Our year in review!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Black Friday shopping

I'm ready Mom-

Are you?

What a day already! It's one of my favorite days of the year because I love to shop! Connor & I got up at 3:45 a.m. to hit the stores! Kevin and Myles were up a half hour after we were to head out too! Connor was such a sweet little boy this morning and did not complain one time. I was so proud of him so I picked him up some new pj's for being so well behaved (Myles has some waiting for him too. Those 2 boys are still out shopping & Kevin is going hunting today too!) Connor went to sleep yesterday afternoon at 4 and slept until I woke him up. It's like he knew he was getting up early to go shopping!

Connor with his new pj's

after shopping!

Happy Thanksgiving

Me & my teacher,

Miss Verma

Me & Mommy

What a great Thanksgiving Day we had. Kevin and I are so thankful for so ALL the blessings that we have. Since my mom was in the hospital, it was up to Kevin and myself to cook. We had so much food and it was all good. It was my first time to ever cook a meal so large. We usually spend Thanksgiving with my family especially since my dad passed away. We had a special treat when my mom was released around 11:00 a.m. So it was just the 5 of us this year. Here are a few pictures from Connor's preschool's annual Thanksgiving parade, which was held on Tuesday. This year he was an Indian, which was perfect for him!

It's official...it's a BOY

Looks like I'm going to be the aunt of another BOY! I sure did have my fingers crossed for a GIRL. Looks like Grayson Joseph will be arriving April 25, 2008, and I can't wait!

Patriotism Project

Myles had to make a poster with 4 sections each dealing with Patriotism. So I printed off a Bald Eagle & American Flag for him to color. Then I blew up 2 pictures to 5x7: one picture was of him & Poppy and the other was of him & Connor at Mount Rushmore. He labeled the picture of him & Poppy as WWII Soldier. It was so sweet. After hearing Poppy talk about the Army last weekend, Myles choose a book about the Army as his library book from school this week! Yesterday he had to give a presentation & tell everyone about his poster.

Awards Day

Yesterday Myles' school had Awards Day for the 1st Quarter. He was honored for his report card & perfect attendance. His certificate for his grades says ALL A'S but he actually made an 89 (1 point from an A) in Reading. He received a coupon for a free pizza, a free meal at Golden Corral & a free meal at El Chico! We're so proud of him!

Thanksgiving Luncheon with Myles'

Wednesday Myles' school had their annual Thanksgiving luncheon for parents; however, the notice to parents was not sent out in time. I just happened to call the school Tuesday about the lunch menu and found out. It was definitely a school lunch and brought me back to my days at Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School. There's nothing like school chocolate milk...it was yummy!

Virginia Tech VS Florida State University

Tickets- $160
Miles traveled- 1600
Food- $50
Souvenirs- $100
Watching VT beat FSU for the first time since 1975- PRICELESS

What an exciting day for us on Saturday! Kevin and I headed out to the VT football game without tickets. For weeks we had searched the internet for tickets but they were outrageously expensive. So we (really me!) decided that we would go to the game and search for tickets. After being on campus for a few minutes & heading towards the stadium, it wasn't hard to figure out who was selling tickets. I felt so much like a hustler! We ended up paying way more than face value for the tickets but oh how awesome was the game. Our seats were perfect- the South End Zone, right where all of the 4th quarter action took place. We are very grateful to Kevin's parents who watched the boys so we could spend the day at the game. It's a day that Kevin and I will be talking about for ages!

Players heading out

Kevin

Coach Beamer arriving at

the game

Sea of orange & maroon

Veteran's Day 2007

Stoots' boys & Poppy

What a treat it was to spend Veteran's Day with Poppy, Kevin's grandfather & great-grandfather to the boys. The boys love him so much & love playing at his house. It was really cool for Kevin and me to sit and listen to his stories about his time in the service & serving our country during WWII. I'll never forget him loving on the boys and calling them "pretty boys"-something he has called them since day one! What a blessing to have him!

Hunting with Paw Paw Stoots

During our visit to see Kevin's family, the boys went on a "hunting" trip with Paw Paw! He took them to an old barn that he sometimes hunts out of. Here is Connor trying to look out of the scope. Paw Paw told him to hold one eye shut but he couldn't so he held it shut with his finger. They had so much fun & I think that experience was the hit of the trip for them!

Connor checking out the scope

Myles looking out the scope

Looking for deer

Happy 4th Birthday, Kerri Ann

Today is our friend's (Scott and Robin) daughter's 4th birthday. She is such a sweetie and cutie! Happy birthday and hope you had a great one (and that mommy will read/show you this post!) This is one of my favorite pictures of her!

Iron Chef Bobby Flay!

Saturday afternoon I went with my friend Michelle to see Bobby Flay at the Civic Center. I had won tickets on the radio a few weeks earlier and since we were both calling trying to win we had decided if either one of us won we'd take the other with us! We didn't get to taste any of his food and the show only lasted an hour and fifteen minutes, which was kind of shocking considering how much the tickets cost. After the show was over, we stayed around for a second and he came out for autographs & pictures. I was so excited when I got my picture taken with him. During the show he cooked salmon, made 2 margaritas, and cooked steak. Considering that I don't eat salmon, steak, or drink margaritas, there wasn't anything for me to taste test!!!

Kerri Ann's birthday party

The birthday girl-Kerri Ann

Having fun jumping!

Saturday morning we headed over to our friend's, Scott and Robin, house for a birthday celebration. The boys had so much fun playing with other kids. They played soccer, baseball, boccie ball & jumped in a spacewalk. What great fun we all had!

It's basketball season

Thursday night Myles had his first basketball practice. He had a lot of fun and seems to have picked up from where he left off last season. Poor thing is by far the shortest on his team (among the ones that showed up for practice). I think he's about a head to a head and a half shorter. Maybe he'll make a great point guard one day!!!!

The BIG 3-0!

Today was the big day that I turned the Big 3-0. It wasn't really that bad & I had a very nice day! I'm very glad to have joined the 30 club with all of the members of my Community Group! The boys were super excited that it was my birthday and gladly told everyone we saw that their mommy was 30 today. I don't think that they really understood what it meant. I received a really nice MP3 player from the boys. Also at work today we had our annual United Way Campaign Rally. The theme was Top Chef which is one of my favorite shows. I decided that I would represent my unit. I made chicken salad and a spinach cheese dip. We had to have a theme & show how to make our recipe. My theme was "Tailgating SEC style" since our unit is split Auburn/Alabama. After each presentation money was taken up for each person & the one with the most money collected at the end was the winner. There were 5 people including myself & I couldn't believe it but I won. I was very excited and won a really nice apron! I've included a picture of my decorated table, a hat that I had to decorate and wear (thanks to Michelle & Denese for the help) and the apron. Thanks to everyone for the nice birthday wishes.

My office window

Me & the boys
Connor's card

Myles' card

Top Chef at work