MHS Marching Band

I've been saying for a month now that I would post Jake and his Marching Band. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get a good shot of him conducting or of him in the band. So, for those who haven't seen this, here is a link of the MHS Marching Band. If you watch the top of the screen, the first song, you will see him conducting a part of the song then running back in formation with his drum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC1ZttXhIoA

http://www.mandevillehighschoolband.org/ - is the MHS Band Website that I manage. See more pictures under the Marching Band page.

Newest Pledge

Erin is super excited to be pledging Alpha Xi Delta - I didn't get to talk to her much this morning, but she sounded so happy to be in the sorority. Rush week was long and stressfull. She kept a postive attitude and all worked out in the end.

xi -is pronounded zee, you'll see is written as AZD.

Aubie Hall

I've told this story so many times that I hope that I can keep it fresh to those who haven't heard it yet. On Saturday Aug 8th we moved Erin to her Dorm at Auburn University (Aubie Hall) Her Dorm is brand new. She almost had to live in temporary housing because they didn't think it would be completed by Aug 8th. They still have grounds to complete as well as some rooms on the first floor. It's a beautiful building. She is in a suite with 3 other girls. The suite has a kichenette (micro and full refrig) and a small living room (furnished with a sofa, arm chair and table & chairs) Erin was the second girl to move in so she picked the end room (next to the bathroom- which she shares with one other girl) The room is 8 feet by 10 feet. It's real dinky but it's her's alone.
We got the hang out with her all day. We helped her arrange things and hang all her clothes up (that took forever - we'll see how long that will last). We also did a Walmart run for all the thing that we forgot or couldn't fit into the car (which was packed to the ceiling). We stayed with her until 6pm then it was all tears, but not too long. I'm so excited for her and her new beginning.
School doesn't start until the 17th, she went up early to Rush the Sororities. So far things are going well with Rush, she has enjoyed meeting all the girls. She should know by friday if she wants to be in a sorority and Saturday she will know which sorority she will be a pledge.

*Shannon how do you get your pictures in your blog so nice and orderly - Mine are always scattered all over the pages.

Graduation 2009 - Erin

It was quite an eventual night. There were approx 380 kids graduating (all looking alike). We couldn't find Erin in the crowd - then it happened. She passed out. I didn't notice but Jim did, unfortunately he didn't know that it was Erin until I got a phone call from her in the middle of graduation, saying that she was OK. After the speeches they brought her back in (then I knew where she was sitting). Then the next big event happended. She was recognized as being in the Top 10%. They asked the parent to stand as they called the kids names. We were so proud. The rest of the night was pretty uneventful from there. I was able to maintain my composer most of the night. Grandma Murphy was worst then me (being this was her first grandchild graduating). Erin was a bit embarassed but later she told me noboby in her class realized that it happend. Well, One down and one to go. Jake's ring ceramony was last night, so he is offically a Senior. I'll post pictures on that later - and hopefully some good news but you'll have to wait until June for that posting.

MHS Prom 2009

Prom 2009 - was a hit, she had an excellent time. High School is over except for graduation. Her last class was Wednesday April 29th (that's because she was exempt from exams - great grades). She is now in party mode until college. She does have a job, working at the Gameland. She oversees b'day parties and laser tag. So far she is loving the job.

P.S. - soon this blog will be about Jake, starting with his first day of his Senor Class - May 13th 2009. After graduation, May 12th 2009 - Jake offically becomes a Senior .

Mardi Gras 2009 - Always a good time

The ride was almost too much fun! You see our float has a Go-Go Cage, but the dancer didn't show up, so we had to fill in. Which was too much fun! I think secretly, we all want to be a sexy dancer. But I made sure that I was on the part of the route where no-one knew me, when I was dancing. And a bit of liquid courage didn't hurt either. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) the fun stopped there. When the float stopped we all went back to the rental for the night, because Jim was sick as a dog and Mike was close behind. Apparently he was feeling horrible the whole ride. Later that night he was burning up- I'd guess he had a temp of 102 if not more. How do I know, by Sunday night I had a temp of 102.5. So needless to say the rest of Mardi Gras was spent in a sick bed.

Aunt Grandma - Rockin out!

This will be quick until I can get more pictures up. But as many of you know that I went to visit Shannon and the kids. I was known as Grandma all weekend. Not sure how I feel about that so I made up Aunt Grandma (i hope that won't stick). The kids were great. We had a great time reading, playing Captain Underpants, Bouncing on the bed, and making up scary stories in a dark room with a Flashlight. And I can't forget I had a great time holding two babies (my little sugar sacks).

Jake got Rock Band for Christmas. I wish I had pictures of that day (this pictures is with my and Erin's Friends - the old and young) but we all had a great time singing and playing the guitars. Only Jake can play the drums, and he's a wiz. I thought I might be a bit shy singing but then once I got into it.... I didn't care how bad it was. Actually it was pretty good according to Rock Band Standard - I scored in the high 90s.

Our Thesbian

Erin played a Monkey in the Play, "Words, Words, Words. She did a great job.

Happy New Years

We had probably one of the best New Years in recent memories. I say that mainly because we actually saw New Years start together. Usually, we're home and asleep by 11pm. This Year, Mike and Jennifer came into town (New Orleans) and we celebrated in style. We went to dinner at Arnauds' (pictures of the dining room) @ 9:30 (after 3 bottles of Champagne). Then walked down to the Mississippi River (about a mile - in High heels and a dress) where there were fireworks. Then back to the hotel (about 1.5 miles) where we sat in the hotel bar and had another drink (which I didn't finish). We got to bed at 2:30. It's amazing that we lasted that long. The next day, (believe it or not - feeling well) we walked all over the Quarter, looking at the beautiful courtyards. The Sugar Bowl was the next day, so lots of Alabama and Utah fans were in town. It was great to also people watch. We made it back home to a clean (kinda of) not partied house. The kids are too good or I'm just that naive. Happy New Year to all, lets hope this year will be better then last year.

It's Snowing!!!!

It hasn't snowed here since Christmas Day 2004 and we were in Forida so we missed it. Erin woke me up to flurries. After I got out of the shower, the snow was sticking. The pictures are about 15 minutes after that. It should last until noon when the rain will take over.

What a Fun Weekend.

First was the Football game: The kids in the band just had such a great time. Since the football game was held on Friday (Halloween) they let the band dress in costumes. Jake wore Jim's Pimp costume from Mardi Gras. You could see him from across the field without any problems, he is the one in the flaming Yellow/Green Coat. You might have to watch the video a couple times to see all the fun outfits.
Second was after work on Saturday: I went to the Mall to pick up something real quick from William Sonoma (which they didn't have). When I was there, I noticed that Tim Gunn from Guide to Style and Project Runway was going to be in Macy's @ 1:00pm. So I went to check it out. It turned out that he was hosting a Fashion Show @ Macy's . So I called Erin right away, so she could get to the Mall to see him. I was standing in line and started talking to the women around me. Long story, but one woman actually had 2 tickets for seats in the show and invited me to sit with her. So I got to view the show (seated). Erin got there pretty late but she was able to see the show from the back. At the end of the show he did a Q&A session which was funny. It was great to see him up close. I did get some pictures but on my cell phone and I can't figure out how to download them.

MHS Homecoming 2008

MHS Homecoming! Jake's date is his girlfriend, Emily. He took her to a nice Chinese Restaurant prior to the dance. Erin and her date, boyfriend Michael. Went to the Lakefront with friends to take pictures then to dinner @ Semolina's. Both got home late (dance ended @ 12:00). I haven't gotten the details but Jim said that Jake had a great time. But got the feeling that Erin wasn't as thrilled with Homecoming. She went to an after party and I won't tell you what time she got in. All I can say is thank God we live in a small town and she never has to travel too far.

20 years

As many of you know, Jim and I celebrated our 20th Anniversary this month. Thought it would be fun to see the difference from that day to now. What do you think? Have we changed much?

The 1st of 2 Homecoming

This is the first of two Homecomings that Erin will attend. So watch for the next Homecoming pictures in a couple of weeks.

NAPLES FLORIDA

Jake's Marching Band

Sorry the quality isn't so great. One day I might actually figure Erin's camera out to get some good action pictures.

Hurricane Tracking - keep your fingers crossed for us.

1.Nola : http://www.nola.com/hurricane/wide.ssf?http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT07/refresh/AL0708W5+gif/143912W_sm.gif
2. Intellicast: http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Hurricane/Active.aspx?storm=1&type=track
3. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/storm/content/storm/homepage/index.html

Jake's 16 - Hurrah!!!! and Driving - Yippee!!!

My baby is growing up.

Artist?

Maybe not! Last weekend I went to a Painting Party and this is what we painted. It's suppose to look like this: http://www.corksncanvas.com/503Girod/classes/september20.html. It fashioned after these pictures http://shs.starkville.k12.ms.us/~nh1/images/michalopoulos%20top%20notch.jpg Should i quit my day job?

Dinner

Except for the fact that school started on Friday, it's been a quite week. The bright spot was this dinner. A friend had a meeting in Massachussets and he brought back lobsters. Yummy! this had to be the best lobster dinner I've had in 20 years.