Spring Break 2009!

Claire building a sand castle.

The family!

We headed down to Pensacola over Spring Break to catch up on some family time and rest and relaxation.  It was a bit chilly on a couple of the days but we still managed to sit out and get sun!  It was a fun getaway and an opportunity to spend Dad's birthday together (early) in person! 

Billy Joel and Elton John

I went to go see Billy Joel and Elton John at Phillips Arena Saturday night.  It was the best concert I have been to in a while.  Both fellas were on point.  Their voices sounded like album quality and the bands for each guy were amazing.  Here are a few shots.  Some came from the jumbo-tron and some were just taken with the zoom on my camera.  

Billy playing the harmonica on Piano Man

Elton and Billy

Billy Joel

Elton John

Elton John

Cloudland Canyon

Disc golf has become a slightly addictive activity around our house.  Camping trips get planned around disc golf weekends.  We recently went to Cloudland Canyon State Park in Northwest Georgia for a weekend of fun.  We rented a cabin and settled in for a good time.  

Chris going for the putt!

Wildlife viewing area

Beautiful skies!

Our walk along the ridge of the canyon

We stayed properly hydrated on the walk!

I'm it!

I have just been tagged by Kristi to answer some questions.  Here we go!

Q- Five names you go by:

Stacey, StoJo, Staljo, Lily, Moosie La Goosie

Q- Three things you are wearing right now:

Thick socks, sweatpants, long-sleeved shirt

Q- Two things you want very badly at the moment:

A blanket and cup of tea (It's only 24 degrees here right now!)

Q-  Two things you ate today:

Veggie burger and baked waffle fries 

Q-  Two things you did last night:

Worked on a puzzle and caught up with the DVR

Q-  Two people you talked to last on the phone:

Chris and Karen

Q-  Two things you are going to do tomorrow:

Try to keep 19 first graders going in mostly the same direction and work with the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade science club kids on identifying mysterious powders!

Q-  Two longest car rides:

This is tough since we drove everywhere as kids.  In most recent memory I'd have to say Montgomery to Seattle and Atlanta to New Hampshire.

Q-  Two of your favorite beverages:

2007 Cotes de Rhone and water 

Q-  The people you would like to respond:

Darcy , Kerri, and Jenny

Christmas in New Hampshire!

We headed to the Great White North for Christmas this year.  We were quite lucky with the weather.  We were one of the last flights to get out of Atlanta for Boston and we were also one of the last to land in Boston.  We had to circle Rhode Island a few times while they cleared the runway so we could land.  The pilot told the flight attendant that he couldn't see until we landed.  Not really the conversation you want to eavesdrop on...  Anyway, we had a great trip! 

Chris and Stacey

The nature preserve where went snowshoeing

Look at all that snow!   Stacey and Mama Bradley looking sporty.

Chris, Papa Bradley, and Monica

Georgia Music Hall of Fame

The good-byes

New friends!

Little Drummer Girl!

Emma is rockin'!

We took the First Graders down to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon for a field trip last week.  Darcy, Claire, and Emma met us down there and helped wrangle all the kids.  My students loved Claire and Emma.  They kept petting Claire and Emma's hair and Claire got to learn about lots of beads in hair.  It was a fun day!  The kids are still talking about the trip.  Thanks to Darcy and the girls for making the day even more fun!

Thanksgiving- Part 2

Baby Gerard

The Gang!

Chris

Ron, Jeff, and Maxey

Brad, Clem, Tim, and Robin

As much fun as Thanksgiving Part 1 was, being away for Thanksgiving means you don't get any leftovers.  As Chris and I were boarding our flight to come home, we decided that we would have to do a Thanksgiving Remix.  We had 15 folks over for a sit down Thanksgiving dinner- with 1 fried turkey and 1 baked turkey as the stars.  Everyone brought a side and it all came together.  Wow.  Luckily the table held 10 people and the "kid" table was able to seat 5.   Great fun!  We had plenty of leftovers for turkey noodle soup, turkey sandwiches, and turkey enchiladas.  Just what the doctor ordered!  So this Thanksgiving season was very special.  We got to spend it surrounded by family in DC and our friends here in Atlanta.  I also got leftovers.  How can you beat that?