Gulf Breeze Zoo Trip

We got to go to the zoo in Gulf Breeze April 3rd. Everyone but especially Lily enjoyed it so much!

The goat got up close and personal.

We got to ride the train around the grounds to see the gorillas and zebras and elephants

A sleeping raccoon. Lily urgently requested that we get a picture of it, so we did!

We got to go in a budgie-feeding area where they would eat seeds from your stick.

Lily loved that!

Anna tried to touch a bird, but it wisely scooted out of reach.

James was Mr. Bird Man with up to five birds on him at once!

NC Vacation

We traveled to NC to see Grandma and Grandpa Joyner and Aunt Becca in the middle of March. It was fun to see my old haunts. I got to go to the Mary Jo's Cloth Store, Mom's tax office, and World Wide's office where I was a secretary for five years.

But that Tuesday on the way back to Mom's house from WWNTBM, Lily threw up and started the whole family on a nasty flu bug epidemic. Everyone in the combined household came down with it except James. The night I had it the worst was one very long night. :-) The girls continued to throw up at least once every other night for the next month. It was a bad one!

In Dad and Mom's back yard. NC has mountains!

One day during a break in the sickness, James and I hiked Crowder's Mountain. I was feeling weak still and wondered if I would make it. I made it up and back though!

We sat at the top of the mountain and used the excellent cell phone reception to play Hay Day for awhile. :-)

The girls traveled to NC well in Emily and Steve's borrowed new mini-van.

The Baines came to see us one night.

We played a super-quick game of Catan before the rest of the family had to leave. Kristen went to Mary Jo's with us and caught the flu bug.

All smiles days before the horrible sickness struck Aunt Becca down.

Anna enjoyed playing at Chickfila on the way home from NC.

Random March Pictures

Emily called me up one morning asking if I wanted to walk on the Heritage Trail. That was fun!

Emily babysat the girls for me while I did eight errands one Thursday

The girls love their swings!

Random picture of me

Church Picnic

Trinity had a fun picnic that my girls enjoyed a lot. I didn't get any pictures of Lily because she took a super long afternoon nap then was too busy playing.

Emily Alexander pushed Anna on the toy car

Joanna is my church babysitter since she likes to play with the girls whenever she can. It is very nice!

Gavin's Birthday

A while ago we went to Gavin's birthday party at PCC's Sports Center. Lily enjoyed bowling before we moved to Steve and Emily's house for presents and cake.

Hat Day and Recitals

Trinity Baptist Church's Sunday School had a fun contest - Hat Day! Everyone that wore a hat got a candy bar, and the craziest and tallest hats got a big candy bar.

Children's Church with hats!

Joanna won the tallest hat award

Hershey's Kiss hat made by Mrs. Herrin

Really cool box hat!

Triple-decker hat

Tallest Hat runner-up by Joy

Craziest Hat winner!

My two violin students had their first recitals. Both girls played piano and violin. They both did a great job! We had a little difficulty with a violin bow - it was so slick that it wouldn't play. It will have to be re-haired and she used my bow for the recitals instead.

Joanna practicing her piece one day after church. Lily is sitting beside her, and Anna is enjoying listening too. Lily is clapping after the song, I think. Both of my violin students love to play with my girls after church. I love having babysitters!

Hannah playing during the dress rehearsal. I didn't get pictures of them playing their violins. I was concentrating on their playing as their teacher and didn't think about pictures.

They both memorized their pieces and played them smoothly with no re-starts. I was proud of them and how well they both played their violins. They have come a long way in one year of lessons!

Carlie's First Birthday

Tri-opoly with Emily and Steve! It lasted until midnight with the final two players calling it quits to get some rest. Without seeing it to the bitter end, we think Emily won. 

Carlie celebrated her first birthday at Bear Lake.