Tuesday, September 30, 2008

A True Auburn Tiger

Another weekend has come and gone, but not without spending it on the Plains. Auburn football is such a big part of our lives during the fall and Anna Kate has grown to love it just as much as we do. It's amazing how excited she gets - she even knows and recognizes Coach Tuberville and of course LOVES Aubie! She 'gets' the game to a point, which is that if Auburn has the ball we 'win' :c)

This weekend the weather was gorgeous, so I took the opportunity to attempt our Christmas card pictures. Anna Kate was cooperative for once...I didn't have to work too hard for them. I won't say which of these photos will adorn the card this year, but you are more than welcome to cast your vote.







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Monday, September 22, 2008

Homework, etc...

I can't believe my baby actually has real homework. She had a paper in her folder today with a note attached that said, "Please have your child practice writing his or her name and return to Ms. Rena' tomorrow." Anna Kate was all excited about doing homework like a 'big girl', however that quickly changed to complete and utter d.r.e.a.d. It took us 20 minutes, but she finally did it.







































































Guess what else was in her backpack today?
























This is her school picture proof. I was very pleasantly surprised. Isn't she precious?

Last week Jeff went to Auburn a few days early, and Anna Kate was a little bummed that she couldn't go until Friday. So in an attempt to cheer her up, I took her to Wal-mart and let her pick out a toy. She was a happy, happy girl in the tub that night :c)
















































Anna Kate is feeling better and her chicken 'pops' (as her friend called them) are finally gone. We are relieved to be back on schedule!

*Anslee & Anna Kate- BFF's*

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Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Video Library

Last year we bought a new digital Sony Handycam (video camera) so that I would be able to publish clips of Anna Kate on our blog for family and friends. I think I was able to do it once or twice with success. Then I upgraded my laptop, which came with Vista and the camera was no longer compatible. Well it was, but the USB streaming option wasn't compatible with Vista. My dear sweet hubby bought me the Firewire I needed and now I'm finally editing and uploading video :c) I need to go in chronological order, but I'm not, so enjoy.



After watching these, it is evident that my child is destined for the stage - I just pray it's not one with a pole...



And finally, the dancing queen!

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Thursday, September 4, 2008

Dance Class

Yesterday afternoon was Anna Kate's first dance class this year. She took dance last fall in a different town, but the drive and class time caused 'us' to drop out after a few months. Luckily Kelly Wills' School of Dance came to town, which gives AK the opportunity to take dance again - much to her mother's liking! :c) I took she and her friend Anslee and of course took pictures. So without further ado, I present the newest Eufaula Ballerinas...


















Thrilled to be sitting and quiet...









































A little warm-up session before class













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Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Look How Cute!!!!




Oh my!!! I stumbled across this via Jordan's blog and had to share with y'all. I love the Rockin Tutu.

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Hurricane Gustav


Three years ago the Alabama Governor and the Chancellor of the two-year college system decided to open all campus' as Red Cross Disaster Relief shelters for bused in evacuees. We were lucky enough to make it through two years without being activated, however that all changed this past weekend. I and many of my coworkers spent the past few weeks and days meeting, going over our plan of action, organizing the distribution of FEMA supplies and dismantling the building my office is housed in. It was our understanding that we were a tier one shelter, which means we fill up first. We also understood that we were to accept bused evacuees only...no drive-ins. The campus was put on alert Monday of last week and officially activated as a shelter Saturday evening.


As I said in my previous post, my friend Spring was visiting from Gainesville, FL and we were going to spend the weekend in Auburn. I asked on more than one occasion if I should cancel my plans in regards to the possibility of being called for shelter duty. My answer was 'no'. Saturday night after the game I was in the shower, Jeff walked in and said, "Um dear..." (I knew I was in trouble with that opening) "I have a voicemail on my cell from your boss that says you need to report to the shelter at 7am tomorrow morning." I didn't believe him (you all know how much I was looking forward to said shelter duty) until I listened to the message myself. After some discussion and deliberation we decided it would be best to go home that night instead of early the next morning. My dear sweet friend agreed to drive me home (Jeff needed to stay in AU to put things up in the RV from tailgating). We didn't arrive until 12:30 and I didn't get in the bed until 1:00am - that equals five hours of sleep for me. Nonetheless, the next morning I headed to the shelter as Spring & Avery headed home :c(


Long story short, we worked our tails off getting this place transformed into a shelter and then waited for evacuees to arrive. Waited, and waited, and waited and waited... We had 24 drive-ins that registered but they never returned. I believe they had a family member living in our town and opted to stay with them. From that point on not another soul walked through the doors. However, we were required to remain open as someone kept calling saying we were about to get the overflow from other shelters. At one point we were told 4,000 people were coming and still we sat and waited. Nothing. I finally went home at 4:00 Sunday afternoon, e.x.h.a.u.s.t.e.d and prepared to report Monday morning at 7:00am, which I did. I could barely move I was so tired. I was expecting this place to be buzzing with people and still no evacuees. Somehow wires got crossed up BIG TIME between the Governor's office, Red Cross and the Chancellor's office and it turned out to be the most exhausting slumber party I've been to. I did get to go home yesterday around 1:00 and the shelter was closed at 3:00. Today is business as usual.....that is until Hannah, then Ike make up their minds. *Yawn*


Here is a link to yours truly on the news. I am in the grey sweatshirt talking with my hands while watching Gustav come ashore. Yes, a very proud moment for me *insert rolling eyes*. In the clip you can see the cots I was responsible for numbering, all 128 of them (and to think we were approved by the Red Cross to house 500 people.)

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Exciting Weekend

So much went on this weekend I don't know where to start, but I will start with the best first.

My friend Spring and her daughter Avery came to visit us. They arrived Friday afternoon, which wasn't soon enough according to Anna Kate. Although they were tired everyone was in good spirits and the girls were more than ready to play. We ordered dinner in and just hung out for the night. After the girls took a bath together, they were fast asleep and dreaming of those Auburn Tigers (maybe Avery was dreaming of the Gators instead, but I don't think so...).

Saturday morning we all got up and got ready for our trip to Auburn for the weekend. I think the drive up was my favorite part of the entire weekend. I had the pleasure of being serenaded by Miss Avery. She sang 'Bleeding Love' with everything she had. That girl was SERIOUS about it!!!!! I wish I had it on video (Spring, you have to do that). Upon arrival we let the girls play, we rode around on the golf cart, ate lunch and then it was time to try and get them down for a nap. We figured it would be a little tough, but I think we spent more time getting them down than they actually slept. However, the nap was an absolute must since the game didn't start until 6:00....and we might the right decision. They did great at the game. Anna Kate usually does, but this was Avery's first college game ever. They cheered, danced, argued a bit and shot some serious facial expressions at each other *hilarious*! We decided to leave at the end of the third quarter so we could get a head start on the trek back, which was another good idea. When we finally made it back to the RV, the girls got their second wind and were WILD!!!!!! Suffice it to say they had a great time together :c)

But before I start the not-so-exciting part of the weekend, let me leave you with photos that will make you smile.























Playing dress up























The girls were dancing before leaving for Auburn






















Golf Cart Buddies






















This is probably one of my favorite pics of Anna Kate






















Miss Priss posing






















Aren't they cute snuggling together?














I think Avery is enjoying her first football game














My Diva who forgot her sunglasses at the RV and insisted on wearing mine





































Look at those gorgeous eyes!!!!!















Cheering our Tigers to a shut out!!!















And Scott, I hate to tell you this, but I do think your daughter is an Auburn Tiger at heart :-D
























I think this one speaks for itself - WAR EAGLE!

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