Memorial Day

No parade for us this year...Tyler and Ben opted to go golfing while Gabi and I layed out by the pool only to meet up with the boys later at my parents' house to have some burgers and brats with the fixins for Memorial Day.  Not a bad way to beat this heat wave!!!  Can't beat the 93 degree weather and a pool!!!  Happy Memorial Day!!!  And happy summertime!

First Tubing Trip This Season

We were prepared for the HOT temps this weekend.  Ben had a fishing charter scheduled on Saturday but we talked about going to a lake on Sunday to cool off and take Gabi tubing.  She chose her good friend, Emma, to come along.  The lake wasn't bad, in fact, it felt good after basking in the 95 degree sun.  Fun times!!!!

Bluebird Blues

I was a bit excited when I found out that we had bluebirds nesting in the birdhouse.  We hadn't had them in the birdhouse since 2002 because of house wrens.  I had hope this year.  And the hope failed me.  Two babies were born on Friday and Saturday morning came...I check to see if the third egg had hatched and the two babies were m.i.a. while the other unhatched egg was on the ground.  This had happened before and I am just not sure why.  I had such hope.  It looked like the couple were trying to build a new nests on top of the new on during the day on Saturday, but I have not seen them since.  Just not sure if I should let it go and see if they go ahead and build another or get rid of the old one all together.  Anyways, I was able to get a few pics on Friday of the bluebird couple feeding their newly hatched babies...I had such hope.

Blueberry French Toast Bake

Was looking for a french toast bake without cream cheese to make with blueberries (to celebrate red, white and blue this weekend) and stumbled upon this recipe.  The whole family LOVED it!!! And it's super easy breezy!!!! 

1 loaf texas toast, cubed
6 egg whites
3 eggs
1 3/4 c. milk
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt
12 oz. blueberries, frozen or fresh (I use fresh)
2 Tbsp. butter
1/3 c. brown sugar

Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray.  Place cubes in pan.  Mix egg whites, eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt in a bowl.  Pour over the cubes making sure all are wet.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.  In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Uncover and bake for 30 minutes.  Remove and pour thawed blueberries over the top of the bake.  In a small bowl mix butter and brown sugar to make crumbs.  Sprinkle over the entire top.  Put back in the oven for 15-20 minutes.  YUMMMM!
ENJOY!!! 
Looks to be a hot one today...some lake plans in the works.  Happy Memorial Day!

Graduation Day

Today was "6th grade graduation day" and my baby girl is now officially a 7th grader!!!  ahhhhh!  I can't believe we have no more children in elementary school.  I have to say, today I was proud.  Proud of my daughter...proud of the person she is and proud of who she is becoming. She is soooooo likeable.  EVERYONE likes her.  Everyone.  She cares for alot of things...things that will make a difference in the world.  She is a go getter.  What she puts her mind to, she will do.  That smile.  What can I say...it can light up the darkest place.  Just her smile....My Gabi is such a blessing.  Such a gift.   

She got a total of 7 awards today. 

The award she is most proud of is the Citizenship Award.  This was the second year in a row for that.  A great accomplishment.  She is also most proud of the Presidential Physical Fitness Award.  This means only 20% of all kids her age in the United States can do what she has done physical fitness wise.  She missed this award by one test (sit and reach) last year and she swore she would get it this year.  She did :)

Other awards she received this year include President's Education Award (scoring over 90% on the ISTEP), Honor Roll Certificate (Honor Roll all year), Choir Award, Safety Patrol Award, and Student Council Certificate.  Very. Proud. Mama. here.  Aaaaaand a VERY PROUD DADDY.

How cool was it that Aunt Jenny, Mackenzy and Travis made it to watch Gabi accept her awards and graduate 6th grade!!!

Needless to say, we will be celebrating tonight with dinner of her choice....congratulations 6th grade graduate!!!!!  Oh, the places you will go..... :)  And we cannot wait to go with you!!!!!! :)

6th Grade Graduation

a preview of today...

...more to follow

6th Grade Field Trip

Medieval Times
2 1/2 hour drive by bus with the 6th grade

On the menu:  bread, roasted chicken, potato wedges, corn on the cob and chocolate chip cookie - all eaten with only the hands.

Our section cheered for the "red knight"

Gabi got the first carnation thrown to her by our "red knight" after he won a challenge :)

The "red knight" was defeated by the "green knight" in the last challenge.

A fun filled, long day...

Mother's Day

My day started with pancakes, sausage, yogurt, coffee and juice in bed from my baby girl.  Her idea...daddy helped :)
She also gave me a some pretty flowers made from coffee filters and a pretty card she made herself, but what was inside was more beautiful...her words. 

Some pretty amazing cards from the boys and Ben completed my morning.  Ben took me shopping for some shirts I needed yesterday and of course, my flowers this year made my Mother's Day :)

I have to say I was pretty excited also, finding out that a pair of bluebirds are in the birdhouse this year!  The last time bluebirds were in the house were 2002!  Hoping the sparrows do not scare them off this time.

 Since the family was all home, it was extra special to be able to go to church together. 
And of course, Mother's Day is not "Mother's Day" without our annual cookout at my mom and dad's house.  Brats and Pulled Pork were on the menu this year, along with many fixins we each brought.  This year was important because ALL the grandkids and great grandkids were there.  We couldn't leave without getting in some photos with grandma and grandpa Jones. 

Our day was finished off with a visit with Ben's side...such a bittersweet time and very touching that some of the relatives from North Carolina made the trip to be at Dad R's funeral.  Grandpa and Grandma Honeycutt, Uncle Bob and Aunt Boots.  Even heard Aunt Alma and Randall made it in this evening.  Such a testament to the man he was.  So loved.  So.  Loved.