur Red Raiders are playing at home...we are there! The girls love to go, cheer, and play with their friends...Brad and I love it because they are happy and we get to sit with all of our friends too....Nana and Pop joined us this past game against Huntsville for another win --YEA Raiders!!

My sweet friend Tara made these shirts for the girls to wear to the games....

We enjoyed our visit with Nana and Pop..even though we try and fit way too much in sometimes (including 2 soccer games early the next morning) it is always so much fun!

Make-Overs then FASHION SHOW..wow turning 7 is FABULOUS!

2009-09-15T17:24:00.001-07:00

It was an afternoon full of fun! It started with Pizza and Presents.....

Then it was time for MAKEOVERS.....station to station the girls bopped from one to the next...make-up, hair, dress-up, accessories....and nails...getting ready for the show!
HUGE thanks to Maggie the make-up magician....and Morgan the hair-do queen (complete with her assistants daughter Caroline, nieces Mary Bibb and Virginia) I could not have done it without all their help!!I also have to say I was pretty impressed with your DJ DADDY, his ipod was full of your favorites...so he dj'd and was videographer!!

Then a little cake and a "Happy Birthday to YOU Mary B. cha-cha-cha!...."

Then all the moms, a few dads and siblings, and lots of cameras, it was SHOWTIME!!!

It was a fun 7th birthday, all your ideas brought together plus a lot of help from Mimi...I think it turned out perfect! WE love you so much Mary Bradford, Happy Happy Birthday!

Mary Bradford is SEVEN

2009-09-09T21:05:00.000-07:00

The celebrating is just beginning, (I love to drag birthdays out FOREVER)but I had to go ahead and START with a post on the OFFICIAL day...today MB you turn the lucky number 7! Happy Happy Birthday I love you soooo much!

I took iced sprinkle cookies (your request) to your class today and met all of your new friends.....who are quiet the characters, you FIT right in!! It was so good to put the names with the faces who I hear about all the time...

Then we met Mimi and Gandy for birthday supper at Kyoto (your request of course!)....it was a treat and even though they tried to play a trick on you....they brought the one and only JULIE (more pics to come with her) as you can tell Bug was not too thrilled about your present! Even though Mimi brought her a movie from her trip to American Girl in Chicago, guess it's just one of those things that is REALLY hard to understand!.....
On another note...It was really sweet the 1st thing Gray requested when she got home from school is to put on her birthday dress and get a birthday hug from MB to help celebrate !!

After our yummy dinner....you came home to another special present from Aunt Sally, Uncle Owen, Maury, and Carter...your very own Bible. For your reading tonight you started reading in Genesis to us....very special way to end this special day.

..oh yeah, and we saved bug one of your cookies which ended her night with a SMILE too!

It's been a fun day.....can't wait for the party with your girl-Friends tomorrow!

Fall Soccer

2009-09-09T15:07:00.001-07:00

Has begun!! Brad is coaching both girls teams: THE MEAN GREEN MACHINE (MB's team) and helping Coach Pat with THE LITTLE SKUNKS(as you can tell from Gray's uniform is her team)!!

The 2 teams have their first few games at the same time...so I ran between fields snapping a few pictures from each....I think they are both going to have lots of fun!

FIRSTS

2009-08-11T14:36:00.003-07:00

Yes, the day had come Monday was Mary Bradford's FIRST day of FIRST grade.Daddy took her, because I had to be at Ewood bright and early, and according to both of them, they couldn't get out the door fast enough.....MB was so ready to see her friends and Mrs. Hart at her new school Benjamin Davis! Thanks for being the photographer daddy.

Makes me a lot sad you are growing up so fast, but I am so proud of all you have already accomplished...including your INDEPENDENCE...I love you MB!

Day 2 was Mb's FIRST day to try out the bus! She rides with me to Eastwood, catches the bus to Ben Davis...then rides the bus back to Eastwood to meet me and head home...you were thrilled!! Barely got a picture you were so excited this morning to hop on BUS 28 with Mrs. Armstrong!

then this afternoon, you were busy reading a "bus note"....but I was sure glad to see your smiling face! another great day of first grade!

Gray has started her FIRST soccer season, we had our first practice this week in the 98 degree heat. She loved it...has been asking when she can go to her next practice constantly for the last 48 hours! Brad is helping Gray's friend Mac's daddy coach...and they have another little friend Copeland on the team to share the fun! There should not be a dull moment with these little ones, more pictures to come when our games start! Yay Gray, so proud of you!!

Gray taking one of many water breaks...it was HOTTTTTTTTT!

CONCENTRATION.......way to go Gray!

Gray's first day back to school

2009-08-05T20:34:00.000-07:00

First Baptist starts just a couple of days early .....good so that we can gradually get Gray going....a little sad I asked Gray " are you ready to start back to school?" and her reply "YES mommy, I wanted to go yesterday!"....so even though I only took you for part of the day today it makes me happy you were excited...and really even more excited about your new backpack and lunchbox....it makes you feel like such a BIG GIRL and I love that you love it!

Mrs. April and Mrs. Kathryn are Gray's teachers...she has several of her old friends and a few new ones in her class...naptime is my only worry for bug, but hopefully she will get TIRED at some point and give in....she just doesn't require the sleep her sister did.....I love you Gray and hope you have a great year!

It's about that time.........

2009-08-05T20:20:00.000-07:00

For school to start back that is.....and both girls are SOO excited! Which does make me a little sad, but happy it won't be too hard to get out the door that first morning...Mary Bradford starts to a new school with new friends. We got to go see who's class she got in and she and her sweet friend Banks got to visit while the mommies and the siblings visited too.....

aren't they a little young to look this grown up??

then when she saw this special friend, she got excited too...MB and Meredith both got Mrs. Hart! It's going to be another fun year, never a dull moment with these 2!

Another Summer treat

2009-08-05T20:07:00.001-07:00

The girls had a BALL with Nana and cousin Jackson for a few days in Birmingham. They fit in a lot in just a little time...McWayne Center, movie, shopping, swimming, and a little more shopping. They loved having time with Nana and came home with lots of fun treats they got to pick out themselves!

Brad volunteered to meet Nana and pick the girls up so I could get a little more done before we go back to school. I never know what kind of adventure he decides to throw in when it's just the 3 of them....this time, he decided to pay a visit to this guy....

LOVE the angle he chose!

Another little bit of education never hurts .....they loved it! What a sweet daddy! Special days like this mean the MOST!

It had been too long.....

2009-07-24T13:09:00.000-07:00

Since I had seen these two sweet friends of mine....

so the girls and I headed to Jackson, MS for a fun visit with libba, heather,and their little ones...we started by meeting Libba and John Camp at the Children's Museum of Natural History where John Camp could give us the full tour since he had just finished a camp there...

then on to a favorite spot I used to like to visit while in college Nandy's Candy for one of these...

...later we all met back at Heather and Andy's for a cookout and lots of playing with Addison, John Camp kept all the girls entertained....

we hit the pool the next day...and then Andy and John were SO very kind to watch all the kids so we could have a nice dinner with LOTS-o-LAUGHS...not sure what all they did but while we were there this was what was happening most of the time, so pretty sure it was a lot like this! the girls loved every minute of it!

Mary B. and Gray, I was SO proud of how sweet you were all week...you 2 are growing up and it still makes me sad, but the long car ride was more than worth it to see special friends and I am so glad we got to go!

Heather, Libba, and I had such a great time, and promised not to let the next time take as long to see each other!

Girls first wedding

2009-07-23T11:32:00.000-07:00

Girls had the best time in their first wedding..Aunt Amy (Brad's sister) and now Uncle Mitch asked them both to be the flower girls, and they were BESIDE THEMSELVES!! Especially Mary B., she took it very serious! (notice the photo with her standing at the door..that is where we could find her when she was needed for a photo or to be reminded to potty, or most anything 1-2 hours before ceremony time!)

Since I was mainly the referee, I got NO good pics...plus the photographer was so kind to take lots, I refrained from snapping too many times ...in hopes she will share them soon so I can post! We are so happy for Amy and Mitch (sorry Uncle Mitch we hope to post a cute pic of you both soon!)thanks for letting them be a part of your special day...the girls did an excellent job, first time to attend a wedding...also, first time to be a part of the wedding! We all had a wonderful time at the reception too! 11 p.m. bedtime was a REAL treat for a 4 and 6 year old!

Camp at Mallard Stables

2009-07-17T08:37:00.000-07:00

5 days straight (8a.m.-12 p.m.), mid JULY, very warm, but lots of horse fun!! Mary B. had her 4th birthday here, but summer camp was something even more fun!

Her counselors Caroline and Emily really made her week ...schedule included: horsin'around (which included a visit to the mini petting zoo..she loved the SMALL guinea pig, ha! and the new addition the rabbits), WATER fun, riding lessons, devotion, arts and crafts, snack, and group time (where they made their own cheer, flag, and group NAME -the SADDLE CLUB aka one of MB's favorite tv shows..wonder who helped come up with that one?

busy, busy, busy.....

2009-07-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

That is exactly what we've been this past week....(I think I am enjoying the girls and our summer break from anything ROUTINE more than them)...we had nothing major we had to do so I did some investigating and we fit all this into just a few days...

We headed to kids movie Monday at Bridgestreet complete with face painting in the lobby, and then did a quick change into bathingsuits and headed off to the splash pad..

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Then after hearing and seeing this commercial 10000 times, I suprised them and ordered these....

..what's nice is they stick anywhere with no mess..Brad even got into them and whipped up the bike!

Later in the week my sweet niece Maury came to spend a few days while her mommy and daddy are moving to their new house...Mimi and I decided the Huntsville Botanical Gardens would be fun since the BIG bug exhibit was there, and it was...lots of bugs, water activities, and a huge butterfly/turtle building too...

love this, Maury doesn't know where it landed....

Friday night was a hit too...Morgan and I ventured to Athens with 5 little girls (Mary B., Gray, Maury, Caroline, and her cousin Mary Bibb) for a yummy meal at Village Pizza and then to the KIDDIE CARNIVAL...so so much fun, it's great for little ones..they all had a ball and we did too just watching them!

I love these times...and feel so fortunate and blessed to get to share all of this with you 2....many more to come!

Weekend of 4th of July FUN

2009-07-05T16:41:00.000-07:00

We started our 4th of July fun at the bowling alley after lots of persuasion from Mary Bradford....

....first trip to bowl for Gray and she was not so sure at first.....

...but then really got the hang of it and asked if we could stay for one more game after lunch....

..then we woke up and headed to one of our favorite summer spots, the Wallers lake house...

sweet daddy decides to take both of you sweet girls on a ride (keeping in mind it was a bit rough due to it being the FOURTH OF JULY)....

Guess that is why this happened.....girls are " oooh daddy are you ok? can you get back on?"..glad it happened close to the dock so I could grab my camera!!

of course no going to bed before heading to the bridge with lots of other boats for the fireworks show...it was another fun weekend with our friends!

Happy Fathers Day

2009-06-24T12:20:00.000-07:00

We love all the fathers in our lives, and are so thankful for them. What a blessing you are to us!

You are the best daddy and husband in the world...you make us laugh and have fun even when we don't want to ...your hugs are the BEST! We love you so much!

This was from all of us : mimi's idea... the pig wig tees on the beach to go right in his office, he loved it!

We got to celebrate with Pop at one of his favorites Bonefish!

Friends

2009-06-23T19:24:00.001-07:00

We have been having a lot of fun with "just us" this summer, but we have had lots of fun with our friends too...again due to me erasing posts and having to re-post and catch up these are from the last week and weekend

Mary B.'s sweet friend Meredith came over for a fun filled afternoon..girls did lots of "costume changes" but best thing is they included little bug in every one! Love this one, even had to send she and her Daddy a pig shirt home!

We have had lots of fun family night swims over at the Coulters...haven't gotten a group one yet, but hope to soon....thanks Morgan for the try on braiding Gray's hair"...

We spent Fathers Day weekend with the Taylors at Smith lake...never a dull moment, the kids never STOPPED...first time on the tube for Gray (and the other 2 stooges) they all loved it!