Happy Birthday, Brooke!

Brookie turns nine on September 4th. I can't believe it!! She was 7 1/2 weeks early when she was born. Plus, her Nana and Pappy were on an Alaskan cruise. They didn't even know she was in the world until they got home. Surprise, surprise!!! The girls usually have two parties, one here with their friends from school and one in Marion with family and close friends. Last week, we celebrated at a nail salon and then came home for a tea party, complete with china tea cups from my collection.

That tickles!

Savannah, Georgia, Brookie, Samantha, and Cammie

Check out this cool present that Cammie wrapped. She's a creative little chick!

This weekend, we were in Marion. Originally, we were going to go hiking with Greg and his family for Brooke's birthday activity there. But Lake Lure had flooded and we knew the Chimney Rock trails were probably muddy and slippery. So we'll do that later - perhaps in October. Instead, we went roller skating. Loved it.

Check out the socks! Madi, Cammie, Brookie, Brittany, and Seth

My skating pictures were really dark. Anyway, after skating we went to Nana's house where Amanda and her kids joined our family to sing 'Happy Birthday' and open presents. This is Brooke's favorite. She loves to play detective, so Nana got her a fingerprint kit and a Vera Bradley bag to hold all of her detective paraphenalia (along with a bunch of other stuff)! I told her that not many detectives had Vera Bradley computer bags to hold all their stuff! It's all very cute, though.

Brookie and Nana!

Okay, she did blow out candles and I did get a picture. But, blondeness has taken over and I can't locate the picture. Oh, well.

We let her open her rollerblades tonight. She'll have a couple more to open on her real birthday.

Happy Birthday, Brookie!!!!!

Singing in the rain!!

Oh my, Brookie does love playing in the rain. I think it's so sweet. She has always loved it. She's still playing outside as I write this and she is one soaked pup.

She's our weather girl. She checks the rain gauge often. I thought we were up to 2 inches for the last 2 days, but it's more like 1 1/2 inches. We'll take it! The lake is filling up...'twas looking good today.

Cammie is checking the weather for the weekend. Cloudy with a chance of hiking! It looks like we'll get to see Chimney Rock this weekend.

I realize these pictures are a little blurry- I got in a hurry standing out in the rain!

First Day of School!

We were up and out of here by 7:10, ready for our first day of school. It's always a little nerve-wrecking, but we did just fine. Brooke started fourth grade. She has a purple room with dolphins painted on the walls. She loves her teacher and the kids in her classroom. Her favorite part of the day was the 'express yourself' game.

Cammie started sixth grade in Middle School. That is a major adjustment, but she hung right in there. It is alot to get used to. Her favorite things about school are organizing her locker and Mr. Cioffi's class.

Aren't they sweet?!

And, then there's me. I decided to teach for somebody on maternity leave through November. It happens to be 8th grade Social Studies, which I love. I have great kids in four classes - a few whiny boys (the girls beat them in a game) and a lot of brains!! These thirteen year olds have alot going on. They're smart, they're athletic, and they are respectful. See, there are some of those left!!

Looking mangled after a full day's work. (Ya'll know what my hair does in drippy weather)! I don't know how those full timers do it. Hats off to ya! I'm off to a good, sweaty workout!

Macy, again!

I know, I know, I know....ya'll are getting tired of seeing hound pup, but I got a couple of good shots of her in the last couple of days. She has worn us out today with her playfulness. Check out how big she is. At 20 lbs. now, she looks even bigger than that, especially when Brookie carries her. She is slightly spoiled about being carried.

She was awfully excited about seeing Cammie when she came home from Greensboro today.

Finally, she at last had a bath. She was quite afraid of the running water in my big tub. She is skiddish with loud noises, and it seemed loud to her, I guess. It had to be that - after all, what kind of retriever wouldn't like water? It was just a new thing. Of course, I scrubbed and disinfected my tub afterwards for those of you who may be germaphobics!!

Hers a clean baby, now. She loves her Mama!

Just Peachy!

You just cannot beat a South Carolina peach, or several. These are sooooo sweet.

Thomas picked these up coming back from Greenville, SC.

Sorry Macy. They'll hurt your tummy!

I just love them any way. I'm sorta like Forrest Gump with shrimp - remember? Fried shrimp, boiled shrimp, shrimp cocktail..... With me, it's plain peaches, peach smoothie, peach cobbler, peach anything! I freeze some for later. It's always a treat when they're not in season.

Speaking of cobbler- deep dish peach cobbler is one of my favorites. My Daddy always loved peach cobbler too. Cherry cobbler was his first choice, but deep dish peach was a very close second. So, I guess I'll eat two bowls of this in his memory!! That means an extra workout session, doesn't it? I'd say it's well worth it!

I'll share - if I have to!!

Ramblin.....

Just ramblin', I guess. I woke up this morning to a bunch of rain falling, which I love - except that Mom had to drive home in it. She's back in Marion safe, though. Macy thought it was a sight. She loves to play in the rain, dig holes in wet dirt, and stuff. BUT, she won't do her business outside when it's raining. I guess I'll have to potty train her. Right now, Thomas not only works for Legrand NA, but also works here as our head @%*!! shoveller and carpet cleaner. He does such a good job. I'm a great supervisor, too. You can't tell alot by this picture, but she came inside looking like a wet rat.

She's growing so much, but still loves to be carried. She gets a bath tonight, too.

Mom and I took the girls back to Boone and Blowing Rock a few days ago. Of course, I forgot the camera. The view from the Linn Cove Viaduct was spectacular. It was so clear and crisp. We'll go back up soon and take the camera with us. When we got back to Mooresville, I went outside on my porch and patio for a while. My mandavilla is one of my favorite plants to watch. It boasts beautiful blooms. This plant has always done well for me. It is native to Brazil and Bolivia.

Apparently, this butterfly thought it was purdy, too - and delicious!

So, on to something completely different. I think I'm addicted to the Summer Olympics. For those of you who know me well, I tend to go to bed early and rise early. My body shuts down by 10, usually. So, for me to stay up until midnight to watch the Olympics every night is something. I get so hyper, like one of my own is competing. Swimming and gymnastics are my favorites, but beach volleyball and the upcoming track events are cool to watch too. I would've loved to have had tickets to the swimming events. It's just so awesome to think about the training these athletes have gone through, particularly in the countries where facilities aren't as up to date and fancy. I always think about countries like China, Romania, and others and how their government treats athletes, particularly when they don't medal. They are expected to medal, no matter what. I always wonder what their circumstances may be before and after the Olympics.

Okay, enough for today. I just wanted to ramble for a while. Gotta go to ZUMBA!

Kure Beach!

Back to the coast we went for a few days, except this time it was Kure Beach in NC. We went with Doobie and Michelle Westmoreland and Michael and Mary Clair Privott to Doobie's beach house. What a time we had! Can't beat a beach trip with buddies! The kids had friends to play with and the adults did too. The first evening we went to Jack Mackerel's, which is one of our favorite things to do.

The party starts here! Starting from left and around - Doobie, Michael, Mary Clair, me, Michelle, and Thomas. Woohoo!

From left - Noah, Jackson, Cammie, Natalie, Brooke, Georgia, Gracen, and Lily

The next day, we stayed out on the beach all day. The waves were perfect and boogie boarding couldn't be better.

Now, we have laughed and envied Doobie for a couple of years now 'cause he's such a lucky varmint. And I do mean LUCKY! Technically, this could be a post all on its own, but I'll shorten this. He and Michelle and have won $2000 two years running at a big Mooresville social function. And, Doobie won several times in the last two weeks with lottery tickets - around $250, I think. Well, Michelle goes to the arcade at the beach and blows the heck out of one those arcade machines and wins THOUSANDS of tickets that you turn in to get prizes. She also scores big on bargains when she shops. All I can say is that if I ever go back to Las Vegas, they're going with me!

This is Doobie and one of his lottery tickets. Oh, I get it - you eat Lucky Charms. Breakfast of Champions. Well, not always - as you can see by his hat. Hey Doobie, get the 'dooky' off your hat and you might get even luckier!!!!!!!

Looking across the street towards the ocean from the front porch. Mom, you COULD purchase the orange house for my fortieth birthday present!!

Gracen, Lily, Georgia and Brooke enjoy the Fort Fisher Aquarium!

Brookie pets a sting ray.

Noah, Cammie, Ella Reese, and Jackson

Natalie, Georgia, Brookie, Lily, and Gracen play 'Apples to Apples', a card game that has quickly become one of our favorites!

Ah, young love! Meredith and Ryan! Smile Ryan - I mean really!

Thank you for a wonderful time!! When are we going again??!!!