Moo's first Ballet Class

Abigail had her first ballet class on Monday Sept 8th. She has been very excited to go to ballet for about 2 months now, it is all she talk about. When the time came things were a little different. She was a bit hesitant to go into the classroom with all the other girls. She didn't cry, but was very timid. She did go in the class and just hung back for a little bit. After about 10 minutes she warmed up and started to participate in the activities. By the end of class things weren't so bad anymore and she got a princess sticker. I am sure next week will be even better.

Daddy and Abigail waiting for class to start
She's not sure about this
That's her standing back watching
Things aren't so bad
Ah, the best part of class! The princess sticker

A visit from the Rudds

My dad and stepmom came to visit us in late August from Kansas. They left to plain state to come weather out Tropical Storm Fay with us. They arrived Thursday evening around 9:00pm and by midnight the storm was here. We are very fortunate they made it in before the winds got too high. Friday Kathy , Abigail and I all went shopping, yes in the storm. A little rain and wind doesn't scare us. However, while we were eating lunch at Cracker Barrel the Taco Bell sign next door blew down. That was all Abigail could talk about for the rest of the weekend. Especially when it made the paper and grandma showed her the pictures. It continued to rain all day Saturday too, so we headed north to Andersonville GA. There is a Civil War POW museum there. You can also tour the cemetery and the POW camp. The museum was awesome and I couldn't even imagine what it must have been like for any of them. How awful! By Sunday the Fay finally blew through and the sun came out. We spent most of that day by the pool. We had a great visit and can't wait to see them again. By the way dad, you forgot you pecan divinity here, but no worries I took real good care of it. Yes sir, it was gooooooood!

Daddy on the way to Andersonville.
They had a row of cute little antique shops there in the historical part of town. One had a little diner in it so we ate lunch there. It was the best BBQ sandwich I have had in a long time.

Me and my daddy.
Who knows what he is doing.
Grandma Kathy enjoying her diet coke
A meeting of the minds.
A recreation of part of the prison walls
A memorial
Part of the cemetery

Moo's first day of PreSchool

Today was Moo's first day of school. She is going to Carpentar's Kids preschool two days a week from 8:45-12:00. Her friend David from down the street is also in her class. Ethan went to the 3 year old program at this school and we absolutley love it and the staff. They were so excited when Abigail enrolled. They have watched her grow up and have been waiting to have their time with her. She did awesome this morning. She picked out her dress, shoes and hairbow. Well we changed shoes 3 times, but oh well she's a girl it's her perogative. She walked in a ll big and tall like she owned the place and realized mom was leaving. There was a small wimper in my direction, but Ms. Heather swooped in, hugged her and started admiring her dress and backpack. That was all it took.

What a big girl!

This is our temporary backpack until her PINK l.l.bean one arrives. She had to have it because it was pink. So look for those pictures by the end of the week.
She's ready to go
Ms. Heather making her feel loved and welcome
All it took was a hug from Ms. Heather and the smile was back and she was ready for the day.

The Gilbert Tower

They have found a way to make a 3 man tower. First Ethan gets on Hayden's shoulders, which takes about 5 minutes, because he keeps sliding down Hayden's back. Then John will go under water and try to scoop them up. They generally start a slow lean to the back followed by Ethan hitting the water. They are starting to get really good though and are managing to erect this tower on the second try. I think part of the reason they fall so quickly is Ethan and Hayden can't quit laughing.

Baseball Gilbert Style

There is no better way to play baseball than in a pink wife beater, princess undies and two different princess shoes. Only one chick can rock this look, and she did. She is too cute and really likes to dress herself now, we might not always match but she still looks fly!

Hey man, where did the ball go?

Okay, so this was a strike, but look at those muscles in my boys arms!!!!

Alden and Abigail chasing the ball, who's gonna get it?
Poodles did! I didn't think catchers were ever really this happy.

All in a days fun!

Happy Sweet 16 Sharky!

On July 10th my beautiful niece Jordan turned 16. It is hard to believe that we have had her with us this long and she is actually and legally allowed to drive!!!!!! It is kind of scary, but Bryan is still alive, so I guess it can't be that bad. Anyway, I was lucky enough to be in Oklahoma with them to celebrate her big day this year. Of course, my girl Heidi came to the rescue again, by having some fondant already made and all the proper tools I needed to make the cake. Thanks girl, you always come through!!!!! So this is the masterpiece I made for my sharky!

The cake was so yummy, we used a white cake mix instead of chocolate this time and no kidding it tasted just like wedding cake.
The birthday girl
The 16 was a little dry and kept trying to fall off the cake, I think I had about 5 toothpicks stuck through out. Oh well, it still looked cute.
Jordan and Grandma

First Fridays

Valdosta has started a thing called First Fridays. It has been going on for a little while now, but this was our first time there. On the first Friday of each month the restaurants and clubs downtown stay open later and it turns into a big street party. There are many live bands and good food. We went last friday with Jill and Brian. Jill is my very good friend from college and Bryan is our new neighbor. We introduced them earlier in the summer, so everyone cross your fingers that there is good things to come for them, they are so cute together. Anywho, we had dinner at the Bistro first and let me say it was soooooo SCRUMPTIOUS, I love that place!!!!!

Jill and I outside of City Market.

They had a live band in there that played great music. It was really great because, there were people of all ages everywhere. Probably ranging in ages 21-70. So we didn't feel out of place or too old trying to still hang with the teeny boppers.
Brian and Jill

Brian's first attempt of taking a picture of all of us together, he totally cut himself out.
Ahhhh, the second attempt is much better. Well done Brian!