Swimming Day & Live at the Garden

We had a very fun day swimming at Grandmama's house Saturday with all of her aunts and cousins on Granny's side of the family.  Poppy grilled delicious hamburgers and hot dogs.  We had a blast! 

The GIRLS

 

Funny faces! 

Go Emma!

Maylee taking time to pose before jumping.

Becca playing!

After the swimming party, the girls spent the night with Grandmama and Poppy.  Dan and I had a "date night" to see The Steve Miller Band at Live at the Botanic Gardens.  They were awesome.  We could not believe how amazing they were live.....it was like listening to their album!  The neatest part of their show was the how they promoted music education.  It was such a fun evening. 

Keep on rocking me, baby!  :)

Rocking with students from the Stax School

Mud Monkey

Today was another Friday "off" day for me!  We spent the day doing some fun stuff.  First, we met Aunt Kathy and Mary Brett at Chick-Fil-A for lunch.  Next, we went to Mud Monkey to paint some great pottery pieces.  Mary Brett chose a monkey, Emma a flower, Maylee a puppy dog, and Becca a puppy dog.  We cannot wait to see the finished products.  It takes five days for the pottery to "bake" and be ready to pick up!  We will post pictures of the final products. 

Getting ready to paint!

Aunt Kathy and Mary Brett

Emma painting her flower.

Maylee sponging and painting her puppy dog.

Becca painting her puppy dog.

Becca, Mary Brett, Maylee, and Emma outside of Mud Monkey!

Common Core

Common Core is the new curriculum we are implementing in the fall.  I am so excited about this change.  We are FIRED UP!  During our training and preparation, we viewed this video.  I thought it was so eye opening and worth sharing.   We have huge challenges in front of us as educators and parents, but it is going to be great for our children.  I will post new things I learn from time to time in case some of you are "nerds" like me. 

http://www.lowellmilken.org/lowell-milken-video-message.html

HaPPy DaDDy's DAY

Happy Father's Day to all of our special Daddy's......Daddy Dan, GrandPAW, Poppy, G'Paul!  We love and appreciate all of you so much. 

We celebrated Father's Day by spending the day fishing at Horseshoe Lake with GrandPaw and BonBon.  It was too windy to get on the water, so we enjoyed the day fishing from the bank.  Then on Monday, we spent the afternoon swimming with Poppy and Grandmama and enjoyed some delicious Neely's BBQ.  We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family!

Oh yeah!

Where are the fish?

BonBon's Brim

GrandPAW's Brim

Dan's Brim - Can you see it?  :)

Dan was doing a little "Huckleberry Finn" fishing?  He actually caught a catfish not long after this photo!



GO, PoPPy!

More Summer Fun

It is just amazing how quickly the summer days pass by!  Our days have been filled with swimming, yard work, and visiting with family and friends.  Daddy, Dan, and I were able to briefly visit with Cowboy and Wyatt (Cowboy, Jr.) last week at the Willie and Friends concert at Snowden Grove.  I am so proud for Cowboy and his sweet children.  I could not believe how much Wyatt has grown up - he is thirteen!  Plus, it is always fun to see a great Jamey Johnson show!

Also, I had some "helpers" last week one day at HSES.  Emma, Maylee, and Becca joined me one afternoon at work.  They spent the afternoon playing on the stage and creating an art gallery in the cafeteria.  :)  At one point, I could hear their "show" from my office.  I really wish I had a hidden video camera capturing their production. 

Mama Ann was in town for a few days as she is making her way north for the summer months.  We had a great visit with her!  We sure do miss seeing her, but what an amazing way for your grandmother to live.  :)  We promised we would make our way to Florida very soon. 

We put our house on the market, FSBO.  If you know someone looking for a great place to live, send them our way!  We love our home, but we just need some more space! 

The art gallery and featured artists.

Performing on the stage!

Our view at the concert (sideways)!

Coloring at Grandpa and BonBon's

House for sale!

Inside of House for Sale!

Inside of House for Sale :)

Summer is HERE and a Weekend of Birthdays

Summer has finally arrived!  We spent Memorial Day weekend at GiGi and G'Paul's place in Clifton at the Tennessee River.  We all had a great time playing in the sand and enjoying the water.  We were all sad to leave and come back to the reality of work!  Things really do not slow down too much during June and July for me at school, but I can take some time to do some fun things.  We are looking forward to spending some time with friends, lounging at the pool, and touring some of the local museums.  We LOVE summer! 

Dan and I both celebrate our birthdays at the beginning of summer.  My birthday is June 4 and Dan's is June 6.  For two days, we are the same age!  :) We celebrated this weekend by going to dinner at Kooky Kanuks with our great friends: Sabrina, Dustin, Rachael, and Chad! 

Time to hit the water and cool off!

Daddy Dan just chillin'!

GiGi and Becca doing a spin.

Here we are...celebrating our 18th and 19th birthdays!!! :) LOL....

Sabrina and Dustin

Rachael and Chad

Rachael, Sabrina, and Amanda

Dan trying out his birthday present.  His very own ScOoTeR! 

Lining up for a race.......