Black Belt Graduation

Mrs. Corley (his current teacher), Davis, and Mrs. Boyd (his preschool teacher).

Aubrey sitting waiting with Mrs. Boyd.

Saying their creed.

Reading his essay on what being a black belt means to him.

Shaking hands after receiving his black belt.

Taking off his old belt...

..."soaking up all the knowledge from the previous belt"...

...tying the new belt on.

Receiving his sword.

The newest black belt class.

So proud of our little black belt.

With good friend, Seth.

The Three Amigos who can all be together in class again!

Our neighbors, the West family.

With Mrs. Boyd.

His award.

With Master Zach.

So proud of this guy!

Words cannot express how proud we are of Davis today.  The day began with pancakes for breakfast and then it was off at 9:15 to drop him off at the karate studio.  In all the chaos, we couldn't find Andrew's shoes (they were in my car) and we forgot Davis' water bottle (we got it to him, Betty, he used the one you gave him).  His test was at 10 and we picked him up at noon.  I expected him to be exhausted but he met us at the door with the biggest smile on his face and a huge hug for all of us.  Andrew and Aubrey were all hugs for Davis and both kept saying, "we're so proud of you, Davis!"  At 1:00, it was graduation ceremony time.  Davis was surprised with the appearances of his current teacher and his preschool teacher!  Our neighbors, his best friend, Seth, and his two friends from karate also came to watch him receive his new belt.  Along with his belt, Davis also received an award for perseverance, never giving up.  They mentioned how proud they were of him for coming in October to congratulate his two friends even though his own graduation was pushed back.  There was scarcely a dry eye in the room and several people gave him a standing ovation.  We are so proud of you, Davis, and we couldn't love you more!!!!

Sneak Preview

Here it is!!!  The much anticipated black belt that Davis will receive on Saturday after his black belt test!!

Ballet video

Aubrey loves ballet the best and she was way too cute dancing today!

Aubrey's Little Gym show!

2nd from the left, waiting to go in.

3rd from the left awaiting instructions.

Standing on her "x".

Tap!

Changing into ballet slippers.

Dancing low and slow.

Dancing medium, she's on her knees.

Gymnastics time!  There she goes!

Playing with one of her favorite teachers, Ms. Sarah.

On the balance beam (her favorite part) with her other favorite teacher, Ms. Britttany.

All by herself!

So proud of my sweet girl!

The class.

"Ta da!"

Aubrey has been taking ballet, tap, and gymnastics at the Little Gym since early this summer and today they had their mid-season show.  She was a little shy during the tap part but warmed up for ballet and gymnastics.  She even surprised everyone by doing a flip over the bars (she usually HATES the bars and steers clear of them).  So proud of my sweet girl!

Long weekend trip to Nashville

Thank you, Aunt Betty, for the water bottle.  It will come in handy at the test!

Everyone together for lunch.

Molly Cate & Aubrey are going to great friends!

Deep discussion?

Thank you, Caron, for the fabulous cupcakes!

Aubrey enjoying hers!

Davis & his karate person cupcake.

Andrew loved every bite!

Olivia, Aubrey, and Emily.

The Cooper family (and Aubrey).

It's hard to believe we've been friends for over 20 years!

We were just out of school for Christmas break so we took advantage of the 4 day weekend to go to Nashville.  While we were there, we got together with family to celebrate Davis' upcoming black belt graduation.  Caron was so sweet to organize a get together for him and she even made cute karate cupcakes!  We also met up with my friend, Jill, and her family.  It was an awesome and relaxing weekend.  Thanks Nana and Pa, for hosting us once again!

Christmas 2011

Christmas was so much fun this year and went by incredibly fast! We made Christmas cookies, both sets of grandparents came to visit, we had our traditional lunch with the Elston family, and we topped it all off with sparklers on New Year's Eve with our neighbors. The kids had to be back at school on January 2 which seemed a little early. Hope everyone had very happy holidays!

Silly Aubrey in her new Christmas pj pants!

Davis' Christmas cookie

Andrew's cookie

Daddy helping decorate.

Andrew tends to be a perfectionist.

Aubrey's turn!

The finished product.

After Christmas Eve beignets.

Andrew was the messiest.

Opening one present on Christmas Eve.

Davis' turn.

Andrew picking a present.

Legos!

Aubrey LOVES her Dora chair!

Putting carrots out for the reindeer (notice the chair accompanied us).

Making sure there is a carrot for each reindeer.

Cookies for Santa...

...and milk.

Hugs for Nana and Pa.

Christmas morning, stocking time!

Andrew got a toy fishing pole.

Aubrey all Hello-Kitty!

Davis built his lego ship from Santa in a matter of seconds.

Before the mad dash!

Opening his giant box.

Aubrey's turn.

More lego ships!

What a mess...

...after the mad dash!

Dr. Aubrey!

She loves her princess castle tent (the boys play in there a bunch, too)!

Playing her new Dora Wii game with Daddy.

Ready to eat at their own little table.

Opening presents from the Elston's.

Ms. Morgan watching.

Aubrey with Ms. Nikki.

Building legos with Nana.

Nana building legos.

Andrew doing sparklers New Year's Eve.

He had fun writing his name!

Aubrey's turn with Ms. Shannon.

LOTS of smoke!

Aubrey making shapes.

Waiting patiently to open presents from Grandma & Grandpa.

A pink elephant Grandma made!

Grandma & Grandpa sorting.

A big hug for Grandma!

So glad Grandma bought new mixing bowls for Mommy, I mean for Aubrey!

Somehow these next few pictures got left out.

Ms. Annette made Aubrey her very own Princess Christmas Tree skirt (that can also double as a tutu!).

Aubrey & Hello Kitty in front of her Christmas Tree.

Andrew playing sea creatures with Mr. Tim.