Raleigh Field Trip

The fourth grade at Lakeshore has awesome field trip opportunities..the best of any elementary school I know. As I posted in early November, we went on a 3 day excursion to the Outer Banks. Today, we boarded charter buses at 6 AM and headed to Raleigh for the day. What a great experience. I hadn't been there in so long. We toured the Legislative Building, the Capitol, the Science Museum, and the History Museum. Of course, Brookie's favorite was the Science Museum...mine was the Legislative Building.

Brooke and crew......Carly, Brooke, Savannah, McKenna

The Legislative Building.....For those of you whom I have talked to often this week, you know this was a bittersweet trip for me. I had to breathe deeply lots today and tell myself I'd be okay. After all, this was where my Daddy worked... and where he often walked...and where he held meetings often. We passed his office coming in. It was just another 'first' that I had to deal with and handle with a smile on my face, even though my heart was breaking. Grey Mills, our Representative from Iredell County was there. We got the very rare opportunity of not just seeing the House of Representatives Chamber, but of being able to walk in it to sit and listen to Grey talk. I was so excited; this is right up my alley.

In the House of Representative Chambers; (sorry lady whoever you are).

Mrs. Tedone's class and Representative Grey Mills (R).

Standing in front of the Legislative Building; History Museum on left; Science Museum on right; and looking towards the Capitol.

This is Charlie...Charlie Horse (HAHAHAHAHA) and his owner, Jaimie. He owns eleven of these beautiful Percheron horses and a company that caters to weddings, festivals, birthdays, etc. - anything with carriage rides. He was a sweet cowboy, even called me Ma'am. Aw shucks, honey, I'm not THAT old!

Meanwhile, back home, Cammie and Kayla do some shopping and some eatin' and some more shopping. A great day for all!!

Disney, 2009!

We left for Disney on Friday since the girls were out of school for three days this week. We all love Disney World and we've been in January before. The last time we went (2 years ago), the weather was about 12 degrees warmer in January. It was chilleee this time, especially on Tuesday. We all have our favorites and for those of you who love it as much as we do, you'll know what we're talking about. Our lists are followed with a rediculous number of photos. So, chill for a little while and let me tell ya about the trip. THE lists follow of our top ten favorite things about Disney.

Brooke:

Splash Mountain--Soarin'--Test Track--Big Thunder Mountain Railroad--Great Movie Ride--Maelstrom--Kali River Rapids--It's A Small World-- Nemo--Pirates of the Caribbean

Cammie:

Rockin' Roller Coaster--Tower Of Terror--Mt. Everest--Test Track--Soarin'--Space Mountain--Splash Mountain (you get wet)--Kali River Rapids--Astro Orbiter--Peter Pan

Thomas:
The kids love it!--Soarin'--Test Track--Splash Mountain (only when it's nice outside)--Tower of Terror--Mt. Everest--Rockin' Roller Coaster--Big Thunder Mountain Railroad--Barn Stormer--Epcot Water Cannons

Beth:
Seeing the smiles--Soarin'--Big Thunder Mountain Railroad--Splash Mountain--Great Movie Ride--It's A Small World--Kali River Rapids--Maelstrom--Test Track--Seeing the characters

Now for the photos!!

Cammie's favorite: Rockin' Roller Coaster in Hollywood Studios

Brookie's favorite: Splash Mountain in Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom - The Princess Castle

Dinner at The Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom

Waiting for the bus the first day...waiting patiently (well, some were patient)....

Ditto....

At Minnie's House in Magic Kingdom

Just a Plug!

Before Christmas, I realized that Darius Rucker had put out a country CD. Ya'll know, Darius, dontcha? He's Hootie from Hootie and the Blowfish. A lot of his work was done when I was at Carolina and after. He was born and raised in Charleston, SC. This is an excellent CD. He has a smooth, mellow voice. No doubt it's country, but there's some definite R&B influence surfacing. It's called "learn to live". The song, "Don't think I don't think about it" is one I absolutely love. It sounds a little like Mitch, my cousin. Go here to hear one of Rucker's songs.

Oh yeah, the title song, 'Learn to Live' is awesome too!

Love this!

I love this little quote. It is so true. Just a reminder.....

WOW!

While Mom and I were away in Jacksonville, Fl at the Mayo Clinic, the weather here turned out to be pretty rough....except for these.

The next four pictures were taken by Thomas and the girls with his phone.

Check out the second rainbow trying its hardest to brighten up a little! Look at the color in the main one.

God and all of his glory!

WHAT?!?!

Oh, come on Heels! What happened? I should've been there to pull you through with my Carolina Blue clogs, UNC charm on my necklace, and face tattoos. Next time, Tyler!!!!!

Welcome, 2009!

Mary Clair and Michael invited us and a few other friends over last evening for a very casual get together to welcome in the new year. We had a ball. Except for one problem - because Brookie and I inherited the 'early to bed, early to rise' gene from my Daddy, we had to come home around 10:30. It's kinda rude to yawn every five minutes, especially after a couple of glasses of wine. So, Brookie and I went straight to bed and welcomed the New Year behind our eyelids and Cammie and Thomas stayed up.

The party was just how we like it - casual, partially outdoors around a bonfire in one location and a chiminea in another, and close buddies. The menu consisted of chili, potato soup, cornbread, homemade mac and cheese, and lots of yummy finger foods-right up our alley. THANK YOU MICHAEL AND MARY CLAIR!

Gettin' ready for the party!

Kelly, Noah, and Cammie....

Brookie and Georgia...

Bryan, Doobie, Michael, and Thomas.....

Oh yeah, and hot dogs....the kids ate like we hadn't fed them in a few days......

Michael, me, Doobie, and Michelle.....

Happy New Year, everyone!!!!!