Owen's Smoky Mountain Field Trip

Owen has been looking forward to his fifth-grade field trip to the Smoky Mountains all year, and it did not disappoint.  He had such a wonderful time.  His group spent three days / two nights exploring Pigeon Forge and the surrounding areas. Granny Mel went as a chaperone, and she also had a great time. 

Day one began early.  The bus pulled out at 5:00 a.m.  The students headed to Rock City and then they attended Dolly's Dixie Stampede later that evening.  Owen said that his favorite part of this day is when the group made a conga line and went around the room at the stampede pre-show. 

 Day two started off with a visit to the Titanic museum.  Everyone was given the identity of a Titanic passenger at the beginning of the tour, and then you get to see what happened to "you" at the end.  Owen and Granny Mel were both survivors. 

After the Titanic, the group traveled to Ober Gatlinburg where they participated in activities such as ice skating, sight-seeing via the scenic chair lift, and riding the mountain coaster.  That evening, they attended the Hatfield and McCoy's Dinner Feud show.  This was Owen and Mel's favorite thing of the whole trip (and it was mine when I went on this trip with Olivia last year).  This show is just so entertaining.   

Before coming home, the group visited "The Island" entertainment complex to do some shopping.  Everyone had a great time on the trip. 

Baileys Wedding

You know you're old when both of your flower girls are married.  My youngest cousin Bailey tied the knot with her beau last weekend.  We are all so excited for this happy couple and were thrilled to help them celebrate this day.  The wedding was just perfect.  The ceremony was held lakeside out in the country.  Their reception was in a "fancy" barn and was lots of fun.   Bailey is the last of my girl cousins to get married.  I love weddings, so the boys better get crackin'. 

Father Daughter Dance

 Olivia and Brian had a great time at the Father-Daughter Dance again this year.  They kept with their tradition of eating at Captain Joe's prior to the dance and then boogieing the night away.  Owen and I also had a great time at our mother-son movie night.  We went and saw "The Kid Who Would Be King". 

Biking on Jekyll

The kids and I had an extra day off over President's Day Weekend, so we decided to do one of our favorite activities- go biking on Jekyll.  We rode for four solid hours.  Our journey took us all around the historic district, alongside the marsh, through the woods, and beside the ocean.  While riding, we kept our eyes peeled for "treasure" globes, but we didn't spot any.  We had a fantastic time.  Jekyll Island is such a gem- definitely one of my favorite places in Georgia.

State Robotics Competition

 Owen's robot and several others from his school qualified for the state robotics competition this year.  Owen's team did a great job and finished 8th in skills and 15th in alliance.  What a nice way to finish the season!  So proud of these kids and all of their hard work.