Volleyball Shows us a Historic Site

Yesterday, Emma and her JV team was part of the 4th Annual Randolph-Asheboro YMCA Volleyball Classic. On our way to Southwestern Randolph High School where the JV teams were participating, we turned on to a road called Pisgah Covered Bridge Road. I wondered out loud to Jamey to if there was an actual covered bridge and he informed me that he had no clue. So, after Em's games, I asked the best person I know that would know stuff like that. My Dad. He even gave me a history lesson on the bridge including info on it being rebuilt after telling me there was such a bridge not to far from where we were. (It has to be rebuilt after storm waters from Hurricane Hazel floated it off it's foundation.) He gave us round about directions then I went to the GPS and entered it & it popped up.  We drove a couple of miles down the road and were rewarded with a beautiful view. This link shows you better than what I could do with my iPod yesterday.

 

 After walking the bridge and looking for trolls (we didn't see any), we headed toward Asheboro to grab something to eat.  After some thinking, the decision of Rock-Ola Cafe was choose. Jamey and I haven't eaten at one of these since before we were married.  Emma never turns down a cheeseburger, so she wasn't that hard to please.  This was my Black & Bleu Burger and below is Em pulling the top bun from her Swiss Cheeseburger to add ketchup to it.

 

Problem Solved!

  This coming weekend Joey will be going with his Sophomore Civics/Economics Class to Jamestown, Va.  He is scaredly excited.
  Anyways, he has to have a luggage tag on his bags. I have one luggage tag that I used when I went on the cruise 2 years ago that I picked up when we were at OBX for Christmas.  I didn't want to go purchase something that is going to be eventually lost and/or destroyed.  I set my mind to work to think of something that could be used as a luggage tag. My eyeballs landed on an envelope of empty gift cards. Who knows why we keep them, but alas, we do.
  So, this is what I did:

I cut a scrap of paper off the same size of the gift card.

I wrote the information that was required by his teacher on his label then I used some scrapbook picture adhesive squares to attach the label to the gift card.

Using clear packing tape, I secured the tag to the back of the card .I then used the hole punch to make a hole in the card.

Using the cord from my luggage tag, I attached Joey's to his suitcase.

Now, to help him pack!

Zoo Trip

We became Members of the NC Zoo Society several weeks ago on our recent visit.  We had so much fun!!!  Even though the polar bear exhibit is closed for renovation and the giraffes were not out we had a blast.  The dinosaur exhibit had Joey practically drooling.  We will be visiting more in the time to come as since we are now members of the zoo society, we get in FREE for a year. Not to mention the other 150 places in the US that we can get into for free during our membership.  We have a standing plan to go back on a warm day so Em can see the giraffes and we can do the Giraffe Deck.  

Enjoy our pics and take a trip to your NC Zoo!!!

Soccer and Basketball

Last weekend Michael's soccer team place 2nd in the FCCA Carolina Shoot out.  Michael scored a goal in the 2nd game!

 This picture is of the team and all the sisters that came to the final game. It's great when you hear them cheer their brothers on!

Emma made the JV Basketball team at West!  

(She's #16 in her practice jersey.)

 Wednesday night she has a scrimmage game against South Rowan. She played guard and center during the "games" that lasted 10 minutes each. She did much better than we expected since she hasn't played since 4th grade.

 

That's her on the left going after the ball. 

And there in the center after she took a shot.  

We are excited to see what she does during the coming season! 

We are so proud of them and their accomplishments on the court as well as in the classroom as each of our kids know academics come first then then court, field, track or ball!

Ft.Dobbs, NC

Yesterday, Papa took Joey and Emma to Ft. Dobbs, NC for some reenactments.  Well, they had a great time and Joey was even interviewed and had his picture taken for the Statesville Record & Landmark!!!  You can read the article here.   Joey said had an awesome time and it was made even better by being interviewed.

Joey got his FIRST Assist!!!

On Thursday, October 20th (aka Bart's b-day) Joey got his first assist in his high school career!  Way to go Joey!!!!  Read it here.

Crazy Circles

Jamey & I have pretty much spent the last couple of weeks running in what seems a circle with an extremely few pit stops. Joey & Michael have been having soccer practice and Emma, volleyball practice.

Michael has already had 2 3v3 games, the first of which his team finished 2nd place overall in the u-12 division and the last one I have no idea where they placed because it was a down pour for the last game and it didn't get played, but the boys did have fun! He has a full blown tournament coming up shortly. Michael is now playing with the North Davidson Soccer League (NDSL) as we weren't in a high enough tax bracket to stay with certain people of FCCA. It had gotten to the unfortunate point where the parents tax bracket was more important than the skills of the child playing. Well - unless you were Mexican, and that became an entirely different story. Michael was extremely unhappy by the end of the last season (as were we), so we left. Michael is extremely happy now with the Sidekicks.

Joey and Emma both have tryouts for the JV squads at West this week for their respective fall sports. Good luck to them!!!

We have been having different levels of fun since the beginning of summer, but the one I still am laughing over is Cow Emma. I was cleaning my closet (again) and came across our cow costume. Emma, who is now an adult size fit it perfectly. After she grazed in our yard, she

went to ask neighbors if she could have a cup of milk. I was laughing so hard, I was crying. The thought still makes me chuckle.

Busy Last Weeks of School

June 1st , it started with Joey attending his Spring Athletic Banquet. He get recognized for being a member of the track team.

Then, he brings home his Letter for running track a couple of days later. Next big purchase will be a Letterman's jacket before the weather turns cool!

Emma has her last chorus concert on June 2nd. It was a very good concert.

June 6th ,7th & 8th brought final exams for Joey and the Algebra EOC for Emma. Joey passed all his exams with flying colors and is now a Sophomore! He will be trying out for the soccer team again come August. Emma passed all her EOGs and her Algebra EOC giving her a head start on her high school credits! Emma & Jonathan are now Freshman at West. Emma will be trying out for the Volleyball team and Jonathan the Soccer team. It will be awesome to watch Joey & Jonathan play together again. Michael passed all his EOGs and is now a 7th grader.

June 10th was the 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony. Can't you see how happy Jonathan & Emma are!

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.