Tiff and Mimi go to see Celine

On Saturday Tiff and her mom met Frannie and some other girls in Atlanta to see Celine Dion at Philips Arena. They were all blown away and thoroughly enjoyed the concert after a nice dinner at the Sundial Restaurant. Sofie and I stayed at home and slept. Big surprise.

Sofie models for the video camera

Sofie could hear the dogs next door and got a little excited the other afternoon. Luckily we caught it all on camera!

Uh-oh, is there still time to catch the bus?

There are bad times for a flat tire, and then there are REALLY bad times for a flat tire. Like for instance, 10 minutes after MacKenzie leaves for work and he wont be home for another 30 hours. Luckily, the school bus was about to pick up the kids from across the street and I caught a ride to school.

JUST KIDDING. Julia picked me up and we rode to school together. Nothing a little tire patch can't handle. Although, I still dont know where I picked up a nail longer than my left arm.

"Mrs. Vining, you have a delivery in the front office."

After a relaxing Christmas break, I did not want to return to school this past week. I have a very challenging group of students this year and did not realize how exhausted I was until I was without them for 2 weeks. MacKenzie had these delivered to me on Monday. He figured these would cheer me up each morning when I walked into my room. He's the best!

Welcome to the Vinings, Grovetown Est 2008

We moved into our first REAL home on June 1st 2008. After renting a town house for two years, it has been nice to have a home of our own. Sofie of course loves the back yard and the living room with more space to run around. We have done some upgrades since moving in; expanded hardwood to the dining room and hallways, painted the kitchen, living room, and dining room. And although it was hard, we finally found the ONE and ONLY task that Mr Gene had never done. We all know that if something breaks or tears up, he's the one to call. When Tiffinni decided she wanted picture frame molding and chair rail in our dining room, we called him. Although he'd never done the picture molding, it looks better than Extreme Home Makeover. Mr Gene and I spent one weekend working on the walls and many trips to Lowe's.














It doesn't even look like the same room. The two photos are from basically the same angle. Tiff has done a wonderful job of redecorating the house.

I left for call one Friday morning this past July with the kitchen looking like this.

I returned on Saturday at noon to this kitchen.
Tiffinni picked up a "few" things from her dad through the years. She went to Lowes, bought a hand sander, sanded the entire kitchen, and then painted it her favorite color: green. Her next project is removing the wallpaper from both bathrooms and painting the front guest room.

Here is a picture of Sofie helping T paint. (Look at the end of her nose!)

The Adams

We met Charles, Beth, and Roan in Valdosta for a quick dinner. We couldn't believe how much Roan had changed since we last saw him! This picture is right before he ended up with a huge knot above his right eyebrow. "Thanks Aunt T and Uncle Mac!"

Christmas in New York

Tiffinni and her mom went to NY for four days this past December. It was a little cold. The wind chill was 4 degrees the day they left! They saw many things but their favorites were the Rockettes, museum from the movie "Night at the Museum", Rockefeller Christmas tree, Ground Zero, Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Grand Central Station, old and new Yankee Stadiums, Times Square, and of course, the shopping! They hope to go back again next Christmas.

Christmas Photos from our First Christmas in our New Home!

Christmas Gathering

Tiffinni had a few friends over for a Christmas dinner and ornament exchange. It was a great night of much needed laughs for everyone. (L to R: Hydie, Mary, Emilia, Jasmine, Jan, Julia, and Tiff)

Someone got a haircut!!!

A New Year requires a new Do!! Sofie's resolution this year is to keep her hair out of her eyes!!!

"While Kenzie and T are whapping pwesents dis is what I have to do. And its not even cold outside. Are any of de pwesents for me?"

Welcome 2009!!

Tiffinni and I rang in New Years 2009 at Crum's, a small Augusta restaurant located on Central Ave. Sofie spent New Years in the same place she spends most her time: in the bed asleep. We brought in money this morning and will have black-eyed peas and collards (none for me please) later today! Oh yeah and I decided to try my hand at this blog business to keep in touch with everyone. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Go Dawgs! Sic 'em!