• Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
    Life

    Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus

    March 21, 2017 - By 

    Recently we went to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, since they are calling it quits. We drove up to Duluth, GA. If you’re planning to attend in these last few weeks, I highly recommend you get there for the Preshow that starts an hour before the circus starts. You get to go down on the floor watch and interact with the performers. Here’s several shots I got from the floor. We took a quick restroom break before the show started and then went to find our seats. This guy was hanging out near the restroom. Spectacular beginning…

  • Alex’s 13th Birthday
    Life

    Alex’s 13th Birthday

    March 13, 2017 - By 

    Alex turned 13 last week. His actual birthday was on Tuesday, so we celebrated by taking him to Mikata (his favorite choice). Then, on Saturday we had a party at Surge Trampoline park. They were so tired they couldn’t even stand for the picture! Jumping for 2 hours = hungry and thirsty boys! So we brought them to CiCi’s for lunch. One of the boys got Alex a doll! It was quite a hit. Click the link below to see more pics from the party! https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/alex13thbirthdayparty

  • Medieval Fantasy Themed Wedding
    Photography

    Medieval Fantasy Themed Wedding

    March 9, 2017 - By 

    Rob’s cousin, Tara, recently got married. We drove down to Spring Hill Florida, which is about an hour north of Tampa. She had a Medieval Fantasy Themed Wedding at the Nature Coast Botanical Garden. It was lots of fun. Tara worked her fingers to the bone, but did a great job of delegating help that weekend. If you also want to have this kind of wedding, then you may start inquiring for affordable all-inclusive wedding packages with options for wedding ballrooms. And for grooms who still don’t have any ideas what to wear on their wedding day, you may consider…

  • West Coast Trip Day 5 - San Francisco to Eureka, CA - Golden Gate Bridge - Wine Country - Redwoods
    Travel

    West Coast Trip:Day 5

    March 4, 2017 - By 

    On Day 5 of our West Coast trip, we checked out of our hotel and head towards the Golden Gate Bridge. We drove over it and then stopped for some photos. It was a chili, foggy day. We drove through Wine Country and stopped at a couple different wineries. The first one was Milano Family Winery. The lady there was friendly and educated us a bit on a few of their wines. We tasted a couple and ended up buying a bottle of Big A$$ Blonde, which is a white wine with fruity undertones. We paid around $15, I believe.…

  • Winter Retreat 2017
    Life

    Winter Retreat 2017

    February 26, 2017 - By 

    Every February our church rents out Shocco Springs for 2 retreats that happen simultaneously. For the last 6 or so years, Drew has been in youth so he’s gone to the youth part of the retreat which is called Winter Retreat. The rest of us usually go to the Family Retreat that happens just up the hill. This year since Alex is now part of youth, he attended Winter Retreat. Rob and Drew are both Disciple Group leaders, so they went as leaders. So that left me, to either go to the Family Retreat without my family, stay home, or…

  • Travel

    Gatlinburg 2017

    February 10, 2017 - By 

    We enjoyed another annual ski trip with the Scouts again this year. Last year I stayed back to deal with moving and organizing stuff after having the carpet installed. This year, I went so that Caitlyn wouldn’t have to pay for a room by herself. As usual we caravanned up there Friday night arriving around 1 am. The next morning the scouts got up and gallivanted through Downtown Gatlinburg, while Caitlyn and I decided to explore Gatlinburg on our own. We walked around and shopped and then ate an early lunch at Bennett’s Pit BBQ, which is my favorite place…

  • Trombones vs. Trumpets 2017
    Life

    Trombones vs. Trumpets 2017

    February 2, 2017 - By 

    Sunday was the Annual Bodie Bowl, where the trombones and trumpets wage war on the football field. The intense rivalry begins on the marching field every August when the band convenes to prepare for the upcoming AU football season. Even after the last note is blown, the last flag is popped, and instruments, equipment, and uniforms are returned, this staunch rivalry never dies. To continue the tradition, these 2 sections of the band meet on the football field not to march in concordance, but to see who can cross the goal line more. Here’s a few pics from the action……

  • Sugar Bowl Weekend 2017
    Travel

    Sugar Bowl Weekend 2017

    January 27, 2017 - By 

    When we found out that Auburn was going to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, we decided we would go. We were able to get 2 tickets since we have 2 regular season tickets. Drew would be going with the Auburn University Marching Band (AUMB). They left Friday, Dec. 30th first thing in the morning. We left that morning too, but not as early because Rob hadn’t been feeling great. We stayed in Baton Rouge with Rob’s cousin and her family from Friday till Tuesday. We watched lots of football, played games, and just enjoyed visiting. Saturday, Rob and I…

  • Carnival Paradise {5 Day Western} Christmas Cruise
    Travel

    Carnival Paradise {5 Day Western} Christmas Cruise

    January 14, 2017 - By 

    Embarkation Day We spent the weekend before Christmas in Spring Hill, FL visiting with Rob’s Gramma, Grampa, Mom, and others. We celebrated Gramma McMahon’s birthday that Sunday. Then, on Monday we loaded up and headed down to the Tampa Cruise port. We always arrive at the port around 11am. Even though the cruise documents say you start checking in at 1pm that’s not true. Here’s everyone walking from the long-term garage to the cruise port and then Drew and Caitlyn after we checked in and were waiting for our group to be called so we could board the Carnival Paradise.…

  • Recipes

    Banana Nut Bread Muffins

    January 5, 2017 - By 

    My Granny was one of the best cooks around. One of my favorite things she made was her banana nut bread. When I started making the bread, I decided I’d like them to easier to eat on the go, so I made them into muffins. Just as good, just easier to eat on the run. So yummy and convenient. Granny would be proud. Servings: 12 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 1 hour 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 cup oil 2 eggs 1/2 cup buttermilk 1/4 tsp. salt 1 1/2 cups ripe mashed bananas 2 cups flour 1 tsp. vanilla…