Rooms With a View

BACK TO SCHOOL YOUTH MINISTRY PARTY!

Man, that title is a mouth full. A week ago, after mass, the kids were invited to attend a party with the Youth Ministry. If you are not aware of what the Youth Ministry is, well, it is a youth group through our Catholic Church. Mitchell's age group will meet once a week and Vinny's meet once a month. We decided to all go including Patrick. I of course, took a few million photos some of which I will share with you, my devoted readers.

Vinny in a boat full of boys. Mitchell was behind them and Patrick was on the side of the pool to make sure there was no funny business.

Patrick waiting in line for the diving board.

Me and my honey.

Mitchell jumping on to a giant inner tube.

 

Eric with Father Ted.

Father Ted watching Mitchell.

Part of the group.

Patrick jumping on to the giant inner tube.

These two crazy boys are flipping while one is on the other one's shoulders. Crazy!

Patrick landing in the giant inner tube.

Saying grace before dinner.

And, more kids saying grace. Mitchell is on the diving board. 

It was such a great day! Thank you to the Sipple family for hosting the party and thank you to Alison for inviting us!

FIRST & LAST!

Today was Mitchell's first day of High School and Vinny's first day of her last year of Middle School. Now, our High School is so big that the school has a separate Freshman Campus. This campus is about a 1/2 mile from the main campus. Mitchell's class as of today is 900 students. Wowza! Now, for the photos.

Nine fingers for 9th grade.

Such a stud!

Eight fingers for 8th grade.

Such a doll!

So color coordinated.

Time for a close-up.

Vinny gets dropped off first at 7:25. I did not cry since I was too nervous for Mitchell.

On our way to the Freshman campus also known as Dorman Freshman Campus.

And this is when the tears started to flow. They both had great days. Mitchell made it to class on time even though they only give them 6 minutes between classes. This is a HUGE school. He likes his teachers and made a few new friends.

Vinny has amazing teachers and is excited for the year. Actually, she is excited for it to be over. 1 day down, 179 to go!

WATERMELON & SCHOOL SUPPLIES!

Our cool friend Ernie came by one day last week for some time in the pool.

Ernie!

Mitchell.

Vinny.

Ernie having a little watermelon.

Patrick & Vinny.

Vinny organizing her school supplies.

This is how Mitchell organizes his supplies. He touches his book bag.

School starts today! My baby boy is starting High School and my baby girl is starting her last day of Middle School.

DAREDEVIL

Since we really did not take a real vacation this summer, we promised the kids we could go to Six Flags after the Lacrosse tournament in Gainesville. HUGE mistake. It was too hot, too crowded, too expensive and too spread out. Since I am still recovering from the car accident, I did not ride any rides. Instead, I took photos.

The kids walking in.

The kids looking at me. They were actually waiting for me and Charlie to catch up since I don't walk fast enough.

In line for a water ride. They waited in line for over an hour. At least they were in the shade for most of the line.

Mitchell was about to pass out. Why Patrick is slapping him on his behind is beyond me.

This is the newest ride at Six Flags and the kids favorite. 

Yes, the hill goes inverted on the way down. Charlie said that when you look down, you cannot see the track since it is behind you. I so wish I could have gone on this. 

The kids.

That is it for the photos of Six Flags. We left and the kids headed straight for the pool to cool down.

The next day, we left for home...

We had some tired kids on the way home. Maddy and Patrick were asleep before we hit the freeway.

Vinny was asleep until I snapped this photo.

A very tired Mitchell. All in all, we had a great time. Now, if only I could go on a real vacation all by myself.

 

K SDRAWKCAB

Now, for some photos from the Lacrosse tournament. After the boys won their third game on Saturday (the first of the summer) then had one more game on Sunday morning. If they were to win that game, they would play in the Semi-Finals. As it turns out, they did win! They lost in the Semi's but we are all so proud of them for getting that far. They took 4th place in the tournament.

The young man in the gold helmet is Mitchell's friend Ernie. Ernie is the friend who took the kids fishing. He is an amazing player. Too bad he goes to a different High School.

Mitchell with the ball.

Mitchell is in the back with the ball again. He has the red shoes and red elbow pads.

Mitchell on the left.

Mitchell being checked (hit). This is how they attempt to get the ball out of the other's net.

Mitchell running with the ball.

Mitchell trying to score. If you look close, you can see the ball in the goalies net.

Mitchell going after the ball.

Number 28 about to check Mitchell.

Mitchell got the ball back.

And Mitchell.

After the last game, we drove to Atlanta. We promised the kids a day at Six Flags.

After checking in and going for a quick swim, we went to Shoney's for dinner. HUGE mistake. Terrible food and terrible service. The only good thing about dinner was that Patrick ordered and ate something we never thought he would. If you don't know Patrick, let me tell you, he is the pickiest eater alive!

Can you tell what is beside the fries?

Vinny cannot believe her eyes. Patrick is eating Popcorn Shrimp.

This car dealer was across the street from Shoney's. Why is the K not only backward but upside down. Drives me nuts! This is why the title of this post is backward.

Photos from Six Flags tomorrow. Today I will register my daughter for her last year in Middle School and my son's first year of High School. Where has the time gone? Not looking foward to having two kids in two different schools!

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

More photos from our trip to Georgia.

Maddy and Patrick waiting for the first game to start.

Vinny waiting for the game.

Now, believe it or not, I did not take any photos from the first set of games on Saturday. I did video them, but no photos. I did take some of the second game which I will share later. 

After the three games on Saturday, we went back to our hotel to clean up. My dear friend Wendy and her husband Bob, came to Mitchell's last game on Saturday. I believe they were our good luck charm since we won that game. Mitchell scored two of the 6 goals. After we cleaned up, we met Wendy, Bob, their oldest son and his friend for dinner.

Maddy and Patrick outside of Macaroni Grill.

Bob and Charlie. They look like they could be related.

Vinny & Mitchell. Vinny was too busy coloring to look at the camera.

Maddy and Patrick.

Kyler ( Wendy and Bob's son) and Burke. Kyler is the one looking at the camera. After dinner, the adults sat by the pool, shared a couple bottles of wine and talked. It took me thirty years to see Wendy again and now we have seen each other twice in three months. I hope I can see her again soon since she only lives two hours away!

 

GEORGIA!

Last weekend, we went to Gainesville, GA for the last Lacrosse tournament of the summer. We had an extra kid with us this trip by the name of Maddy.

Mitchell reading while Maddy and Patrick looked at funny videos.

Vinny reading and eating licorice.

The kids. We stopped off at an Outlet Mall to do a little school shopping. After shopping, we went to Wendy's.

Patrick found a hearts shaped chicken nugget in his lunch.

Once we checked into the hotel, the kids headed for the pool. Here, Patrick gives Maddy a lift.

Vinny relaxing.

Mitchell being cool.

Vinny & Maddy.

Vinny & Maddy found a new use for the tiny hotel pool towels.

Vinny loved having another girl on the trip. Here Maddy curls Vinny's hair.

The boys watched TV.

This is Jo. Her son, Luke, plays on Mitchell's team. Her oldest son is going to play Lacrosse at Piedmont College in Georgia this year. She stopped by our room and we searched for a comforter for her son Josh's dorm room. 

More of this tournament weekend tomorrow!

WHITE WATER RAFTING!

You have heard and read about Patrick's girlfriend Maddy. Maddy has a younger brother Jordan. Jordan and Mitchell have become great friends this summer despite the two year age difference. A few weeks ago, Jordan invited Mitchell to go the the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte. Maddy and Jordan's mom, purchased a few photos for me to share with you!

Jordan is in the green shirt, his step dad is behind him. Mitchell is in the white shirt with the blue helmet. Jordan's mom is behind Mitchell.

This is where Mitchell fell out. Love his face in the photo.

Thank you Susan and Paul for taking Mitchell. He had the time of his life!!!

FISHING!

Mitchell has never been fishing. Can you believe that? Now, Patrick has only been once when he was quite small but he is not a big fisherman. Mitchell has always wanted to go fishing and we have never taken him. He has a new friend who plays Lacrosse with Mitchell on the club team. His name is Ernie and we LOVE him! Unfortunately he will go to a different high school. Ernie's front yard is a lake and last week took Mitchell, Vinny and a couple of other teammates fishing. Maddy and I went by to take a few photos.

Ethan, Blaise (sitting on the floor), Vinny, Mitchell and Ernie.

This is the front of their house. So lovely.

Mitchell did some more fishing from the shore.

Ernie helping Vinny.

Vinny also did some fishing from the shore.

Maddy also did some fishing. Then we went inside to cool off.

This is Ernie with his dog, Vinny. Yes, Vinny.

The view front the front of the house.

The entrance to their property.

Maddy and I left to pick Patrick up from work and left Mitchell and Vinny here.

When we came back to get the kids, I took this amazing photo of Patrick and Maddy.

Group shot. Thank you Ernie for showing Mitchell one of the best days of his life!

OCEAN LAKES!

Mitchell was invited to go to Ocean Lakes with a friend and his family a couple of weeks ago. Ocean Lakes is near Myrtle Beach. He had never been and is now dying to go back. I sent a camera with him and on the last day he took a few photos. Mr. Mills, the dad, took some which I have a few of. I am supposed to get more soon. For now, these will have to do.

Tanner Mills (Mitchell's friend) Ethan Jarret, Mitchell and Justin Mills. Mr. Mills took this photo on their way to the beach.

The house.

The kitchen.

Dining room.

Mitchell's bed.

The mode of transportation around Ocean Lakes is by Golf Cart.

The golf cart garage.

Looking down the street.

And down the other way.

A parking lot.

Ethan, Justin, Tanner and Mitchell eating dinner.

The boys on the beach with their Lacrosse sticks. Justin and Ethan will be Seniors this year. Tanner and Mitchell will be Freshman.

The boys at dinner. The blond is another Lacrosse player who was at the beach at the time the boys were. His name is Landon.

Mitchell had the time of his life. I am so thankful to the Mills family for taking him. When I get more photos I promise to post them.