End of Year Excitement

With the end of the school year upon us we have lots of things happening around here. Both Taylor and Alyssa had orchestra concerts that we were able to attend. Alyssa wanted the whole family to come (which was quite the challenge with the younger kids!) so I made them all stand for a picture afterwards. We don't often get everyone in the same place at the same time anymore! I am very proud of both the girls. They sounded great, and I think they are having a good time playing their instruments (Taylor violin, Alyssa cello).

Way to go girls!

Happy 13th Birthday Aly!

Wow, was this ever late! Sorry Aly! The batteries in my camera were dead so I used my cell phone to take pictures, which is why they look like they were taken with a cell phone! Alyssa is officially now a teenager, although I think she has claimed that title for quite a while already. Her social life is in full swing and she feels like she is missing a limb if she is out of contact with her friends for even a few minutes. Therefore losing her phone privileges is a very effective way for us to keep her focused on her studies and home life. She is a beautiful young lady who is full of life and very sensitive to others feelings. She is discovering who she is, and why she is here, which sometimes is painful. But she is a trooper. We love you!

Some of her favorite things are: her cell phone, friends, boys, cell phone, shopping, boys, cell phone, twilight, boys, & more boys. I think it's a toss up between the cell phone and boys! But we can't leave out the friends. What a cutie!

Ahhhh. . . Spring!

Spring always brings me back to life. After the long cold winter that is brown and dreary I love to see the colors start to pop out and all the vegetation begin to show signs of life again. My magnolia tree is so awesome because it is so big and when it is fully bloomed it is just beautiful with large pink blossoms!

The kids love to climb this tree because the branches are low and easy to get to. My friend Emily's kids (Erin and Nicole) were here this particular day and made great models as I snapped away with my camera.