Trip to Kingsport

Last weekend, we went to Kingsport to see Mimi and Poppy.  It also happened to be their anniversary (August 23).  So Happy Anniversary Mimi and Poppy!

We got there early enough on Friday evening to go see Poppy before he went to sleep.  It was good to see Dad and check in on him.  Then we went on to Mimi and Poppy's house for dinner and a relaxing night.  The next morning, we headed down to Johnson City to the Hands-on Museum.  The boys have been there a couple of times and they love it.  When we got there, we met up with Aunt Janet, Uncle Jarett, Kate, and Macy.  Nothing is better than going through the Hands-on Museum than going through it with cousins.  All four of them had a blast.

After a great time there, we went to lunch at the local Jason's Deli and then went back to Mimi's house for a fun afternoon.  The children played t-ball, basketball, soccer, golf, and enjoyed using the stomp rockets.

We went out to Wexford House to see Poppy as well as to feed him dinner.  Poppy smiled and talked a little bit while we were there.  That was great to see and hear.

After church and lunch on Sunday, we went back to see Poppy before we started the trek back to Raleigh. We took Poppy out into the garden area and he was able to get some fresh air.  The boys were running around the gazebo.  Dad was really glad to see that.

We had a good trip to Kingsport and are looking forward to the next trip.

Here are some pictures from the trip:

Poppy with his two favorite grandsons, Mark and Jack

At Hands-on Museum, Mark goes grocery shopping.

I am climbing up this apparatus.  - Jack

Look how high I am.  - Mark

This just screams of some John Denver song right here, doesn't it?

This hula hooping isn't just for girls.  - Jack

Bare lie, no problem.  - Mark

I am having so much fun it should be illegal.  - Jack

Just got another guy out.  - Mark

Look at that concentration.  - Jack

Is this how I read a putt?  - Jack

Time for an approach shot to the green.  - Jack

Mommy's Going Away Party

On Tuesday afternoon, I had my going away party at work. After working for Progress Energy for just a few weeks over 9 years and feeling like I worked there for 4 years previous to that (when I was an auditor at Deloitte & Touche and Progress Energy was practically my only client), my remaining days at Progress Energy (it's still hard to change and call it Duke Energy now) are numbered. My last day is set for next Friday, August 30.

My manager surprised me by contacting Craig and inviting him and Jack and Mark to the party. I was talking to lots of friends from work, reminiscing about the past and looking forward to the future. And, then, all of a sudden, I hear lots of "Awe, look here!" "Awe, they are SO cute!" I look over my shoulder and I see Jack and Mark walk into the conference room and quickly circle through the crowd looking for me. They were so excited to be there and likewise, I was so excited to see them and Craig! It was fun having them join me for the occasion.

I had taken my cell phone to the conference room with me and was going to have some pictures made of me and my coworkers. However, between having Jack and Mark join me and getting wrapped up in talking with everyone, I forgot to take any pictures. So, here are the few that I have:

The beautiful cake - I did remember to get this picture before the everyone started showing up!

The, after the party, Jack and Mark went back to my desk with me to get things together before we could leave for the day. I did think to take a few pictures of them then!

Mark getting some work done. I think he was working on the Income Statement analysis.

Jack supervising.

Mark hard at work. Jack takes a break from his supervising to look at the camera.

Jack's turn to get some work done. He was working on drafting the Segment footnote.

Jack doing some in-depth analysis on our earnings per share calculation.

5 MORE DAYS TO WORK!!! Then, we'll see what the future holds! I'm excited to start my next chapter in my career.

Jack's and Mark's 4 Year Pictures

We got our pictures recently from Jack's and Mark's 4 year photo session. Enjoy!

A family shot!

Our boys!

Sweet brothers!

Jack David

Mark Douglas

Happy together!

Me and my sons!

Best friends!

Live, laugh, LOVE!!!

Church Block Party

This past Wednesday our church hosted their annual block party, which is set up as a beginning to the new school year.  There are plenty of bounce houses, rock wall climbs, slides, and other games that children can play.  Jack and Mark would not miss this for anything.  Not that anyone can blame them.  Who doesn't like bounce houses?  The boys had a great time.  We started out in a bounce house, moved over to the slide, and then moved over to some bubbles, and finished up at a dunk tank.  The boys really loved the dunk tank.  They laughed every time one of the deacons got dunked.

Here are a couple of pictures from the event:

This is awesome!  - Jack

You like my really happy face?  - Mark

I am riding a seal.  Mommy, have you ever ridden a seal before?  - Jack

I am going down the slide on my stomach.  - Mark

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!  - Jack

Wait, don't take a picture yet.  I am getting ready to throw the ball to dunk a deacon!  - Jack

T-ball time again

Last weekend, Mommy and Daddy were working with the youth at church and spent Friday night at a co-teacher's house along with the 10th Grade boys and girls, respectively.  But on Saturday morning, we got up early (as we were both staying in Raleigh) and drove to Apex for t-ball practice.  It was picture day as well.  Jack and Mark got their pictures made with a bat.  Then it was batting practice time.  The boys were hitting so well it made us proud.  They have really impressed and improved over the past few weeks.

At the end of practice, Jack won the medal for best sportsmanship.   Good job Jack!!

Here are a couple of pictures from practice:

Coach talks to the team after practice.

The Good Sportsmanship Award winner... Jack!  

Picking up Grandpa from the Train Station

Over the last few months, Grandpa has been working part-time in Charlotte.  Occasionally, the boys have wanted to go to the train station to pick him up when he arrives in Cary.  We have gone out to meet him at the train station a few times.  The boys love to wait for the train, then put their hands over their ears as the train whistle is so loud.  Sometimes, we have waited for them inside the station, another time we stayed in the car, and a couple of times we have waited right next to the train tracks.

One rule we have for now is that the boys need to be wearing their pajamas so they can go straight to bed when we get home, as Grandpa usually gets home a few minutes past 8, which is also their bedtime.

Check out how close we were to the action a few weeks ago:

Waiting for the train to get here.

Man, this is so much fun being here at the train station.  - Mark

Is that the sun or the lights of the incoming train?  

Is Grandpa coming soon?  I am starting to get really tired.   - Jack

Meet the Pack Day

On Sunday August 4, the NC State football team held its annual Meet the Pack day.  The boys were able to get pictures and autographs with the players and coaches.  We were planning on getting there early to get a good spot, but Mark took a good nap and we didn't get there until it was halfway over.  No problem.  We started by going to the other side of the stadium from where we entered so we would get to the defensive players.  One of the safeties is Josh Stanley, #24, redshirt sophomore from Raleigh Leesville Road.  He and his family attend our church.  We have gotten to know them over the years, and Daddy even taught Josh when he was in 8th grade on Wednesday nights.

When we got there, we were able to get two posters, one for each boy.  Then, as we went through the line, the boys got autographs from each player.  They were able to get the entire defense to sign their poster.  They were so happy.  They also got a picture with Stanley, who recently was awarded a full scholarship.

The boys had a great time and are now looking forward to football season.  It is just a little over two weeks away.

Here are a couple of pictures from the event:

The boys with their favorite football player, Josh Stanley.

The boys are talking to starting linebacker DJ Green.

Getting more autographs, this time of DL Jacob Kahut.

Only 14 more years to go and this will be our playground.  - Jack and Mark