Friends.....

On Friday Feb 13th Ami Cragun came to visit us! I told the kids that Sister Cragun was coming to visit and they cheered and screamed for joy. They were so happy to get to see The Craguns (including the kids).....Then I had to clarify that just Ami was coming.....Then came the tears....All of my kids were crying and asking why oh why can't Garret, Kenley, Adi and Ava and Tim) come? They didn't quite understand that this visit was just for the mom's. They did eventually get over it and welcomed Ami with open arms.



We were so excited to start our visit or as Jason called it, our "Restaurant Tour". Ami came in on Friday night. We met up with some friends (Deni, Amy, Angie, Ami, Jennifer and Katie) at the Pomo Grille. This was one of our favorite spots for Dining Divas. They have such great food.! We had a wonderful evening.







Saturday was also a very full day. We started off at Jazzercise. (Ami was the one who introduced me to Fabulous Jazzercise. I will forever be grateful to her for that). Saturday Feb 14th was officially named "Ami Cragun" day. Everyone was very happy to see her again. Many people asked if she had moved back...sadly she had to say no.

Next we were off to the the Mall. Yes, shopping sweet shopping! Shoes, clothes you name it we looked at it! We both ended up with a few new item. We hit our favorite Restaurant Chevy's for lunch.

















We decided to see Confessions of a Shopaholic. It was cute.



Sunday we went to church and had a visit from Laura and JoEllen. What a treat! They brought lunch and we caught up on life.


Monday - We went to Jazzercise and then went to lunch at Ruby Tuesdays with friends. Then it was time to say goodbye... It all went by so fast!



I wish she would just move back and make my life the way it was, but that isn't how life works. I guess I am supposed to be learning some lesson about friends because all of you continue to move away from me (you know who you are). It was wonderful to have Ami here just like old times. I am grateful for the opportunity to have her come even if it was just for a few day. I will count my blessings and be grateful for the short time we had. I am truly blessed to have such great friends in my life!



Thanks to all of my friends and family who love us for who we are, visit and keep in touch with us. Friends and family are the best part of life! Thanks for being part of mine!

The Challenge......

I am new to Middle School Orchestra, but I am learning. In September, Shannon had to audition for her seat in one of the two Orchestras. Shannon earned her spot in the Advanced Orchestra 1st Violin Section seat 5. She is the only 6th grader in the 1st Violin section. Well, there is something called a Challenge. In January, other kids in the orchestra get to "Challenge" other kids in the Orchestra for their higher seat. You don't have to challenge someone, but if you are challenged, you have to learn the music, audition and defend your seat. Shannon was challenged by two other students, a 7th and 8th graders. Shannon was nervous and her Violin teacher also teaches one of the students who was challenging her. This added to the suspense of whether she would keep her seat. It took 2 weeks for us to find out the results. Thur hard work and performing her best, she successfully defended her 5th chair violin seat! We are very proud of her!

Family Visits

Everyone loves to have family visit. Over Thanksgiving break we were lucky to have Emily and Matt, Ken and his family, and Aaron come to visit. We went to Buddy's Crabs and Ribs and helped Matt truly experience MD by eating crabs. We also did some sight seeing at Arlington National Cemetery. It was really COLD!!

Concerts

This was the first concert of the season (fall Yes, I know I am behind).

The middle school played at a county music festival.

We had a very busy Christmas Concert Season. Shannon tried out for the All County Orchestra. She made it and this started our CRAZY concert season. First we had All County, then the Middle School "Winter" concert and then Shannon and Kaitlyn played with the Suitland Strings Children's Orchestra at the Washington DC Temple Visitors Center. They also played in Church the Sunday before Christmas. It was a lot of fun and it is good for the girls to share their talent. (Kaitlyn started playing in July).

(Kate Slade, Shannon, Kaitlyn and Deni McMurray, the Girls Violin teacher)