Rick's Birthday

October 2, 20009---The kids were super excited to have a "party" for Rick's birthday!

They picked out his gifts---Anna Catherine chose for her dad a fishing pole, fishing net, lures, running shoes, and a new book, "Off the Beaten Path". Jackson wanted him to have fancy clothes but we told dad he could pick those out himself.

Chloe wanted to give the "Danger Mouse" dvd as her gift so we cheated and checked it out from the library. I think Rick will understand that there was no reason to purchase it.

Rick chose to eat at Nagoya for his birthday dinner. It's always a family favorite.

The kids enjoy the chef's show and the food is always delicious!!

Jackson always eats his salad with chopsticks. He's pretty good at it too.

Chloe even gave the chopsticks a try...but she tried them with her soup.

Not a good combination.

Afterwards, we enjoyed ice cream cake at home.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL HUSBAND!

Bodock Festival 2009

August 14, 2009---Rick ran in the Bodock Twilight 5K at the Pontotoc Bodock Festival. We arrived early enough to browse many of the vendor tents and get dinner at Red Rooster before the run started. The Bergerons drove over from Oxford to watch Daddy Rick strut his stuff. Grandmother, AJ, Emily, and Kye met us for dinner. Jackson had no interest in watching the race so I swapped AJ for him. AvaJo was eager to see her Uncle Rick anyway. She had called him twice earlier in the day just to talk.




We watched the beginning of the race just outside of Red Rooster but walked down to the courthouse to wait for the runners to return. AJ picked her spot and watched the runners come in.

There were 348 participants but only 333 finished the race. It is a tough race...heat, steep hills, and starts at 8:00 pm. The last mile of the race is all uphill. Every year there are several people who finish the race and immediately get sick. Rick (in the grey shirt) finished in 27 minutes 10 seconds. It wasn't his best time but it wasn't his worst either. He didn't really train for it either. Next year he'll have a better finish time.

By the end of race Molly was getting tired and a little fussy...

...but so were many others. I just don't have pictures of them. So, we had to say goodbye to the Bergerons for the evening.

We met up with Grandmother, Jackson, Aunt Sherry, Madison, Russell, Trey, Sheryl, Jonah, James, Hannah, a guy friend of Hannah's on the court square where a majority of Pontotoc County had come to watch a bad Elvis impersonator.

There had to have been a couple hundred people on the square...both young and old and everything in between...all waiting for the street dance to begin. A few people even rushed the stage in the hopes of touching the fake Elvis's hand or scarf. It was quite funny.

Even though we were only in Pontotoc for a few hours, it was good to see family and friends we haven't seen in a while, some since we moved 10 months ago. I must admit that I almost teared up a time or two. I miss the quaintness of Pontotoc, our church, and the Wellness Center too. For a town that I vowed to never like, I sure do miss it!!

Heatwave Triathlon 2009

June 6, 2009---Rick competed in the Heatwave Triathlon held in Ridgeland, MS. This was his first race of the year. We were excited that PaPa Gator was able to be in town for the event. It was a quick trip for him--arrived on Thursday and left Saturday at lunch---but any time we are able to spend with family is very special!!


Just before the starting horn blew (Rick is out there somewhere):



The first heat is swimming in the background(Rick is in this group---it looks like a wave) and the second heat is standing in the foreground waiting for their start:



Coming out of his 1/2 mile swim in the Ross Barnett Reservoir with a time of 16 minutes 51 seconds:



Waving to all of his adoring fans:



Headed out for his 24 1/2 mile bike ride along the Natchez Trace Parkway:


His bike time was 1 hour 20 minutes:



He somehow still had plenty of energy for his run (and AC is waiting on her Hi-5):



killing time while Dad is on his 10K run along the Multi-Use Trail through Ridgeland:



















finishing his run in 57 minutes 34 seconds:


We are so very proud of Rick and his racing accomplishments! Go Daddy Go!!!

Guys Trip to Whistler

February 12-17, 2009---Rick, Cliff, Andre, and Mr. Gary went skiing at Whistler for PaPa Gator's 60th birthday. I don't have a play-by-play but I know the guys had a great time!! There's a story about a drunk woman hitting on them at the Rainforest Cafe in Tacoma but I could never do it justice. You'll have to ask one of the guys about it to get the full effect. I'm glad the guys were able to go, but I must admit I was jealous that they were going to British Columbia, Canada without me. It's on my "Bucket List".

It's hard to distinguish who is who in the ski clothes but PaPa Gator's wearing blue, Rick's wearing white, Andre's wearing orange, and Cliff is wearing navy.

Fall Feast

November 21, 2008---Madison Avenue Elementary School had their kindergarten Fall Feast today. Anna Catherine's class has been preparing for this since we moved here. The kids have been practicing songs and dances and doing art projects to get ready for the big day. It had originally been scheduled as an outdoor event with a traditional Thanksgiving meal served picnic style with everyone eating on blankets on the ground. However, the high that day was only supposed to be 47 degrees so the program was moved indoors to the gym. Each child was allowed to have one guest attend so Rick went with Anna Catherine.

The fall feast was an all morning even, last almost four hours. The children dressed in Indian outfits and headdresses that they decorated themselves. Each student was given an Indian name. Anna Catherine was Princess Smiling Face. Each class had constructed their own tee pee and performed songs and dances in front of it. Then they rotated through activity centers around the gym. The activities included face painting, a pumpkin rolling contest, two separate art stations, and cookie decorating. Finally, everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving meal. Both Rick and Anna Catherine had a great time. I'm glad they could attend a school event together.