Haircuts

I actually did it, I actually let Emily cut her hair. I really almost cried. I loved her long her, I let her make the decision and she went short. She looks just like her Aunt Becky.

Cheer Star Tryouts

Yes, it is that time again already for tryouts. Emily was very excited and nervous too. Alexandra spent the night Friday night and then we picked up Jasena at the mall. We went by and watched the Tiny/Mini clinic and then the girls had their clinic. They learned the new cheer and were very excited. I brought all three back to my house for them to practice and then back to the gym at 6:30 for tryouts. All the girls did really well. Here is a picture from tryouts.


Emily made the Yellow Team. She was really pleased because last year she was an alternate and this year she is a solid team member! GO EMILY!!!! I'm proud of you.

Dance Dance Dance

We bought Emily Dance Dance Revolution for her birthday and gave it to her last night (yes, a week early) so they could play while still on spring break. It was pretty funny watching Emily, Devin and Barry hopping around on the dance pad. I was not about to try it while everyone was watching! I'll be sure to put some pictures up real soon of us making fools of ourselves! How much more fun can you have than that? At the minimum, we will all be slimmer from it!!!!

Pensacola Beach - Spring Break Weekend

We had such a fun weekend in Pensacola! We drove down Friday morning and arrived mid afternoon. It was EXTREMELY windy and the surf was up. I don't think I've every seen waves as big as they were on the Gulf Coast before. It was fun to watch. But unfortunately Red Flags were out and we could not swim. But as you can see we played!!!



Our goal after the beach was to find a cool putt putt golf place, however, the most interesting thing we found was this Alien house. Pretty weird. There really were aliens in the windows!


We discovered very quickly that there was not much to do in Pensacola. Good thing our main reason for coming down was Emily's Cheer Competition. Did I also mention that it was also our 17th Anniversary on Saturday. We planned to go out while Secret kept an eye on the kids, but as you will see below, those plans got changed. We did not mind.

Friday night we ate at a place call Crabs. I was trying to get a sweet picture of Barry and Emily, but as you can see, I caught Barry mid burp. Good one dear!!

This one is much better!
This is the best one of Devin and I because he was being so silly. I finally threatened to kiss him and ......
Saturday morning Barry and Devin dropped Emily and I off at the Civic Center and they headed over to the Navel Air Museum. Below are some pictures of their fun! I was secretly happy that I did not have to go this time. I usually don't mind, but I was happy this time.

The boys made it back to the Civic Center with 5 whole minutes to spare before Emily's Team went on. She would have been VERY upset if they had not made it.

Emily's team performed at 4:06 and the awards were at 6:45pm. This was not so fun for the boys, but Em and I enjoyed watching our other teams perform. Devin and Barry took to renaming the other Cheerleading Teams. I believe their favorite were the Country Cheer Possams. Silly Boys.

Once the awards started I was really nervous. I knew Emily's team had a good chance of being in the top 3. The best they had done all year was 3rd and this was their last chance. Pink (our Mini Level 1 team) of course got first. They've been great all year. Then it is Orange's (Youth Level 2) turn. They started with 8th place and when they got to 3rd and we were still waiting we got very excited. When second called we all realized our girls had finally gotten their first place! They were all so excited. We were crying, they were crying, the coaches were dazed I believe. Then came Green (Senior Level 2). They also placed 1st for the first time. WOW the coaches were blown away. One more team to go. Silver (Senior Level 4). Yep, you got it, they also got 1st. What an incredible night! I did not think it could get any better for them.

But guess what? It did!

They started announcing the Grand National Champions for each level. Pink won for level 1, then Green won for level 2 (orange & green competed together for this award) and then Silver won for Level 4. We were all stunned. 3 Grand Champions and this brings in $3,000 to the gym. Very cool. All the parents went down to the floor and the girls and coaches all cried. As you can see from these pictures you would have thought something really sad had happened, but they are definately tears of joy.

I tried to take a picture of the 4 teams together, but my camera could not get them all so picture the 2 pictures below as one!

and the tears keep on coming.

Below is Emily's Team - Orange Crush

Barry figured he need to get a shot of Melissa and I with our tears too!

Last but not least is Emily with the banner they won wrapped around her. She was determined that banner was going to be delivered to the gym by her. IT WAS TOO!!!

On Sunday, she wore the T-shirt they won as well as the medal all day long. She was sooooooo excited. I believe they will all remember this for the rest of their lives.

Needless to say, it was 9:00pm before we actually sat down to eat dinner. I would not have missed this for the world and what a cool way to share an anniversary! I love ya honey!!!!

I'm OLLLLDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I am sure everyone by now knows that Wednesday, March 28th was my 40th Birthday. My children have enjoyed telling me how old I am!!!!!

Barry and I had a date on Tuesday night to go to a travel auction for an organization he belongs to. But he took it one step further and arranged for the kids to stay with Janine and Kurt (THANKS GUYS!!!). He picked me up early from worked and we went to the Renaissance Hotel Downtown and check-in. We had a marvelous time. He also gave me my present early! I got a digital camcorder! I LOVE IT! Some of the pictures below were taken from it. I was rather impressed.




Barry and I had breakfast at the Hotel on my birthday and then he escorted me to work. Below is what I found when I got to work. Thanks Tammy! I loved it.

For lunch, Barry, Tammy and Paige took me to the Spotted Dog. When I got home the kids gave me a new pink gym bag that I wanted and we celebrated with dinner at home and we all shared one slice of the double doozy cookie slice. YUM YUM YUM.

Below is Raven trying to moooooooch some.

Athletics Championship - Day 2

The girls were really excited this morning. We had an earlier start than yesterday, but they were ready to go. The pressure these girls put on themselves is amazing. I'm not sure who was more nervous, the girls or the mom's. It was a relief to hand them over to the coaches for warm ups, but then the real wait began.

The girls did a good job. Not as good as the day before, but still good. We were really proud of them and they took 3rd place! GREAT JOB GIRLS!

Our mini team got first place as well as grand champions! I've not heard about the level 4 junior team yet, but they also had a shot at grand champion.

Emily and I had a good ride home (she slept all the way to Chattanooga) and then we ate at Chili's and headed on home. I was glad to get home and see Barry and Devin.

Barry and Devin will be heading out this coming weekend to Universal. I know they are going to have a magnificiant time.

Athletics Championship - Day 1

Emily and I got up bright and early Saturday morning for Day one of the competition. We went down and had breakfast at about 8:00. Below is the just got up photo.



After breakfast we went back up to the room to prepare for the day. What a change! Even her shiner is hidden. I almost don't recognize her when she is all made up. Kind of makes me sad because she is growing up. But proud, because she is turning into a beautiful lady.


We headed over to the convention center about 10:00 and everyone was really excited. The girls know they have a chance to do really well this weekend! Good luck girls.

The girls did marvelous! We were so excited. They are in 2nd place. First place is .01 ahead of them so they have a chance to take the lead tomorrow! It's in your hands girls!

After a day of cheering it is time to dress up and have a fun dinner!

While we were waiting on the rest of our folks to eat the girls hung out in the lobby. Amazing that they are all playing on computers! When did this happen? They know more than we do!!!!

Hey coaches! They were hanging in the lobby with everyone. What a great day. We have 2 in first, one team in 2nd and the opportunity for 3 grand champions. Pretty exciting.

We walked across the street from our hotel and had a great seafood dinner. 8 girls and 6 ladies. We had such a good time!

Back to the hotel after stuffing our selves so the girls can play in the pool till bed time. It is really amazing what hairspray does to our hair. Isn't she lovely! No clips or pony tail holders. YUCK. All that hairspray is going into the pool.

Now the girls are ready for bed and hanging out in our room! What a fun day!