Botanicals

This morning, inspired by both the beautiful weather and our friends the Harpers, we decided to go on an outing. It appears that Ben & Jen had been thinking similar thoughts, so we decided to join forces. Ben suggested going to the Athens Botanical Gardens. Josh and I had gone on a date there many years ago, and then returned to have our engagement pictures taken, but it had been awhile. It was nice to stroll down the lanes and see shrubs & trees that are in our backyard, and some that we'd never seen. Kate did awesome -- we'll have to do it again some time.


There were some beautiful archways, brick paths, and gazebos dotting the landscape. We snagged a photo opportunity. Kate is riding in Ben & Jen's new double stroller (Stand & Ride). Kate really enjoyed it, although Lydia did very little "riding." We kept trying to convince her that everyone who was everyone loved riding in the stroller. We can never tell if we should persuade her with the phrase: "Big girls do this" or "Babies do this." It all depends on who she's trying to be at that particular moment.



This was Lydia's idea of riding in the stroller. Kate sure loved having the company, though.

Pardon Me

Hello everyone. I'm sorry that I have dropped off of the planet. (Of course, I think Steph had me beat really.) I have been so busy with school, it's been impossible to sit down and blog. I'm doing a fun project with my 7th & 8th graders -- we're writing a newspaper together. Consequently, every bit of 'free' computer time I get is dedicated to getting the newspaper together. Even though I have enjoyed it immensely, this will have to be a limited project. We published our 2nd one on Friday, and of course, it was much better than the last. Next week we'll publish our last one. I think the kids have learned a lot.

Another reason you haven't seen any pictures is that now famous dunking of the digital camera. The pictures on the SD card did survive, but I haven't figured out how to transfer the pics onto the computer without my camera. (I know, I need a card reader, which I do not have.) So, you will just have to enjoy some much older pictures from earlier in the summer. The following post is also from this summer.

Fourth of July at the Bailey's. When my mom saw the picture, she said: This would be a great Christmas card. It may be a little bit strange to have a Christmas picture in shorts & red, white, and blue -- don't you think? Maybe we'll just restage the picture in appropriate Christmas-wear.


Early in July, we went to visit Auntie Becky & Uncle Elias in their cute 1bdroom apartment in Toccoa. It's really a clever little place, and they have it fixed up quite nicely.

Lauren's B-day, Revisited

Enjoy this flashback to Lauren's first day.

Anxious to meet her baby sister for the first time.

Little Lydia walking down the hospital hallway looking for Mom's room. She's carrying the be-woon and bag (which contained baby pup) and of course, her very own BIG pup.

Baby Lauren. It seemed as though it took forever for the nurse to get baby Lauren into Jen's room. We were all soo anxious to see & hold her.

First family photo.

Lydia showing momma "little pup," her gift for baby Lauren. Needless to say, she was more enamored with baby pup than Lauren was.

Baby Lauren's first portrait. Her nurse had just finished giving her a bath -- and she gave us a cute wave. Who could believe that she could wave at 1 day old. :-)

Mingle's Crazy Quizes

I Scored a 100%!

I admit, I had to correct one or two of them so I could post my brilliant score. I was just too ashamed as an English teacher to post my less than 100%. So, my teacher just let me have some redos, that's all.

I have also done the 8th grade science test -- I only got a D+ on that. I expected higher, seeing as I have also taught Life Sci for 7/8th five years ago. Oh well. I do think I got all of THOSE questions right. It was the Earth Sci questions and the EVOLUTION questions that really got me.

I think I'm going to try the cadaver quiz next.

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Camera Talk + School Update

Alright people, I'm beginning a serious hunt for my new camera. I know that a few of you own DSLR cameras (digital single lens reflex), and I would like to know their make & models AND if any of you guys bought yours online. . . .Thanks, in advance!

By the way, this first week of school has been AWESOME! I love my new classes. Each year, I'm afraid that the dynamic will change so drastically that it will be 'bad' or 'strange' -- but so far, the chemistry in both classes has been great. My students are excited and into what we've started -- which is the BEST feeling a teacher can have. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

Kate's Crawling!!!!

I don't really have time, but I'll post a few things of interest.
1. Kate is crawling. She tiptoed around it all through our vacation (where Josh & I had both predicted she would probably begin because she was SOOO close before we left). We got back, went to lunch at Ben & Jen's where she immediately began self-mobility!!!! OH, she's also pulling up/standing in the crib and by the coffee table.
2. My dig. camera took a dive into Vermillion River along with Josh & Bob, so it's caput!! Hopefully I'll be able to retrieve some of the pictures I took before it died, and I did take more vacation pics with Bob & Lisa's camera. Accepting all digital camera recommendations.
3. School begins tomorrow for me. This last week has been extremely nerve-wracking for some reason. You'd think that I would be able to begin year 8 smoothly and confidently, but I was just not able to think in a straight line as I began preparing for the first week. I hope that straightens out soon.
4. Our vacation was really great. More on that later.
5. I saw this YouTube on someone else's blog -- it is great, if you have the time for it. A little ditty in honor of parents everywhere.