August 4, 2010 - Ella's First Day of Kindergarten!

Ella is looking cute, ready to go to school!
She's got her bus tag so everyone knows where she goes in the afternoon (to Mommy's school)!
Ella and Daddy, and a school bus following us to Lincoln Trail.
Walking in...
Here she is at the doorway to Mrs. Allen's room! This is where I started to tear up, so I couldn't take any more pictures!
She did so well and had a wonderful first day. She arrived safe and sound, albeit HOT (101+ temperature outside), to my classroom right on time. She ran to me and gave me a big hug, drank some lemonade and ate a snack, and played quietly while I taught the "big kids." I am so proud of her!

Fairfield Glade, TN - July 14-16, 2010

Chuck and I had a nice little getaway in Fairfield Glade, TN - otherwise known as nothing-to-do-ville.

We fed some ducks and fish,

played some mini-golf,
visited the Bee Hive,



found an "overlook,"


and went canoeing - twice.



We had a nice, relaxing time, but I don't think I would go back to this particular resort. While it was quite accommodating, and the jacuzzi was awesome, there just wasn't enough to keep me occupied!

Like father..

like daughter.Chuck and Anna look so similar! Luckily, she is prettier than he is. :)

Bruin Cheer Camp 2010: June 22, 23, 24

Ella attended cheer camp this week. I think she decided she doesn't want to be a cheerleader (too many people watching her!), but she still had lots of fun!
Sorry about the poor picture quality, but (if you can believe it) that is Ella at the top of that stunt!


Here are a few clips from the program they put together for the parents. I'm just happy she participated!

Vacation Day 8: 6-12-10 and the Drive home

We woke up bright and early Saturday morning to pack up, and we found the girls cuddling in their bed. We couldn't resist taking a picture of the sweetness.


The drive home was no fun at all. First, shortly after taking off, Anna puked. Then she puked again. Then she was extremely pitiful and slept most of the rest of the morning and afternoon. We hit some traffic that delayed us about an hour and a half, and Anna was still sickly for much of the afternoon. Luckily, she perked up in time for us to stop for dinner, as shown by her skills with a spoon.
When we entered KY, our wonderful GPS told us to take US150 from Mt. Vernon to Bardstown. During daylight hours, this may not have been a problem, but it was dusk on a Saturday night in the country when we ventured onto the dreaded 150. First, a crazy redneck in a huge truck with even bigger tires wanted to play chicken. Thank goodness Chuck was alert enough to swerve onto the shoulder before we were all killed. Next, a deer ran across the road right in front of us. Then, crazy rednecks decided to drag race and swerved around us at high speeds. From that point until we were safely in our driveway, Chuck and I both feared for our lives and flinched every time we saw an oncoming car or truck. I advise anyone and everyone who will listen - do not drive country roads on a Friday or Saturday night! Teenagers are crazy, and redneck teenagers are even worse.

Thankfully, we made it home alive, but the trip took about two hours longer than planned. We were just happy to be home!

Vacation Day 7: 6-11-2010

Instead of heading home early to make Ella's last soccer game, we decided to spend one more day at the beach - and we are so glad we did. The beach that morning was so peaceful and wonderful.




After the beach, we poked around town, took a nap, then headed over to Barefoot Landing again to see some tigers. I actually hoped to hold a baby tiger (for a mere $59), but after observing someone else going through the process, I decided against it. They only held that baby tiger for about 5 seconds - just long enough to snap a picture! For $59, I need a good 15 minutes of baby-tiger play time. Besides, Anna was more interested in the moth on the glass than the tiger...
We spent our last night in the pool and on the beach. Ella finally decided swimming was fun, and both girls had a great time with her floaties!
We took a night time stroll along the beach and bid our farewells to the ocean.

Vacation Day 6: 6-10-10

We spent yet another morning at the beach, and it was fantastic. The men and girls were busy building a sand castle, and Bethany and I finally got to enjoy the waves a bit.
Anna probably made 100 trips from the ocean to the various sand castle sites through the week. She is so busy.



After the beach and lunch, we headed south to Myrtle Beach proper - to the "strip". After getting a little lost, we finally were able to walk around and view all of the various storefronts. The most impressive by far was the "Gay Dolphin". This shop is a legend in Myrtle Beach, and for good reason. I cannot even begin to describe the incredible volume of "stuff" in this labyrinth of a store. I could barely venture 15 feet in before I feared I would get lost and never emerge. There are several floors (I'm not sure how many), packed floor to ceiling with nautical nick-nacks of all shapes and sizes. There was not one inch of unused space, and the aisles were just wide enough to squeeze through. You cannot understand the "Gay Dolphin" until you see it for yourself.

We ended the last day of the Tiesman's visit with a nice dinner and some outlet shopping. I can't pass up a good deal, and I scored big time at The Children's Place Outlet. I just can't help myself.

Vacation Day 5: 6-9-2010 (also known as Papaw's birthday)

Ripley's Aquarium was first on the agenda for day 5, and luckily, Chuck and I suffered through 2 hours of timeshare propaganda to win 4 free tickets.

This is one of my favorite pictures.




After the aquarium (which only took about 2 hours, and we were extremely happy not to have paid almost $20 each for 2 hours of semi fun), we ate a picnic lunch at Broadway at the Beach, then just the Pearsall's headed out for another round of mini golf. Ella just had to go back to the dinosaur place, in spite of the numerous alternatives, so we humored her and went. Luckily, the dinosaur place has two courses, so we still enjoyed a new mini golf experience!

I think we went back to the pool or playground after dinner, but I honestly don't remember.