First Day of School

The kids started school Monday. Each had a great day! John Tyson didn't get some of the friends he wanted in his class, but got the teacher he really wanted. Zachary seems to have landed in a really good class. Ashton is off to a great start...she came home after the first day and announced she has a new boyfriend! Just pray the rest of the year goes as well as the first day!

Group shot before school.

Ashton's self portrait...notice the curly hair!

John Tyson out the door!

Zachary and his teacher.

End of Summer...Surf's Up, Dude!

We ended the summer by going to the beach. The boys begged to rent surfboards and learn to surf. It was quite a day and enjoyed by all. Great memories and a great way to close the summer! Surf's up, Dude!

Sanibel 2007

I was finally able to go through all 400+ pictures to get a few to put in a slide show. Hope you enjoy them. We had a pretty good time in Sanibel, despite the endless swatting at no-see-ums, few good sunrises or sunsets, and dodging the typical thunderstorms! Maybe next time will be better! It was nice to get away none-the-less!

Zachary's Kindergarten Graduation

Zachary graduated from Kindergarten today! He recited a line in their play to open the ceremonies. His performance drew a chuckle from the crowd, which drew tears from Zachary once he left the stage. He recovered and managed to receive his diploma with no problem!

Memorial Day 2007

Ashton, dressed for Memorial Day!

Boys Will Be Boys!

The boys had their fun playing in the water and mud!

Our New Addition!

What were we thinking!! Just when we were looking forward to being able to sleep in on Memorial Day, we go out and adopt a puppy! We just couldn't resist. This puppy was shown on the morning news Thursday and Zena and I both looked at each other and said "Isn't he the cutest!" and "Wouldn't that be something". That was all it took. Zena was at the shelter's door when they opened. She then brought him to me at work to keep him a secret from the kids until that evening. While Zena read a book to the kids on the couch, I brought him out and sat him on the floor at the end of the couch. When they finished their book, Ashton was the first to get up and venture around the corner to see him. She said in the sweetest little voice, "Well, who is this here in our house?" Then Zachary saw him and said, "Hey, who's puppy is that?" John Tyson then jumped up and said, "Whoa, is that our dog?"

Unfortunately, he remains un-named at this point. Zena and I should have hashed this out before we involved the kids! We may have to draw names from a hat soon! He, so far, has been such a good dog...only one accident! Let the fun begin!

The Gator Nation supports Virginia Tech

Friday we wore our Orange and Maroon for Hokie Hope day. We went down near campus that evening to eat dinner and saw that the bronze statues of Albert & Alberta near Emerson Hall were adorned with a flowered VT. So after dinner we took a picture and met another couple from Virginia Tech. It was good to get to talk to them and share stories.

Since it was so dark, I decided to come back and take a picture in the daylight on Sunday...

Today we are all Hokies...

Virginia Tech

Its so hard to get our minds around what happened at Virginia Tech this week. We are still numb from the news. The idyllic Blacksburg/Virginia Tech that we all know and love has been shattered. It most certainly will never be the same. Our hearts and prayers go out to all those there and their families.

We are Virginia Tech!

Let's Go Hokies!

Rodeo Time

We took the kids to their first rodeo. They all seemed to enjoy themselves, but it started so late that they were worn out before we got to see the barrel racing and the bull riding! It was fun enough for them that we are looking to go again. Ashton was really dissapointed that she could not go out and ride one of the horses like the rodeo queens. But Daddy promised to take her horseback riding soon!

John Tyson tried his hand at mechanical

bull riding! He drew quite a crowd!

Ashton was not afraid to mount Moo Moo Mr. Cow!

The boys however, were a little more reluctant!

Cotton Candy is always good, even at the rodeo!

Build a Giraffe

All Ashton wanted to do for her 4th birthday was to go to Build-A-Bear and build a giraffe! So she invited four of her friends and brought her brothers along and they all stuffed animals for her birthday...a giraffe, four dogs, and a bear. They all seemed to have a lot of fun and have been crazy about their new friends. Ashton named her giraffe...Ms. Geraffi.

Ashton's giraffe...before stuffing!


The whole group before fluffing their animals

An attentive group!

Big Brother!

The proud new owner of Ms. Geraffi

The group of friends with their new friends!

Rachel

We went over to Daytona Beach and met up with Kim and Rachel for the afternoon. We were able to help Rachel celebrate her birthday. Happy Birthday, Rachel!!

Baseball Opening Day

Opening day for John Tyson's baseball season was this past weekend. As part of the opening day ceremonies Urban Meyer, coach of the National Champion Florida Gators, along with MVP Chris Leak and teammate Dallas Baker each gave a pep talk to the players. John Tyson got his hat and Zachary got his glove signed by coach Meyer afterward.

John Tyson played left field and batted three for three. He stole two bases, then stole home to score. The team played a great game, however the game ended in a tie, 9 to 9.

John Tyson's first at bat!

John Tyson stealing home!

Second Degree Brown Belt

John Tyson tested for his second degree brown belt this past weekend. His time for karate had been competing with basketball (now baseball), activities at school (Cotton Club project, drumline, homework, etc.), and activities at church (Lads to Leaders puppet program). Hopefully, this success will give him a little more drive to push on to his goal of junior black belt!

15 Years!

Zena and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary yesterday! While I made all these grand plans to celebrate by going away for the weekend, all had to be cancelled due to too many conflicts! We will celebrate later, perhaps after tax season. I remarked to Ashton and Zachary on the way to school yesterday that 15 years ago we were married and Zachary replied, "You got married on a Wednesday? That's strange!" So after a short calendar lesson, I think he kind of understood.

Zachary's 6th Birthday

We had a very low-key birthday celebration for Zachary this year. He requested a Pirate Party. So we had Cooper, his best friend from Kindergarten, come over and we watched (some of) Pirates of the Caribbean. We were also joined by our neighbors, The Stanfords, and our family friend, Julie. We enjoyed a yummy pirate-decorated cake (yellow with blueberry filling...Zachary's favorite) along with a treasure chest of ICING! He then opened presents, including a 585 piece LEGO pirate ship...Arrgh! A good time was had by all!

Hooray for Zachary's Birthday!

Arrrgh! That's a fine Pirate Cake!

Ahoy! The winds of change are a comin'!

Arrgh! If I could just get around to that treasure chest of ICING!

Ashton is so kind to help!

Golf clubs from Nana Barb & Papa Joe...The next Tiger Woods?

Christmas 2006

We had a wonderful Christmas! Of course, the kids got way too many gifts, but had a really fun Christmas. As a result of Papa Joe being hospitalized over the Christmas holiday, Lucy spent a few days with us, which was a real treat for the kids. Prayers were answered and Joe's triple bypass surgery was a success. He continues to recuperate and grow strong with each day and should be back on the golf course in no time!

Lucy

Little did John Tyson know, but the BIG box held simply a tiny iPod Shuffle!

Jewelry...always a girl's best friend!

Watch out Danny Wuerffel...here I come!

Oh, those helmets can leave your hair a wreck!