Memorial Day

We had a great Memorial Day!  We started off with the kids and me going to play golf at the Country Club (aka The Tigerwoods) at 8:30.  We had a great time and I actually played half-way decent!  Matt hit the ball well and looked like a cool dude with his sunglasses.  McKenzie hit a few shots on the first couple of holes and then retired to the golf cart with a Taylor Swift magazine.  Thanks Ward for letting us borrow your cart!

Sorry Matt!  The one picture I take of him hitting and he missed it!

Matt, the golf pro, and McKenzie, the golf princess.

After golf, we grilled hamburgers for lunch and the kids and Betty made some s'mores for dessert.  After lunch, the kids played in the sprinkler and played outside.  I'm not sure what they did for about an hour after that because I fell asleep in the chair!

Matt wore himself out, too.  He fell asleep on the way to take McKenzie to dance and stayed asleep even after Betty brought him in and put him on the couch.

Betty started painting the shutters that Grand made for us.  Grand did a great job - they look wonderful!  Here's a picture of the first painted shutter and a picture of what's left to go.

Baseball and Shrek

This week we had a couple of fun family outings.  Tuesday, the Redbirds had a day game and the weather was supposed to be perfect, so I took a half day of vacation and we went to Memphis.  The weather was absolutely perfect and we had a great time.

We enjoyed our usual BBQ nachos and ice cream.  The kids also shared a pretzel.

We spent a little time running up and down the hill behind the left field fence.  I say "we".  Some of us just sat in the grass.

It was a perfect day for watching a baseball game.  The kids were worn out and passed out on the way home.  So did Daddy!  Thanks for driving home, Betty!

Friday night we met Nana and Grand in Eupora for supper and then went over to Starkville to see Shrek in 3-D.  Matt looked a little like Harry Caray in his glasses! 

We got to the movie about 10 minutes before it started and the theater was already packed.  We had to sit in the second row.  I haven't sat that close to a movie screen since I was McKenzie's age and didn't know any better.  With it being a 3-D movie and being that close, we were dodging things all night long!

Happy Birthday Grand!

Today is my Dad's birthday!  "Grand" (with an "ah" sound) was given his grandfather name by his first grandchild, Cassie, and it fits him well.  Sometimes affectionately called "Bird Dog" by us, Grand is always looking for something to do for somebody.  He's so caring and loving.  He used to break up pieces of ice for Cassie to eat when she was little.  He'd sit in the floor and eat ice cream with Caleb.  He'd read books and push McKenzie in the swing (or the wheelbarrow) for as long as she wanted.  Now, he's Matt's playmate in whatever ball game Matt wants.  He's also working on some neat looking shutters for me and Betty!

Thanks for all you do and for who you are!  Happy Birthday, Grand!!!!  We love you!!!

Dr. Dolittle or....When Squirrels Attack!

Betty has always been an animal lover and the animals love her right back.  We've had stray animals come up to us outside of restaurants and beg for food.  Ok, that's not that uncommon, but have you ever had one recognize your car and sit beside it when you come out instead of sitting at the door?  I didn't think so.

Whenever we're walking somewhere, usually some dog or cat or whatever will take up with Betty and follow her like they think she understands them.

Monday morning Betty's animal magnetism moved to a whole new level.  While she was rolling the trash can out to the street, a squirrel fell or jumped out of the tree onto her head!  Yes, onto her HEAD!  Now, squirrels are pretty agile little guys, so either this one is the klutz of the species or he was aiming for Betty! 

I don't know if it was an act of love or an act of war, but I'm advising Betty to be alert and get her game face on -- Tebow style!

Graduation Day

Friday night was Cassie's graduation day.  Cassie graduated third in her class, which she was very happy with because that meant that she did really great but didn't have to give a speech!  Here are some pictures of her special night.

The graduates presented a rose to their parents while they played Josh Groban's song, You Lift Me Up.  It almost made Chunch cry!

Cassie received a couple of awards and scholarships.

Here's the big moment!

Andy feels like he graduated!

Cassie with Nana and Grand.

Just nine more years for McKenzie!  Oh, that's depressing!

Cassie with Pop and Nana.

The Confused Cummings Clan.  I'm not sure what was going on to my left. 

Way to go Cassie!  We're proud of you!!!

Mother's Day

Saturday we celebrated Mother's Day by doing whatever Betty wanted to do.  It was no surprise that Betty's dream day was a trip to Memphis that included a couple of great dining destinations and shopping at Target.  Our first stop was the Olive Garden in Southaven.

Matt's favorite thing about the Olive Garden is that he gets to help Betty with her salad!

After lunch, Betty visited a few stores in Southaven while the kids and I went to Books-A-Million.

McKenzie and I looked at a few books, while Matt played with the Thomas table.  He didn't like me interrupting him for a picture!

The next stop was Target.  Betty said it wouldn't be a long visit. 

Yeah, right!

After sitting in the Target Starbucks for a little while, the kids and I enjoyed the beautiful day in the car until Betty finished her "short visit".  I also figured fewer people would point and laugh if I fell asleep in the car than if I fell asleep at a table in Starbucks.

The final stop was the Side Porch Steakhouse in Bartlett.  It was great, as usual!  We all had a wonderful day and most importantly, Betty enjoyed her early Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to Betty, Nana, and Mimi!

Children's Choir Program

Sunday night was McKenzie and Matt's Children's Choir program.  Both of them did very good.  Matt was a little shy, but he did all the motions and sang.  We never could get him to tell us or sing for us what songs his choir was doing before tonight.  He's not too fond of the stage.  McKenzie, on the other hand, loves singing and dancing so this is right up her alley. 

McKenzie's choir's program was Under God's Sea in 3D.  Here they are with their 3D glasses on.

And the big finish.............