2nd Grade Field Trip to Cook's Museum, Wilson Morgan Park and Wheeler Wildlife Refuge

Our first field trip of the year was for Jackson's second grade class. We traveled to Decatur, AL and went to the Cook's Wildlife Museum. The teachers try to take a trip that coordinates with the AMSTI curriculum they are covering in class. AMSTI is Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative and we have AMSTI certified teachers that we are quite proud of. Currently the students are learning to identify characteristics of insects and animals. One of my favorite things about Highland Park Elementary is how they get the kids out of the classroom and afford them experiences many of the students have never had. As they say "Highland Park is a Great Place to Learn!". We stopped at Wilson Morgan Park for lunch and it gave the kids a chance to run off some energy.

This year our class T-shirts are a vibrant lime green. I think that is great! This color will be easy to pick out of a group of kids running on the playground. Jackson found an alligator that looked pretty ferocious.
Jackson was so excited to meet up with his "BFF" (per Jackson) while at the museum. It was so cute to watch them walk around and look at the displays. He misses having Aaron in his class this year.
Ok, this was one of my favorite things today. There were other butterfly photos, but I didn't think you would want to see them all. Hey, I figure if I am going on the trips I can enjoy it too.

This was the beautiful entrance to a path we took at the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge. By the way, did you know Alabama is #1 in something among all 50 states, besides the alphabet?.....We have 27 species of snakes in our state, the most of any.....This would probably be great IF YOU LIKED SNAKES, I don't. This could have been a little bit of info to know prior to moving here. Oh, yeah I learned all sorts of wonderful facts today.

This was our other favorite thing to see, the Japanese Bamboo. On the left of the photo is gigantic bamboo shooting into the sky. It is beautiful and many people like to have it on their land, until it takes over. It is an exotic invasive plant that they are trying to control the growth of. That being said it is very unusual and interesting.

First Day of School 2008

Well it's that time of year again, "Back to School". We have been so busy this summer it doesn't even feel as though the boys have had much of a summer. They ended up spending almost 4 weeks in Illinois visiting. I was there for 2 1/2 weeks of that, but Joe has worked so much he barely had any time off at all. Usually I'm ready for school to start, but I wouldn't mind a couple more weeks of vacation this year.

Bay and Jackson on the morning of the first day of school. Are they not the most handsome young men ever?! We started back on Wednesday, August 6th for a full day of business as usual. I guess this year I know more what to expect with the school traffic because it just doesn't seem as crazy as last year. Don't get me wrong, the traffic is insane since there is no bus system and all parents are dropping off children, but still not as congested as last year.

Our First Alabama Shrimp Boil

My brother Ryan, his wife Holly, their three girls Sydney, Ava and Ella along with my mom and Holly's sister Hillary all stopped by on their way to and from Panama City Beach for vacation. I wanted to make them something special so I went all out and we had a good ol' shrimp boil. There is chicken, shrimp, spicy sausage, corn on the cob, onions and potatoes all boiled in a spicy mix. To compliment the yummy food was spicy butter sauce and made from scratch sweet corn bread. I even consulted the locals on the appropriate way to serve this which is why it is dumped in the middle of my table. We would have done this outside, but the mosquitoes would have carried us away. It was easy to prepare and fun to serve!

A good ol' Alabama Shrimp Boil.
From left to right: Holly, Hillary, Ryan and my Mom, Debra. Everyone really seemed to enjoy it!

Bay loved the shrimp....and the camera!

Kiwanis 4th of July Celebration

A visit home for the holiday gave us a chance to catch up with some people and enjoy a rare "cool" Independence Day.

I finally get to see Julia and visit briefly. She is such an amazing young lady and makes a beautiful Miss Clay County Fair....why I remember when she was just 11 years old and making her first pass across the stage at Jr.Miss Clay County practice...did that sound nostalgic enough. Really though, it has been a sheer pleasure to know her.
Paige Ord was another of my Jr.Miss Clay County queens and is running for Miss Clay County Fair this year. She used to watch the boys for me during the day so that I could sleep while I was working in Labor and Delivery at RMH. They had so much fun with her and still talk about the smoothies they made.

Mrs.Illinois America 2008

Oh yes, it's that time of year again. The Mrs.Illinois America Pageant in Elgin, Illinois. I was there this year helping throughout the weekend. I've posted a few photos, but for those that want to see more check out my Mrs.Illinois blog at the link included on this page.

Rehearsals....whoa, memories!

Randa Allen Mrs.O'Fallon (dear friend), Hallie Thompson Mrs.Illinois 07, and Julie Rinehart Mrs.Illinois 06 (Me, yeah).
Anji Meidel Mrs.Gurnee (snow white to my rose red) and of course...me. Like I said check out my Mrs.Illinois blog for more photos and a shot of the new titleholder.

Bayley's Baptisim

It's has probably been over a year since Bay has seriously been talking about making his statement of faith and being baptized. He has grown up in church and I was hoping this really was God touching his heart and mind. We have spent time talking about how important the decision is and that this is something he will do when he is ready. Well, the week at camp gave Bay the opportunity to speak with our preacher Dusty about his decision. We are so proud of him!

Bayley making his confession of faith. He stepped right up to the front of the church, spoke clearly and was very confident in his decision. He is becoming such a strong young man.

Bay wanted to be baptized at our home church in Illinois, Red Brush Christian Church. There all of the Grandparents and extended family can share in this joy with us. I really thought I would cry, but I just smiled with pride at my little boy making such a big decision. Thank you God for this amazing blessing!

First Chance Camp at Oil Belt Christian Service Camp

Last year Bay was able to attend Day Camp at Oil Belt prior to our moving. He really enjoyed it and went back this year for First Chance Camp. This is where all of the 4th graders have the opportunity to attend camp for a shortened week. I was lucky enough to be the Camp Nurse this week as well. That is how I have all of these photos. After all, it is camp and parents don't stay at camp with the kids. We had 67 girls and 63 boys for a grand total of 130 campers. I thought we were pretty successful since we only had 5 go home. While at camp we had 8 baptisms and 1 to be baptized in their home church. Camp Nurse was an exhausting job, but so fulfilling to watch the children as they learned about Christ and what it means to live a christian life. What a blessing to have been there that week.

Bay with his long time friend Grant Wolfe.

Our fearless leader of Red Brush Christian Church, Dusty Elmore, takin' out the kids at dodge ball. By the way, Joe loves this General Lee shirt...yeah, Joe has it too.

All the campers were playing in the activities, but if you look in the background the building with the pattern on it is actually all of the campers hand prints from last year. Bay's is there somewhere, but he couldn't remember so there is no photo with him by his hand print. Maybe we will find it next year.

Chill'n out in the shade during canteen.

Bay with one of his camp buddies from Effingham.