sold-out

I've lost my motivation to post lately considering our camera broke. We were walking around Gatlinburg when (shortly after I took the picture from the last post) I managed, clumsily, to drop the camera on the sidewalk. The camera was on when I dropped it, so it fell directly on the extended lens. So, it doesn't want to extend and retract anymore. I've been twice to Best Buy to look at a new one and both times it's been sold out (as has the Wii Fit).

We are back in full gear with school, my FSU classes, and basketball (both the boys are playing). Braden's first game is tomorrow and Simon has his second game on Thursday. Simon didn't score last week but he hustled and dribbled and passed well. But I was most pleased with his attitude. He showed a considerable improvement from last year, which only further proves my theory (or was it Amy's theory) that once Simon figures out he can do something, he goes full force. Before that it's like pulling teeth.

Back from G'burg

We're back from Gatlinburg. We spent a couple of days in the woods in a cabin, making a few brief forays into Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. We watched the Dixie Stampede show by Dolly Parton (who only appears via video), visited Ripley's aquarium (they boast it's number one in the US), and saw fake snow. You should have seen Simon's face when he ate some. I don't know what he was expecting it to taste like.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

Thanksgiving

Hope everyone had a great holiday with family. We are so thankful for the time we got to spend with Lady Bug and Grandma Edie.

holiday

On Tuesday while I waited for the rest of the family to get home from school (I stayed home with Lucy who was coughing pretty bad... actually, she's just really good at playing hooky), the Crooms called. We made quick plans for a afternoon rendezvous and they drove down from Ashford, AL and spent a few hours with us.

We'd never met Ella or Nate, so it was fun to finally see them and steal some hugs. It was also great to see Chip and Shelley. After the visit we were ready to move back into our little three-bedroom house down in Barão Geraldo, Brazil.

A short movie of the kids playing in Brazil: Following the Leader, 2006.

pumpkin heads

Taking pictures of pumpkin heads... fun. Shopping for furniture with pumpkin heads... not fun.