Saturday, October 29, 2011

Starbucks!!!

Shout out to Faith and Sarah Arni for the scarf knot!! LOVE IT!!



Starbucks and Friends!!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Better Run! Better Run!

Since I have lived away from home the last few years, I haven't been able to cheer for my brother at sporting events and different things that I had always been there for while I lived at home.  This past weekend, it worked out perfectly that my brother had a cross country meet while I was home visiting .  This cross country meet was especially important because it was the last one of the regular season and it's his senior year. I have a respect for runners because I think it is terribly difficult and I just don't have the mental toughness for it.  Over the past few years, I've heard about Jeremy working hard for his running goals and improving as a runner.  I felt so proud to be able to actually see him and cheer him on!! He inspires me to set goals and work hard to achieve them while having a ton of fun throughout the journey.



It is so exciting to see the young man he has become but don't worry I'll never forget that curly headed little boy.  I leave you with a few of my fondest memories:
  • "Breadsticks for breadsticks" 
  • cutting money so he would have more 
  • bike rides around town
  • standing up for his friend during the church camp talent show then not skipping a beat before telling a silly joke

Monday, October 24, 2011

The Autumn Air is Bright and Fair

The Pumpkin Show
The Pumpkin Show
I love it so
I love it so

My lovely little town is home of The Greatest Free Show on Earth...The Pumpkin Show!! This past weekend, I traveled home to enjoy some good ol' fashion free fun!! I spent time with my family, friends from high school, and friends from college! Seeing everyone made me so happy! All of my friends and family made for great company, the weather turned out perfect, and the food tasted (and smelled) delicious! Willow recommends the pumpkin donuts but suggests you eat less than five in one sitting. What more could you ask for from The Pumpkin Show?


So take my hand
and off we'll go
We're on our way 
to the Pumpkin Show!! 

Enjoying our traditional caramel apple with M&M's!!

Friends since middle school!




 Donuts and the latest furry fashion...what can I say?
This is what happens when my friends and pumpkin show collide!

Monday, October 17, 2011

That's Entertainment

My love for musicals began in middle school.  The high school choir director also directed the middle school choir.  She loved a huge performance when she directed the spring musical, so she always opened the auditions to middle school students as well.  My first show was Guys and Dolls! I'll never forget dancing our little cuban number while Miss Sarah Brown, the mission worker, fell in love with the gambler.  While in high school, my friends and I were in My Fair Lady, Damn Yankees, The Music Man, and Kiss Me, Kate.  These are some of my favorite memories of high school. My all time favorite number was Too Darn Hot in Kiss Me, Kate!!! (shout out to my partner Chad)
Our director loved a big opening number with everyone on stage by the end of the opening song.  Nothing beats the feeling of standing completely still behind an opening curtain while the lights come up and the orchestra begins to play, not to mention...knowing the crowd is full and ready to be entertained.  "Another Opening, Another Show" opened Kiss Me, Kate and explains that feeling you get only from being part of the theater. Hopefully, one day I'll take the chance to perform in another show.  Our town has a very professional local theater with tons of talent.  
Needless to say, I love going to see the shows.  Many of the students in Xalt are involved with the local theater.  Just this year we've seen The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, Grease, and Dreamgirls.  Most recently we watched Dreamgirls featuring the musical and dancing talent of two of our students.  All of the actors in the show did a phenomenal job, they had beautiful voices, great stage presence, and entertaining dances.  

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Silly Willy

Willow with Bo and Tank. These are Chase's parents labs.

Willow really enjoyed meeting Bo and Tank.
Her and Tank really hit it off.  They played and played, you would have thought they were going to eat each others' faces off.  I think Bo thought, "Ugh! another dog, and... it's a girl."
Mostly, we are a happy little family but sometimes Willow has uncontrollable allergies that cause her to use a whole box of tissues!! Oh well...we still have fun.  Oh and that bucket holding her toys...totally destroyed.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Wonderful Weekend with Wonderful People

Friday:
  • I kicked my weekend off by talking to my lil sis in the afternoon, some of my fav times!!
  • Football game at Salisbury High School to support some students who Cheer!
  • Chase's Parents came down to visit!

Saturday:
  • Puppy Socialization Class for Willow.  For Willow it was bring your grandparents to puppy class Day! She was so proud to have them there
  • Antiquing around Salisbury...pics of my finds to come
  • Haps!! (just a counter no stools, hot dogs, and cheerwine in a bottle...nothing says perfect weather like a long line of hungry people leading to Haps)
  • Nap
  • Cookout at the Oggs with S'MORES

Sunday:
  • Working the nursery with help from some great fellas...the Marsh brothers
  • Church service with Chase's parents
  • Football and Volleyball at the church in honor of the Brown's Bye
  • Neighbor kids playing Halo and entertaining the dog
  • Xamine Bible Study at the house, love the discussion on 1 John 2 
  • Chillin' with Chase and a sleepy puppy

Monday, October 3, 2011

Fall and Football!!!

Fall feels like it's finally here.  Friday night we enjoyed a football massacre between two local high schools, final score 54 to 7.  We went to cheer on the students who cheer on everyone else! The Band!! East had a great and entertaining show. West preformed two songs: the hymn "it is well" and "sweet home Alabama." The first, pretty and the second, fun!!  Great job to all of the Xalt Band members!!  Saturday, we again faced the chill in the air for more football.  It was the third annual Champions of Trinity Bowl. A fundraiser for Xalt and a flag football game between youth and adults.  This year the adults reclaimed their title after a defeat last year.  Sunday, we joined one of our awesome students for a birthday fiesta at Casa Grande, where I had the most delicious fried ice cream!! Of course, after lunch came more football. Chase's beloved Browns lost to his BFF's fav team the Titans.  Can't wait to see later tonight how my Fantasy Football team turns out!!! I was projected to lose...but I have hope.  Football owes it to me, after putting in my dues three times this weekend....I deserve an OCUFFL win!!!