SeaWorld 12-27-09

Loved heading to SeaWorld on Sunday with Scott while the Basketball team went to Universal Studios!!!

I wanted to get a photo with the Clydesdale "Noel"...unfortunately my photographer [Scott] lacked the skills to include the animals' head :( We enjoyed the shows tremendously - here are the dolphins...did you know dolphins are just small whales???!!!

AAaahhhh....the crowning jewel...Killer Whales...

I loved these animals as a kid and love them more now...they are quite magnificent and awe inspiring. Scott was impressed with the size of Shamu!!!

While the basketball team finished 1-2 in their tournament, everyone had fun and learned a lot!

Hollywood Studios 12-23-09

Loved spending the day at Epcot with the In-Laws!!! While there we discovered a Tiger and an Angel...

Here we've got a Tiger and a Monster roaring...scared yet...Well, you should hear his roar...now I'm scared!

Somehow we are all protected by that same tiger with his awesome Mickey Sword.

Thought this little display was quite cute...Alle makes quite a cute little light!!! By the way, Scrooge's eyes moved - it was creepy :)This was definately a first... Osbourne Family Chrismas Spectacular at The Studios. The lights are timed with music and everything...so much fun!!!

Scott even posed for a shot!!! That rarely happens!!! We had a blast!

Merry Christmas!!!

Last few...

These are little stars we found in the attic after we moved in. (We also found a 6' pre-lit tree!!!) We believe the Chinese family that lived here before us left them...there were actually about 100 of them but I've only saved these few. Memories...
Here is our ornament for Reagan...we think it looks just like her!!!

SNOW

Scott's true loves...

Yes, I know the boy loves me dearly - but I loved incorporating his other 'women' in our tree...


lady college football....
and mistress home brewed beer...

oh, the things I have to compete with - how will I ever compare???!!!!???? :)

The Mickeys

Here is my tree topper. I guess when I bought this I didn't quite realize just how enormous it was...now it works perfectly at the top of my tree!
Here is our wedding ornament. It's got our names on it!!! Just LOVE personalized stuff!

Our "First Christmas" ornament. Teacher Mickey!

This one is more for Scott. I think it's pretty cute though!!!

Go Blue!!!

Gotta support the team....

These are our two U of M ornaments. I gave my parents the first one too, they just thought it was fabulous!!! Second one I found randomly in the middle of spring at Replacements, Ltd. (a store for china and plates and flatware, etc.).

So that's what a Wolverine looks like!!!???

Ornaments Galore

Decided to showcase an ornament collection a day for the next few days - I'm getting so excited for Christmas...
These are the oldest ones...made them the year we graduated from Elon.
I'm still quite proud of my Phoenix!!!

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Tried out a new recipe for one of my favorites and just had to share...sound like anyone else you all know?!?!?! Ha Ha Ha

It's Chocolate-Caramel Angel Food Cake. I love Angel Food Cake and thought this sounded pretty good. Couldn't have been easier. I did have to improvise when the chocolate just wouldn't melt nicely like I asked it too...Hershey's chocolate syrup (you know, the stuff you put in milk) to the rescue!!!
Tastes great! And it was a big hit at the holiday party we went to last night!!!

Daddy's Girl!

A few months ago I had become so overly frustrated with my students lack of respect for taking care of our classroom books...the picture below is on a good day! ;-/

I asked my dad if he would be able to build me some bookshelf dividers in order to help the kids keep the books upright when they take one out and maybe that would help them to keep things neater and from just becoming stacks of books.
He agreed he would try to come up with something and I couldn't be happier with how they turned out. I've categorized the books (the students even helped and enjoyed the idea of organization) and grouped them using the white dividers you see in the picture below. They are stationary as they are attached to a bracket behind the books!!! I love it and the kids do too!!!

THANK YOU DADDY!!!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!!!

I've got the house all decorated inside and out!!!

Here is the view of the house - since this picture I've added lights to the bushes. I also purchased a timer for the lights - goes on at sunset and stays on for 6 hours - LOVE IT!!!

Scott calls it torture but I just love trying to dress Reagan up...she definately wasn't into it this day though. This was the best one I got!

Here is the tree all decorated. I contemplated on not putting our tree up this year but couldn't resist once all the holiday stuff went up in stores. Now I've got all the gifts under the tree!!! Phew, I'm glad to be done wrapping!

I took a picture of my dining room table because of the new runner I bought...later I realized that I've got a halloween bag laying out and my thumb was in the shot too. Oh well...

Here is our fireplace. The stocking Scott's Mom and Dad gave me for my birthday along with Scott's stocking growing up work perfectly with Reagan's!!! We now have our family of stockings!!! Also, while I love the advent calendar, I neglected to fill it and miss when last year I got to open it every day to a new surprise!!! Thanks for that Mom! It was fun :)

We will be headed to Florida once again this year for Christmas with Scott's family...immediately after (as in Christmas night) we will be going to Kississimmi, FL for the Great Florida Shoot-Out Basketball Tournament once again. Wish the boys Good Luck!!!

Michigan vs. Ohio

For the game we invited the Grover's and the Chappell's over. Unfortunately the Wolverines did not come out on top but we still enjoyed the time with friends!!!

Here is Brandon giving the Wolverine a little love!!!

Apologies for having not updated in FOREVER!
Will soon, it's a very busy time of year :)

Happy Veterans Day!!!

Mission Complete!

FINALLY, the shed is 100% done!!! Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now...to just finish the 10 other projects we've started around the house....

Donkey Basketball? Believe it!

That's right folks...donkey basketball is exactly what it sounds like. Saturday night Scott got to find out first hand what it is like to play basketball with a donkey. I don't think it is something he hopes to repeat either. HaHaHa...
Andrews High School (where Scott teaches) helped host the event. Competitors, other than donkeys, were teachers, firefighters, policemen, and sheriffs. The crowd was small but all seemed to enjoy themselves!
Here Scott is trying to sweet talk his stubborn donkey into going in the direction he wants it to go. He was fairly good at this part...however, his four legged teammate would not agree to carry him anywhere and players were not allowed to shoot for the basket unless on the back of these mini beasts. Needless to say, Scott made a lot of excellent passes however his team went scoreless in both games he was in.Scott quickly realized this tactic below was totally worthless. The harder everyone pulled on their donkeys the more stubborn the animal became, I must say though - it was quite an experience to witness the event.
Here is a 4.5 minute video of the first game Scott was in. It's quite interesting and hilarious at the same time. There is no traveling, no fouls, no nothing but the rule mentioned above in donkey basketball. Enjoy! I did!!!

Halloween!!!

Only the cutest Buzz Lightyear and Clemson football player I've ever seen!!! You may form your own opinions :)

Elon Homecoming!!!

Oct. 23-25 was Elon Homecoming weekend...wow 5 years has really flown by! It was a rainy, horrible weather day but we all managed to keep smiles on our faces and enjoy ourselves!

Loved hanging out with old friends - photo below is of some of the West End 404 crew!!! We might not have all lived in the same apartment but I think we would all agree that we lived together. Elon defeated Chattanooga something awful and unlike in my day.."That's another ELON ---FIRST DOWN Phoenix!" was heard quite often!!!Rory brought Dagny down for the weekend and I met her for the first time!!! Not like I haven't had the baby bug for a while now but it's definately in overdrive after spending time with this tiny angel!!! p.s. I made her the flower - isn't it too cute!!! (thanks Martha kits)

On Sunday, we managed to 'get one by' Towa and threw her a surprise baby shower in honor of her and her 'half-baked' baby boy, Bennett! While we thought we had spoiled the whole surprise the night before when she accidently caught a glimpse of the invite - I think she was still quite surprised :) Bennett is due to arrive around the end of March.

Tilt Head to the Left!!!

I know I should learn to turn the camera the right way but...you can make due.

Here is Holden singing, "Trick or Treat, Smell my feet, Give me something good to eat, If you don't, I don't care, I'll pull down your underwear."

And we promise, he will be Buzz Lighyear for Halloween...not a Bud Light, regardless of how he says it. :)

Wow, this kid makes me LAUGH!

A Night at the Yakola's

We spent Saturday night with the Yakola's. It's always an adventure at their house. Since we no longer have a roommate to watch our dog when we go visiting we've been taking her with us. Alle and Holden love to chase Reagan and give her hugs. She comes home exhausted.

3 generations of great women!

Hill-billy kiddos...sporting the overalls and boots.

Pirates can often be seen scavenging around the house...the creep up and yell, "AARrrggg."

Problem with bringing Reagan...she decided to roll in something not so pleasant out in the yard. Smelled terrible but she did get to enjoy a trip to the outdoor shower!

In true Moore fashion...Holden comes crawling up, "Sip beeeer?" Dr. Evil only obliges his Mini Me.

Sunday Breakfast!!!

So, Scott and I kinda have a tradition of Sunday breakfast out after Church. We rotate between 3 fabulous breakfast places, IHOP (everybody's favorite), Tex & Shirleys (Local favorite), and The Moose Cafe (our farmer's market restaurant).

This Sunday we decided on IHOP! I know it was sinful but I ordered my all-time favorite, Stuffed French Toast with Blueberries!!!!!!!!!! Funny thing was how it arrived!!! They are doing a promotion for the NFL and serving their French Toast Football style :) I thought it was great.

Congratulations Rory and Joe!!!

Dagny Arlene Richardson, born Sept. 5, 2009 at 11:32 pm. 6 lbs. 3 oz. 20 in. long. Isn't she lovely!!!

The Best Aunt and Uncle EVER!!!

Well, I guess we do get trumped by ones that can take them to Disney World any day of the week but we still enjoy taking these two where we can!!! The day before we started workdays, Scott and I took Alle and Holden to the Zoo. We had a great time and think the kids loved it too! I guess Alle told Holden the night before we went that they would be going to see animals "but they weren't real." Amy said they were and Alle replied, "Not the ones you take pictures with." I.E. the photo below!

Scott, Alle, and Holden cheesing it up on the Tram...or "Bus" for Holden!!! He is obsessed with buses...and that puts it mildly.Spider Monkey Alle climbing the web in the Zoo Playground.Holden and Scott checking out the polar bear cave!Alle and Holden are 'hatching' out of these eggs...Alle was so excited for this part of the trip. She remembers 'hatching' two years ago when we took just her. We weren't even on the highway yet for the return trip when both zonked out!!! I think this means they had fun!!!