Class of 2008

WARNING: VERY, VERY LONG POST WITH LOTS OF PICTURES!

Max and I made the trek to Kankakee, IL to attend Alyssa's high school graduation and Abby's 8th grade graduation (two of my sister's four kids). Unfortunately, Don couldn't go with us because he had to fly to Phoenix for one of his best friend's wedding. So, we piled in Andrea's minivan and off we went! Max and Clay were THRILLED to stay in a hotel and even more thrilled to go swimming in the hotel pool. I, on the other hand, was not too thrilled when they wanted to go in the nasty hot tub.

Here are the two graduates, Abby and Alyssa, before Abby's 8th grade graduation.Abby getting her diploma and official invitation to high school!
She made it...now if we can just get her through high school! At the celebration dinner with her cute buddies.My sister, Kim, trying to give Alan a lip smacker...he wanted no part of that nonsense.Ahhh...the boys favorite part of the trip...the POOL! Alan came over and joined them for some laps.Take a look at this picture of Clay and then look back at my post called Scaredy Cat. Do you see the resemblance between mother and son? The Valedictorian of the Class of 2008 at Grace Baptist Academy - Miss Alyssa Michelle Marvin. This is probably too late, but this is my attempt to enter the "Mullet Contest" sponsored by Hannah. This guy was from the local Kiwanis club and presented an award to Alyssa.The Valedictorian giving her speech...a good one I might add!With the proud parents...I think they deserve a diploma too!
Do you think they're excited about graduating???My sister, Kim, hosted a graduation party for Alyssa on Saturday afternoon. There were a ton of people there and a ton of great food!! Here's me with 2 of my 3 sisters and my mom.
Here's Max practicing a pose for his future modeling career. Alan and his dog, Jackson...hey, isn't that the name of a country singer??See the guy Alyssa is leaning on? Well, that is this boy she met at a basketball tournament several months ago and he drove over 2 hours to come to the party. BUT, she says they don't like each other-yep, that's right. Anyway, poor little Alyssa needed someone to lean on while she fixed her shoe...sounds like a ploy to me! :) Another picture of the cute couple...I mean "friends." Alyssa is very tall and LOVES to wear high heels-see how short I look beside her? Might I also add that I seriously need a tan!Again, just like his mother...actually, on that day it was more just like his Aunt Jennifer!Sweet Abby heading out on Saturday night to a friend's party.Alyssa and her cute friends heading out to a party and a movie...or so that's what we were told! :)

We left the next morning at 6:00 am and boy am I glad to be home!!!

I'm back!

Just got back from Illinois today. Me, Max, Andrea, Clay, and my Dad (my mom was already up there) all drove up to see one of my nieces graduate from 8th grade and another niece graduate from high school. We had a good time and I will post pictures soon...have a great Memorial Day!

Happy Birthday Kristi!

Happy Birthday to Kristi Carr Smalley...she turned 39 today! And this is a BIG birthday because it's the last one she will ever celebrate...denial will come into play next May 18. Love ya Kristi! :)

Thank goodness it's Saturday!

You know what, I'm kind of glad this week is over - have you ever had one of those weeks? Every day has been super busy and I'm just worn slap out. On the way home tonight I told Don that I can only handle one planned thing a day - I get uptight when my day is packed.

I must confess, one of the main reasons I'm worn out is because I started working out with a personal trainer this week and he is KILLING me. I know, I know...it's wasteful to spend money on a trainer when I should have enough discipline to do it on my own, but I really needed some extra motivation for the next few months. We did lower body today and I can honestly say that it is the hardest I have ever worked out in my life. Walking tomorrow is going to be an adventure......no pain, no gain.

Anyway, I wanted to post pictures of my husband from last weekend. He did the Clemson Triathlon and did a great job. It's probably a little too late for him to make it to the 2008 Olympics this summer in China, but maybe 2012???

Don doing a little warm up dance move before he jumps in the lake. How about that wet suit and swim cap, ladies?Can anyone tell which one of these swimmers is Don? He's the one with his arm sticking out of the water. After everyone finished the lake swim they had to run up a huge hill...I seriously don't know how they did it. Don in the transition area before the run. This is where he freshens up, puts more deodorant on, combs his hair, etc.Checking to see how many minutes he's been away from his wife...Please excuse the half-naked man on the right side of the picture. I was trying to get a picture of Don crossing the finish line. It's tough going and watching these triathlons...
P.S. This post is dedicated to A.B. & K.O. You know who you are, girls...no need to be ashamed! :)

Scaredy cat

My sister, Andrea, ran in a race this weekend and placed 2nd in her age group (no, she wasn't allowed to use her walker...only kidding Rea:) The newspaper posted pictures of the race on their website and this one is a C-L-A-S-S-I-C!! Was there a monster at the finish line or did someone jump out at her...who knows???

Visitor

Max and I were sitting on the front porch the other day talking about his favorite train, Diesel 10. I saw something out of the corner of my eye and turned around to see this lovely creature slithering it's way across the porch...less than a foot away from us. Took about 10 years off my life.
P.S. Hope all you moms had a wonderful Mother's Day!!!

Field trip to Hollywild

Max and I went on a field trip today with his class from the Meyer Center. This was Max's last field trip with his school because next year he will be attending K-4 at our church's preschool. The Meyer Center has done such a good job with him that he doesn't need them anymore! Don't take offense you MC bloggers...BUT it is your fault because you guys are so good at what you do! :) Max with one of his teachers, Trice. Max and Chance. They've been in the same class since they were babies. Chance has a HUGE personality-so adorable!
Angela (left) was Max's teacher 2 years ago. She's crazy and an AWESOME teacher! Clovia (right) is one of his current teachers - she's awesome too (just not as crazy)! :)We went on a safari ride through the park. Here are some of Max's classmates with his teacher, Holly, and Ashley, one of the therapists at the Meyer Center. The two blonde boys (Archie and Ryan) have also been in Max's class since they were babies. In fact, Archie (far left) was born about a week before Max and was our neighbor in the NICU. He's overcome heart surgery AND cancer...Archie is a STUD!! Just a few animals we saw up close and personal...actually, too personal for my own taste.