Spring School Pictures

 I guess you can call me cheap when it comes to school pictures.  I always want to buy them but I can never fork out the money!  Both kids recently had their spring pictures made.  They both turned out great but I just couldn't buy them.  I did scan the proofs in so I would have a record.  Here they are.

Kate's turned out awesome.  We can never get to her to smile for pictures and this is the best picture of her.  But why do school picture backgrounds have to be so bad?

 And once again why are the backgrounds so bad?  Ben looks great and so grown up but those backgrounds are bad!!

All Dressed Up

I am very late in getting these pictures posted.  Sorry!  That's life lately!  Last Wednesday night the kids participated in the Acteen coronation ceremony at church.  It is a big deal for the middle and high school girls.  They get all dressed up and get awards for their mission work.  Ben and Kate were asked to be the pillow attendant and flower girl.  They had to get all dressed up as well! 

 Doesn't Ben looks so handsome in his sports coat!  They were the attendants for my friend Deree's daughters Sarah and Hannah.  They are such beautiful girls.

 We were so worried about how Kate would do.  Following directions and doing what is asked of her is not necessarily her strong suit.  But she did awesome!!  We were so proud.  She walked down the aisle and didn't do anything crazy.  I was so relieved.  

Long Time No Post

I know it has been a long time since I posted.  Lots going on along with not much going on at the same time.  I went and worked all day in Birmingham last Thursday.  I ate lunch in the cafeteria at the hospital.  Exactly 8 hours later I got sick with food poisoning.  Ugh!!!  So I spent all day Friday in bed recovering.  Really didn't feel like doing anything all day.  But I had signed up for a race on Saturday morning to run.  We had not trained well for the race at all.  Like had only been running 1.5 miles a couple of times a week.  I thought there was going to be no way I could actually run the whole race.  I was out of shape and had not eaten anything in 36 hours.  But I was amazed!!  We ran the whole race!!  CRAZY!!  It showed me how getting into shape a few months paid off because we were able to run all 3.1 miles.  Now I thought I was going to die at the end but we ran it.  My official time was 36:17.  Not the best but not the worst.  And by far a huge personal accomplishment.  Our friend Amy joined us for this race.  It was fun to have another running buddy.

 After I came home and crashed after the race we decided to head over to the Space and Rocket Center for the moonbuggy races.  Kelly is involved in them every year and the boys went last year and loved it.  The day was sort of yucky but we had a great time!!  It was so fun to see all the moonbuggies.

 The kids enjoyed fixing up our obstacle after each buggy would go through.  It was lots of fun!

 The kids loved getting to go on some of the rides at the Space and Rocket Center.  It is one of those places we are lucky to have so close but yet we never go.  We really should take them back soon.

Today has been church and trying to get back into the groove of things.  Hopefully I will be back more this week.

A Final Goodbye

After a yummy breakfast at GG's house we packed up and headed back to Auburn for one more visit with the trees.  I knew it was going to be a sad morning.  The weather was just perfect and the blue sky provided a beautiful backdrop to the now white trees.  

There were lots of people around just taking pictures and hanging out.  It was once again a wonderful atmosphere.  We were able to get right up next to the trees which was amazing!  I LOVE these pictures!

We of course had to do one last roll!

There were lots of great photo opportunities.

There was about 6 inches of toilet paper covering the whole ground.  Ben loved playing in it.  Kate not so much!

The kids were ready to go but Matt and I were just sitting there looking at the trees.  It was a perfect moment.  I know for me all the fun memories of such a fun time in our life came flooding back.  I know they are just trees but they represent a time of great change in my life.  A time when I became the woman I am today.  A time where God revealed Himself to me in great big ways.  I was thankful to be taken back to that time.  We finally said good by and headed on our way with a new set of memories of a really great weekend!

Amazing Pics

Somehow in the middle of the crazy crowds we were able to meet up with my Aunt Lisa.  She is a very talented photographer.  She was really sweet to take some amazing pictures of our family!!  It was so nice to be able to put the camera down and enjoy the day.  I love all of these pictures.  I will treasure them forever!!  They are great memories from a really special day.  Thank you so much Lisa!!!