The 'Wood and The Babe

Last weekend my winterguard "came out." We went to Pell City, Alabama for our first competition. The girls did great. They had their show on the floor for 7 days before the competition. The other colorguards had their show for at least a month. So, considering the few snags we have had getting this season off and running (our director leaving, the new director (me) giving birth, my one and only staff member being pregnant now, our writer being snowed in during our winter camp, etc.) we were rather impressed. I had the pleasure of running into an old friend at the show. I hadn't seen him in 10 years....yes...a decade. He and I used to teach a group together. I've been doing this colorguard thing for way too long.

The precious little man in my life is currently asleep (on his tummy...don't call family services please...I am sitting right next to him and his airway is not obstructed...and no mom...he isn't rebreathing carbon dioxide...we're safe) on the couch. He is pretty much the sweetest thing I have ever seen. Don't believe me??

He will be 12 weeks old tomorrow.

Photo updates

From the last two weeks...

napping buddies.


as sweet as it gets.


learning our vowels with daddy.


now on to the whole alphabet.


"mommy, does daddy know i can't talk yet??"


the beautiful, 8 year old applejack.


sky appreciation.


rick and his mom heading to rick's latest presentation.


my sweet baby.


ready to go to guard rehearsal.


rick and the ice at tannehill.


rub-a-dub.


melting my heart.


the most beautiful smile i have ever seen.


night night.


sitting with apple and granny.

The icy south

Living down here in the great state of Alabama means we don't often see below freezing temperatures. This morning, however, it was 20 degrees when Rick left for work. When he walked out to his car, his windows were covered with ice. So, he took his cup of water out there and fixed it. Then, he headed on to our favorite coffee spot for his morning brew. After a few sips, he hopped back into the car and hopped over to work. While at work, he noticed that he couldn't get his doors unlocked. He noticed this from the inside of course. His doors were frozen shut and he was locked inside. What do people in Fargo do?

The long and winding road...

Oh wait...that was last year. My winterguard kids learned their show this weekend. My dear friend, Travis Estler, flew in and taught them 7,269 counts in a day and a half. Ok, maybe not that many. But it was close. Travis was supposed to come down in December but he was snowed in and couldn't make it. So, he came down from Pennsylvania on Friday, we had rehearsal Friday night and Saturday all day, and then I took him back to the airport at 4:00AM. And amazingly enough, my kiddies learned pretty much an entire show in that amount of time. I'm super proud. So, thank you Travis. You have made my favorite teenagers very happy. It is a fabulous show--or it will be. When we get it cleaned up. Rick says it is the "best show ever." He can see its potential. Thank you Travis! Once my Internet stops kicking me off, I will put a video on youtube for everyone to see.

Update on the Swats

I'm so sorry for being so behind. Our little person has kept us very very busy. So...here's the skinny on us:

Praise GOD!! Hunter's sweat test came back negative!! Rick and I are so thankful for all of your prayers. We know they made the difference. The next step for us to get have them test Rick and me to see which one of us has the gene mutation that Hunter has. The parent who does not have that mutation will then be given an entire DNA work over to see if he or she has another of the 1600 possible CF gene mutations. Why does this matter? Future children. We can't go through this again. We have to know if there is a possibility of having a child with CF. If only one of us is a carrier, we are in the clear!

Christmas was wonderful. We spent it n Atlanta with my parents. Hunter slept through his first Christmas, but he was so cute doing it!! Here are a few shots including Hunter's picture with Santa (which he also slept through):

Hunter's first photo with Santa.

On our way to church on Christmas Eve.

The clan at 6:00am Christmas morning.


Hunter...sleeping through Christmas.


The children.

Happy New Year!! This time last year we weren't even pregnant. Now, we have a precious little man in our life.

Rick's mom is in town for two weeks meeting her first grandchild. We're having a blast. My good buddy Travis Estler (wait for it...here it comes) is swooping in this Friday to finish the winterguard show he has started for me. Having a different director situation with my colorguard has left me responsible for coming up with a show. So, what did I do?? I deferred to someone who actually has talent in doing so. Travis is my life saver!! (how'd I do??)