The Sunny South, Eh?

On Friday evening of last week, (Well, not last week anymore, but when this post began to be written) we were invited to the Grave's home to celebrate Ben's 13th Birthday. It was a wonderful evening filled with fellowship and fun!

The cake prepared by Mrs. Graves and Jessica.
Mrs. Stokes and Mrs. Sykes enjoy eachother's company. Mrs. Stevens and little William
Thomas Sykes was my companion for a time, and agreed to have his picture takes with me.
Margaret and Victor play with the little house. :)
Jess and Kitty smile for the annoying photographer. :)
Sammy and Emma share pastc cups.

(The sole reason behind either of them obtaining a plastic cup, was to dump out the liquid currently occupying it, and leave the cup in a crushed pile on the floor.) :)

Ben thought that our card was funny.
Once everyone arrived, we all gathered to sing happy birthday to Ben.

Three big boys with three big peices of cake.

(What are they all looking at?)

Matthew and Matthew
Mrs. Graves in an animated discussion with some other adults.
Friends

Ariana, Rachel, Gracie and, in the background, Christiana and Mary.

Father and Son.

Mr. Graves spoke words of wisdom to us all. Rachel and I
Gabriel, Christiana and Michael
Mary, Christiana and I.

Oh, and look who snuck in the picture?!

The night got late... :)

RG, Sam, Ben and Jordan played some music.

Again, look who had to get in the picture?

(I'm telling you! He has a radar! We turned around, and he was there staring in on us.)

Ban has just put RG's hat on his head, and starts going into convulsions.Apparently, it did not have quite the same effect on Stephen. ;)

There were, of course, the usual volleyball games

throughout the evening. :)

Daddy serves the ball.

Jordan and Gabriel bend over backwards to return it. :)

At one point, the teams were, Adults, Girls, and Boys. I believe the adult's team became the all-time champions, and the girls team lost every game. :(

The white T-shirt brigade Against the adults

The adults have just won the match!! A fellow photographer, Ariana, captures the exciting moment!

A little romance on the volleyball court?

The next day, we attended a recital for Mrs. Pollock's music students (Her Grandchildren)
The Pollock Family Singers!

The whole group

The Paparatzi (Spelling?)

Mama and Rosie enjoyed all the music.

Let me introduce y'all to my ...um... best? friends. Well, they seem to like me a lot, as they seem to continually end up in my hair.
These spiders are as common in Florida this time of year as mosquitos are. (Well, not quite as common) ;) A beetle I found
Ahhh! A monster!!

On Tuesday, we went to our 4-H meeting.

Gracie and Mary
Friends, Abby, Markie and Caitlyn.
Markie and Abby "Co-Song-leaders" lead the club in a Happy Birthday song for some members.

Our gallant leader Mrs. Stevens

Of course, after the meeting we had to stop in and visit our old friend Sonny's Real Pit BBQ!
And.. Get Sweet Teas. :)




That evening, the Stricklens joined us for dessert and games.

While some played Dutch BlitzSome bakes snickerdoodles and brownies
Some shot their uncles with beetlesAnd some got shot! :)

And some played with their dolls Look!
Thursday, Gracie and I had our voice lessons with our sweet teacher, Christie Bell. (I think she is beginning to despair over my abilities or non abilities to sing in Italian) ;)

Saturday was spent working on our nursery business.
Daddy checks for catapillars
Kitty took this picture of all the boots in the girl's room.

Who agrees that there are alot of them for 5 girls!?! :)