We're back!

We got back this morning from Mouse World and it was a fantastic trip! I'll share stories and pics later this weekend . . . . gotta catch up on some much needed zzzzzzzz's for now! Just wanted everyone to know we made it home safely, it was AWESOME, and we didn't want to leave! :(

Thanksgiving Feast . . .

The girls had their Thanksgiving Feast today at school. I was able to go down and have lunch with them in their classroom which was nice, but VERY crowded - 72 people in one classroom! It ran like a well-oiled machine though. Mrs. Keenan had everything very organized and prepared and there was tons of home-cooked yummy food. The students even performed a few songs and recited some Thanksgiving poems for all the parents before the feast began. Good thing I had my camera! They were sooooo cute!

Here is a picture of Lauren dressed as a Pilgrim girl at the feast . . .

Here is a picture of Leah dressed as herself at the feast.

She told me she didn't want to dress up - go figure!

The happiest place on earth . . .

As I write this, I can't believe that our trip is finally here! We've been talking about and planning this for so long it just sort of seemed like it would never happen. I've been checking weather.com religiously everyday and so far it looks like next week will be nice in Orlando. We took all of our luggage to Stephen's parents house tonight. They are leaving Friday and driving their camper to stay at an RV park about 5 minutes from Disney. They will bring our luggage to us on Sunday when we arrive at the hotel. That is going to save us alot of money since the airlines make you pay for your luggage these days. My parents are going to be dropping us off at the airport and that will save us from having to pay for parking - every little bit helps! We had originally thought about driving to Florida, but after much thought decided against it. I asked Stephen the other night if he still wished we were going to drive there and he said, "Good Lord, No!"

Be praying for a safe flight and that no meltdowns will take place (that includes adults too - haha). And, that the person sitting next to Logan and I will be baby tolerable. How could anyone resist that cute little face, right? Stephen will be sitting with the girls and watching a movie on his laptop during the flight so they'll be good to go. Trust me, we've got it all planned to a tee (I'm a teacher remember!) We already know which ride we're going to first Monday morning after Breakfast with Pooh - Dumbo baby! Any Disney finatic will tell you that riding Dumbo at Magic Kingdom is a MUST DO first. If you wait, the lines will get long and there won't be any Dumbo ridin' going on! Anyway, we're excited and can't wait to share stories and pictures when we return. However, I know it will be hard to leave there and have to come back to reality. Stephen is ready to start planning our next trip there. Seriously. He's hooked. TTFN!

50th Day of School Sock Hop

This past Thursday was the 50th day of school at Kaufman. The kindergartners celebrated by dressing in outfits right from the 50's and also had a good old fashioned Sock Hop at the end of the day. My co-worker, Shannon, graciously agreed to take my class and keep them busy so that I could go down to the cafeteria and enjoy the Sock Hop with the girls. The girl's teacher, Mrs. Keenan, was the one who organized and put the event together and it was really neat. All of the kindergarten teachers had a bubble gum blowing contest to see who could blow the biggest bubble and also a hula hooping contest. Then we all took off our shoes so that it was a true "Sock Hop" and danced. The celebration ended with milkshakes for everyone. It was really alot of fun. I've decided I want to go back to kindergarten.

The girls with their teacher,
Mrs. Keenan


Some of the teachers during
the hula contest



Here are two boys from the girl's
class showing us their muscles!


Mommy and her girls taking a
break from dancing at the Sock Hop


Here's Lauren Thursday morning before we left for school. She had no problem posing for the camera. Leah, on the other hand, was having "one of those mornings" and it just wasn't happening.

Volleyball Game

Tuesday night we drove to Willis High School to watch my brother's volleyball team play in a tournament against Kountze. We sat in the pouring rain and traffic for an hour and a half, but it was worth it to see his team win three games in a row and wipe out the team from Kountze. My brother, Jason, is the head volleyball coach for Centerville High School, and it's been a LONG time since we've been able to go and watch him coach. I think they are ranked #4 in the state and last year they even made it to the State Volleyball Championships - we are hoping they will be able to do that again this year. They have another tournament this coming weekend in Tyler so if they win there, they'll advance to the next round. I think the last time we took the girls to watch them play was when they were babies and we had to leave because they were screaming the whole time. I was worried that Logan might do the same thing last night, but he didn't! He liked looking around at all the people, the fans cheering...........it didn't seem to bother him at all. Here are some pics I took at the game . . .The girls liked seeing their "Uncle Jay" in action! Perhaps we have two future volleyball players?????????

Susie

Today was the funeral of my Great grandmother Susie. We called her Susie even though her name was really Nealy - not sure where the name Susie came from.....that's just what we've always called her. Here is the cover of the program from her service today which was really nice by the way.




Here's my dad looking at all the
dozens of plants and flowers in
my grandparent's garage after
the funeral.


I was going through some old pictures
tonight and found a few of Susie........
This is one of her at her 93rd
birthday party.


Here is a picture of Susie with me on my
college graduation day in December 1998.
I still remember her trying to climb up all
those steps in the coliseum. She was a
trooper for sure!


One of the nice things about today is that we got to see family that we haven't see in a really long time. I have 8 cousins on my dad's side of the family (Susie's great grandkids) and it's very rare for us to all be in the same place at the same time. Here is a picture of us several years ago (not exactly sure what year though). I'm pretty sure this is one of a few pictures we have of all of us together.

So, we decided today that we needed to take another picture. My dad had us line up in order starting with the oldest great grandchild (yours truly). After me is Greg, my brother Jason, Brent (just recently released from prison back in May), Michael, Brandon, Matthew, Steven, Jeffrey, and Megan.

Speaking of my cousin Brent, today was the first time he had ever seen the girls and Logan, and the first time I've seen him in about 6 years. He missed alot while in prison, but he really seems to have turned his life around for the better. He played with the girls all afternoon at my grandmother's house after the funeral. He is really good with kids and the girls enjoyed getting to know him - although they weren't too sure about his pluthera of tattoos. Brent is a very interesting character - I have many memories of him as a child having a strong fascination with animals. I will never forget the time that he caught a buzzard and put this bright red t-shirt on it and then set it free. Months passed by and you would still see that ole buzzard flying around Jewett in his red t-shirt. And people would say, "Look....there goes Brent's buzzard!" You may think I am joking - I. am. not. :)

Here is a video of him "racing" the girls today

at my grandmother's house. And yes, that is

my dad trying to keep up still dressed in his

nice clothes from the funeral. Give it up

Papaw!!!

The day ended with us trying to get back in time for me to vote by 7:00 p.m. I made it to our polling location at 6:15 p.m. and was done at 6:20 p.m. People thought I was crazy for not voting early - well, I've never voted early and I never plan to! Why should I go and vote early and stand in line for an hour???? I've always waited to vote until Election Day and I go about 30 minutes before the polls close. I've done that every time and have never had to wait at all - right in and out BABY!!!

Updates . . .

I don't even know where to start . . .

How about . . .

So much has happened in the last week or so. Stephen left last Friday evening to go to Colorado on business. My mom came down on Friday as well as Stephen's parents to help me with the kiddos for Halloween. We had a really good time perusing the neighborhood, but it just wasn't the same without Daddy. Logan rode along in his wagon as the girls led the way to each house. Lauren had no fear, but Leah was a bit more hesitant to go up to the door. Some people down the street had set up this really cool haunted house. We went down to check it out and I asked the girls if they wanted to go through it. Leah, of course, said no. Lauren, however wanted to try it. I went through it with her and couldn't believe how she just waltzed right through there like it was no big deal! Later that night on the phone, I heard her telling Stephen that she went through this haunted house and there were people with "bleed" all over them - it was too cute! My mom ended up spending the night and helped me do grocery shopping with the kids Saturday morning - something I never do alone unless I am absolutely desperate. She had planned to stay all day and help, but we received a call from my brother that said my great grandmother, Susie, was not doing very well and was not expected to live through the day. She was 98 years old and had been in the hospital over in Bryan/College Station for about a week. My mom left to meet up with my dad and head over there and it's a good thing because they were only there for about 25 minutes and then she died. The funeral is going to be tomorrow in Jewett so Stephen took an early flight home tonight from Colorado so that he could go with me and the kids tomorrow. I'm so glad to have him home!

I've also begun planning Logan's first birthday party which will be exactly one week after we get back from Disney. And, of course, the theme will be Mickey Mouse! I found some really cute Mickey stuff online last night and couldn't resist ordering it. I can't believe he is about to turn one - where has the time gone? He looked at me on Sunday morning as I was feeding him his cereal and said, "Uh-oh", as I dropped some on his tray. I couldn't believe it! He's also very close to walking - I'm hoping he'll be walking when we go to Disney - I would love to get a picture of him running to Mickey! Wouldn't that be priceless?

Changing gears to school . . . . last week was Red Ribbon Week (Drug-free week) and each day had a theme. Here are some of the pictures of my awesome team! They really are the best!

This is a picture of my class dressed as scarecrows on Fall Fun Day - we had a blast!