Halloween...Such a Sad Day

Halloween just isn't the same for my family since we halted our big Halloween party. We really, really miss it...more than we ever imagined! I think we may have to start some sort of new tradition next year. I was glad when my sister in law sent me this picture of my niece and nephew, Jeanne Claire and Joseph! It reminds me of Halloween's from the past.

High Cotton Hunting

Oh sweet Oney, I feel your pain! Judson took Oney to Mike Barker's hunting place, High Cotton Hunting for juvenile weekend this fall. They hunted the ENTIRE weekend and he got nothing.  I truly believe there is a little skill involved in hunting and a lot of LUCK! Judson finally had to make Oney come home. He did not want to come back to Covington empty handed! Poor boy!

World Series...Game 6...Possibly Best Game in History...

Yep...you guessed it...Judson was there...game 6...St. Louis Cardinals versus the Texas Rangers....ESPN says here that is was possibly THE best game in history! Definitely a "bucket list" event...he decided the day before to hop in the car and head to St. Louis...that spontaneity is why I fell in love with and married him!

The "Three Amigos" strike again. After the game, at Mike Shannon's celebrating.

A screen shot from my phone...me following the game on an APP.

Peace, Love & Leadership

Student Council Leaders....

Ally, the President

Abby, the Secretary

I am so very proud of my girls and their efforts to become good leaders. I always enjoyed those activities when I was in school and have been stressing the importance to my kids for several years now. They have both been fortunate enough to have been elected to their student councils as well as hold offices. Ally also chose to run for a state (yes, the entire state of TN) office and won West TN Representative last year. Part of her commitment as West TN Area Rep was to hold a meeting for all of West TN. These are the pictures from that area meeting. She could not have pulled this off without a great group of advisors (Angel and Jo), cooperative administrators (Justin and Johnny), and a hardworking council. It was "flawless". I have NEVER been so proud of Ally AND Abby. From the preparations, to the website design, to the meals, hospitality, seminars, I could go on and on.

Anna Claire, Abby and Joze Smith

Ally and Madison Cranford...

Madison was Ally's "Campaign Manager" and right arm (literally-she was in a cast)  when she ran for the state office! Madison is the sweetest, most beautiful girl...

The Student Council

The Executive Board

I know that this entire experience will prepare them for their high school and college careers. I am so proud of them and ALL of the TRA Student Council. Looks like Abby has her sights on this state office for next year...Oh...a quick but HUGE shout out to Leslie Roane. She not only designed the t-shirt for Ally's campaign, she designed the area meeting shirts for us. She rocks! Thanks again, Leslie!

Fall Break...Rocky Top Bound

WOW...what a week! We have always talked about doing a week long trip across the state, but we never have made it happen. This was the year. The University of Tennessee had a home football game the Saturday before and at the end of our Fall Break. So, it was off to East TN for the five of us!
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<>This was our basic itinerary for the week...pretty crazy...huh!?!?<>

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Friday	10/7	Nashville
Saturday	10/8	Knoxville
Sunday	10/9	Asheville
Monday	10/10	Gatlinburg
Tuesday	10/11	Gatlinburg
Wednesday	10/12	Gatlinburg
Thursday	10/13	Gatlinburg
Friday	10/14	Knoxville
Saturday	10/15	Nashville
Sunday	10/16	Covington

We started on Friday night (after the TRA Homecoming game). We arrived in Nashville very late and landed at the Downtown Hilton. We were coming in town so late that we opted to stay in a hotel rather than wake Aunt Jan up. We also were on a mission to keep our Hampton/Hilton status for 2012 and needed a couple more "stays" at Hamptons/Hiltons. We had breakfast with Britt Saturday morning, convinced her to go to the game with us, and were off to Knoxville to the Georgia game.

Oney LOVES Smokey! He danced with him in the middle of the parade!

On Sunday, we went to a Lady Vol Volleyball game. THEY WERE AMAZING! Those girls were so tall and strong! It was a lot of fun.

Oney managed to get down to the floor to see Smokey again!

We visited the Biltmore in Asheville, NC. It was amazing...even the kiddos enjoyed seeing it.

This was our cabin in Gatlinburg. We actually landed for a few days and really enjoyed ourselves. We played Pacman, pool, foosball, air hockey, pinball, got in the hot tub, watched movies, and just rested. It was perfect! These cabins are so nice. Our favorite one was booked this time so we stayed in this one.

I LOVE this picture! I think everyone looks so happy and relaxed not to mention the beautiful scenery.

Beautiful scenes from our drive through the Great Smoky Mtns and Cades Cove. We were able to see the black bears which were so so amazing. We took tons of pictures and stopped by the road side and watched them slowly move around the Park.

We went to eat at Calhoun's and took all of the "poor college kids" (Britt, her friend from MTSU and Elizabeth Naifeh).

One of our MANY pictures from the inside of the car...the kids were sipping on their hot tea.

Before the LSU game, signing the billboard for our incredible Lady Vols coach, Pat Summitt. Check out this website that his raising money for her fight against Alzheimer's.

Our awesome Almer Mater in the background! I am so glad that our kids love UT as much as we do...even though it has been tough "athletics wise" these past few years!

Our "friend" and favorite Lady Vol, Alicia Manning!

Two beautiful girls, my niece, Britt and Elizabeth Naifeh.

I could post a million more pictures and write a million more words. It was a great week with many great memories! You know it was a good trip when the kids ask to do it again next year! Here are some random happy momenst from the trip...

Football Homecoming Court

Pep Rally

The girls were able to pick a football player from their homerooms to escort them at the pep rally. Abby chose Jack Owen and Ally (could pick 2 since she was in 8th grade) chose Brodie Starnes and Nathan Smith. Those were all some good looking kids!

Meredith and Oney were cheering for their siblings during the pep rally!

Beautiful Sisters with Beautiful Blue Eyes!

The dresses...they both knew before we went shopping that they wanted BLUE! It is definitely one of their best colors. I loved them both...they have great taste!

WOW...What more can I say??? How gorgeous is my family?!?! Oney did a great job being Abby's escort. I was really proud of him.

The 2011 Football Homecoming Court

Our AWESOME "old" babysitter...Anna Laura McGowan

Cousins

Sisters...Moms...Aunts...Daughters

 The "Townsend Family"

The "Naifeh Family"

Ally was crowned Queen! WOW...WHAT A SURPRISE! We were not expecting it at all! We had talked to the girls all week, as well as, as we drove to the school that night about what an honor it is just to be nominated on the court and that it wasn't about winning. I wished that there didn't have to just be ONE winner...Ally and Taylor have been close friends since they were tiny. I just hated that one of them would be disappointed that night. They both handled it with class! I have never been more proud of the both of them!

Best Friends

Mom's surprise reaction when they announced Ally as the Homecoming Queen...THANKS James Hightower for capturing my expression! I LOVE this picture!

I know that I have already posted this picture. It is just so good of all of us and we all have a natural "happy" smile. May have to be part of our Christmas card this year.

How funny is this picture...look at the top one and then the bottom one. Do you see someone sneaking into the second picture??? CUTE!

Our Preacher, Tim Carpenter

PERSONALITY...

Boy do my kids have a lot of it!

Ally with her football friends

Parade Pics

Homecoming was an exciting, action packed, fun filled yet exhausting week. We made lots of memories with our friends, family, and school. We are always excited to see homecoming come and just as excited to see it pass. Thanks to our families and friends for everything they did that week to help us out...everything from driving kids, styling hair, loaning earrings, loaning convertibles, etc. We couldn't have done it without you all!