Sunday, October 19, 2008

Mike's Birthday, Preschool Picture Day, and UGA Homecoming All in One Week!!

We had a really fun and busy week last week!

First on Tuesday we celebrated Mike's birthday. We went out to eat at Cracker Barrel, which is one of his favorite places to eat. He is a country fried steak and gravy man!! Then we came home and had a family birthday party with a Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake!! It was soooo good! It was a fun night!!

Then on Thursday, Landon and Addi had picture day at their school. I had to take a few pics of them that morning because they looked sooo cute!! For some reason, Landon insisted on having this red stuffed bear in his pictures and Addi did not want to let go of her cars. They looked really sweet though, and I can not wait to see the pics from school.

Then, Mike took Friday off and we headed to Atlanta!! John and Andi were already out of school because last week was their fall break. We got to Atlanta late Friday afternoon and then relaxed until going to bed very early around 9 am because our next morning started at 4 am. Mike, John and I woke up and left the house around 4:45 am for Athens!! Mom and the rest of the kids followed about an hour and a half behind us. This past Saturday was the UGA / Vanderbilt game and was also GA's homecoming. Every year they invite alumni back to perform with the Redcoat Band, so this year being my 10 year anniversary I decided to go. The Alumni band gets to perform pregame! It was so much fun and I am so glad I did it!! I really had great years at UGA and loved being back in Athens. It was so awesome to relive some Georgia Glory Days between the hedges!! The Dawgs won, I spent way too much money at the Georgia Bookstore, and it was totally worth it!!

We slept in Sunday morning because everyone was so exhausted and then came home early Sunday afternoon! It was a fun week and a really special and memorable weekend!! Hope everyone has a great week!!

Everyone enjoying Daddy's birthday!!


Andi brining in the birthday cheesecake!!



We did not put near enough candles on the cake!!


Our pretty teenager!!


Our very serious teenager!!


Mike showing off Addi's card that she made filled with stickers!


Addi was very proud of her card!


Mike reading Landon's card in which he wrote "Happy Birthday" all by himself!


Mike reading John and Andi's card.


Landon ready for some cheesecake!


Happy Birthday to our special dad!!


Addi admiring the funny card from Aunt Samantha, Uncle Dave and Kaori!


A cheesecake kiss from Daddy!


Landon looking sharp before picture day at school. Notice he had a hard time letting go of this bear. I have no idea why!




Addi looking so sweet on picture day. I hope she smiled like this for her school pictures too!!



Notice Addi is holding trucks! I wonder where she gets that from???


Landon was making some pretty funny smiles!!



Addi looking at our yard of acorn plenty!! When you walk in our yard it feels like you are walking on marbles!!



I love this BIG Landon smile!


Big brother and little sister!!! So cute!


Addi looks up to Landon in so many ways!!!


Mike and I at 6:45 am at the begining of my practice. It had already been a long morning! Do we look a little tired or what?


Me trying to get some practice in before the big game!


Landon and Addi watching their 'ole mom relive her younger years!


You can tell I was having to concentrate quite a bit, it has definately been a while!!




Me and my friend Amy and all of our kids. She also came to the game, and stopped by where we were tailgating. It was a quick hello, but good to see her!!


The Griner family on the UGA Bulldawg practice field.


Mike walking the kids over to see me at practice for the first time. They had just gotten there with G-Mama!


A happy reunion!!


It was fun because there was really no pressure if you messed up. Unlike when we performed for REAL!


Mike and Landon in the stadium before the game started. Don't they look alike in this picture??


Andi and Addi before the game started. Andi was a little nervous at how high we were!


The UGA scoreboard and the Sanford bridge in the middle of campus.


The Bulldawg field between the hedges!


The Griners in front of Sanford Stadium on the Sanford Bridge!!


OK, I am the little black speck in the middle on all these pics. Our seats were pretty high up, but you can tell it is me.....if you look really close :)




John with his typical "serious" look!


Me waving good-bye as I head down to the field for pregame!


The UGA Arch (upside down of course :)


Hairy Dawg dressed up in a suit for Homecoming!


Me in the middle again!


The Bulldawgs running out to start the game!


Me waving up high to my biggest fans!!


Hairy Dawg jamming with the 2008 Redcoat Band!


Me and John after the game. Mike had already taken the little ones home by this point. They were soo tired! :)


My 1998 Alma Mater The University of Georgia!! Goooo Dawgs!!!! Sic 'em!!!

9 comments:

David, Samantha and Kaori said...

I am so glad that you had such a great time. I love all the pics. Congrats on your 10 year college reunion. It came before my 10 year high school! Ha, Ha! Looks like the whole family had fun, despite the early morning. Addi's dress is so pretty for her picture day and that is very unlike Landon to get so attached to a stuffed animal. How funny. They both looked very cute though in their outfits! Happy B-day to MIke. He is a GREAT dad!

Heather said...

What a fun & busy weekend! Happy B-day Mike!

The Slatton Family said...

How great that you were able to participate! How fun! You looked great out there. I LOVE the picture of Landon and Addi where he has his arm around her...so SWEET! Happy Birthday to Mike!

Jodi Brinkley said...

What a wonderful weekend! That's so neat that you went back to participate. Happy late Birthday to Mike. The kids look adorable for picture day.

Shannon said...

What a fun weekend! OK, I'm clearly not a UGA fan but I can certainly relate to how fun it is to go back and be a part of it all. The kids all looked like they had a great time and I love the sweet pictures before school. Have a great week!

Sandra said...

What a fun weekend!! You will always be glad you went back and participated in the pre-game festivities. Glad to see you are a real "carpe-diem" girl.

Ryan said...

How much fun did you have? That was great!!! I loved how high up you guys were because it let you really see the formations on the field. Love all the pictures of the kids. I am certain you were the best alum they've ever seen.

Mandy said...

Wow! Once again, busy busy! I love all the pictures - I saw some of those from UGA on facebook and I don't know if I commented or not. Anyways, you looked great out there on the field! That's neat that you all went for the game and for you to participate! I love the pics of the little kids before their preschool pics (that's what I logged in to do... post pics of Ethan before his preschool pics). They are getting so big! It's funny that Addi has trucks in her hands because no matter what girlie toy we have, Nina always goes for the trucks or planes! Happy late b'day to Mike! Take care!!

Courtney said...

Love all the pictures! I remember going to all the Creekside games with Ryan and you twirling your flag on the field. It so made me want to go to your school:) Glad you had a great reunion!