Rooms With a View

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Now, the two videos of Mitchell's choir singing at the 9/11 event. It is really hard to see Mitchell. He is in the middle, second row. He has a short sleeve shirt on. Good luck and enjoy!

   

We are so proud of Mitchell for participating in this event!

MARINE CORPS SILENT DRILL TEAM

This amazing group performed at the 9/11 event on Sunday. I have truly never seen anything like this. My battery died so I did not get all of it. Prepare to be impressed.

 

TEN YEARS LATER

On Sunday, 9/11, Mitchell participated in a 9/11 memorial event held at Wofford University. He was part of the Unified Spartanburg High School Choir. We went as a family. The event was put on by the Spartanburg Police Department and Fire Department. It turned out to be an amazing and emotional event. I took a few photos and shot a few videos. First, the photos.

At the beginning of the event, they let lose some doves. Mitchell's group is across the field in the stands.

The doves.

The doves leaving the stadium.

We sat fairly close but the view on the mega tron was better. The emcee was Bill Crabtree who is a local newsman.

Vinny, Maddy & Patrick.

This scottish band got my tears flowing.

Flags representing the states where first responders came from.

The flags and the HUGE United States Flag in the background.

Helicopter fly by.

The Mayor of Spartanburg, Junie B. White.

As good as I could get of Mitchell's choir.

This firefighter was first responder on 9/11 and has now retired to Spartanburg. He got me crying, then a video had us all in tears. It was a beautiful ceremony. Videos tomorrow.

ALLISON!

Vinny's best friend Allison, moved to Charleston this summer. On Friday, she came back to Sparkle City to visit her father and we were lucky enough to have her spend the night. Saturday we had a few of their friends over as well. On Friday, she and Vinny went for a walk and took a few photos...

Silly, beautiful girls.

Allison looking a little vampy.

And Vinny being vampy.

Allison leaping for joy!

A great shot of Vinny leaping for joy!

Road kill.

Tree Hugger.

Pointing at a house.

Heather, Allison, Vinny & Olivia.

Then they went for a swim. Yes, it is still warm enough to swim. The pool temp was 87 on Saturday.

It was a great day! We are already missing our sweet Allison and looking forward to her next visit!

BACK TO OCEAN LAKES!

Once again, I have run out of photos to blog so I am back to the photos from Mitchell's trip to Ocean Lakes (Myrtle Beach) back in July.

I received this photo in Black & White. The boys cruising the beach. Can you believe how crowded it is?

Landon, Mitchell & Tanner with the Lemonade Stand girl.

Landon & Mitchell.

Landon, Ethan, Justin, Mitchell (pointing, not flipping the bird) and Tanner.

Mitchell gazing into the heavens.

Mitchell & Ethan. I am not sure why they are always looking up. Must be a Lacrosse thing.

The gang.

The backside of the gang.

Justin, Mitchell & Landon.

What can I say? 

Again, I am speechless.

Mitchell juggling bocce balls. Yes, they are very heavy.

My son of many talents. More Ocean Lakes photos on Monday. Have a great weekend!

ARM WRESTLING!

At our Labor Day Barbecue, Mitchell and Susan had an arm wrestling contest and then Patrick and Mitchell went at it. Susan was a champion body builder in her day. When I saw the size of her muscles, I thought she might beat Mitchell. Here are the videos...

LABOR DAY 2011

We had Maddy, her mom Susan, her step dad Paul and her brother Jordan over for a barbecue on Sunday. The weather was due to be crappy on Monday so we opted for Sunday. I spent so much time laughing that I did not take as many photos as I usually do.

Charlie made Fillet Mignon and it was yummy! 

Photos from dinner.

Maddy, Susan, and Jordan. Yes, Maddy as tiny as she is, is taller than her mom.

Maddy and her beautiful mom.

Jordan and Mitchell.

After dessert, the kids went to see a movie in 3D. Some movie called Shark Night.

Vinny is collecting 3D glasses.

When the kids got home and had changed into something more comfortable, Maddy and I discovered that we wore matching outfits.

It was a great holiday. I hope you had a great weekend as well.

FARMER'S DAY!

Now for the photos of Farmer's Day.

Mitchell in his camo and Farmer's Day t-shirt.

The schools in our district sell these t-shirts all week. 

Vinny in her new boots!

Vinny did not want a t-shirt. She can rock these braids.

I wanted to see how well camo worked in front of our tree. It works pretty well.

I hope you had a nice Labor Day weekend!

THROWS & REDNECKS!

Patrick finally found the perfect graduation gift for Maddy. Yes, she graduated in May but somethings are worth the wait.

The date is their anniversary. Even though they have been best friends for almost 4 years, they have been dating for 3 1/2 months.

Now, to the redneck portion of this post. Every year, when our high school, Dorman, plays Spartanburg High School, it is called Farmer's Day. I am not sure why. In Middle School the kids dress up on Friday. In the High School, the kids dress up every day. Mitchell and his friends decided to wear camouflage overalls. We shopped and shopped and finally found some at Walmart. Dressing up in camouflage prompted a photo shoot in the hunting aisle.

Patrick looks like he has chew in his mouth. Mitchell looks like a blow fish.

Maddy, Vinny & Patrick rocking the hats.

The only size overalls they had in stock were XL so they are quite a bit big.

Monday morning before school.

My adorable, preppy boy turned Redneck puffer fish. Thank goodness it all ends today. Vinny will be dressed up today so I will post photos on Monday. Sorry no post yesterday. I have been a bit under the weather. Happy Labor Day weekend!