Em's 14th Birthday Cake is on ORDER!!!

Emma is quite excited to have her birthday cake make by her cousin! Please support Kaitlyn & Kasie Kakes!

Joey got his PERMIT!

Mother's Day

So, this past Sunday was Mother's Day. My Mom took Emma, Gracie & Julie out for lunch. Nikki, Chrislin & Kimber were with us in our thoughts as well as our topic of conversation several times. We had a good lunch at Olive Garden and then we went shopping at Khol's and Marshall's. Thanks again, Mom & Happy Mother's Day. You are the bestest!!!

Julie & Mom trying to decide what to get.

Emma, Gracie & Me

This is the pizza Emma & I shared. It was yummy!

A Lauren Conrad dress Emma wanted that I didn't get from Khol's...

A dress that Mom bought Emma from Marshall's.

Downtown Salisbury Earth Night Out!

Michael and I went out last night to Downtown Salisbury to see that their Earth Night Out was all about. We did lots of walking and had a blast. We stopped into Innes Street Drug and each of us grabbed a bottle of Cheerwine and continued our walk until we found some classic cars.

We stopped and listened to the local musicians scattered around as well as taking a moment to pose with a train conducting Easter Bunny!

The highlight of our evening was spent with Salisbury Ghost Walk. We learned some history of Salisbury as well as the ghost that call Salisbury home. The picture below was taken by Michael when we were at the Andrew Murphy house on 229 West Bank Street. He was taking pictures after everyone else had walked away. He didn't use a flash on this picture and you can see a tiny orb at the foot at the statue. Needless to say, Michael wants to go do some investigating on his own.

Michael's Cooking....

Michael decided he wanted to help me cook dinner tonight,(Braised Short Ribs). He did a very good job and was not ashamed to let Joey & Emma know that he made it!

Go JOEY Go!!!!!

Yesterday, Joey had a track meet at West. He didn't jump this time, just ran and run he did. He ran the 800. The race itself only last like 3 1/2 minutes give or take some total, but Joey made it more exciting yesterday for us. This is just before they line up - the runners from West all talking about what? Who knows they are teenage boys! But they are together as a team and that is what matters!

This is Joey and his teammate just before the finish the first lap - see Joey behind him?

About 100 meters before the finish line, Joey kicked it into high gear, made up some space where he had dropped behind his teammate then, gets even with him. Yes, the look on this kid's face is "Please, don't pass me!"

Yes, Joey passed him and beat him by 1 or 2 seconds. As Joey crossed the finish line, he pumped both arms in the air in victory. Joey's final time was 2 minutes 55 seconds. Which is awesome since his first ever 800 meter run time was 3 minutes, 15 seconds.

I talked to Joey on the way to school yesterday morning about his track meet and his running & he told me that he didn't want to come in last again like he had in the past meets. I gave the Mom speech about never giving up and all that jazz. Well, he didn't come in last. He placed 13 out of 18 - and 2 of the ones he placed infront of were his own teammates!

Michael also made me proud as he watched his brother run his race. He cheered for him!!!!! - more than once! They fight like cats and dogs but I do see somewhere under all that fighting there is some love.

Varistsy Coed Track

Joey is running and jumping for the Track team at West! This is again another great social excerise for Joey. There are several of his Soccer teammates on the Track team and his friend Peanut who help keep him straight on what he needs to do or where to go, so that does help. He is very excited about trying this.

The first meet was this past Thursday at Carson High School in Rowan County. I am not sure, but I we think it was a scrimmage because nothing was in paper about it here or in the Salisbury Post.

Joey did the Long Jump and ran the 800 meters.

1st jump: 12 inches - he ran through it

2nd jump: 9 ft 6 in

3rd jump: 10 flat

800 meters time: 3 min 15 sec

We headed out last night to find some Track shoes. Found some that Joey liked and were on sale at Sports Authority in Winston. Joey says "Thanks Nana!"

A Moment on the Beach

So, this past Friday, Emma and I rode with Mom & Dad to Elizabeth City for Emma to play volleyball. (Jamey stayed home with the boys b/c Michael had a game on Saturday.) After the games were over we rode from Elizabeth City to Kitty Hawk.
We walked on the beach and then had dinner @ Mako Mike's. Emma wasn't ready to leave, but who am I to blame her????

Since the last post....

OMM (oh my marshmallows) as Emma says. Has so much happened since I posted back in June. During August we went to Kure and watched the Loggerhead Sea Turtles Hatch. OMM, was that amazing! Joey played for the JV soccer team @ West this past season & did a great job. (He's #5 near the left corner.)

Michael finished up his first season of Classic level soccer in November and Emma began JO Volleyball and had her first tourney last weekend. Oh, and Joey has turned 15 and is attempting to finish up driver's ed - that is if they ever go back to school from this winter storm so he can finish his 2 hours of driving.

That's about it. Well, at least that I can remember!

Graduation Week

Well, Joey is now a Freshman at West Davidson High School and Michael is a 6th grader at Tyro Middle.

Emma's 13!!!!!

Emma wanted her ear cartilage pieced for her birthday.

The Class of 2014

Well, I just signed a paper locking in Joey's classes next year as a Freshman at West!
This past Monday we went to the school and learned about the new courses/curriculm that the all Freshmen must have to graduate. Needless to say, it felt weird walking those halls after all these years.
(I also still know the code to locker 187 as well as the prologue to the Canterbury Tales, and a2+b2=c2 even though I know I'll never use any of it again.)
Joey will also be trying out for the Men's Junior Varsity Soccer team in the next couple of weeks as the season begans just as school begans. His summer will be filled with conditioning, soccer camps and relaxation.
Joey does have a Facebook page if you are not his friend and will be happy to talk to anyone there or by email (jedijoey@rocketmail.com)

I recieved this award from Kelly who I have known as long as my little sister (Nikki) basically because they started pre-school together and now have children of their own and still hang out together as if they were 15 adding their munchkins to their adventures. Thanks for the award Kelly!
The deal is that I have answer 10 random facts about me. So here we go!
1. I have a "running" Bucket List.
2. I am wearing the dress that I wore to Nikki's wedding to the Captain's Dinner on the Cruise in May.
3. I've beaten only one game on the Wii since I got it and it is Order Up. I completed it in 12 hours.
4. I am working on my personal library.
5. Not only do I love to cook, I love to with my family around me.
6. I have spent enough money on soccer fees, camps, clothing, gear, etc. that I could buy a plane ticket to get the the World Cup this year.
7. My passport picture makes me look like a terrorist.
8. I know more about futbol laws than I do the rules of American Football. I *might* have something to do with that I'd rather watch futbol than the other.
9. Was surprised the other day when Emma said that her friends thought I was an awesome mom. Made me smile, but I knew to let it go instead of dig for info of why they think that.
10. Wishes that she wasn't a packrat.

Ok, so there they are...
Now to pass the award on to....
Linda

Charlotte Eagles vs. New England Revolution

If you want to read the actual sports report,click here

It rained, and rained and rained some more. We got very wet! But by the end of the game, it had stopped. The Eagles lost 2-0 - but they had some nice shots on goal.

Besides his picture being made with several players, he also got some autographs on a mini ball. I felt better about paying $10 for the ball when I saw a regular sized ball with Sarlie Joseph's autograph on line for $250. Now, to try to justify the $70 for the N.E. Revolution or USA National replica jerseys Crash is asking for.

Maybe one day, we will make it to Washington DC to see the DC United play the New England Revolution!

Below is Sharlie Joseph with Crash. He is the team captin and a MLS 2009 MVP finalist and is also a member of the Grenada National Team (his home country).
The autograph and picture are worth much more than just a signed ball bought online anyday!

A new Adventure!

www.mtaofcwithmysisters.blogspot.com

Nikki, Julie & I are being a new culinary adventure...

The Last Night

Tonight is our last night here in Corolla. I am laid up on a sofa listening to the rain & wind outside as a storm passes though. Luckily, the house doesn't sway as the wind blows! The kids are playing video games and with toys or watching tv somewhere in this vast house.

When we arrived Saturday afternoon, I thought I would kill over from walking up and down 4 flights of stairs between my bedroom & the kitchen/living room areas. But now, I don't even blink as I climb the stairs - unless I have to make 3 back to back trips up & down. All the adults have learned to make sure you have what you need the first trip or you have to decide to live without it until your next trip down - or - see if you can con a kid to get what you need.

This week held many an adventure between the Strickland's, Ballew's & Rummage's since there were 18 of us. We walked on the beach together and seperate, did the tourist thing, washed at least 50 loads of dishes, 50 loads of laundry, kept 2 refrigerators full of food, had a fight here & there but all in all, I wouldn't trade this for anything.

We thank everyone for following along with us through our blogs and FaceBook pages and hope each of you enjoyed the posting and pictures.

Words can not express the thankfulness I have for my Mom & Dad who made this Christmas vacation possible. If I could change one thing about this vacation, it would be...nah, I wouldn't change a thing!!!!

OBX Christmas Blog

We have set up a blog that each family can add memories to for friends & family to read. The address is: www.obxchristmas09.blogspot.com

Beach Walk & The Wright Brothers Memorial

This morning, we went with the other 13 family members for a nice walk on the beach.

Then after lunch, we visited the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hill.

Beautiful!

This morning, Emma, Michael and I walked the 2 1/2 blocks to the ocean. This is what we saw!

The water is rough from the wind, but it is beautiful!

Snowing at the Beach!

Last night at 8:48 it began to snow!