Merry Christmas!

Last night, we prepared for Jesus' birth with family worship at church followed by a tamale dinner and off to bed in anticipation of Santa Claus' visit. We woke up this morning to celebrate Jesus' birthday and open presents. Santa brought Avery and Connor cowboy boots and balls. Ho-ho-ho. Oh what fun!

Nutcracker and Nativity Ballet Recital

Tonight, Avery danced in a recital, "The Nutcracker and the Nativity" at McFarlin Auditorium. She was a Snowflake. Avery was beautiful and danced so well. Our family is so proud of her!

Halloween 2011

Tonight, Avery and Connor dressed up for Halloween. Connor was a Jedi Knight and Avery was a mime. We trick-or-treated in our new neighborhood and ended up at a fun Halloween party. We love our new neighborhood!

More from Pawley's Island

Everybody had a great time at Pawley's Island. Pawley's is primarily a vacation town for people from the Carolinas, and Avery and Connor stood out by wearing their matching Dallas Mavericks t-shirts. Whereas it is a beach town, we ate seafood most every night (see Shannon cooking grouper one night below), but Avery also showed off the new recipe she learned at Greystone for "Taco-in-a-Bag" (basically, taco meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatos and sour cream in a small Frito's corn chip bag - what could be more simple?). Not sure how healthy it was, but I know it tasted good. We didn't want to leave Pawley's at the end of the week.

Charleston, South Carolina

On Monday, June 27th, 2011, we took a day trip to Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston is a beautiful old southern sea port with much charm and history. We visited the city market, took a harbor cruise and toured Fort Sumpter (where the first shots of the Civil War were fired). Because it is hot and humid in June afternoons in South Carolina, we had to stop and cool off with "Italian Ices" along the way. So refreshing!

Pawley's Island

Pawley's Island is located on one of the barrier islands north of Charleston, South Carolina. Most of Pawley's is populated by 2 story beach houses on the sleepy little island, connected by a narrow bridge to the mainland where the shops, grocery stores and restaurants are located. Well-known and liked by South Carolinians, most out-of-staters know little of Pawley's. Many of the locals return here year-after-year (and we know why).

Camp Greystone

On Friday, June 24, 2011, we arrived in Hendersonville, North Carolina, to pick Avery up from her 3 weeks at Camp Greystone. She had such a great time. She attended cooking classes, learned fencing, created fantastic paintings, and played flag football. She made lots of new friends, most of whom were from the South (Alabama, Georgia and Florida). We missed her so much and were so glad to see her.





From Greystone, we were off to Pawley's Island, South Carolina.

Camp Greystone

Today, Shannon dropped Avery off at Camp Greystone for the next 3 weeks. She went with her friends from Dallas, Charlotte and Rebecca. They are going to have such a fun time!

Last Day of School 2011

Today was Avery's last day of 4th grade. After school, all of the girls from her grade came over to our house and had a pool party. What a great way to end the year!

Piano Recital

Today, Avery had her end-of-the-year piano recital. She played a duet with her teacher, Mrs. Carol Armstrong. She continues to get better and better at the piano.

Field Day

Today was field day at Providence. Avery and her classes competed in a variety of athletic competitions and had a great time as a class. We can't believe that the school year is coming to an end.

Patriot Day at Providence

Today was Patriot Day at Providence. The 4th graders dressed up as American heroes and gave presentations about their contributions to American history. Avery dressed up as Rosie the Riveter. Avery told her class about the origin of Rosie and the efforts of all women in the United States during World War II. We thought she was pretty awesome.

Connor's Soccer Game

Connor had his final soccer game this afternoon. We thought he played great! After the game, he and his teammates all were awarded trophies.

Happy Easter!

Today, we celebrated Christ's resurrection by going to church, hunting Easter eggs and eating a delicious Easter brunch at the Cresent Hotel downtown. A very enjoyable time. See pics below.

April Showers Bring...

As often occurs in the spring in Texas, a brief yet powerful thunderstorm coming rolling across Dallas this afternoon. After the rains let up, the evening turned out quite pretty. Connor and Avery put on their Wellington galoshes and played in the rain. So much fun!

Second Soccer Game

Connor loves soccer. He had his second game today at the YMCA with his team, the Bananas. We think he played great. (He scored 3 (!) goals). We are so proud of him.

Start of Connor's Soccer Season

Today, Connor had his first soccer game. It was a cold, windy 40 degrees as a bundled-up, yellow-uniformed Connor and his team, the Bananas, took the field at the Town North YMCA. Connor had much fun and even scored a couple of goals. We didn't keeping an official score. So much fun!