Go Pack!

Our friends, the Laughridges, invited us to join them in Vaughn Towers for last Saturday's football game. Free food and drinks in a fancy suite? We couldn't jump on the invitation fast enough! Hahaha!

We weren't expecting a win, and we didn't get one. But, we were pleasantly surprised by how well the Pack played. We're looking forward to a great football season!

NC State - 41
Florida State - 56

Homecoming Parade

Today was an exciting day at the boys' school . . . it's Homecoming! There was a big BBQ lunch followed by a parade. To say that the kids were excited would be a MAJOR understatement! Fun times!

Fletch and I watched the parade and cheered with Q's buddies.




Holden's class won the primary school's poster contest. They won a ride on a float in the parade! :-)

"Summer Fun" Activities

Each summer, we complete our school's recommended "Summer Fun" activities (reading, workbooks, service projects and more).

As you can imagine, it's sometimes a challenge to stay focused on school work during the summer months. The boys still do it because it's great enrichment, review and preparation for the next school year. Oh . . . who am I kidding? They do it because I tell them to! Hahaha!

The kids who complete the activities are recognized at a chapel service. This year's service was yesterday.

Look at the fruits of their labor (and my nagging)! ;-)

Recent Pics

Fletcher playing with blocks at preschool:


Quinn and his buddy Tyler at lunch:


Church family picnic at the park:

Go Pack!

Last Saturday was a big day for Fletch . . . his first NC State football game!!! :-)

NC State - 42
Presbyterian - 0









He was a real trooper! He happily watched the game, visited with friends, and was still going strong well into the 4th quarter. Yay Fletchy!!!

A Fun Weekend

Last weekend, I had a fun little girls' trip to the beach with Maridith and Kristy.


Brant and the big boys had lots of fun, too. There were soccer games, church, and lots of Monopoly Jr. matches (their new favorite game).


They also celebrated Mama Carol's birthday.







***Fletcher spent the weekend at Mama and Papa Quinn's house. Everyone had a blast!

More Nashville Pics

A few more Nashville pictures from Brant's phone (from his last 1/2 of the trip) . . .

A trip to Financial Peace Plaza (with Dennis & Jonathan):



Celebrity sightings out and about:
Derek Hough -


Gavin DeGraw -


Brian Kelley from Florida Georgia Line -


One of the Wu-Tang Clan guys rappin' some country music -



With Ben at the Wildhorse Saloon for the closing celebration (featuring Montgomery Gentry and 38 Special):

Health Fair

Fletch and I spent yesterday morning in Holden's class. It was "Health Fair" day. We worked the healthy snacks/grocery shopping station. It was fun! :-)

Super F

The 4's preschool class has already brought 3 little homework assignments for Fletch! While he's thrilled to have homework like his big brothers, I'm not quite as excited to have a 3rd set of homework to supervise! ;-)

Last Friday, we turned in "Super F" for the class bulletin board:





Isn't he cute?!?

Chapel Award

This was Holden's week for the chapel award (a special recognition from his teacher).



He was VERY excited; in fact, he hammed it up on the way to the stage. I'm just now recovering from the embarrassment of it all! ;-)

***I'm seriously considering some acting workshops for next summer. This middle boy of mine LOVES attention and an adoring audience!

It Takes a Village

We have lots of people to thank for helping with our boys this week. First of all and most importantly, thanks to Mama Carol for taking care of all 3 boys while I was in Nashville.

Also, thanks to our beloved Mrs. Dry for popping in and checking on Q and Holden at school . . . and texting me pictures of their smiling faces.




Finally, thanks to Mrs. Kristy and Rachel for letting Fletch hang out with them before school on Wednesday while I was at the big boys' school for activities.

We're very fortunate to have folks to help with and love on our boys!

Nashville Fun

Brant's in Nashville for his annual conference. I couldn't leave the boys for too long, but I also couldn't pass up the chance to go to such a fun city. So, I flew to Nashville Sunday afternoon and was back home last night (Tuesday). Thanks to lots of advanced planning, I was able to map out and fill my less than 48 hours trip!

We started with dinner at the Belle Meade Plantation. The night's entertainment was a singer/songwriters' showcase featuring Luke Laird, Natalie Hemby and Barry Dean. These 3 folks are responsible for writing or co-writing such songs as "American Kids" (Kenny Chesney), "Automatic" (Miranda Lambert), "Downtown" (Lady A), "Pontoon" (Little Big Town) and much more. So fun to see the talented folks behind some of today's popular country songs and hear them talk about writing those very songs.






Monday was our sightseeing day. We shuttled downtown and started with breakfast at Puckett's.


Then, we walked to the Ryman to tour the "Mother Church of Country Music".








The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum was our next stop. Really neat to see all the music and movie memorabilia!








We walked across the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge to get a view of the city.


Next, we boarded the Music City Trolley Hop. We didn't hop off at any of the sites; we just used it as an hour tour of the city with an entertaining driver. We were able to see the state capitol, the Parthenon, Music Row and much more.










After the trolley ride, we walked the Broadway/2nd Ave. Honky Tonk strip. We made sure to pop in Tootsies, Legends Corner, the Wildhorse Saloon and Roberts Western World. The singers/bands were all so talented; it was a little crazy seeing so much live entertainment on a Monday afternoon. Ha!




We headed back to the Gaylord for a reception and dinner. Then, we were back to downtown for a show at 3rd and Lindsley. My college friend Laura told me that Vince Gill is a new member of the band and that there's a chance he'd be playing with them. And . . . he was!






I spent Tuesday morning at or around the hotel because Brant was receiving an award at the 8:15 FSC meeting and Condoleeza Rice was speaking at their general session. She was such an amazing speaker . . . and very funny!


I only had an hour before leaving for the airport, so I walked over to the Grand Ole Opry. I didn't have time for the tour, but it was fun to walk around the grounds and pop my head in. Next time, I'll make sure to see a show!



I was back home by 6 last night. Whew! What fun!