Mickey Mouse here we come!!!

Ok, just a quickie update. We'll be out of communication for a couple weeks. Just so you don't think we're anti social. We leave Wednesday night and will be back with lots of stories to blog about next Sunday. Until then keep us in your prayers and love you all bunches!!!

More Summer fun at the Lake,,,

This has been such a fun summer of fun at our favorite Smith Mt Lake. Recently my sister Sue and family in tow came in for a quick visit and we squeezed in as much play time as we could fit with those crazy Ratz's! The kids had an absolute ball together and Abigail and Alexander showed how things rolled at their Mi-Mi's house. The Bit impressed all her cousins w/ her fearless "one...two...phree...splash" as I heave hoed her as far as my arms could throw her tiny body from the dock out into the lake, and much to Mi-Mi's shock and awe. We had such a good time seeing how little Madeline has grown so fast and Hamilton and the Bit hit it off as trouble 1 and trouble 2 again. We captured some classic Kodak moments of them all together and it was just heavenly to sit back and watch everyone play in the warm August sunshine. Our sweet Nonee tried to keep up with everyone and did scarily well at it even w/ Dad's slammin boat ride. Nothing slows that lady down even at 80 something! Just some more good times for the blogg memory book!!

Scrooge Memories...

Well I'm posting these memories wayyyyy after the fact because I didn't get around to working on it till now but I want it in my book. I had an absolute blast this past December working in my church's production of 'Scrooge' the musical. Rehearsals started in September and our 4 performances in the Roanoke Civic Center ran December 4th, 5th and 2 on the 6th to full houses almost every performance, a first for the 9 yrs our church has been doing this!!! It's become a Roanoke tradition for locals. I always knew I was born for broadway (from my impressive bedroom performances of Summer Stock and Funny Girl songs in my childhood mostly only ever viewed by my sister Sue) but life never gave me the opportunity until now. I know I made an idiot of myself enjoying rehearsals way too much and probably more then anyone else. What can I say, it was my first mommy time out pretty much since the Bit had been born. I sat taking instructions on the edge of my seat all fall only complaining that I didn't get to twirl as much as I was willing and able to. Never the less I was in the chorus line and had such a blast doing it. My buddies from my Thursday Bible study (well the wives anyway) all joined forces together to perform and we just had a ball spinning in our big skirts and ridiculously curly bobbing hair. I don't think I'll have time to do it again this year (Booo) but maybe another year down the road when we're moved and I'm done spitting out babies I can have another go at it. Until then, only 8 months later......here are my photos of the rehearsals, some from performances and dress rehearsals. Enjoy!