Christmas Tradition-Friends

Rebecca had her annual Christmas get together with her friends Hannah and Lexi. They exchanged gifts to get the night started. Rebecca gave them a board game, New Moon, and some animal bracelets. Lexi gave each of them a shirt from Rue 21. Hannah gave them a gift card to Rue 21. After the gift exchange, they played their new games and sat around playing a game on facebook and goofing off.

Surprise. It's the New Moon game.

Thumb on the forehead. Inside joke.

The girls and their gifts

My three girls

Christmas with Boyfriends

I started a tradition with Rebecca about5 years ago. She has a little get together for her friends at Christmas time. We have done everything from exchanging gifts, caroling, making gingerbread houses, and having sleepovers. This year, we added a new twist. She wanted to be able to exchange gifts with her boyfriend. She and Lexi invited their boyfriends over. They exchanged gifts, ate pizza, and watched Elf. I think they had a great time. They even endulged me with allowing me to take pictures.

Dillon, Rebecca, Lexi, and Liam

The girls with their new gifts
Dillon, Rebecca, Lexi, and Liam in front of our tree

Lexi and Liam

Dillon and Rebecca

Charleston

We were given two free rooms in Charleston for the weekend. We invited my sister to join us. Her boys didn't want to go, Anthony was working, so she and a friend decided to have a girls weekend. In the end, Eric wasn't able to go. He had to go stay with his mom for the weekend. Rebecca took her friend, Lexi. We had a great time.

Jennifer and Cyndi

Rebecca and Lexi admire the gum tree.

They love the candy store

I had to walk beside the van because I had a bought of restless legs


Lights on James Island

The end

Annie, Jr.

Rebecca is taking Drama this 9 weeks. The drama and chorus teachers collaborated on a project for both classes. They produced the play, Annie, Jr. The kids did an amazing job. They were in charge of the props, costumes, acting, singing, stage work, and everything else involved in producing a musical.

Rebecca was an orphan in the production. She tried out for one part, but got a different one. She enjoyed being Duffy.

They performed the play on two different nights. The kids were AMAZING!! It was incredible to think that middle school children were putting on such a fantastic play. Way to go kids.

Cast and Crew Photos

Momma Hope and Grandad came for the performance.

"Duffy and Annie"

The drama queen at work. : )

Rebecca and her drama teacher, Mrs. Castle.

Lights at the Zoo

We did it. We won the pumpkin decorating contest. Our prize was a trip to the Lights at the Zoo. We received 4 tickets, so Rebecca invited her boyfriend. We had a good time walking around, drinking hot chocolate, and seeing Santa. I was able to get a picture of Rebecca with Santa one more year.

Thanks, Cindy. We had a great time.

Santa, Rebecca, and Dillon

Santa and Rebecca

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it snow

Boys will be boys

Me and Eric

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

We decided to go with an artificial tree this year. It's a basic 7.5 foot pre-lit tree. It was nice just opening the branches and fluffing a little bit. No fighting over putting on the lights.

Rebecca's Tree

We started early Saturday morning hauling everything down from the attic. Can you believe we have 16 rubbermaid tubs of Christmas decorations? Rebecca and I worked on the inside while Eric hung up the wreaths on the windows. (We're two short. Will have to pick some up this week.) Then we all gathered to put the ornaments on our tree. We have a tradition when we decorate the tree. Eric and I met at an Atlanta Braves game, so we put on a Brave's ornament first. Then Rebecca puts on her 1st Hallmark ornament.

I love putting all of the ornaments on the tree. It takes me down memory lane. I have some from former students, places we've visited, homemade by Rebecca, and gifts from co-workers. They all bring a smile to my face.

Our Main Tree

I love bringing out my Christmas china. When I selected my china pattern, I went with Lenox Eternal. Their holiday pattern co-ordinates with Eternal. My Aunt Cheryl added pieces of the holiday pattern each year for Christmas. I love setting my dining room table with the pretty china. If only I cooked and served food on the china.

The house is done and I LOVE sitting in the room with the lights off and the lit Christmas tree. There is just not a cozier feeling to me.

Levi after a rough day of decorating

My "S'more" Tree

Merry Christmas everyone.

Thanksgiving

We are thankful for so many things this year. Family is one of those things. We enjoyed traveling to see both sides of the family. The first leg of the trip was to visit Donna. As usual, she had a house full of family come and eat for Thanksgiving dinner. Eric fried 3 turkeys and one chicken. They were delicious. It was great to see his aunts, uncles, and cousins.

That morning, Rebecca decided she wanted me to do a photo shoot of her. We went outside and played around. She had a great time. Here are a few of my favorites:



We left Donna's on Friday and traveled to Knoxville. I enjoyed eating dinner with my parents, my cousin, and her two children. On Saturday, my parents treated us to a trip to see the Lady Vols play basketball. They took us on a tour around the arena. It was cool to see the history of basketball at UT. One person I loved seeing hanging from a banner was Cindy Brogdon. She wound up coaching at my high school after playing in the olympics. The Lady Vols didn't play their best, but they did go on to beat UCLA. Here are a few highlights from the game.

While it's always nice to visit family, it sure is nice to come back home.

Ten Simple Rules for dating my daughter

I found this posted on a message board I frequent. Since Rebecca is getting closer and closer to dating, Eric and I found it very amusing!!

Ten Simple Rules for dating my daughter

Rule One
If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure not picking anything up.

Rule Two
You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them.

Rule Three
I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose his compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact, come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in place to your waist.

Rule Four
I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a "barrier method" of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.

Rule Five
It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is "early."

Rule Six
I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.

Rule Seven
As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process that can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?

Rule Eight
The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there are no parents, policemen, or nuns within eyesight. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka - zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided; movies which features chain saws are okay. Hockey games are okay. Old folks homes are better.

Rule Nine
Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a pot-bellied, balding, middle-aged, dim- witted has-been. But on issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me.

Rule Ten
Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for a chopper coming in over a rice paddy near Hanoi. When my Agent Orange starts acting up, the voices in my head frequently tell me to clean the guns as I wait for you to bring my daughter home. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit your car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your car - there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine.

Weight Loss Journey

I haven't done the best job with my weight loss over the past week and a half. I haven't gained any weight, but I know I haven't eaten like I'm supposed to.

I went to my family physician this morning for my lab work. My blood pressure has come down and he took me off of my blood pressure medicine!!! I am very proud of that!! I hope my cholesterol and liver enzymes have come down as well. Stay tuned for an update on those.

Now to get back on good eating habits.

CSMS Cheerleaders at Debbie Rogers Cheer Classic

Wow. What a difference a month makes. Our girls did an awesome job yesterday at their final cheer competition. They changed several things in their routine and it made it soo much better. They tied for 7th place out of 15 teams. The two biggest accomplishments: 1. Not coming in last. 2. Beating their rival school-White Knoll Middle. Here are some highlights.

Rebecca is the second one on the floor.

Rebecca is the second one from the left on the floor

The proud parents with our girl

Rebecca and her sweet coach, Coach Steeper.

Rebecca and her friends

Alex and Rebecca checking out the competition

The score sheet with a happy coach and happy girls!!

Eric's mother was able to attend the competition. It was her birthday, so Eric drove over on Friday to get her. They drove to Columbia for the competition. She loved it. Then we took her out to eat at California Dreaming. They drove back home after the busy day.

Granna cheering on her baby girl.


Lunch at California Dreaming

The Great Pumpkin Contest

Our family has entered The Great Pumpkin Contest that our realator has going on. Will you please go and vote for our cheerleader pumpkin? Rebecca came up with the idea (surprise, surprise) and she and I put it all together. Just click on the link below. Scroll about half way down until you see The Great Pumpkin Contest. We are Entry # 7.
Thanks!!
http://cindykidd.yourkwagent.com/

Halloween 09

Rebecca decided to go trick-or-treating with a group of friends. We live in a gret neighborhood for trick-or-treating. They met at her friend,Lexi's house. They ate pizza and then were off. It was the first time we let her go by herself. They did great. She even had her boyfriend with her. They came home with a lot of loot.

Rebecca and Evan

Evan and Rebecca up close
The full picture

The Gang

Evan, Rebecca, Dillon, Savannah, Lexi, Hannah, and Jayne

The realator that sold us our house brought a pumpkin by the house last Sunday. Her real estate company is having a contest that she wanted us to participate in. We could do whatever we wanted with the pumpkin. She will be posting it on her real estate web site for people to vote on. If we win, we could win tickets to something. I don't even remember what all the choices were.

Rebecca came up with the idea to do a cheerleader. After seeing some creations that 4th graders did at my school, I came up with this idea. I'll let you know when you can vote.