Tuesday, December 28, 2010
What happened to Christmas!!
I just have to ask, what happened to Christmas this year??? It came and went so fast!! I guess Randy and I were busy most of December but it just seemed to go so fast this year! We usually do a shopping day together and that didn't happen. Actually, we did do the Black Friday thing but that is it. We didn't do our annual date day of shopping together. I didn't got into a baking frenzy. I did make some fudge and a few candies but didn't make tons of cookies and such. Maryjo, however, did get into some baking. We didn't even take family Christmas pictures this year! I am actually quite shocked that I did get out and shop at all and things did get wrapped!! Poor Gracie's birthday kinda got put off to the wayside this year. I have decided that we are going to start celebrating her bday in the beginning of December from now on so this doesn't happen again. It has happened a couple times but this year due to Randy's work schedule it was put off to Christmas Eve and with the festivities and traditions of Christmas Eve her birthday was not much of a celebration at all. I feel horrible!!!!!! She really wanted Randy to be there for gifts and such though so we waited. Still with all of this it just feels like Christmas, Gracie's birthday and everything else with the season just flew by and we missed part of it. On a good note we did have a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas morning! I am going to be making yummy meatball subs and other yummy snacks for New Years Eve and hopefully that holiday won't pass us by! I will work harder not to let the holidays and birthdays get away from us. I will also post more on our fun Christmas morning later!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Patriotism at It's Finest by Gracie Norris
Gracie wrote this for her writing class and got to read it aloud at the Veteran's Day program at her school. It is a beautiful piece and I am so proud of her.
Patriotism at It's Finest by Gracie Norris
Patriotism in the dictionary is "love of one's country"; but it is much more. If it was not for patriotism, we would not be as free as we are. What is patriotism? Does it still matter? Patriotism is bravery, sacrifice, and determination.
"The British are coming! The British are coming!" "Don't shoot 'til you see the whites of their eyes." Both were brave sayings they went down through history. Both of the men who said those things had enough patriotism to build a powerful nation. The people in the military are giving all their bravery to this country. It is a big, humongous world out there and they are out there to fight for their country. Some of them even die for this amazing country.
The American Revolution, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War are all very big, very famous wars. In those wars, over two million people died. Those people were willing to fight and die for their country. It must be scary to go on the battleground knowing you could die. However, they were determined to go out there and give it all they had.
"We the people of the United States of America" are the first nine words of the American Constitution. While many say they were written in ink, it is not entirely true. It was written in determination. Before you can do anything, you need determination. Patriotism has really got that down pat.
Patriotism is one of the most important things out there. Veterans have courage that none of us can even imagine. Many of them die in battle. All of them have determination. Does patriotism really still matter? You tell me.
Patriotism at It's Finest by Gracie Norris
Patriotism in the dictionary is "love of one's country"; but it is much more. If it was not for patriotism, we would not be as free as we are. What is patriotism? Does it still matter? Patriotism is bravery, sacrifice, and determination.
"The British are coming! The British are coming!" "Don't shoot 'til you see the whites of their eyes." Both were brave sayings they went down through history. Both of the men who said those things had enough patriotism to build a powerful nation. The people in the military are giving all their bravery to this country. It is a big, humongous world out there and they are out there to fight for their country. Some of them even die for this amazing country.
The American Revolution, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War are all very big, very famous wars. In those wars, over two million people died. Those people were willing to fight and die for their country. It must be scary to go on the battleground knowing you could die. However, they were determined to go out there and give it all they had.
"We the people of the United States of America" are the first nine words of the American Constitution. While many say they were written in ink, it is not entirely true. It was written in determination. Before you can do anything, you need determination. Patriotism has really got that down pat.
Patriotism is one of the most important things out there. Veterans have courage that none of us can even imagine. Many of them die in battle. All of them have determination. Does patriotism really still matter? You tell me.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Listen to kateahortons Playlist
Songs we love to listen to at any given time; especially in the car!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
An Animal Adventure
Well, last Friday afternoon we told the kids we were going on a secret adventure. They guessed and guessed were we were going. We tried and tried to get them to bed knowing we would have to get up early to make the drive (which is over an hour). We didn't want to tell them we were going to the Riverbanks Zoo till we got there. What if it rained or something. Boy we would have some disappointed kids on our hands. So we planned on getting out of the house by 7 but didn't leave till after 8 but that was ok. Mom was still doing ok and not too stressed! LOL It was all about fun right! Boy the drive there was good. Other than the constant guessing by Gracie, which didn't start until about 30 min. before we got there, it was pretty quiet. I made all the kids go potty before we left the house because mommy was not stopping! Well, mommy stopped! Mommy had to go! LOL We finally got to the zoo about 10.
We decided earlier in the week to get yearly passes with all the bells and whistles. Unlimited rides and such. While we did that and got things set up and figured out what to do and where to go first, next, last and such the kids played on the lions.
They were having a blast but now onto the living animals! Eli was my partner for most of the tour while Hannah was Randy's partner. Gracie is old enough now that she got to wonder on her own as long as she didn't go out of sight of one of us so she stuck close to Randy the whole time. Unfortunately, Eli and I went through the aquarium much faster than the others and all the pics. I have are of him in there.
Eli and I outside the aquarium waiting on the others to finish.
After the aquarium we headed over to the cafe for lunch. That was an adventure. Overpriced food, which wasn't too horrible but after the kids were whining because they were soooo hungry you would think they would eat their $6 chicken tenders and fries that so weren't worth it. After lunch we decided to go feed some giraffes! What an experience!
After hand feeding the giraffes we headed over to the elephants. Well, that was interesting but in an odd way. We get there and there were a couple elephants in the area. All of a sudden two run over to where we are (they have a huge elephant area). One of the ones that ran over stood right in front of us and peed. Yes, he did. We all said, "gross". Then we looked over and another one was peeing. Hey, I guess an elephant has to do his business too though. Hanny laughing about yet another elephant peeing.
Gracie is getting so tall.
Randy and I enjoying the zoo with the kids. 
After the elephants were the flamingos, and boy, did they stink! We didn't stay long! I think the kids had more fun playing on the statues than anything. They loved all the statues of the animals at the zoo and everytime we saw one they would run to it and start playing on it. We need one at home! It could probably entertain for hours! LOL
We soon went into the penguin area and Eli and I soon left. It smelled like a fish house. If you are from Pensacola (it smelled like Joe Patti's). Eli and I couldn't take it but I did get a good pic. of him there.
Hanny found a little hole type thing in the rock wall they had surrounding the penguin case that she played in for about 10 minutes before she and Randy moved on and she, Randy, and Gracie met Eli and I outside in the fresh air. We then found the merry-go-round. After the fight over who gets what animal that was a nice ride!
We finished our trip to the zoo with a train ride.
All in all it was a great trip! We all had a blast and although we were planning on a trip to what is supposed to be a good burger joint in Columbia we had to not go due to the fact that we were still full from zoo food. Next time we will plan better though and stop for burgers on the way home! We hope you enjoy a glimpse into our trip to the Riverbanks Zoo last weekend!
We decided earlier in the week to get yearly passes with all the bells and whistles. Unlimited rides and such. While we did that and got things set up and figured out what to do and where to go first, next, last and such the kids played on the lions.
They were having a blast but now onto the living animals! Eli was my partner for most of the tour while Hannah was Randy's partner. Gracie is old enough now that she got to wonder on her own as long as she didn't go out of sight of one of us so she stuck close to Randy the whole time. Unfortunately, Eli and I went through the aquarium much faster than the others and all the pics. I have are of him in there.
Eli and I outside the aquarium waiting on the others to finish.
After the aquarium we headed over to the cafe for lunch. That was an adventure. Overpriced food, which wasn't too horrible but after the kids were whining because they were soooo hungry you would think they would eat their $6 chicken tenders and fries that so weren't worth it. After lunch we decided to go feed some giraffes! What an experience!
After hand feeding the giraffes we headed over to the elephants. Well, that was interesting but in an odd way. We get there and there were a couple elephants in the area. All of a sudden two run over to where we are (they have a huge elephant area). One of the ones that ran over stood right in front of us and peed. Yes, he did. We all said, "gross". Then we looked over and another one was peeing. Hey, I guess an elephant has to do his business too though. Hanny laughing about yet another elephant peeing.
Gracie is getting so tall.
Randy and I enjoying the zoo with the kids. 
After the elephants were the flamingos, and boy, did they stink! We didn't stay long! I think the kids had more fun playing on the statues than anything. They loved all the statues of the animals at the zoo and everytime we saw one they would run to it and start playing on it. We need one at home! It could probably entertain for hours! LOL
We soon went into the penguin area and Eli and I soon left. It smelled like a fish house. If you are from Pensacola (it smelled like Joe Patti's). Eli and I couldn't take it but I did get a good pic. of him there.
Hanny found a little hole type thing in the rock wall they had surrounding the penguin case that she played in for about 10 minutes before she and Randy moved on and she, Randy, and Gracie met Eli and I outside in the fresh air. We then found the merry-go-round. After the fight over who gets what animal that was a nice ride!
We finished our trip to the zoo with a train ride.
All in all it was a great trip! We all had a blast and although we were planning on a trip to what is supposed to be a good burger joint in Columbia we had to not go due to the fact that we were still full from zoo food. Next time we will plan better though and stop for burgers on the way home! We hope you enjoy a glimpse into our trip to the Riverbanks Zoo last weekend!
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