It's always fun to see Cole "in the zone" before testing
Executing his brown belt forms
Are you kidding me? This is who Cole was paired with for sparring...an adult karate student!
This is much better!
Hi--yah!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Breaking Boards
Cole continues his love for karate and just completed his required testing to become a senior brown belt. This means he has only red and black belts left to accomplish. Each of these will take several months to complete. A new requirement for Cole is breaking boards. I thought they would be chopping big planks of wood, instead the boards are different colors of plastic that snap together. Each color increases in difficulty and is determined by age and rank. Cole had to break the orange board with both his hand and his foot to pass the test, along with his forms and sparring. Judd decided that Cole needed his own boards at home for practice, so he bought three different boards. I love to see Judd breaking boards, too. We are proud of you, Cole!
It's always fun to see Cole "in the zone" before testing
Executing his brown belt forms
Are you kidding me? This is who Cole was paired with for sparring...an adult karate student!
This is much better!
Hi--yah!
It's always fun to see Cole "in the zone" before testing
Executing his brown belt forms
Are you kidding me? This is who Cole was paired with for sparring...an adult karate student!
This is much better!
Hi--yah!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Back to School Already?
This was the shortest summer of their school careers! Basically, we had 9 weeks to squeeze in trips to Smith Lake, Birmingham, Pensacola, Orange Beach, TCT camp, and hanging out with family and friends. For the first time, the kids were not as ready to jump back into the routine as they normally are each August. Still, they were so excited about seeing their teachers and friends back at school.
The night before school started, we went to Open House at both Parkway and Lawndale schools. We made sure to visit former teachers as well as meet our new ones! Mary Conlee is excited about having Katelyn in her class again this year, as well as our backyard neighbor, Helen. They love being in Mrs. Matthews 2nd grade class. She is young and has many fun and fresh ideas, especially in technology. MC tells stories of the promethean board, computers, and iPod Touches they use each day.
MC already loves sweet Mrs. Matthews
Her favorite school activity? Eating lunch! Everyday they do their lunch choices on the interactive promethean board
Sweet friends...Katelyn and Mary Conlee
How can we forget about Mrs. Marlin? This was high on MC's list of things to do at Open House!
Cole was super excited to have Miss West as his teacher again this year. No, he wasn't retained in 3rd grade! Miss West looped to 4th grade and is teaching most of her students from last year. Jackson and Cole haven't missed a beat and are back in there as Miss West's helpers. Cole informed me that his job is to keep Miss West laughing. I am so glad that she has kept him loving school and learning new things.
Can't decide which one is happier to see the other one? What a blessing!
Jackson and Cole are ready for 4th grade!
It wasn't too hard waking them up for the first day of school. Mary Conlee was excited to get up even earlier so we could curl her hair, something that we reserve for the most special days of school! With backpacks in tow and each carrying a happy for their teacher, Cole and Mary Conlee both left the car with a huge smile on their face. What a great feeling for their Mom and Dad on the first day of school!
On our way to school and trying to wake up! So much like his dad.
MC loves waking up each morning. So ready for the first day of school!
Our first stop is Parkway. 2nd grade...here I come!
Cole is glad that Lawndale is having Game Day on the first day of school. 4th grade isn't too bad!
My good friend, Beth, snapped this photo of MC working and sent it to me. Loved catching a glimpse into her day!
The night before school started, we went to Open House at both Parkway and Lawndale schools. We made sure to visit former teachers as well as meet our new ones! Mary Conlee is excited about having Katelyn in her class again this year, as well as our backyard neighbor, Helen. They love being in Mrs. Matthews 2nd grade class. She is young and has many fun and fresh ideas, especially in technology. MC tells stories of the promethean board, computers, and iPod Touches they use each day.
MC already loves sweet Mrs. Matthews
Her favorite school activity? Eating lunch! Everyday they do their lunch choices on the interactive promethean board
Sweet friends...Katelyn and Mary Conlee
How can we forget about Mrs. Marlin? This was high on MC's list of things to do at Open House!
Cole was super excited to have Miss West as his teacher again this year. No, he wasn't retained in 3rd grade! Miss West looped to 4th grade and is teaching most of her students from last year. Jackson and Cole haven't missed a beat and are back in there as Miss West's helpers. Cole informed me that his job is to keep Miss West laughing. I am so glad that she has kept him loving school and learning new things.
Can't decide which one is happier to see the other one? What a blessing!
Jackson and Cole are ready for 4th grade!
It wasn't too hard waking them up for the first day of school. Mary Conlee was excited to get up even earlier so we could curl her hair, something that we reserve for the most special days of school! With backpacks in tow and each carrying a happy for their teacher, Cole and Mary Conlee both left the car with a huge smile on their face. What a great feeling for their Mom and Dad on the first day of school!
On our way to school and trying to wake up! So much like his dad.
MC loves waking up each morning. So ready for the first day of school!
Our first stop is Parkway. 2nd grade...here I come!
Cole is glad that Lawndale is having Game Day on the first day of school. 4th grade isn't too bad!
My good friend, Beth, snapped this photo of MC working and sent it to me. Loved catching a glimpse into her day!
You Ain't Nothin' But a Hound Dog
Cole and Mary Conlee participated in summer camp at the Tupelo Community Theater. This was their second summer to do it together, although Cole has been going since he was in first grade. It is so much fun watching them share the same stage as their Daddy. This year's theme was Rock and Roll (Elvis style). They had fun learning about hairstyles, costumes, and dances from the 1950's. We loved watching them sing and dance to a "mash up" of Teddy Bear/ Hound Dog and show their fancy hand moves in Born to Hand Jive. However the best was seeing them partnered to dance in Blue Suede Shoes. Watch out, Glee...here they come!
This was the day they came home from camp wearing character makeup. It wasn't an easy task to wash off the kitty cat and vampire look!
MC and best buddy, Katelyn, in their "My Boyfriend's Back" monologues!
Cole tells everyone "there's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on!"
Loved our dancing siblings!
Stay off of my blue suede shoes!
So much fun together
This was the day they came home from camp wearing character makeup. It wasn't an easy task to wash off the kitty cat and vampire look!
MC and best buddy, Katelyn, in their "My Boyfriend's Back" monologues!
Cole tells everyone "there's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on!"
Loved our dancing siblings!
Stay off of my blue suede shoes!
So much fun together
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Beach Bums
On March 22, we booked our condo at the Phoenix X in Orange Beach. However, on April 20, the oil rig exploded and the oil spill was discovered two days later. We monitored the news about the Gulf of Mexico on a daily basis. After our trip to see family in Pensacola, we considered canceling our reservations. With a no-penalty cancellation policy in effect at our condo, we decided to take our chances and spend our vacation with the tar balls. We are so glad we did!
The first thing we saw upon arrival (besides the Flora Bama being right next door to our condo) were the double red flags. These were placed by the Escambia County Health Department in Alabama and that meant "NO SWIMMING" in the ocean. I couldn't imagine a beach trip with no ocean, so we were thrilled to see people actually IN the water. We were right next to the Alabama-Florida state line so we decided to follow Florida's single red flag instead--meaning "open for business." We weren't the only ones!
Our neighbor, the Flora Bama. MC said it was so sad that the Flora Bama people stayed up all night and then had to sleep all day
Breakfast on our 15th story balcony
Nothing says "welcome to the beach" like double red flags
Thank goodness for our next door neighbor, Florida! We can swim in the ocean!
The brave ones entered first
Walking to Florida
This is what you call a long distance call! Cole is in Alabama while MC is across the state line in Florida!
Our castle built by sand, a little water, some shells, and lots of love!
Cole loves the sand most of all
MC is a pro looking for shells (and tar balls)
MC was obsessed with the tar cleaning stations located on the board walk. Any little bit she found was immediately soaped, scrubbed, and rinsed off
The inside pool was another great place to relax
Lovin' the hot tub
We spent our days at the beach and at the condo pools, but at night, we loved going out for dinner and shopping. We loved Calypso Joe's so much last year that we came back. The crowds were down this year, so we didn't have to wait to eat! One night, we made the 35 minute drive to Pensacola to eat at one of our favorite places- McGuire's Irish Pub. This was the first trip for the kids, so they loved adding their dollar bills to the vast collection! Judd and Cole were nice enough to let the girls spend some time shopping at the Wharf and Outlets in Foley.
Crab races at Calypso Joe's are the best!
Feeding the fish at Orange Beach Marina
Cole loved riding the ferris wheel at the Wharf!
So did the girls!
Dad--not so much!
Mom and Dad's favorite Pensacola place
Show me the money!!!
Dollar bills cover the walls, ceiling, and every empty space at McGuire's
Cole writes his name on a dollar
Getting ready to put these dollars on the wall
Double Decker fun
Mom and Mae Mae
Dad and Cole
The girls found time for a little shopping and a little Juicy Couture!
One of the kids' least favorite beach activities is getting dressed up and going to the beach for pictures. The sun manages to be in their eyes no matter which way they turn, no matter what time of day we go. Each year, they become more cooperative and I get faster with the camera! One day, they will be glad they have all these special pictures.
Orange Beach, 2010
No matter what, we have each other's back!
You grew in my heart...
This photo captured their personalities more than any other. While one walks the line and isn't afraid to step out, the other is much more reserved and cautious. But he is ALWAYS watching over his little sister.
Walking along the shore
For our last night, we met the entire Wilson clan at Lulu's in Gulf Shores. Everyone was there except Bob Bob and Mama Charlie, who were on their European vacation. We had fun playing with cousins, visiting with siblings, and savoring the yummy food at this popular restaurant. We enjoyed live music while we ate. It was a great time of food, fun, and fellowship with family! Thanks to everyone for meeting us there! Once we got back to the condo, we went crabbing on the beach. It was more difficult to spot the crabs this year, but we found a few little guys!
Cole and Mac enjoy their time together
MC loves catching up with the girls
Catching Mr. Krabs
Here we are...all 4 sons and their 4 wives and their 9 kids. This will definitely be Bob Bob and Mama Charlie's Christmas card pic
The first thing we saw upon arrival (besides the Flora Bama being right next door to our condo) were the double red flags. These were placed by the Escambia County Health Department in Alabama and that meant "NO SWIMMING" in the ocean. I couldn't imagine a beach trip with no ocean, so we were thrilled to see people actually IN the water. We were right next to the Alabama-Florida state line so we decided to follow Florida's single red flag instead--meaning "open for business." We weren't the only ones!
Our neighbor, the Flora Bama. MC said it was so sad that the Flora Bama people stayed up all night and then had to sleep all day
Breakfast on our 15th story balcony
Nothing says "welcome to the beach" like double red flags
Thank goodness for our next door neighbor, Florida! We can swim in the ocean!
The brave ones entered first
Walking to Florida
This is what you call a long distance call! Cole is in Alabama while MC is across the state line in Florida!
Our castle built by sand, a little water, some shells, and lots of love!
Cole loves the sand most of all
MC is a pro looking for shells (and tar balls)
MC was obsessed with the tar cleaning stations located on the board walk. Any little bit she found was immediately soaped, scrubbed, and rinsed off
The inside pool was another great place to relax
Lovin' the hot tub
We spent our days at the beach and at the condo pools, but at night, we loved going out for dinner and shopping. We loved Calypso Joe's so much last year that we came back. The crowds were down this year, so we didn't have to wait to eat! One night, we made the 35 minute drive to Pensacola to eat at one of our favorite places- McGuire's Irish Pub. This was the first trip for the kids, so they loved adding their dollar bills to the vast collection! Judd and Cole were nice enough to let the girls spend some time shopping at the Wharf and Outlets in Foley.
Crab races at Calypso Joe's are the best!
Feeding the fish at Orange Beach Marina
Cole loved riding the ferris wheel at the Wharf!
So did the girls!
Dad--not so much!
Mom and Dad's favorite Pensacola place
Show me the money!!!
Dollar bills cover the walls, ceiling, and every empty space at McGuire's
Cole writes his name on a dollar
Getting ready to put these dollars on the wall
Double Decker fun
Mom and Mae Mae
Dad and Cole
The girls found time for a little shopping and a little Juicy Couture!
One of the kids' least favorite beach activities is getting dressed up and going to the beach for pictures. The sun manages to be in their eyes no matter which way they turn, no matter what time of day we go. Each year, they become more cooperative and I get faster with the camera! One day, they will be glad they have all these special pictures.
Orange Beach, 2010
No matter what, we have each other's back!
You grew in my heart...
This photo captured their personalities more than any other. While one walks the line and isn't afraid to step out, the other is much more reserved and cautious. But he is ALWAYS watching over his little sister.
Walking along the shore
For our last night, we met the entire Wilson clan at Lulu's in Gulf Shores. Everyone was there except Bob Bob and Mama Charlie, who were on their European vacation. We had fun playing with cousins, visiting with siblings, and savoring the yummy food at this popular restaurant. We enjoyed live music while we ate. It was a great time of food, fun, and fellowship with family! Thanks to everyone for meeting us there! Once we got back to the condo, we went crabbing on the beach. It was more difficult to spot the crabs this year, but we found a few little guys!
Cole and Mac enjoy their time together
MC loves catching up with the girls
Catching Mr. Krabs
Here we are...all 4 sons and their 4 wives and their 9 kids. This will definitely be Bob Bob and Mama Charlie's Christmas card pic
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