Spring Break 2011

Well, I think it is safe to say we all had a wonderful Spring Break, but, we did split up a bit this year...

Jackson was invited to go to...drum roll, please...Milwaukee, WI with Quinn and his parents. Of course, he was super excited about showing off HIS home state to some local Hoosiers. On the way up, they stopped in Chicago at Cuma's a hard rock restaurant where Jackson had the mighty Pantera Burger. They toured a brew pub over the weekend and enjoyed brats for breakfast...plus, Jackson came home with a case of beer...Sprecher Root Beer, that is!

John and I traveled with Mya (and Puck) down south a few hours to Brown County - beautiful area!! We stopped and shopped at the outlet mall for several hours - some great bargains for all of us. We found an awesome running trail right outside our hotel and enjoyed a beautiful run while exploring the city of Columbus. It was a little chilly so John went and found some coffee while Mya and I braved the horses. It was a great trail ride although the lady in front of us was bucked off her horse - kind of scary to watch...and so glad it wasn't one of us! We window shopped for the afternoon in Nashville at all the cool little shops and just enjoyed each other's company...a great, great weekend together. We hope to get back to explore the area with bikes this summer...and with Jackson - his kind of country!!

Jackson on  his way to WI for Spring Break '11
Quinn, Erin, Jackson, Tom

One of Mya's outfits...she really needed to sell me on the shoes!!

Getting ready for the horse ride - kind of chilly!

Here we go... on Snickerdoodle and Shakira.

She's off! We just giggled at each other the whole time...my face hurt at the end! :)

Of course we found some great food in the area too!

Roz's Annual Spring Break Visit

 Roz made his annual trip 'down south' for a few days of Spring Break. He ran in the Shamrock 10k race with us - his first event of the season also. He was so brave to attempt to help John fix our toilets...I promise I already called the plumber!! He and John traveled to Indy on Saturday to hit a couple of bike shops - and they both came home empty-handed...AMAZING! We enjoyed a long run on Sunday morning together and took him out to lunch at Cammack Station with Jackson. And then shopping at the Muncie Mall where he found the bargain of the year...three sweaters for $15! So happy!!

Race morning...a bit chilly!!

Sharing the coke seat
at Cammack Station with Jack-boy

Relaxin' in the middle of the mall
while Mya finishes shopping

Muncie Shamrock 10k/5k Run

John, Mya, and I at our first event of 2011

We ran our first event this weekend, the Muncie Shamrock 10k/5k run. It was great to travel just two miles down to Westside Park and run along the River Greenway which we have spent numerous hours on either running or biking. Mya ran the 5k and was the third woman to cross the finish line - she is sporting her lovely prize below. John and I ran the 10k - I was the third place woman (also won a pair of glasses but no picture) and  John placed 6th overall. It was a very cool morning - perfect for running...a little windy but the sun was shining! We love sharing this passion with Mya and are just so proud of her effort and successes!!

She wins!! ...a lovely pair of new sport glasses!

YHS Winter Percussion Show

YHS Winter Percussion
Jackson - quads, Alex - quads, Jordan - bass drum

Jackson and the YHS Winter Percussion ensemble performed a preview night before their semi-state performance on Saturday morning. The title of the show was 'Journey' and showcased songs from the group Journey but also portrayed a journey from Yorktown to Indianapolis...State Finals. John and I really enjoyed the show and Jackson rocked! He taught himself how to play the quads much like he taught himself how to play the bass drum for marching band last summer. He might have found his talent! :) During the big finale at the end, Jackson whipped his hair around - very impressive!

A face only a mother could love!

Whipping his air around during the finale!! Such a rockstar!

Note - They played a great show the next morning but did not make the top 16 so they were not able to perform at State...but, it was a great JOURNEY!

M/Tom's 'Musical Tour' of Indiana

We were so, so  happy to have M/Tom (G'ma and G'pa) spend the past weekend with us - had a wonderful  time together. They were able to see several musical events, a jousting practice, and see their granddaughter get ready and picked up for the Sweetheart dance. 

They arrived on Thursday late afternoon to be rushed off to see Jackson at winter percussion practice (missed it) but then were able to see him joust at the pavilion down at Morrow's Meadows. The Yorktown High School band played that evening - Jackson on trombone and Mya on french horn. We woke up Friday morning to a few inches of snow, so they called a snow day - yahoo! We spent the morning shoveling (well...Tom and I), at the Y, and then for a shopping extravaganza at the mall with Mya. Friday evening we drove out to Farmland to see Tailgunner perform at the Lion's Club - they rocked the place! Saturday we drove in to Indianapolis for Mya to play her french horn solo at state contest. She did amazing!! ***Side note...I received a call at 10:00 the night before that her accompanist injured her hand in a blender mishap - so Mya had to play her solo unaccompanied - very tough!! We got back home in time for Mya to get cleaned up and Mom to add straps to Mya's dress. Mya was picked up about 6:00 while Grandpa snapped away on the camera. Her and her date looked so sweet together!! They went out to eat with three other couples and then spent the evening dancing at the high school - what fun!!

Phew - a busy weekend...I napped all Sunday afternoon! But, I just feel so blessed that we could share it with parents and grandparents that take such pride in their family!

Sword fighting tribe - Chinujin

YHS Symphonic Band

Snow day - yahoo! Tom did help with most of the driveway! :)

Tailgunner
Quinn-vocals, Alex-drums, Jordan-bass, Jackson-guitar

The Rockstar with his proud grandparents!!

State solo competition in Indy

Our girl!!

Sweetheart's Dance 2011

How cute are they???

Super Bowl XLV Champions - Green Bay Packers

What a game! We enjoyed  watching the Packers vs. the Steelers on the big TV in the front room complete with our Packer-wear, a warm fire, pigs in a blanket, pretzels and cheese...and a big bowl of vegetables for John! Jackson spent the evening over in Quinn's neighborhood at a 'real' party! :) He proudly wore his Clay Matthews jersey to a party with predominantly Steeler fans - that's our boy!! Mya and I made a few friendly bets with friends, so, we expect several different batches of cookies in our future!

She proudly wears her Aaron Rodgers to school as a true fan!!

Settling in to enjoy the game!

Lovin' his Clay Matthews jersey!

Our very own Clay Matthews! :)

Please note - No pictures of me in Packer-wear on game day - if I do, they lose. I wore it to school on Monday! :)

Ice Storm of 2011

Well, we ended up with four snow/ice days last week - crazy!! The storm coated our driveway and roads with a thick layer of sleet, ice, and snow - three to four inches of solid ice and then six inches of snow on top of that! Jackson went out to try and break up the driveway (I tempted him with $20) - he broke two garden shovels, cleared about a 6 inch by 6 inch area, and was back in the house within 30 minutes - no money gained! Mya came down with a fever on Tuesday morning and was sick throughout the whole week - poor thing! Her fever finally broke on Sunday morning but not before two trips to the Doctor's office and... a gold medal french horn performance at solo and ensemble (we pumped the tylenol into her veins!). We look forward to two state performances this month (piano and french horn) along with several competitive shows performed by the YHS Winter Percussion - Jackson plays/marches the quads.

Solid ice - still can't use the front door!

Yeah - no shoes!! What's a mom to do?!?

This is where she 'camped' for five days!!
I used my firm, I'm not kidding voice...
but, she would NOT pull that blanket down!

Mya with her piano teacher, Christina Whitlock, and a gold medal!