REALLY ..... It's been a year??

My goodness, how time flies!!  I can't believe I have neglected my little blog for so long but I've really been having so much fun I haven't taken time to record any of it.  And guess what ~ now I can't remember half of it I'm sure!

We've had birthdays, state champions in gymnastics and basketball, honors at school and ballet, a county middle school golf champion, a WONDERFUL family vacation, the best Cousins Camp ever, and this Mimi has gotten back into her little sewing/embroidery business with even a shop on Etsy. Yes, that and running the tires off my little car up and down the interstate have kept me away from blogging and extremely busy.  AND, God blessed our family with another sweet Baby Girl Cousin ~ sweet Charlotte was born on her Paw's birthday!!

Thank goodness the Mommies have done a better job than Mimi of keeping up with your past year but now that I have made one entry . . . . well, here's hoping anyway!

For now, I'll say goodnight with at least one picture from vacation ~~

 

Notice what happened over this year . . .

 

Mimi no longer has stair steps by age!  Monkey #4 grew too tall!!

 

Good night, sweet dreams ~ Mimi loves you all the muches!!

Only in the South . . .

do we lay on white sandy beaches during the heat of summer and dream of  . . .

~ FOOTBALL ~

Friday Night Lights and SEC Football!

Yes, once it's in your blood, it's always in your blood!

My baby boy starting his dream in the backyard at an early age. . .

Here in 1992 as QB of our high school football team and, of course, there was little league and "junior high" along with broken arms and skinned knees.

 Then, it was on to bigger things . . .

Starting QB for the Eagles!!

 And now . . .

My boy is back on the football field under the Friday night lights; but this time he's on the sidelines.  Yep, he's traded his cleats for a whistle and sun visor ~ he's a COACH! A Quarterback Coach, no less. And it's only his part-time job; he still has his insurance shingle hung out on his office but from what I hear, he's talking alot of football on the phone during hours!

He loves his quarterback!!

It's a brand new school so there is only a freshman team and they also coach the middle school team. So technically it's really Monday Night Lights and Thursday Night Lights for us . . . but it's FOOTBALL and we LOVE it!! (And a little side note so I don't forget . . . the team colors are the same as his junior high team and they were the only team to go undefeated for both years of junior high ~ maybe it's an omen!)

And look how cute the wives of these wonderful coaches look all in their green shirts that match their husbands and their white shorts!  Oh yes!! They're even watching the game!!!!! You've taught them well men!

This mama is not sure which is easier . . . being the mother of the quarterback or the mother of the quarterback coach.  It's still a little nerve racking sitting in the stands watching and trying to hear if anyone says anything bad about my baby. But so far, so good.  All I really know is that it's great being back in the stands on cool nights under bright lights watching my boy!!

Good Luck to the Cougars!!

And . . .

back home we'll be sitting in the stands under the Friday Night Lights watching this young man begin his junior year of football ~ well, I guess his junior year of high school but let's put first things first (LOL!)

Again wearing his daddy's number and looking quite good in it if your Auntie does say so!  You are a remarkable young man and we wish you the very best.  Hope that hand doesn't give you any trouble throwing or receiving!! You make us so proud on and off the field!!  Love you, Pate Pate!!

Then . . .

there's the youngest of the bunch in his #11 jersey!  Starting his future on the field and who knows . . .

one day he might just end up with his whistle and sun visor!

Good Luck, K!!

And, if you're from the south, along with those Friday Night Lights comes SEC Saturdays!!

And . . .

This good looking guy is starting his 4th year tooting his horn for the DAWGS!  My goodness!! Where has the time gone?  We can't wait to watch you between the hedges again ~ seems like only yesterday we watched your very first performance Between the Hedges!  If you scan the stadium, Aunt Sissy will be the crazy woman waving her arms and yelling for you.

It's been a while . . .

But I've been having so much fun!!

First, we vacationed with this family on the beautiful Isle of Palms.

We toured historic Charleston via a carriage ride and, of course, played in the Atlantic, ate wonderful seafood, and really enjoyed ourselves in the Wild Dunes Resort! Girls, do you remember any of Mimi's history lessons?

The only thing missing was the other part of the family!

But then we did travel to Mickey's playhouse in Orlando with this family to the 4th grade AAU National Basketball Tournament.

We visited Sea World and Discovery Cove as well as eat more delicious seafood.  There just wasn't time this year to visit Mickey and Minnie but we really enjoyed ourselves before watching . . .

this wonderful group of little girls place 6th in the nation out of a very big, strong group of competitors.

Mimi was so proud of you and your team, CJ, for always fighting hard and playing strong against those big girls!  We will sure miss this exciting town next year when the 5th grade Nationals are played somewhere else.  Orlando was a blast for the past 2 years!

Next year maybe we can get back on our true "family" vacation schedule but Mimi and Granddaddy really enjoyed ourselves with each family this year.  As always when there's little girls involved, there's lots of giggles, silly games and a just a little tad of mischief!!

Now it's almost time for Mimi's favorite thing of summer . . .

Cousins Camp!!

Got lots of planning to do in a short amount of time . . .

For My Children . . .

Just wanted to share my new philosophy on life with ya'll . . .

in case you were wondering how I want to handle old age!

In reality, I guess ya'll think that about me already on most days.

XOXOXOXO ~ Mimi

Basketball with Mickey

The first week of August found us in Orlando watching CJ play basketball in the National AAU Championship games.

~ Opening ceremony ~

complete with an opening parade of players, lighting of their own Olympic torch, paper fireworks, and a Grand Welcome from the stars of Disney World, Mickey and Minnie!

Warming up in "The Field House"

Checking out the competition

Going over the game plans!

Even the little sisters got in on pre-game exercises!

Ready for the last game!

These cute little girls won all their pool play games and the first game of the tournament before losing by 1 point to a team from Washington, DC.

The very last huddle of 2012!

Campbell made her foul shot!  Yeah!!

The scoreboard at the beginning of the 3rd period.

We were up by one ~ talk about a close, nerve racking game!

Mimi is too old for this much excitement for sure!

Flight finished in 4th place at Nationals!!!

Way to go Coaches, Campbell and Flight!!

Mimi can't wait until next year!

Then . . .

we were off to . . .

visit Mickey and let the memories begin!

Leaving Mimi's favorite ride ~ It's a Small World!

A magical week

Where Dreams Really Do Come True!

Thanks for letting Granddaddy and I be a part of such an exciting time

and

what a way to begin a new month!!

Sea Shells by the Sea Shore

For 2 glorious weeks . . .

I've been on the beach

First, Gulf Shores with this sweet family

celebrating the 4th of July

 and then . . .

a week on the beautiful Emerald Coast at Watersound

with Mimi's Monkeys

and the "Bigs"

Wow!

What a breathtaking resort!

From Seaside to Rosemary Beach, we did it all . . .

swimming, eating, shopping, biking, running

and even a little fishing!

Thanks to my wonderful family for taking the time to gather

Sea Shells by the Sea Shore

with Mimi and Granddaddy on our annual Family Vacation!