White Georgia Christmas

For the first time in 148 years we have measurable snow on Christmas in Georgia!!!

We didn't wake up to snow, but shortly after we started tearing into the presents, the snow started falling and it hasn't let up yet.  We have had a great couple of days just being together as a family of 6 (plus Duke).  The kids are busy putting together their new Lego sets, but are itching to go outside and play in the snow. 

Jackson baked the first official batch of Christmas cookies with mom...special time together.

Geneva and Maddox played "Wild Things" together for an entire day...the costumes really fit their personalities.

We built our gingerbread house 2 days ago and we can't believe it has most of the candy on it still.

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

Big Family Trip

When Keri's brother, Peter, and his wife found out they were going to be stationed in Hawaii, plans were immediately made for a grand adventure...the only kind of vacations the Shenk Clan ever take.  So, for 2 weeks over Thanksgiving, our family, Keri's parents, Keri's other brother's family decended upon Oahu.  We swam, surfed, snorkeling, kayaked, scuba-ed, hiked, shopped and went nonstop for 13 days.  It was a total blast and thanks to the awesome hositality of Peter and Kimberly, the trip was fantastic.  The kids keep asking when we get to go back...they don't realize how long it takes to save up that many frequent flyer miles.  We hope to go back someday, but for now the memories are still fresh and the tan lines there (but fading). 

Our 1st turns 9!!!

The time warp must have transported us from 2001 to 2010 as Emma turned 9 in November and we have no idea what happened to the last 9 years of our lives.  It can only be that or sleep-debt.  She has really grown up over the last year.  She decided on a sleepover birthday party and thus chose to have a "bed" cake.

All the girls had a blast and we got some sleep...all turned out well!

Geneva's Birthday

2 birthdays in October sometimes means 2 blog posts close together. 

Yesterday was Geneva's 7th birthday and, boy has 7 years gone by fast!  She had a few (19) friends over for a "Spy" birthday party. We decoded a secret message, made wrist communicators, navigated an obstacle course, and each received a "Secret Agent" ID card with picture and thumbprint.  The cake was a "special mission" to complete because when you think of spies, no certain cake came to mind.  We settled for a magnifying glass showing a thumbprint, a time bomb and some mini bombs. 

She had a fun and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves...that was what counted.

Maddox's 3rd Birthday

Maddox turned 3 on Oct 2nd and we had a great day.  He loves trains, trucks, and basically anything that he things can shot, smash or crash.  He asked for a train cake, so we tackled that task...it turned out pretty good we think.

Happy Birthday our big 3 year old!!!

Orlando - The Magic of It All!

A few weeks ago, we made our first trek to Orlando to experience "the Magic of Disney."  We had an awesome time.  We stayed in a 2 bedroom condo with Keri's mom and stepdad.  The sights and sounds of Magic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, SeaWorld and all the extras were CRAZY!!!!

The kids each had something they were looking forward to doing:  Emma wanted to go to SeaWorld, Geneva wanted to meet the princesses, Jackson wanted to see the "Disney Castle" and Maddox wanted to ride the train.  We did it all and much more.  Even with 4 days at Disney, one day at SeaWorld and 1/2 day at The Holyland Experience, we still managed to do a ton of swimming at the condo's 7 pools.  We found the one that never had anyone else in it and we all enjoyed the cool of the pool.

We will definitely go again, but it probably won't be for 3-5 years or more...we need to wait for the magic to wear off some...but it was a great experience.

Outside the Lego Store at Downtown Disney

Emma, Geneva, Mary Poppins and Bert

In front of the Jedi Training Academy at Hollywood Studios



Emma battling Darth Vader



Geneva in a lightsaber duel with Darth Vader

The Mouse Ears

complete with names



Maddox loving the train

   

Jackson's 4th Birthday

Our BIG boy turned 4 on Friday and we celebrated for 3 days!  He awoke on Friday to a decorated dining room and got to pick all his favorite meals throughout the day.  Then on Saturday we headed to Chuck-E-Cheese where we played game after game.  When we were out of tokens and our pockets were stuffed with tickets, Jackson traded them in for for a 100-piece superhero puzzle which was completed as soon as we got home...he loves puzzles.  Then on Sunday, the other Georgia Singleton clan came over for dinner and more birthday fun.  Jackson asked for a Lego Power Miners cake...not something that the local supermarket makes in their bakery.  Emma had a great idea for a cake and Keri executed it perfectly (see picture).  How many cakes do you know that actual legos on it?  We all had a great weekend and it was a great opening to "birthday season" in the Singleton household. 

Our Trip to Minnesota, Part 2

My plan while we were gone was to post blog updates every week, filled with our activities and pictures...well, we were really just too busy to do that.  So here is a list (probably not inclusive, but close) along with some pictures from our adventures.

- Visited Minnehaha Falls
- Went on Lake Minnetonka multiple times - tubing, swimming, going "fassst" as Maddox says
- Fished off the dock at "Beep's" house
- Golfing
- Miniature golfing
- Biking - girls road 12miles round trip to Adele's for frozen custard...Geneva kept saying, "This is so hard, but worth it."
- Spent a day with all their great-grandparents which included playing at the park and swimming
- Swim pond
- Playing in the yard; Slip-n-slide, making mud balls in the creek, catching toads, basketball, soccer, t-ball
- Games (inside and out):  croquet, kickball, board games, puzzles, hide and seek
- Valleyfair Amusement Park
- garage sale prep and sale--the kids kept their grandparents in line and were master sellers
- lots of ice cream and frozen custard eating...yummmmm

Minnehaha falls with cousin, ParkerMaddox caught his first fish...uncle Brent gets to take it off

miniature golf...an interesting day!

the big bike ride to Adeles for frozen custard

driving the boat with Beep

swimming on Lake Minnetonka off the boat

Now you know why we were so busy having fun that I didn't get around to blog posts.
And the adventure continues on our trip home...

Our Trip to Minnesota, Part 1

We embarked on our great adventure of the summer on July 3rd.  Keri and the kids were going to Minnesota for a month.  The entire family started our journey on a Saturday morning with an afternoon stop in Tennessee for the Singleton Family Reunion.  Then we drove to another 6 hours and spent the night in Indiana.  We finished up the drove on the 4th of July and got into Minnesota in time for the fireworks.  After 3 days in Minnesota, it was time for Britt to fly back to Atlanta.  During that time, we got to see Keri's brother, his wife and son.  Having an extra 4 adults and 5 kids at Keri's mom's was packed but really fun.  The men put a new roof on the shed while the kids and women played..he, he. 

Britt and Chad laying the shingles...good thing for dad that they knew what they were doing

Next post...more pictures and what we did....

July 2nd - The End of Swim Season

After 8 weeks of swimming every day, the girls finished their last swim meet on July 2nd.  Both did very well all season long and learned a lot.  They made some new friends and pushed themselves further than they thought they could go.  They both have a pile of ribbons hanging in their room as motivation to do it again next year.

Father's Day Fun

Today we had some really good family time.  Jackson had been asking for a few days to make a race track out of legos on the lego table.  So today, after we all took a nap (that never happens), all 6 of us worked for almost 2 hours making a lego race track.  It was complete with spectator stands with many interesting characters (can you pick out us), a pit area, emergency response building, lookout tower, flag stand, winner's stand and lots of different cars.  We all had a wonderful time...those are memories we will have for a long time.

The Girls First Swim Meet

Yesterday evening the girls had their first swim meet.  They are in a small neighborhood swim team league.  There team is the Bradshaw Baracudas.  It has been an interesting time with them having swim practice at 8am every morning.  They have really gotten more comfortable in the water and it was so cool to see them compete last night and be proud of their accomplishments. 

Emma eating grapes inbetween events

Emma swam the 50 free, 100 medley relay (freestyle leg), 25 free and 25 breaststroke.  She said to us yesterday that she thought she would be able to swim her 25 free in less than a minute, that was her goal.  Last night she surprised herself and us at her speed from the start...a natural sprinter (unlike her mother).  She swam her 25 free in 45.75sec and she was very proud of her accomplishments. 

Geneva showing off for the camera

Geneva, ever the attention getter, started out with the 25 free and proceeded to jump off the blocks doing a 1/2 twist and belly flop landing facing the wall...everyone was cracking up.  She made it the entire way without hanging onto the wall (a huge accomplishment) and was super happy.  When I asked her about her start, she said, "I meant to do the twist, but not the belly flop...it was funny right?"  I got the entire thing on video and need to figure out how to load it.  She also swam the 100 free relay and the 25 backstroke. 

They both amazing for their first swim meet and we are so proud of them that they took the challenge overcame it.  They were beaming today holding their ribbons they earned and are looking forward to next week's meet.

Family Beach Trip

Britt had a conference in Hilton Head Island, SC so we all decided to go.  It was a great trip and we had lots of fun playing at the beach and pool. 

Everyone enjoyed the water...the girls learned to body surf, Jackson felt free with his water wings and Maddox loved running in and out of the surf. 

Springtime Activities

I can't believe how long it's been since I last wrote a post...we have been super busy with visitors or gone somewhere else....it started in mid-April with Keri's mom visiting, then Keri's dad and stepmom visited, then the girls all went camping on the American Heritage Girls family camp weekend, then the Taylors came to visit with their 4 kids, then we went to Callaway Gardens (Britt had a conference), then the Korsmos came to visit, then Memorial Day weekend in TN...now home 3 days until we are off to Hilton Head, SC (Britt has another conference).  Inbetween we've finished up school for the year, had gymnastics classes, guitar lessons and started swim team practice...see what I mean by busy.  Enjoy a few pictures from our travels/visits.

On the farm in East Tennessee...hay hauling time

canoeing during the AHG family camp weekend

Grandma Lynda, Keri and grandkids hiking Amicalola Falls