The Simple Life

All Region

2012-01-29T15:11:00.001-06:00

Last month Annie earned a spot in the All Region Jr. High Symphonic Band (Band 1!).

This weekend, she attended the clinic & performance.

She was probably most excited about the overnight trip with fellow students & teachers.....

All of the kids did an AWESOME job - they really sounded terrific! We are so lucky to still have music education in our school ~ especially with all of the devoted & talented Band Directors!!! They go WAY above & beyond for our kids (:

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

with her amazing Band Director - Mrs. Wolfe

after the performance

on stage preparing to warm up!

Masquerade

2012-01-29T14:55:00.002-06:00

Annie attended a birthday party with a Masquerade theme. The girls all LOVED it!! You'd have sworn it was prom.....dress, mask, hair, nails, etc.
Oh the joys of being a girl (;

Wild Kids!

2012-01-02T10:35:00.001-06:00

Go Wild!

2012-01-02T10:29:00.000-06:00

The girls had GREAT FUN with their cousins & grandparents @ a safari park.....

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T10:23:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T21:53:00.002-06:00

From us to you.....

**Christmas bling compliments of Mimi**

Mr. Peabody

2011-12-25T21:50:00.002-06:00

We went to a Christmas party, and our girls fell in LOVE!!! He is pretty charming....

Jolly's follies

2011-12-25T21:41:00.000-06:00

Our Elf is really sweet; here are a few of his adventures this year....

somebody got carried away by birthday buzz

sledding is harder than it looks

can you define "nice"???

ELEVEN

2011-12-25T21:30:00.002-06:00

I'm this many now....

New Specs

2011-12-25T21:25:00.001-06:00

new year - new look....

one MONSTER of a party

2011-12-25T21:06:00.003-06:00

ELEVEN!!

Molly with good friends/our neighbors

DOMO looks yummy!

Payton & Annie

Birthday (party) Girl (;

Susan & Crystal

We HEART Domo

Band Christmas Concert 2011

2011-12-25T20:52:00.001-06:00

Annie has the most amazing band instructor! All the teachers work so hard & do such a wonderful job keeping our kids engaged & eager to learn more. Every one of the 4 bands sounded terrific.My girl is really enjoying 1st Chair (trombone) in Advanced Band....

Love all these smart, talented girls playin' brass!!
Claire - french horn & Meredith - trumpet
Get 'em Girls (:

All Region

2011-12-25T20:19:00.000-06:00

The same weekend Crystal was in Memphis, Annie was auditioning for All Region Band. She earned the 6th trombone chair in the FIRST Band. Not too shabby for her 2nd year playing! Go Girl!!! We are so proud of you (:

*note* this photo is from band camp this past summer; NOT All Region try-outs

St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend 2011

2011-12-25T20:13:00.000-06:00

Crystal participated in the 2011 St. Jude 5k. What an amazing event & place!!! Check it out & help Team MacAttack as they support St. Jude if you can.... Thanks (:

run for their lives

I saw one young patient outside the Grizzly House; the 1/2 & full marathon routes go thru the hospital grounds where the patients line up to cheer for the runners!

Mac & his family

Quint makes a great cheerleader! Must be that long, flowing hair....

Eric is SMILING as he finishes the 1/2 marathon!! Crazy...

Team MacAttack 5k'ers cheer on the other runners

Check!

2011-12-25T19:58:00.001-06:00

Molly's 1st Chess Tournament

lunch at The Myrtles

2011-12-25T19:53:00.002-06:00

We were finally able to work in a quick lunch at The Myrtles Plantation! Annie has been asking to do this for years.....We really wanted to take the haunted tour but our waiter took SO LONG that we missed it ):
Oh well, maybe next time.

LSU vs. AR

2011-12-25T19:23:00.002-06:00

Tiger Bait!!

Molly & her teacher

JJ & Uncle T

cousins!

CenLa's

where's that other sister?

my girls!

Gordo & Sue

Nell, Dipper & Toon

sweet lil Lem

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-12-25T19:10:00.001-06:00

Braces!

2011-12-25T17:41:00.001-06:00

before....

*we'll post the "after" in about a year (;

All Saints Day 2011

2011-12-25T17:35:00.001-06:00

St. Maria Goretti

patron saint of teenage girls

St. Clare of Assisi

patron saint of television - I'm not kidding!

when the saints go marching in....

Halloween 2011

2011-12-25T17:30:00.000-06:00

let's go get some candy!

RRW 2011

2011-12-25T17:09:00.001-06:00

Red Ribbon Week

Hippy Day

Camo Day

Twin Day

PJ Day

Team Day

Red Day

Balloon Release!

up, up, and away....

Red Day

Tie Dye Day

Mom had to get in on all the fun too!

Hat Day

don't fry your brain - fry eggs & bacon!

parade to elementary school

our former 2nd grade teacher!

LOVE her!

Molly & her former 4th grade teacher!

Lakeside Halloween 2011

2011-12-25T16:39:00.000-06:00

One of our FAVE weekends of the entire year....

good helpers

costume contest!

Mad Hatter

sweet neighbors!

pumpkin carvin'

Sue & Chicken

hurry JJ!

Sue & Hen

showing Tiger Pride @ Lakeside (:

let's see that Owl

almost game time!

Beat Bama!!

"All Bands" Night 2011

2011-12-25T15:20:00.000-06:00

All Bands = 2 sixth grade bands, 7th, 8th, 9th & the high school bands ALL performed together for an awesome pre-game show. Well organized chaos (:

7th grade trombone girls

Molly & Em

taking the field!

Sizzler 2011

2011-12-25T15:07:00.001-06:00

Remembering Matt

2011-12-25T14:49:00.001-06:00

Grandparent's Breakfast 2011

2011-12-25T14:26:00.000-06:00

School Days 2011-2012

2011-12-25T14:20:00.000-06:00

Annie = 7th Grade

Molly = 5th Grade

1st Day of School 2011-2012

2011-12-25T14:07:00.003-06:00

getting ready!

new shoes!

cute hair!

awesome teacher!

Friends Go Coastal!

2011-12-25T14:00:00.001-06:00

The girls each asked a friend to join us for a trip down to Nan's camp for one last hoo-rah before school!!

P'Burg 2011

2011-12-25T13:48:00.003-06:00

We did it again! Another amazing visit to beautiful Philipsburg with terrific friends....Never enough time ):

Fashion Week 2011

2011-09-23T22:08:00.001-05:00

July 6th!

2011-09-23T21:59:00.003-05:00

lunch with Nan & cousins

...this one time..@ Band Camp....

2011-09-23T21:23:00.000-05:00

Band II + Second Chair = BIG FUN!!

Annie's 12th birthday

2011-09-23T21:06:00.001-05:00

our awesome neighbors left this greeting for Annie on her special day :)

now THAT'S a cake!!!

birthday lunch :0)

this girl LOVES her some sushi!!!

party time!

2011-09-23T21:04:00.000-05:00

awesome friends

yummy cake

Zippity Do Da

2011-06-05T23:22:00.003-05:00

Here goes Annie....

Here comes Molly!

Band is it's own reward.....but.....

2011-06-05T23:13:00.002-05:00

so is an XBox 360 Kinect!!!
Annie won a cool Paper Jamz guitar for selling band stock but she also won the Grand Prize Drawing!!
One lucky girl ;)

With all of her amazing band instructors!

6th Grade Graduation

2011-06-05T23:03:00.003-05:00

Annie graduated from the 6th grade this year. It's a really big deal - esp. since she (& her classmates) will be bused 25 miles to the "big" middle school next year for 7th grade....Did you pick on my Mom's tension????

The ceremony was very nice. The teachers work so hard putting it all together; not just the diplomas & awards, but there is also a slide show & the teachers even get the students to sing to the parents! It's great!!!

Anywho....6th Grade has been WONDERFUL & we LOVE Annie's teachers!!! Don't know who'll miss them more - her or me :p

Field Day 2011

2011-06-05T22:50:00.002-05:00

Actually, Annie didn't really have Field Day this year. The originally scheduled date had to be cancelled due to field flooding! Molly's class was rescheduled the following week, but 6th Graders graduated & there just wasn't enough time.....
SO-Annie wore her Field Day Hero shirt to S Tournament :) This is a special reward for each grade level @ the end of each grading period for students who received an S (satisfactory) in "Conduct".

Sour Power

2011-06-05T22:27:00.003-05:00

Molly's 4th grade class just completed a really fun assignment. The students where divided up (by the teacher) into teams. Each group mixed their own unique fruit juice combination, being careful to measure & record portions. The kids named their product, developed a "print ad" concept, designed product packaging, set price, and acted out a "commercial" - all of which were judged.

Sour Power won: best taste & best print ad categories. The kids all did great! Molly even manged to incorporate the "logo" on her shirt - customized HERSELF (with blue painter's tape)

"Feel the Power! Drink the Sour!"

Art Fair 2011

2011-06-05T22:12:00.004-05:00

We had another great school Art Fair this year! Molly received an Honorable Mention from her class for her Japanese animation drawing. Annie took 2nd overall for her pink origami swan.

Good job ladies!

Making the Cut

2011-06-05T22:08:00.002-05:00

Annie was selected to model for fashion week this July! She auditioned with 368+/- other hopefuls....only 87 were chosen. She is so excited! I'm sure we will post more info as we near the big event.

33 years and counting....

2011-05-22T12:28:00.006-05:00

The losing streak continues.....Animal Kingdom lost hope for the elusive Triple Crown. Congratulations to Shackleford for winning the Preakness!
This photo doesn't have anything to do with the Preakness....it just didn't feel right to talk about the 2nd race of the Triple Crown without a hat!!!
Special thanks to my "imaginary friend" Jamie for modeling such a chic chapeau!!!

model behavior

2011-05-22T11:20:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I took Annie to an open model call for next month's Fashion Week event. It was open to males & females of all ages & sizes. Candidates were to be "make-up free" & wearing white shirts/tanks and jeans or black pants.
She was very excited & nervous....but she did GREAT!!! After the event founder addressed the group, we filled out her paperwork & lined up for the mandatory photos.... 3 PLAIN, somber (NO smiling/posing) shots: head; half & full. Then it was a quick video - model # & hometown only; followed by a long wait to strut the catwalk!!

Everyone made two trips down the catwalk before 5 tough judges. Annie was nervous, tired & hungry but you would never have known it! She looked so calm & natural. According to her: 'it was so nerve-racking but I've wanted this all my life....so I just went for it!'
She did get a few helpful tips from the beautiful girls on either side of her in line; one cute, petite 13 year-old who's been taking modeling classes & one 20ish TALL & gorgeous model with experience locally....I hope they both make it because they were so sweet - esp. since we didn't know the 1st thing!!!
As you can imagine, there were TONS of applicants & only a few spots. We'll check the website later this week for results & keep you posted....

Friday the 13th

2011-05-13T21:26:00.002-05:00

funny......I don't feel unlucky!

Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-13T21:21:00.005-05:00

on the patio....happy! happy! happy!

137th

2011-05-13T21:14:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to Animal Kingdom - the winner of the 137th Kentucky Derby!

strike up the band!

2011-05-13T20:59:00.003-05:00

Annie earned a gold medal for her year-end trombone solo. She was also awarded the Outstanding Brass Bandsman in her school band. Way to go girlfriend!!!

4th Grade Field Trip 2011

2011-05-13T20:38:00.001-05:00

6th Grade Field Trip 2011

2011-05-13T20:31:00.001-05:00

Easter 2011

2011-05-13T20:14:00.003-05:00

Happy Easter from my lil chickies to you & yours....

yes, they still hunt Easter eggs the Bunny leaves in the yard - in their pj's!!!

sock hop!

2011-05-13T19:41:00.003-05:00

lafourche

2011-05-13T19:11:00.002-05:00

boat ridin

2011-05-13T18:53:00.002-05:00

born on the bayou

2011-05-13T18:25:00.004-05:00

pinchin tails & suckin heads

2011-05-13T18:06:00.003-05:00

JJ's family got together for a crawfish boil & boy, was it tasty!!! Also nice to see the fam :)

Spring Break Blow-Out!

2011-04-09T14:43:00.003-05:00

We visited our dear friends the Frazior's for the last weekend of Spring Break. A great time @ the Lake with a cool bonfire that night.....

Choot Em!

2011-04-09T14:34:00.005-05:00

Annie & I made a run to the Pierre Part Store & Troy was there for their 100th Anniversary celebration. We got his autograph (for our friend Mandy) & talked to him for a minute.

A REALLY nice guy..... makes us proud to be from SOLA!!!

hair today - gone tomorrow

2011-03-19T14:33:00.003-05:00

Molly has been wanting to cut her hair short for awhile now. I was worried that she might regret it - so we've put it off....When we finally went in for an appointment, she decided to go even SHORTER so that she could donate her hair. She hasn't missed her long hair for even one minute! (nor have I - brushing those tangles out took FOREVER)
We sent her tresses to Locks of Love. I read on their website that over 80% of donations collected come from children!!! How remarkable......
"& a little child shall lead them"....

Rex 2011

2011-03-19T13:44:00.005-05:00

NOLA on Tuesday......

Chronos 2011

2011-03-19T13:04:00.003-05:00

As most of y'all know - I LOVES me some Mardi Gras. This year, the girls & I attended a parade with our friend Carolyn. Just a lil hometown event; fun for the whole family. My kids got more beads at this one parade than all other parades/each year - COMBINED!

It was just us girls: Carolyn & Adele + friends, Jackie & Kelli, & my crew. Carolyn's bff Darcy let us watch the parade @ her house. What a great day! Thanks Ladies :)

tall sox

2011-03-19T12:47:00.003-05:00

Annie played Upwards basketball again this year. Of course, she LOVED it! The program here has wonderful coaches & most - if not all? - of the girls on her team attend her school...

What's not to love?

One of her teammates has an addiction to wacky socks. She even used it as her "stage name" for each game. So, for their last game of the season Ally Jo brought TALL SOCKS for every single player. Annie was reluctant to try the look @ first....but she caved & I think they are all pretty darn cute ;)

collarbone

2011-03-15T20:21:00.004-05:00

Most of y'all already know this story....JJ fell Jan. 29th & broke his clavicle into 4 pieces!!

911 was called; ambulance ride; hours in the ER....then sent home? It's the craziest thing ever but they sent him home with the sound advice to "call a Doctor on Monday". Who knew you couldn't see a doctor in the Emergency Room!? Luckily, we found an ortho who got him into surgery on Tuesday. He's doing very well, but it was rough going @ first!

Everybody - please be careful on your ladder!!!

curly top

2011-03-15T20:10:00.002-05:00

Annie wanted to change up her do.....

Molly loves Lucy!

2011-03-15T20:00:00.002-05:00

Molly met Lucy @ a party.....

snow days!

2011-03-15T19:16:00.003-05:00

We had so much snow (for here!) this year. I think the kids missed 4 days of school. They LOVED it.....we'll see what they think when they are making it up in June ;)

Happy New Year

2011-03-15T19:10:00.001-05:00

We had a little campfire with our nice neighbors!

family time!

2011-03-15T19:04:00.002-05:00

Christmas Lunch with the cousins.....dang! We missed one :(

We love you Caitlin!!

Ho!Ho!Ho!

2011-03-15T18:53:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas to all!!

nothing says the holidays like.....sushi!!!

2011-03-15T18:38:00.003-05:00

My girls LOVE eating (& making) sushi!

Molly turns 10

2011-03-15T18:08:00.003-05:00

That's right.....no one in this house WITHOUT double-digits!

Here's lookin' at you kid!

2011-03-15T17:52:00.003-05:00

Molly had to get glasses & she looks so CUTE in them!

Math & Literacy Night

2011-03-15T17:12:00.003-05:00

Our kids go to an awesome school! They just love Math & Literacy Night. Since Annie is a 6th Grade Ambassador this semester, she "helped"....

6th Grade Band Holiday Concert

2011-03-15T16:58:00.004-05:00

What a difference 6 months makes!! The students have really improved :)

St. Jude Marathon 2010

2011-03-15T16:28:00.003-05:00

Crystal joined some of her high school friends for the annual St. Jude Marathon in Memphis the 1st weekend of December. Barb's son Mac spent many months there as a patient & now that he's on the road to recovery, TEAM MAC ATTACK participates in this amazing event. Check out Mac's story @ http://nolacarrs.blogspot.com/.

If you'd like a become a part of this wonderful team & help other kids like Mac - please call/email/text - whatever.... & I'll fill you in. Thanks!

Indian Mounds

2011-03-15T13:34:00.005-05:00

Molly's class took a very cool trip to a site of some Indian Mounds near our home. The kids even got to make arrowhead necklaces :) JJ would have LOVED it!!

Donuts with Dad

2011-03-15T13:33:00.001-05:00

As usual, no photo from this fun event @ school. Dad's not really into taking pix :(

Beethoven & Blue Jeans

2010-11-26T22:56:00.002-06:00

Crystal & the girls went to see the Symphony. It was GREAT!!!

party early/party often!

2010-11-26T22:30:00.004-06:00

Molly decided we should have her b-day party a little early this year. She wanted ANOTHER ice skating party...

....must've been a pretty good party ;)

party on ice!!

2010-11-26T22:10:00.004-06:00

Molly & Annie attended a birthday party @ the ice rink...my girls LOVE to ice skate ;)

Mom

2010-11-26T22:06:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Charlie Go-Lightly!!!

6th Grade sings

2010-11-26T21:56:00.002-06:00

a few 6th graders dazzled @ this month's PTO meeting

climb every mountain

2010-11-26T21:52:00.001-06:00

I did it!!!

WICKED!

2010-11-26T21:36:00.003-06:00

Crystal recently saw the fun play WICKED!
"Defy Gravity...."

school pix

2010-11-07T20:28:00.002-06:00

Ooops! I forgot to post "official" school photos....

EE Parade 2010

2010-11-07T19:53:00.002-06:00

throw me something mister!!

Happy Halloween 2010!

2010-11-07T19:32:00.002-06:00

trick or treat!!!

99 (+) Luft Ballons

2010-11-07T19:08:00.007-06:00

Every school year, my favorite day during Red Ribbon Week is the balloon release. It's a wild {always last-minute} scramble.....but so worth it ;)

Lakeside Halloween

2010-11-07T17:49:00.004-06:00

Happy Halloween from Lakeside RV Park!!!

41-derful!

2010-11-07T17:34:00.002-06:00

Crystal "celebrates" another birthday???

sing it Sista!

2010-11-06T20:33:00.004-05:00

Molly & other 4th graders perform @ a PTO meeting:

48 is Great!

2010-11-06T19:08:00.001-05:00

J.J. survived another birthday....

Race for the Cure 2010

2010-11-06T18:52:00.003-05:00

Annie & I participated again this year in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. We just LOVE it!!! We were joined by 45,000 other runners/walkers & my dear friend Kristen!

Molly decided to go hunting with Dad....

band night

2010-11-06T18:37:00.003-05:00

Annie & her band classmates got to play @ a high school game!!! This was a pretty big deal....

sorry so blurry!!!

Molly & her bff Emily check out the game from the stands!

D.C.

2010-11-06T17:48:00.003-05:00

J.J. went to Washington D.C. for a work conference & Crystal tagged along. Crystal was able to see lots of great sights & even visit with cousin-in-law Buffie!

J.J. got to do a little bit "after school"....

road trip!

2010-11-06T17:42:00.002-05:00

Crystal & (dear high school friend) Kristen drove to Kansas City, Missouri for a quick visit with Brian & Leif @ yet another one of their art show tour dates!!!

Super fun but way too short-lived....

The ONLY pic I got - Sorry Sten!

1st "home" concert for EEI Band

2010-11-06T17:34:00.003-05:00

See if you can find Annie.....

she is loving being in the band & is pretty good @ trombone. Their 1st concert was fun. The instructors informed all in attendance of the student's progress & they demonstated whole, half & quarter notes for us in addition to a few songs.

The kids seemed to enjoy performing!

Jr's Labor Day Birthday party

2010-10-16T17:46:00.004-05:00

Happy Birthday Uncle Fun....

you OLD CRAB!!!

Grandparent's Breakfast 2010

2010-09-25T23:39:00.003-05:00

Day 2 of Grandparent's Day 2010