Claire and her Prince!!

Tonight we were sitting in the living room visiting with Mark's sister Paula and her husband Chris when Blake and Anna Kate came busting through the door saying Claire had caught a frog. Ironically, Claire was wearing her Cinderella dress running outside trying to catch frogs. Very typical. She is all girl but loves bugs, animals of all kinds and being outside. Very much an adventurer. I felt so sorry for the frog. After about 30 minutes of torture (for the frog I'm sure) she finally let it go. I put her to bed with her beaming and can't wait till tomorrow to go find more. I asked her if she tried to kiss it and to see if it turned into a prince, especially since she was wearing her princess dress. She said "Mom, that only happens in cartoons!" Silly me.

Here's a picture of Baby Mia, Paula and Chris's newest addition.

Silver Dollar City!!

This past weekend we went to Branson and Silver Dollar City with Mark's parents. We left on Saturday morning, got their by lunch, ate and then shopped till we dropped on Saturday. Sunday morning we went to church, ate lunch and then headed to Silver Dollar City for the rest of the day. This was the kids first time at an amusement park and they had a blast. On Sunday we rode rides while Pa stood in line for a coveted seat at a Ricky Skaggs concert for later that night. The concert was awesome. This was also the kids first ever concert. They loved it. The bottom fell out of the sky while we were sitting waiting for the concert but it cleared up and saw a great show. The kids have already asked if we can go see Ricky again next year.

We went back the next day for more fun and rides. Claire is our theme park junkie. She loved the roller coasters and couldn't get enough. Blake was a little unsure about the roller coasters but loved everything else. Silver Dollar City is a great family friendly park and their were so many things the kids could do. Here a few pictures from the weekend.

"Daddy, I love this place!"



Claire can't wait to get on the next ride!Daddy and Anna Kate on the little roller coaster. She loved it.

The flying Dumbo
Claire taking a break
There is a petting zoo part to the park and Anna Kate decided to get down on the rabbit's level to pet it. She didn't realize she was laying in rabbit poop and was just a little embarrassed when she stood up. Oh well.
"How do they do that?"

Thanks Grammy and Pa for a great time!!!

End of School!!!

It's that time of the year again. For me it means typing, giving and grading finals, averaging grades and packing up a classroom. For my kids, it's end of the years field trips, field days, honors programs and lots of playing with friends on the playground. All three kids were excited about all of the last week festivies but did not want to leave school and their friends. They all three had great years and we couldn't have asked for better teachers for each child. Blake and Claire both made the all A honor roll for the entire year!! Here are a few pictures from the last week.

This is Blake running through the obstacle course. Ooops I missed his head!
This was a hula hoop relay.
Claire at the beginning of the obstacle course.
The tug-a-war is the huge ending event at Sidney Deener of their field day. Claire's class won the first two rounds but lost in the finals. Her hands were so sore after it was all over.

Blake taking a break during the tug-a-war.

Here a few random pictures: Here is Claire climbing a tree in our front yard. From the last few pictures, can you tell which child is the athletic, determined child????

Ryan McGaha, Anna Kate, Claire, Blake and Conner McGaha enjoying a cookie on our front porch swing.

A Very Busy Month!!!!

What is with the month of May? It is always so busy. With Mother's Day, Graduations, end of school, wedding showers and for us Mark's birthday and Our anniversary this month always makes a huge dent in the wallet and leaves a very tired mommy.

This year on Mother's Day weekend we entertained 25 people (from my family) for lunch at our new house. My parents came up on Friday and on Saturday my grandparents, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Jeff and their 4 children plus spouses and grandchild, and my grandmother's sister and her family all came. Everyone was in town for a different reason and it was a great time to get together. It just happened to be about a week after getting everything moved in the house. So boxes were stacked in the corners and closets and some walls still need paint but we had a great time. We had lunch, sat around and sang old hymns and did lots of catching up.

Anna Kate and Papa

This is Hudson, my cousin Rebekah's little boy. Notice the watch on his wrist. He is facinated with watches and clocks and wears his watch proudly.

Claire taking a break on the swing.

This is my Aunt Phyllis (in front), her grandaughter Kendall Pfiefer, her daughter Patricia Pfiefer and my grandmother. Thirty two years later, I'm still introduced as the flower girl in Trish's wedding. Aunt Phyllis is my grandmother's sister.

Nana and Anna Kate... For all of you who ask "Where does AK get that red hair?"

"Dear God,

Thank you for making Mrs. Curtis a long, long, long time ago. And thank you for Mr. Curtis and for helping them make my school." ..... Anna Kate Farley

That was part of Anna Kate's prayer last night. This afternoon we had a party/program celebrating Mr.and Mrs. Curtis who started Curtis Kindergarten and Preschool where Anna Kate attends. They have sold the school and today was a celebration of their impact on the city of Searcy. The Curits' and the Farleys go way back and have been dear friends forever. So I was so glad that Anna Kate was able to be apart of this last year and of the program today. She loves it when Mr. Curtis comes to the school to visit. The students sang a few songs and we watched a slide show of Ms. Evelyn telling how she started school and what her mission was. I believe the school has been open 28 years. WOW!!! They have sold to a Mrs. Lively who grew up in Searcy and is moving back to be closer to her family. She a has lot to live up to with reputation that the school has. I wish her the best and am so thankfully we got to be a part of the Curtis Kindergarten.

Anna Kate had the only speaking part of the program. She got the giggles when the put the microphone in front of her but recovered and did a great job. Her class sang two songs by themselves and then sang a song with the entire school.

Grammy (Mark's mom Janice), Mrs. Evelyn Curtis, Mr. Burl Curtis

and Anna KateMs. Ryan and Anna KateThis is Mark's Aunt Kathryn who Anna Kate is named after. She is Mark's grandmother's sister.

Spring has Sprung!!!

So sorry it's been so long since I've blogged. Life has been crazy around here. We went out of town for my grandad's 82nd birthday came back and began working on our new house trying to get it ready to move in. It's been a month, we're moved but not everything is ready. We are still feverishly painting and trying to get ready for Mother's Day weekend when 25 (give or take a few) of my family members will be here on Saturday for lunch. I've already warned everyone, the house will be clean and picked up but not decorated or fixed up in any way, form or fashion.
Between moving and trying to end the school year, it'll be a miracle if I actually make it until the end of school. When school is out we hopefully will leave town for a few days and then I'll come back and have surgery in June. The rest of my summer will be recovering. Here's a look at our crazy last two months!

Ridem' Cowgirl...Anna Kate couldn't wait to ride horses with Grandaddy. Unfortunately this horse did not want to her to ride. Right after I took this picture Dad was leading her in a round pen and the horse starting bucking. The closer Dad got to the horse the bigger and faster she bucked. It's a true miracle Anna Kate stayed on and that the horse didn't slam her against the fence. Dad said he had never seen a child with that good of balance. He said most adults would've been thrown. She got of and proclaimed "I'm a real cowgirl now!" Of course that was after she stopped crying.

Happy Birthday PaPa!!

Did somebody say P-A-R-T-Y...This is how PaPa was greeted by 3 of his great-grandaughters at his birthday party.

Claire loves bugs. She loves the outdoors and our new place is perfect for her. This was one Sunday afternoon while we were working on the house she caught several caterpillars and played with them for a while. Let's just say they got their excersice!!

Easter 2007

The New House

This is Anna Kate, Blake and Claire on our front porch swing. I love coming home from work and just sitting on the swing in the afternoon. It's so peaceful and relaxing. I can't wait for the inside to be done so I can actually relax. Soon I'll post some before and after pictures of the rooms so you can see Mark's handiwork.