A Panoply Weekend

April 25-27, 2008

We spent the whole weekend at Panoply. It may be the first one for Wren, but it is Panoply's 27th year! I'm sad to say that I'm old enough to remember the first one. It was when I was 10 years old in about the 4th grade. It was started in 1982 by the Junior League of Huntsville in which my mother was a member and so she worked as a volunteer at the first handful of Panoplies. My, oh my how Panoply has grown since those early days! The Panoply Arts Festival is now organized by the Arts Council of Huntsville.

Photos and video from our first evening at Panoply - Friday, Day 1




Saturday we visited the International Tent to see the performance by the Huntsville Chinese Association. Then we met our friends Sandy and Brian for the fireworks. It was another fun day!

Photos and video from Saturday


Chinese Lion Dance


Girls from the Huntsville Chinese School doing a fan dance.


A man playing a Chinese flute


On Sunday, we went to Panoply with Wren's cousin Ryan. Wren and Ryan made crafts and played the drums. In the evening, Jason, Lee Anne and Wren went to see one of our favorite local bands/musicians, Microwave Dave (and the Nukes).

Photos and video from Sunday, our third and final day of Panoply.


Microwave Dave & the Nukes


Another quick video of Microwave Dave

Happy Birthday Sissy!

Sissy's birthday was today and we had fun celebrating with dinner on the back patio at her house.


Sissy and Wren with her birthday pot holders from Sweden.


Sissy and her two girls.

But before the party we went to Ryan's t-ball game.

That's her in the blue playing first base.


Here she is hitting the ball.


And crossing home plate while she gives her coach a five.

Roller Derby

We had a great time at the Dixie Derby Girls first home bout of the season. Join in the fun at the next one on May 18th.

Lookin' Pretty

A Sunday at church

Earth Day Celebration

We visited the Hayes Nature Preserve in Huntsville for their Earth Day celebration. This is the second year Jason and I have been. The first was a few years ago before we moved to Italy. It's a great event. Aunt Lauren and cousin Ryan came with us. We saw snakes, a baby llama, a turtle (wren's favorite), baby bears, an owl (Wren's second favorite), a tiny baby oppossum and a baby squirrel.


Wren, Daddy and Ryan


Ryan with Aunt Lauren


The snake man


Ryan petting the baby llama


Wren loved this turtle!

Wren's Tricycle

Big Girl Panties

We thought we might give the big girl panties a whirl. Unfortunately, she pottied in her panties every time. At least the last time she realized what was going on because as she was in midstream she looked over at me with a worried look on her face and said, "Uh oh, no diaper." We'll give potty training a try again next month.


Look at my pantiess! Aren't they cool?


Say cheese!


Doing the panty dance.

Great Gramps

April 5-7, 2009

We took a trip up I-65 to visit with Wren's great grandfather (Jason's grandfather). Gramps was looking good and Speedway (Indianapolis) hadn't changed much.




On our way home, we made a pitstop at the Tennessee welcome center and enjoyed some snacks.

Lipstick Lunacy

Wren found some lipstick during nap time and put it on. Isn't she pretty?



But Mommy didn't learn her lesson and This is how we found her after nap time a few days later. (In case you're wondering, dish soap takes out lipstick stains.)


I didn't do anything...


Really!


OK - you're onto me.


I'm sorry.