Flashback - Peachtree Junior Road Race

Charlie and Sarah ran the Peachtree Junior Road Race. It's two miles, and they both did great! It was Sarah's first year of eligibility (you have to be seven), and it was Charlie's second time running it (last year he got sick and couldn't run).

Charlie finished in under 20 minutes. Sarah finished in 28 minutes. Nice job, runners!

Before the race...

And they're off!

Charlie running hard

Sarah comes up strong
Two tired but happy kids

Flashback - Charlie's 9th Birthday Party

Charlie had an awesome birthday party to celebrate turning 9. He had several friends over for a pizza party, then we all headed out to Turner Field for a Braves game. It was a very exciting game. First of all - DADDY CAUGHT A FOUL BALL! Boy was that exciting! He's been waiting his whole life for this! Secondly, the Braves won in a very exciting walk-off home run. Charlie and most of his friends all play baseball, so they were paying a lot of attention to the game and went nuts when the Braves won with such grand style.

What a way to turn nine!

Liam, Christian, CharlieDaddy, Charlie, and the game ball
Charlie and the boys enjoying the game
David and Mommy watching the game

Braves win! Braves win! Braves win!Daddy, Charlie, and the game ball. Again.Braden, Liam M, Matt, Charlie, Liam H, Christian

David, Allison, Sarah

Flashback - Vacation at Ocean Isle

We had a great vacation in Ocean Isle with the Smiths, celebrating Lou and Lane's 10th anniversary (and Eva's birthday, and Charlie's birthday, and Tracey's birthday, and Memorial Day Weekend, and an early Sarah's birthday and an early David's birthday). Phew - we have a lot to be thankful for! It was wonderful!!!

Relaxing on the beach: Uncle Ben, Aunt Susan, Granddaddy Lane, Gran Gran, and Allison
The Thompsons' swing ball set got a lot of play. Here, Charlie and Sarah square off.
Gran-Gran and Rowan take in a little sun and sand
Mommy challenged Charlie to beach Kadima. It was a close match, but ultimately Charlie prevailed. Mommy senses the beginning of the end of winning athletic competitions against her children.Look at those pearly whites - family dentistry at its finest!
Charlie learns the hard way: no horseplay with someone much bigger than you...
...unless you LIKE getting thrown in the ocean (which he does!!)
Sisters at the beachThe Mudges: Dargan, Matt, and RowanDavid wanted a piece of the swing ball action
David intently studies his shot...
But when the ball comes he can't bear to watch. Eva, Lane and Susan say cheese
Allison, Mommy, and David dig in the sand
The birthday cake and the candle blower-outers: Eva, Sarah, David, Mommy, Charlie -- but this was Charlie's actual 9th birthday!!

Like mother, like daughter
Sarah catches the waves
Charlie takes a ride
Daddy takes a little break
Celebrating Mommy's birthday with a fabulous shrimp dinner and strawberry shortcake made by Dargan
Charlie at the beach Allison snuggles with her Godmother Susan
Daddy, Gran Gran and Aunt Dargan Tracey turns 40 with the sand in her toes and a cold beverage in her hand.

Flashback - Preschool Spring Program

Allison and David sang some songs and had some fun at the Spring program for their preschool. As you can tell, they took their singing responsibilities very seriously. They both will be back next year!

Allison with her friends Anna and Marianne, sharing a laugh after the performance was over:

Flashback - Mommy in Mexico

Mommy had a cool trip to Mexico.

In addition to working very hard, I got to do some interesting site-seeing. I took a tour of Mexico City and really enjoyed the city. On Sunday, 6 people from my conference hired a driver and atour guide for an excursion to Teotehuacan to see pre-Incan pyramids. We even got to climb them.