December

[Editor's note:  This was supposed to be posted yesterday (the 18th) but I didn't get the pictures and video added like the boss asked.  Hey, it was my birthday!]

Time is passing fast! Today is the 18th and the kids are out of school for Christmas break!  Today is also David's birthday and our 22nd wedding anniversary!  We have been really busy this month but things are starting to slow down this week and I like being able to just enjoy the season.

McKenzie attended her first winter cotillion as a freshman the first of December.  She had a great time with friends. I think what she enjoyed the most was getting all dolled up at the salon and wearing a pretty dress.  A few of us moms cooked  dinner for the couples.  They enjoyed that time at Haley Williams' house. We also rented them a limo to ride them around and to the dance since none of the guys can drive yet. Her date to the dance was Aidan Moore. Can't believe she is old enough to do this! Seems like yesterday when she was three handing out programs at a cotillion leadout one year. Here are a few pictures from the night...

Another first this month was McKenzie's first Visions Christmas Show. She had so much fun! The show was wonderful! A lot of hard work goes into this show. The kids do all the work themselves with a little help from the Jenni and the parents.  The title was A Picture Perfect Christmas. The theme of the show centered around different families at Christmas. It was a very funny and entertaining show.  The last part of the show was religious songs and very meaningful. McKenzie and two other girls were given the opportunity to do a lyrical ballet to Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel. Tripp McCrory and Cheyanne Harmon sang the song. It was beautiful. Here is the video of them dancing and also a few pictures from the show.

Merry Christmas!

Happy Fall!

Today is the first day of fall and I couldn't be happier. It's my favorite with hopefully cooler weather, pumpkins, mums, hot chocolate, Halloween, boots and sweaters just to name a few. The kids are finally settled in school. I always dread the first few weeks because it's such an adjustment for all of us. They have been busy and we have been trying to soak in every minute. I've said before that I can't believe my girl is in high school. The days are flying and she is busy all the time. I miss her when she is not at home but I know this is just the season of life we are in right now.

I also celebrated another birthday last week. David was so thoughtful and took off the Friday before my actual b-day and treated me to lunch at The Crystal Grill. We also did a little shopping, too. Here is a picture of my awesome piece of chocolate pie they are so famous for. It was delicious!

We shopped at a really nice vendor mall. I can't remember the name but it had really cute MS State/Ole Miss stuff. Then went to Big Lots where I saw tons of fall and Christmas stuff out. Lastly David went to Turn Row bookstore and I went next door to Mississippi Gift Co. where I used some of my birthday money from family to buy a pretty piece of Peter's Pottery.

Here is the card from the kids. I got a chuckle out of Matt's! Love these kids so much!!

McKenzie had her first ever Visions Student/School show. They did a great job! A lot of hard work and late nights went into getting ready for it. Jenni, the director let us come the night before for a parent preview. We really enjoyed it. Of course the music we had never heard of much (we are old) because this show is designed to please the high school audience. Here are a few pictures from the show...

Here is a picture of Matt that David snapchatted me a few weeks ago. He was having lunch with him at the school.  Isn't he cute as a button with his missing tooth?! Love that sweet boy.

This is Homecoming week for GHS and it started out with a bang with a group rolling our yard Sunday night. They got us good and McKenzie was loving it! Me not so much the next day when it had rained a little during the night and I had to get the mess cleaned up.

Here is another picture of McKenzie on school spirit day where you could wear a college t shirt or jersey of your choice. She wore her State shirt and I think she makes my MS State sign look much cuter! I found this cute hand painted sign on Etsy. I plan on using it until it's time to put out my Halloween decorations.

I got so excited the other day when I discovered Walmart had put our their mums.  I planted a few mums just to give some fall color and take out my worn out looking summer flowers. Happy Fall!

Golf Wrap-up

Matt finished up his first year on the Coca-Cola Junior Golf Tour at the end of July.  He made the cut for the Tour Championship tournament in Starkville.  We spent a couple of nights with Nana and Grand in Eupora to knock of a little travel time.  Andy, Caleb, and Cassie came over for the second night and Andy and Caleb came over to Starkville on Wednesday to watch Matt's final round.  We had a lot of fun visiting with everyone!

Matt did really well and finished 5th in the tournament and 5th overall for the season.  Not bad for his first time out!  Here are some pictures that Caleb and Andy took.  We can't wait for next season!

First Day of School

I am a day late but wanted to post a picture of the kids on their first day of school. McKenzie is a freshman at GHS and Matt is a fourth grader at GUES. They both started new schools this year. McKenzie got in my car yesterday proclaiming that she loved high school! That made this mama happy. Matt not so much but hopefully he will get use to his new school very soon! They both have wonderful teachers for which we are all very grateful.

Beach Pictures

We had a great time at Orange Beach over the last week!  We'll do a recap post later.  Here are some of the beach pictures we took of the kids.  The weather was great except for the wind.  It was good to help keep us cool but it was rough on the hair!

Happy Birthday, McKenzie!

Today is McKenzie's 14th birthday!  She will be a big high-schooler this year and is growing into a great young lady!  We love you and are proud of you!  Happy Birthday!

Patriotic

I love decorating for the Fourth of July. I don't do anything fancy. I usually put little flags around the house and also decorate by the back door and front porch. I had been searching Pinterest for some wreath inspiration and there were lots of cute ideas out there. I'm using the same wreath I bought for Memorial Day but I changed up the bow. The Flower Co. made my bow and I like the way it made the wreath a fun 4th of July wreath. I bought my sparkly wreath at Big Lots but did see it  at Walmart the other day. It reminds me of fireworks the way it is made. Big Lots also had cute patriotic door mats so I picked up one of those too for the back door. Happy Fourth of July

Matt has been busy playing in a couple more golf tournaments.  I'll turn it over to David to talk about that.
The last two tournaments we played in were at Ole Miss and Old Waverly in West Point.  Matt finished 6th at Ole Miss and finished 5th at Old Waverly.  The 5th place finish at Old Waverly was impressive because the course was a challenge and the four golfers who finished ahead of Matt are all members at Old Waverly so they are already familiar with the course and have played there a lot.  We've had a lot of fun playing in the Coca-Cola Junior Tour.  Matt is in third place in the point standings.  There is one more tournament but we won't be able to go to it.  If he stays in the top 8 in the standings after that tournament he will qualify to play in the Tour Championship in Starkville July 28-29.

Teeing off at Ole Miss.

This is the 8th green at Old Waverly.  The divot in the foreground is where Matt chipped in a shot for a birdie!  (That's one under par for the hole.)  It was an awesome shot!  Matt dropped his club, did a little dance and turned a flip after it went in!  Haha!