Memorial Day Weekend

We were ready for the long weekend! My parents decided to visit for a few days. Unfortunately, Emma had a fever for whole time they were here. Mickey got the pool filled up and the water was freezing. Of course, Beth and Jacob were sure it would be fine. They swam for a few hours and when they got out, they were freezing. But if you ask them, it was fantastic!

After my parents left on Monday, we headed to the movies with the kids. I didn't want to head home. So we decided to go North to Tennessee and explore. We started out at Falls Mill. They use a century old mill/water wheel to grind wheat and corn. The grounds were beautiful. We bought some multi-grain pancake mix to try and I think it is great.

Mickey wanted to drive farther on to Winchester, TN. Once we got there, we saw signs for Tim's Ford Dam. So we decided to see the dam. It wasn't as big as I thought it was going to be and the grounds were overgrown and a little dirty. Not my favorite site of the day.

I was ready to go home and Mickey thought if we kept on the road we would get to Fayetteville, TN. We didn't take a map and I was getting a little nervous. Prayers are answered and the Holy Ghost does brings things to our remembrance. Suddenly, I remembered that I had picked up a pamphlet at the Mill and it had a useful map in it! Mickey was right...as bad as I hate to admit it. We were headed in the right direction.

In our wanderings, we found Lynchburg, TN. We got there about 4:30 and saw signs for the Jack Daniels Distillery..last tour at 4:30. The staffers were very nice and held the tour for us. The kids loved the smell for the very first part since it smelled like bread. But after that, they kept putting their shirts over their noses. The grounds are beautiful and the tour ended with a glass of lemonade. (The kids favorite part!)

By the time we got home, I was ready for bed. All in all, we had a great weekend.

End of the School Year!

Jacob finished the 1st grade. He was on the A Honor Roll and got a trophy for reading 100 AR books. He had a fantastic year and looks forward to being a 2nd grader. Here he is with his teacher, Ms. Davis and his friend, Arizona.

I don't know why I don't have a decent picture of Beth from her awards day. But she had a good year. Beth earned the AB Honor Roll and looks forward to being a big 5th grader next year.

4th Grade Field Trip to Montgomery

Due to the Swine Flu, Beth's field trip to Montgomery was postponed for 2 weeks. Beth was so excited to go on this trip. The school received a grant to make the trip possible. Beth had to be at the school at 5am and then got home around 9pm that night. They rode charter buses, toured 6 different Alabama history sites and finished with dinner at a buffet. Beth had a great time.

Strawberries!

Earlier this month, I took Emma out to pick strawberries. It had been so rainy at the beginning of the month and we finally had a dry afternoon! Emma lasted about 15 minutes and then she was ready to be done. I finished the gallon and we headed home. That was Thursday. I had hopes of making strawberry jam. But I have fruit addicts and by Friday afternoon, all of the strawberries were gone. I convinced Mickey to head to the strawberry patch at Browns Farm on Saturday. We had planned on picking a few gallons this time. Unfortunately, the rains started about 25 minutes after we got there and we only got a single gallon. This gallon made it until Sunday and then it was gone! Next week, I hope to take the kids to the "pick-your-own" blueberry farm.

Beth and her odd shaped strawberry.

Emma loved to pick and acts like the expert now.

Jacob found this perfect strawberry.

Oh the memories!

When I was a kid, we had a pool in our backyard. I used to live in my swimsuit all summer. Well...we decided to get a (cheap) pool from Sam's and have something for the kids to do since we are not going to be traveling this summer. Yesterday, Mickey set up the pool. Now, we are in the process of filling the pool and I feel just like that kid again. I guess I have never really grown up! I hope that the kids will make the same happy memories.

Thirteen

Thirteen years ago, Mickey and I were married. I am grateful that I get to spend eternity with him. I look forward to the next 13 years! I adore Mickey and thought I would share with you 13 reasons why. I hope I don't embarrass him. :) 13 Reasons I Adore Mickey

1. Mickey is quick to say, "I'm sorry."

2. He never leaves the house without kissing me goodbye.

3. Mickey would have loved to be a professional golfer but chose a career where he could be at home with his family.

4. He is a fantastic father to our children.

5. He loves Seinfeld and will quote the episode while we are watching.

6. He laughs out loud.

7. Mickey is a hard worker.

8. He knows my fears and tries to keep me safe, physically and mentally.

9. He loves to play basketball.

10. Although Mickey didn't love school, he completed his Masters degree so we could have a better life.

11. He doesn't notice that I have gained weight in the last 13 years. :)
12. He has the best eyes.

13. He knows my faults and still loves me.

Happy Birthday Beth!

Beth turns 10 years old today. She is looking forward to a week of pampering for her birthday. So I am sure that I will be adding more pictures as the week goes on. Beth holds a special place in our family as our first born child. I will be ever grateful to her! She was such an easy baby. Beth slept through the night at 2 weeks and hardly ever cried. She didn't crawl until she was 9 months old and decided to walk around 14 months. She made it easy to be a good mother to her.

She continues to be fantastic child. She is a great reader and loves to play the piano. She tries to be the best big sister to her brother and sister. Beth is counting down the days until she can babysit. She wants to be a scientist when she grows up and find the cure for the common cold. I know that she will be able to do anything that she decides. She also has a growing testimony and I think that is what I am most proud of in her.

I look forward to the next ten years and worry that it is going by too fast. Happy birthday my sweet girl!