1964 The Tribute

A few weeks ago, our family went to see a "Beatles" concert. It was so much fun! The concert was at the beautiful Tennessee Theater in downtown Knoxville. Before we left for the concert, we talked about what songs we really wanted to hear.

Jessica Yellow Submarine
Benjamin Can't Buy Me Love
Matthew Elenor Rigby
Lauren all of them
Julie Yesterday
Brock Hard Days Night

This great group of look-alike Beatles delivered all of these songs but one. Matthew didn't get to here Elenor Rigby. Darn! I loved that one too. I don't think they had a strings section for that one.

My kids danced and sang right along with all of the songs. I'm so glad that we "splurged" and bought tickets for this concert. The group acted just like the original Beatles. The guy who played "Paul" had all of his mannerisms down perfectly. When he sang Yesterday, I was singing right along with him. One of my favorites of the night was Day Tripper.

What's one of your favorite Beatles songs?

Happy 17th Anniversary to Us!

We have made it through 17 years of marriage. A part of me can't believe that Brock and I have been married this long, and another part of me feels like we have been married for much longer. I love this man fiercely. He is my knight in shining armor. I am a damsel who needs a lot of saving. I wouldn't change a thing. I would marry him again and again. Thanks for 17 years Brock. The best is yet to be!
We came home from dinner and a movie to this: a cake made by Lauren, a card made by Jessica, a married couple made out of legos by Benjamin, and a lovely wooden craft made by Matthew. We had a great anniversary. I love my kids for helping us celebrate!

I Am Stuck Here!

I am stuck at Precision Tune Auto Care for about 3 hours today. Here I sit in this waiting room, smelling tires, gas, oil, and dirty working man (I know they can't help but stink. I would stink too if I were working under the hood of a car all day).

My drive here was a little wild and scary. You see, I'm driving Mr. Stoner's car today. His brake pads and rotors are in desperate need of replacement. Let me repeat, DESPERATE. The car was making the worst metal on metal sound I have ever heard. And it wasn't only noisy when I was using the brakes. The car sounded like a helicopter. I thought I might die! I actually prayed the whole way across town. I had to drive in that car for nearly 25 minutes to get here. Let me also mention, I got lost. I had to call Mr. Stoner and have him get me turned around. Ugh! At least I've got my computer, and the vending machine is about 10 feet from me.

Abstract Painting

Ben's palettes alone were incredibly artful.

Working hard...

"Slime" by Ben

"Red and Blue" by Matthew

"New Dream" by Jessica

The Cove

Playing in the water...

Playing in the sand...

Um, is that Nemo in the water next to Matthew?

Yummy!

Muddy buddies.

Don't you love the Tennessee orange clay?

This is still Jessica, by the way.

Magazine Flowers

Four young women + boredom = craft time!

They were super easy to make, and turned out so cool!


Folding, gluing, then displaying. Super simple!

Click here for tutorial.

Upstate New York- Final Part Four

Margaret Elizabeth Gunn Stoner

Saturday morning we were all reminded of why we made the trip to New York.

Great Grandma Stoner had a beautiful funeral service.

The words of her life and the music invited the Spirit into the meeting.

She was a wonderful woman and a great example to us all.
The roses placed on her casket were a small way to express our love for her.

But the best part of all that was said, is that we know she isn't really gone.

We will see her once again beyond the veil.

Ayden, William, and Benjamin liked

reading the names of other ancestors in the cemetery.

All of the Great-Grandchildren were given a yellow rose

to place on the casket before it was lowered.

I will cherish this picture of me, my sister, and my Grandma forever.

I am grateful to know I have been sealed to my family for time and all eternity.

I know that even when my own Grandma leaves this life, I will see her again.

After the funeral, we traveled for about an hour to find the Finger Lakes.

On our way we saw several Amish people with their buggies.
There was even parking for horses at Walgreen's!

When we finally found the Finger Lakes park,

the boy cousins wanted to go swimming.

The rest of us watched, fed the ducks, and collected pretty rocks on the banks.

Benjamin, sucking it in! I don't know how he does it.

All the cousins:

Mary, Jessica, William, Matthew, Benjamin, Lauren, Henry, and Samantha.

I don't know where Hannah, Ayden, and Colton were.

We also missed Michael, Joseph, Andrew, Megan, McCall, Elizabeth, and Claire, but their mommies were too pregnant to make the trip!

Congratulations to Ashley's family who welcomed Estelle this week.

The classic "crazy" picture.