A very "ruby" anniversary

 Can you guess where I am?  I am playing in muddy water at Mason Mountain Mine in Franklin, North Carolina!  I spent a fabulous weekend here back in September to celebrate my Grandma and Grandpa's 40th wedding anniversary, the RUBY anniversary (and yes, I said 40 - what a milestone!).

 

 Here I am before mining.  Rubies and sapphires are native to the dirt in this region, and boy did we find some winners!  I helped everyone dig up their dirt and sift through it.  I was very good at throwing the "dud" rocks over the edge and yelling "garbage" really loud while doing so.  Grandma used one of the rubies found to create a beautiful set of earrings and necklace pendant. 

 

No wonder I like hanging out with these people.

 

Here I am looking cute and precious with my Uncle Bini.  Our cabin was located on the banks of the Little Tennessee River with a beautiful mountain view (and I could watch the cows and turkeys roam across the river each morning).  Thanks to Aunt Ashlee and Uncle Joe for locating such a beautiful cabin for us to enjoy.

Some more breathtaking views...

...and the happy couple.  We love you!  Congratulations!

Happy 4th Birthday, Vi!

It was party time this past weekend at our house because Vi turned 4 years old!  She had an Ariel mermaid party, although we invited some pirates to join in on the fun, too.

One game that the kids all enjoyed was "going fishing."  Daddy made the ocean for us, and Paw was the big fish that gave out some quality dollar store prizes for everyone's sand bucket.

Rufus the magician (aka Uncle Joe) showed up for the party to share the magic he learned under the sea from Ursula and King Triton.  We had to tell Vi that it was Uncle Joe because that hair was just toooooo bizarre and frightening at first.  In the end, all of the kids loved this activity, and Vi called Rufus out on his disappearing coin trick.  Thanks Rufus for a great show!

 

On Sunday we explored the town with Aunt Janice.  We got some beautiful shots from the top of the mountain since the day was so clear.

Here is Vi trying out one of her gifts, a cotton candy maker.  Yummy!  Instead of yelling with excitement for "cotton candy!" she yelled "sugar!"

 

Family photos with Vi as she turned 4 years old.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VI!  WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A new perspective

This blog's purpose is to share the life of a wonderful little girl, Vi, with family and friends.  Since it was created only a few days after she was born, it has mainly been written from my perspective, the Mommy.  It hasn't been until recently that I hope I have chosen to share her most meaningful moments and comment in a way that expresses her personality.  And then I realized that Vi is not an infant anymore, not even a toddler.  She is a kid, a school-aged child.  My goal at this point is to get more of her input as time goes on and start sharing more moments from what it actually like to be the main participant in The Life of Vi.

 

So, to begin.  Pictures from the Fisher-Price camera.  The things that are important to our 3 year-old.

 

Mommy and Daddy

 Nature

 

Making tea

Friends

Hanging out in the princess tent

Silly dads in the princess tent

Me

Jewelry, Ballet, anything girly

Family

Boo Boos

Uncle Bini (who gave me this camera)

Getting cozy with my animals



Vi ♥'s the SEC

 Vi decided to officially kick off football season with a visit to her native village of Auburn, Alabama.  First stop:  Toomer's for some lemonade and ice cream.  Good choice, Vi!

 

 Vi loves exploring campus with her Daddy.  I have a feeling we might have a moment like this in front of Samford Hall about 16 years in the future on her campus tour.  She loves Auburn, just like Dad!

 

 Vi loved her visit so much that she would not wash off her tattoo, so we just decided to go to music class and gymnastics all decked out in her Auburn gear on Monday.

 

 Our main reason for visiting Alabama was to see this little guy (aren't they adorable together?).  He's an Alabama fan (note the crimson color in his shirt), but we still love him!

 

 Next stop on the SEC tour was the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.  Caroline and Vi are perfect KD ladies in the parlor of the new Kappa Delta house in Sorority Village.

 

 Different school, but I can see this photo happening on bid day about 16 years from now, too!  Maybe they can be roomies just like their mommies were back in the day.

 

Here are the little legacies just hangin' out on the stoop.  They all enjoyed their first official visit to the new house and their first bid day at UT!

 

From our family to yours, WAR EAGLE and GO VOLS!

Making her début

The prima ballerina waits impatiently for her first ballet class to begin...

 Concentrating really intensely to get this pose.

How cute are they ?!!!!?



Back to School 2012!

 It's back to school time for most everyone we know.  Vi has been talking about this week for a VERY LONG TIME.  As Vi is growing up and starting a new school year, her artwork is becoming more detailed.  Mommy looks crazier as each day passes!  At least I still have long eyelashes :)

 We had a family movie day over the weekend to see Brave, and then went out for dinner which is pretty rare for us.  Vi got to enjoy some QT with her best baby friend, Beckett, at the aquarium.

Here she is on her first day in the 4 year-old class!  Congratulations big girl!



Tiny Dancer

 Vi was fitted for her first pair of ballet shoes today.  She has been talking about starting ballet class for weeks, so needless to say our trip to the dance store was very exciting for her.

 She wore the shoes in the car on the way home (and everywhere else), reminding me that they are only to wear inside, not outside.  Yes, her undies are Smurf drawers circa 1985.

 Practicing some moves in her "ballet-tard" as she calls it.  For those of you who know Vi's Paw, the hands in the top picture are definitely from Paw's repertoire of dance moves.  She dances her ballet to his banjo-playing, so if she turns out to be a good dancer maybe we have a new gig and can audition for America's Got Talent or something ?????

Vi is starting to realize that she is getting to be a big girl.  Today she said, "You know, I got my ballet shoes, I rode the horse (at the carousel) by myself today, and I am going to a new class at school.  But you can still call me 'Honey Bunny' Mom, even though I'm a big girl."

Thanks for making us smile each day, sweet girl.  Mommy and Daddy love you!