Madhouse!

Last TV season, Brian and I got hooked on a reality show! Yep, hard to believe, but we did. It's called "Madhouse" and was/is on the History Channel. Speed Channel is trying to get it now. Anyway, it follows several racing families that race Open Wheel Modified cars at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC. So, for my birthday Brian planned a trip for us to go to a race and it was AWESOME!! We got to go in the pits, meet the drivers and their families, talk to the track manager, and just soak it all in. And, best of all, it really was just like you see it on TV. I got to meet my FAVorite driver, Burt Myers too! If you're interested in knowing more about the track: http://www.bowmangrayracing.com/.

We stayed at the Brookstown Inn, an old cotton mill. We walked to dinner and had the best fish tacos ever at a neat Latin restaurant called Noma! See our clean plates.

My fabulous husband at a yummy Greek restaurant, Mooney's, also in downtown Winston-Salem.

Burt's #1 car coming off the hauler. Me and Burt!!! He was SO, super nice! His wife and Mama sold me the t-shirt.

Burt's younger brother, Jason, driver of the #4 car.

On the track at the Madhouse!

Krazy for Kindergarten!

Sam's 1st day of kindergarten was GREAT! On the way to school he said, "Mommy, I'm so excited. I'm more excited than you!" I must have a really good poker face! Yes, I was excited but also a little sad and anxious. Most of all though, I'm so very, very proud our our boy. We walked him to his classroom, took some pictures, chatted a little, said our goodbyes and walked out the door. Then, MY flood-gate opened!

I couldn't help but do a little comparison with pictures I took last year that are very similar to pictures I took this year. It's amazing how much Sam has grown and matured in appearance.

LOOK at the difference from last year to this year!!!!!

My handsome boys.

Pre-K, August '09 and now Kindergarten, August '10

And in case you're wondering....you pronounce Sam's teacher's name like this: "show-kwist".

camping with cousins

We had a fun time time camping with our cousins a few weeks ago at John Tanner Park in Carrollton, GA. It's really nice that the kids and the grown ups have such a good time together.


My little water bugs!

Daddies are silly too!

Our rigged-up ice cream maker

that died before the ice cream could freeze....

Our campsite and the traditional family photo in front of the campgrounds sign.

Brice's party

We had a fun weekend at the lake with family and a few friends to celebrate Brice's 3rd birthday.

Sam going down the new slide.......Brice playing on the tube!

Our 3-year-old is not afraid of anything!

SO proud of his Curious George cake and balloons.

Beaming with joy as we sang "Happy Birthday".

And he blew them out in one puff! So proud of himself that he turned around and hugged his Momma!

He didn't hesitate to take a bite! The cake was tie-dye!!!!

Fun presents! Cool monkey backpack from Gmama and Papa.

The absolute hit though was an Alvin & the Chipmunks singing card from Aunt Emme and Uncle Dave. It cracked him up!

Making a pirate fort..........Our happy family!

To be three...

Upon returning home from his 3-year check up Brice is... 37 1/4" tall and 32 pounds.

The 3rd birthday seems to be a real turning point in the lives, behavior & maturity of my boys. I remember when Sam turned three it was sort of this "magical" age. I was really hoping for that with Brice. To put it mildly, he's been a challenge. WAY more than Sam! But he's the cutest, funniest, spunkiest darn kid you've ever seen! He can mock Brian and me like nobody's business. He talks up a storm! He runs everywhere. When he's good, he's great. When he's bad, he's horrible! He loves being at the lake or in any kind of water. He just floats and is at peace. Loves to take a boat ride but wants to find a "parking spot" so he can jump off the boat into the big water. Brice LOVES watching movies and has to have popcorn. For the longest time his favorite movie was "Wizar-duh-bozz" aka Wizard of Oz. But now he's diggin' all the Toy Story flicks. As you can see from the photo he also loves lighthouses. We had to make a special stop at the Tybee Lighthouse, just for Brice to see it. And, if the crowd and heat hadn't been so bad, I know he would've climb to the top - had we let him! Brice loves his Momma and his BB (blanket). He tries to sneak it into his school bag. He's an animal lover too. When Brian gets home, Brice screams "Daaaadeeeee" and runs into his arms. Our great great great Aunt Katherine believes that Brice is going to be a preacher. He might. In church he pays really close attention during communion. When the music starts, he opens a book and hums along. He says hello to everyone anywhere...Walmart, Kroger, on the street, at ball games, church...at daycare he wants to visit each room before we arrive at his. He's busy and social! We named him Brice because we always loved that name but when I learned that it also was Celtic and meant "quick moving, alert" well, that just fit. Still does. We LOVE our little Brice-man! Oh Lord...how could I forget!? Brice LOVES music. He's got rhythm, that's for sure. When he hears music, he dances, or comes running to see what it's all about. Just tonight I heard him in his room, screaming into the microphone that goes with his new keyboard. It was like he was performing in concert for a huge crowd, working to get them pumped up and saying, "ARE YOU READY TO ROCK DOWN?!?!?"

The 4th

We ALWAYS go to Moreland, GA (home of Lewis Grizzard and the Whitley family) for the 4th of July. We pile into the back of the truck and pick up bbq at the Lewis Grizzard BBQ Pavilion. We eat, play in the yard, ride bikes, go back up to the festival, buy stuff, see people and just have a small-town good time.