Wednesday, July 28, 2010

More Summer Reading

The girls have really enjoyed the summer reading program!
Emily & Kayleigh have both received ice cream from Dairy Queen & are currently working on their next prize which will be Girl Scout Cookies!
Go Girls Go!!

r>

_____________________________________________________________________________________
I have read some really great books too! I also finished the Navy Series!!


In this contemporary tale of love and friendship, Jodi Picoult brings to life a familiar world, and in a single terrifying moment awakens every parent's worse fear: We think we know our children… but do we ever really know them at all?

For eighteen years the Hartes and the Golds have lived next door to each other, sharing everything from Chinese food to chicken pox to carpool duty-- they've grown so close it seems they have always been a part of each other's lives. Parents and children alike have been best friends, so it's no surprise that in high school Chris and Emily's friendship blossoms into something more. They've been soul mates since they were born.

So when midnight calls from the hospital come in, no one is ready for the appalling truth: Emily is dead at seventeen from a gunshot wound to the head. There's a single unspent bullet in the gun that Chris took from his father's cabinet-- a bullet that Chris tells police he intended for himself. But a local detective has doubts about the suicide pact that Chris has described.


The profound questions faced by the characters in this heart-rending novel are those we can all relate to: How well do we ever really know our children, our friends? What if…? As its chapters unfold, alternating between an idyllic past and an unthinkable present, The Pact paints an indelible portrait of families in anguish… culminating in an astonishingly suspenseful courtroom drama as Chris finds himself on trial for murder.


With this riveting psychological drama, Jodi Picoult explores the dynamics of intimate relationships under stress-- from the seemingly inexplicable mind of a teenager to the bonds of friendship and marriage. Few writers have such a gift for evoking everyday life coupled with the ability to create a level of dramatic tension that will keep you up reading late into the night. The Pact is storytelling at its best: wonderfully observed, deeply moving, and utterly impossible to put down.


Be prepared to meet three unforgettable women:
Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.

Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.

Minny, Aibileen's best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody's business, but she can't mind her tongue, so she's lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town...

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Finished the Navy Series!!
#5 Navy Baby<;/strong>

It was a night she'd never forget. . .two strangers coming together in one breathless moment of intense need and heart-stopping desire. But now sheltered Hannah Raymond is expecting the child of rugged naval seaman Riley Murdock--a man she never thought she'd see again. . .

Riley has been searching for the elusive Hannah for months--ever since that night of searing passion left him shaken to the very depths of his soul. Now fate has finally reunited them. Determined to give his child the chance he'd never had, Riley marries Hannah.

They had created he miracle of life together, but would that be enough to spark the miracle of love?

#6 Navy Husband<;/strong>

When Ali, a Navy nurse, is sent on assignment she leaves her daughter in her sister's care. When she asks a friend of her late husband, Adam Kennedy, to look in on them the Lieutenant Commander meets his match (and his matchmaker!).

Fireworks Anytime!

The last two years it has rained on the 4th of July! That is wonderful for the Fire Department, but not so great for those of us who love to celebrate! We didn't let the rain stop us!! Here are a few pics of our celebration:


Tommy & Andy
Kayleigh, Emily & Nathalie
Kell House Parade



Patiently waiting for candy at the parade


Doing sparklers

Vacation Bible School

This year the church did a cowboy themed VBS. The kids had a wonderful time! They had a program on family night and it was really cute!

Emily in her VBS class


Emily, Kayleigh & Nathalie
VBS at church

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Happy 11th B-Day Kayleigh!!

I just can't believe Kayleigh is 11!! We had fun celebrating her special day!


Jeighden, Emily & Kayleigh
Eating lunch at Samurai



Kayleigh & PaPa Jerry
Birthday/Father's Day
At Buffalo Wild Wings



Nan, Kayleigh & Emily


Aunt Brenda, Kayleigh,
Grandmaw Elwanda & Emily



Kayleigh riding go-carts at The Plex


Me & Emily


Jeighden


Best present of all:
CELL PHONE


Kayleigh, we are so proud of you!! You are so special & we love you!

Friday, July 9, 2010

Summer Reading

Since the girls have been out of school, we have spent a lot of time at the library! I have been very impressed with the little library here in Holliday!

The girls have signed up for the summer reading program. They read so many books and earn prizes. I have really enjoyed spending time with them & watching the books that they select. Emily has picked a few that have been to hard for her, but I help her & Nattie likes to sit & listen too.

Even though I don't earn any prizes, I have really found some good books to read too!


The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner is the riveting story of Bree Tanner, a newborn vampire
first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the world she inhabits. The novella chronicles the newborn vampire army’s journey as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion.


On the anniversary of his beloved wife’s death, Dr. Michael Everett receives a letter Hannah had written him. In it she reminds him of her love and makes one final request. An impossible request. I want you to marry again. She tells him he shouldn’t spend the years he has left grieving her. And to that end she’s chosen three women she asks him to consider. During the months that follow, he spends time with Winter, Leanne, and Macy, learning more about each of them . . . and about himself. Learning what Hannah already knew. He’s a man who needs the completeness only love can offer. And Hannah’s list leads him to the woman who can help him find it.


It is the story of a teenage girl who, after being raped and murdered, watches from heaven as her family and friends go on with their lives, while she herself comes to terms with her own death.


When a diverse group of women get together to chat via e-mail, they have no idea how God's going to change their lives! As they write, their conversations get "too hot," and they decide to meet in person. Ruffled feathers are soothed, and even super-Christian Jodi Baxter learns that we're all sinners, saved by grace!

Grand Finale

The last week of school, Kayleigh along with the other 5th graders performed their final concert! It was a bitter sweet thing, knowing that this was Kayleigh's last year of elementary! :(

We are so proud of Kayleigh for passing the TAKS Test on the 1st try! Now she will be a big junior high schooler!! Way to go Kayleigh Marie!! We love you!!

Okay so now for the pics of the band concert:



Kayleigh has on the huge green glasses!

Water Play & Ice Cream Day

The last week of kindergarten was a whirl wind! Emily had a fun & exciting activity everyday! I am so glad that I was able to attend & see what all the fuss was about!


Emily w/her friends on the water slides!


Yum!! Ice Cream!! Yum!!


A Beautiful Sun Hat!


Prize won at the Math Fair
Emily guessed the amount of Lego's
it took to build a robot *Smart Girl*

Thank you Mrs. Baumer for making Emily's 1st year of elementary so special!!

Holliday Track Meet


Emily & Kayleigh with their Ribbons


Getting ready to run


Emily & Regan


The long jump (with short legs)

Happy 6th Birthday Maisie


Maisie, Sara, Chloe & Emily

Maisie's party started off at the park, but it was soo windy it was moved to MiMi & PaPa's house! (Steve & Debbie)


Maisie & her Birthday Cupcakes YUM!!!


Sara enjoying her cupcake!


Emily & Nathalie with their sweet treats!

Maisie we enjoyed your party & thank you for letting us come!

The Desire is Back!!

I have not posted in over a month! I have been so frustrated with this blog & nothing works right anymore. I decided to give it a rest & just enjoy reading everybody elses stories. Some family & friends have asked about the blog & said they missed the updates on the girls & all the pictures, so I decided I would get the fire burning again! Welcome back to Stone Stories! Hope you enjoy!