Stories & Pictures

Recovering...

As is tradition at our house, each of the kids got sick within a week of returning to school. Our back to school germs this year involved sore throats, congestion, sneezing and headaches. Not fun but managable. Kelly had it worst, missing two days of school. But even she seems to be feeling better now. Whew.

I've been busy with the little quilting business I started. Who knew that it would be so time consuming? But I enjoy it and still do a happy dance every time an order comes in. I'm busy writing new patterns for a show I'm doing in less than a month.

Bill is finishing up his "vacation" and almost all of his work around the house has been completed. He loves staying home since he travels for work. His days at home are numbered as he goes back on call tomorrow. Sniff.

And these two have been spending lots of quality time together. They've had some much cooler weather for riding finally!

Maybe something exciting will happen this week so things on this blog can pick up a little. But then again, maybe not, because boring is good. Trust me.

15 years ago...

we welcomed this girl to the world! Our lives changed for the better in every way possible. She is so fun and funny, sweet and silly, kind and generous, mature and hard-working, happy and helpful. She has her moments when she is a typical teenager, and I would worry if she didn't, but truly she is just fun to be around.

She has a bond with her brothers that makes her extra special. Just because they are twins, and a year younger, she has never been the "other" sibling. She fits right in with them and can be so kind and caring when they need her. She's going to be so well prepared for marriage after growing up in the midst of so much testosterone!

She is passionate about her horse and her dogs and all the animals in her life. She is such a good care taker and tends to them with love and affection. She never complains about her duties and chores, she just loves them so much that she wants them to be well tended.

She is a friend that is makes others feel cared about. She is often on the phone with her friends giving encouragement, or comfort, whatever is needed. She is also the girl who will listen patiently while her friends talk. She can crack a joke or snappy comeback with out hesitation. Her sense of humor is one of her best qualities.

She is a hard-working student, those straight A's don't just appear by themselves. She tries hard to work on steady basis so that she doesn't ever fall behind. She's often spotted on her bed surrounded by her books and binders. And she is a passionate reader who devours novels.

She is the best daughter in the whole world. She brings sunshine and laughter into our home every day. She is truly a blessing and we are so very fortunate to be able to love her everyday.

Happy 15 sweet girl!

Quick Trip to NC

Mimi had cataract surgery on Monday so I went to visit and be her designated driver. Her eye surgery went exactly as planned and she is recovering so quickly! She was more surprised than anyone by how great she felt following the procedure.

She felt so great in fact that we went shopping...

and out to lunch...

and did a bit more shopping...

and I even got lots of quilting done!

All I can say is...one cataract patient is WAY EASIER than 3 kids, hands down!

First Day of School 2012

So she's in High School now...

and they are in 8th grade (aka: seniors of middle school)...

And I am sitting here at home wondering how the time went so quickly? When did they grow up and if there is any way possible to make it all slow down. I cherish every moment with them. Yep, even the crazy, and challenging and eye-rolling moments. They are so entertaining and wonderful.

I have no idea how I got so lucky.

Summer Vacation, the conclusion

Our travel day home began at 9am in Williamsburg when we checked out of the hotel.

We stopped for breakfast at Starbucks (thanks Mimi!) then drove to the Richmond airport.

Where we watched two full flights leave without us.

So we got on a TINY plane to NYC.

Where we watched four more full flights leave without us...

But we finally got on the last flight of the night!

 

When we got to ATL, Bill was waiting for us at the gate. The kids proceeded to tell him all about our adventure, they talked non-stop all the way home. We didn't pull into our garage until almost 1am.

It was a long day, but that is the life of a 'non-rev' (lingo for airline employees who travel for free so you only get the seats that are unsold, so sometimes that means no seats at all!)

It was a fun filled trip for which we have many wonderful memories, but it always feels good to get home!

Summer Vacation, part 4

By the third full day of roller coaster riding, we were moving a bit slower.

We enjoyed a big breakfast at the Astronomical Pancake House.

Then went to Busch Gardens again.

The kids wanted to ride the coasters after dark so we stayed until the park closed.

We were completely exhausted, but happy, very happy!

Summer Vacation, part 3

The next day we drove to King's Dominion and spent 12+ hours there.

We rode all the roller coasters there as well. Again, there were no long lines at all!

It did rain for a little while, but we ate ice cream to pass the time...

Most everyone else left, so we were able to ride with no wait time at all!

We even stayed for the fireworks, proof that we were there until the bitter end...

Summer Vacation, part 2

We spent the first full day at Busch Gardens.

Where we saw some cool animals...

And rode the Griffon...

And the Verbolten and Alpengeist and Apollo...

and everything else, two or three times, because there were no long lines at all!

It was pretty much a roller coaster enthusiast's dream come true!

Oh, and we got to meet Gordon, who was so sweet!!!

 

Summer Vacation Part 1

As usual I took way too many photos so I'm going to share our story in several parts...

We started in Atlanta at the airport and flew to Norfolk..

Where we met up with Denise, Tim, Sarah, and Mimi!

We had a lovely lunch at the Chickahominy House.

Where David asked...does someone live here?

Then we checked into the hotel right next door to Busch Gardens!

The kids enjoyed swimming in the pool which we could see from our room.

Then we had dinner in the room...

Watched some Olympics on tv...

And planned the fun that was to come in the next three days!

Tomorrow, part 2...

 

 

Summer Vacation 2012

We spent the past week in Virginia with Mimi, Denise, Tim and Sarah. We flew to Norfolk and stayed in Williamsburg. We spent two days at Busch Gardens and a day at Kings Dominion. In spite of the heat, we had a great time! The lines were never long and the roller coasters were as thrilling as we had hoped!

I'll post photos once I'm home with my laptop because I only know how to post one photo at a time from my phone.

Yeah, I know I'm lame.

Sent from my iPhone