Introducing Victoria Grace.....

We got to meet Victoria Grace Crim this afternoon. Here I am holding her.

Now you can actually see her face. Isn't she a beauty? Welcome to the world, Tori.

Flashback Friday: Olivia Is Born

Today I am flashing back to September 20, 2006, the day my niece Olivia was born. Olivia is nearly 3 now and is a big sister as of this morning. Another niece, Victoria Grace, was delivered by c-section at 7:45 am.

Olivia Reese Crim on her birthday.

Jake and Kelly Crim with their baby girl. Stay tuned to my blog as I'll post pictures of the newest addition to the family very soon.

Let's Sk8

Children Desiring God, our Wednesday night program at church, ended last night with a skating party. Drake had soccer practice and was unable to attend. But Hayden and Corinna tried their hand (or should I say feet) at skating. There were no major falls (thank the Lord) and they are improving as rollerskaters. J.J. is great on skates while I, on the other hand, now choose to not even put them on. Here are a few pics of Hayden and Corinna in action.

At first, holding onto the bar was a must.

Rinna is standing steady.

Now she's holding out her arms for balance, looking a little more graceful here than she actually was.

Couple skating?

Hayden finished another lap....then my camera battery died. The skating party was an enjoyable way to wrap up a great year of Wednesday night fellowship. I'm sure we'll find plenty of things to do until our Wednesday night programs start back up in September. Every once in a while, it will be nice just to stay home.

Camping Out!

We set up camp at High Rock Lake. We weren't at a campground, just someone's plot of land...which means that there was one BIG bathroom. Two if ya count the woods and the lake.

After hanging out awhile, someone noticed that J.J.'s boat was filling up with water. He forgot to put the plug in. Jim and Tyler safely maneuvered the boat to the slip across the way.

The ducks took a swim.

So did Corinna and Maddie.

I must stop here to confess that J.J. wasn't the only one with a mishap. I locked my keys in the car. Our neighbor, who is a deputy sherriff, was on duty and brought his slim jim. So my favorite part of the campout was not captured by my camera.

We had a low-country boil. If you are unfamiliar with this term, let me explain. You get a big pot of water and generously sprinkle in some red pepper flakes and Old Bay seasoning. You get the water boiling (this time we used a turkey cooker) and throw in some red taters. Next comes the kielbasa, then mini corn ears. Last you add the shrimp. They get pink within a few minutes. Then you drain the water a bit and dump the contents onto a table covered with newspaper. No plates or utensils are used. Just strategically place chunks of butter and cocktail sauce around the table and get to eatin'. There's usually not much left, especially when there's a big crowd.

These next pictures were taken after Frankie got my van unlocked.

It was time to roast marshmallows.

Drake likes his burnt, like me.

We didn't forget the chocolate and graham crackers this time. Don't ya think Corinna could be the smores poster girl?

Jordan teaches the children some dance moves.

We sit around the campfire as Hayden tells the "Hash Slinging Slasher" story.

The next morning it was time to swim again. There was a lot of boat traffic so they had to swim early.

Drake and Duke (our friend's black lab). We didn't take Latte.

You never know when you might need an oar, so it's always on the boat. It was used on the boat rescue mission, as a matter of fact.

Preparing for takeoff.

There they go.

J.J. was the boat chauffeur. He also pulled children on a kneeboard and a wakeboard. I didn't get pics because there was too much demand to get on the boat. We had a good time. My only complaint (ok, that's a lie, my main complaint) was going to the bathroom in the woods. So, I'm gonna look into a camping portapotty for next time.

A Night At The Drive-In

We're heading to the Badin Road Drive-In in Albemarle. Don't the children look excited?

Yeah, there's a playground!

We arrived around 7 to get a spot on the front row. We had about two hours to play before the show started.

Soccer in the grass was fun.

There was a game goin' on in front of the big screen.

Corinna made a new friend. She does that everywhere she goes.

Even babies enjoy the Drive-In.

We were surprised to see some of Drake's soccer teammates there. We ended up having a Drive-In party as they put their blankets in front of ours.

J.J. was glad to have some big boys to hang out with.

Always a little horseplay.

The movie is about to begin.

Now this is a comfortable spot.

One more pic before Night Of the Museum: Battle At The Smithsonian starts.

Bye-bye Badin Road Drive-In. We will be back!

Flashback Friday: Bright-Leaf Drive-In

Over Labor Day weekend 2008, our family went to the drive-in theatre in Mount Airy. I have wonderful childhood memories of going to Lexington's drive-in. I wanted our children to have such an experience. There are only about 5 drive-ins remaining in North Carolina. Tonight we are going to the one in Albemarle to see the Night At The Museum sequel. My camera is broken, so unless I can borrow a camera or buy one today, I won't be able to post pictures.

Here are the kids watching the movie in style. Generally, there are double features, but the times we've been, we've only stayed for the first one. I encourage my readers to check out a drive-in near you before they are completely extinct. There are three drive-ins that are each about an hour drive from Lexington. If you decide to go, you will have fun!

Two For Tuesday

Here are two random pictures for this Tuesday.....


our azeleas when they were in bloom....

and a doggie in a basket.

Flashback Friday: Muscle Men

Today I'm flashing back to October of 2006. Drake and his friend, Noah, took a break from the Playstation to flex their muscles. You don't wanna mess with them now do ya?

Two For Tuesday

....thoughts on two random topics....

*EOG's- Hayden began his first day of End of Grade testing today. He has been dreading them since the first day of third grade. He's been particularly anxious over the past few weeks as the final preparations have taken place. So much pressure is put on these children to pass. EOG's stress the teachers out also. Two more days of EOG's to go. I hope that Hayden's scores reflect his true knowledge. And I hope even more that one of these days, the EOG's will be a thing of the past.


*Fresh strawberries- One of my favorite May activities is goin' strawberry pickin'. There are several strawberry farms here in Lexington. Some friends and I are planning to go on Friday, weather permitting. There's nothing like eating fresh, juicy strawberries right off the vine. They're good dipped in chocolate, too. Yum! I'm drooling just thinking about it.

A Marvelous Mother's Day

I really had an enjoyable Mother's Day. Got lots of homemade cards and gifts that were very sweet. I also received the hexagon picnic table in the background. I've been wanting one for a few years now. A guy makes them on 64 heading toward Asheboro. Every time I'd ride by, I would think how I'd like one for our yard. Well, last Saturday on our way to the zoo, I pointed out the table on display to J.J. Lo and behold, I finally got my picnic table. I was really surprised. Ma Ma and her darling grandchildren.

Today's family pic.

Me, Corinna, and Kay at the Mother/Daughter Tea. This is my 5th Mother's Day without my mom, but I'm thankful for a wonderful mother-in-law. I'm sure if my mama were still alive she'd laugh as she observed Corinna and remark, "Not only does she look like you, but she acts JUST like you did." Having a daughter has definitely helped me to better understand the relationship that I had with my mother.

Flashback Friday: Singing At CBS

Since we finished up with Community Bible Study this week, I decided to flashback to November of 2008, when the CBS little lambs (each class is a different color lamb) sang for the ladies attending the Bible Study. Enjoy the pics and the song snippet at the end.

Teach me what is right and I will do it. I will do it. Lord, teach me what is right. May it be so!