Celebrating Karl's Birthday

On Saturday, we met up at Arrington Vineyard with the Pughs and the Greens for an impromptu celebration of Karl's birthday!

The birthday boy and his lovely bride.

Us, soaking up the beautiful day.

Michael and Kathy totally getting photobombed by Lydia.

The kids played in the big field 

while the adults sat around and chatted, and laughed, and sipped wine. 

The kids were awesome playing together, with Bekah and Lydia looking out for the little ones. 

The girls even worked together to try to build a castle out of rocks! 

Soon, it was time for cupcakes and presents. 

Michael and Kathy got Karl this awesome mug that looks like a photo lens!  It was so realistic looking!

We got Karl a patch for the England soccer team.  How appropriate that he was wearing his soccer shirt for the party! 

And can you guess what else we got him?  I know our wrapping skills might leave you guessing!

Karl was in need of a new soccer ball!

We had a great time hanging out, and laughing all night.  Laughing a lot.  There was a lot of laughter.

It was a great night.  Happy birthday, Karl!

Sticking Together

LOVE

Art Lesson - Transfer Art

On Saturday, we had another art lesson.

This time, we decided to do some painting.

In the past, I've had fun doing some transfer art, and I thought we could try a scaled down version of that for Neve, Lydia, and Bekah. 

First, the girls chose their background color - turquoise for Neve and Bekah and a light purple for Lydia.

After a quick dry using the hair dryer, we used the pictures of them I printed as a guide. 

Using transfer paper, the girls transferred the outlines of their photographs onto the canvas. 

Then we used that transferred image as a guide for painting. 

It was interesting to see what creative license each of the girls took with the transferred image. 

Lydia roughly followed the image, adding some embellishments she deemed necessary.

Bekah followed the image exactly.  (Surprise!)

And Neve colored in the darker shadows to create a fuller image.

And here you can see their finished products.

Ready to hang in their bedrooms! 

I think they each did a great job!! 

Success!

I love this kid

McLarrins on 1940 census

I found some more family on the 1940 census.

This time, it's David side.

In 1940, you see David's great-grandparents, listed as Fred D and Glina McLarrin

along with their children, Juanita, Ava Nell and Billie Fred.

It shows that Pa Mac (Fred) rented his farm for $4/month, he is the head of the household, age 27, with a 4th grade education. 

Granny Mac (Glenna) is age 28, with an 8th grade education.

David's Mamaw (Juanita)  is 10 years old and in the 4th grade, Aunt Ava Nell is 7 years old and in the 2nd grade, and Billie Fred is 4 years old and not yet attending school.

Thought it would be neat to see a little blast from the past.

Karate Awards

Last night, Rebekah proudly emerged from her karate class with this awesome patch and certificate

noting that she has now been promoted to the rank of Hachi Kyu in the US Eastern Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Federation.

She was so proud!  I think it shows!!

Rebekah's 5th Grade Portrait

Yesterday, we had Bekah's portrait made for her 5th grade year.

Yes, I know...we're barely squeezing it in there...but at least it's done.

We'll get Lydia's done soon and I'll post it once we have it.

Happy Thursday.

A Few of my Favorite Lydia Faces

Letters from a Great Great Great Grandparent

Minnie Chapin, a fellow genealogist, who happens to be David's grandfather's 2nd cousin, sent me some photocopies of some photographs, along with some very fun letters, written to her mother.

The letters, below, were written by George Peebles and his daughter, Martha, in 1930 to his granddaughter (Minnie's mother).  George is David's great-great-great grandfather.

So you can see the family line, here is is:

Great-Great-Great-Grandfather: George Peebles

Great-Great-Grandmother: Matilda Ann Peebles Noblitt

Great Grandfather: Samuel David Noblitt

Grandfather: Lawrence David Noblitt

Mother: Sondra Noblitt Christopher

David Christopher

And here's the letter:

Holland ark april 17 1930

dear Margaret

I will try and use your letter. I was sure glad to here from you. I am not hardly able to set rite but hope these few lines will find all well. we have dry weather here. it hasent rained cince I come down here.

I was glad to here they had so mutch corn planted. they are not done planting down here yet. how is the apple crop and the strawbeerys.

your school will be out before long. Dora has five weeks of school yet. well I cant keep mind on my letters so I close. tell to write to me. I will to do better next time so good by.

From Grand Pa

And on the back of Grandpa Peebles letter, Aunt Martha (Peebles) Evatt, Matilda's sister, wrote a letter as well:

Dear Margaret, I will try to write you a few lines to night on the back of grandpa letter. we are all up. I am awful tired to night.

I and Inez wash this morning before she wente to school.

well Margrete I wish you had of came with your Dady and mother when they came. I shure want you to come this summer and stay a month with us and bring George and your Dady and mother. I believe they could visit a while if you were here.

write and tell me how you get along with your Ducks. I am going to sit some Duck Eggs next weak. I got 3 hens siting on hen Eggs. we are looking for a big croud here Sunday. Dr. Eevatt and Family and 2 married boys and there Familys 1 girl and her husbman and all of folks if it is a pritty day. I hope you have a nice time Easter. well I will haft to ring off. tell all to write your aunt Martha. Saved and Santifide.

Heritage Spring Fling

Heritage had their Spring Fling yesterday evening.  I had been out of town on a business trip and got back just in time to give the girls the treats I bought them and get Bekah dropped off for her Glee performance.

Bekah's Glee was singing with Heritage Middle School Chorus as well. Rebekah was pretty excited about it. As usual, the kids did a great job on their songs.

 

While Bekah was getting ready to sing, we checked out the Spring Fling.  Lydia found out the "Spirit Hair" booth as free. She was very excited! 

She chose green, pink and white stripes in her hair.

There was a snow cone truck there...and...I mean...how can you tell your kids "no" when they ask for a snow cone? 

The snow cone man was smiling as Lydia handed him $6 and he handed us two cups of ice.

Smiling all the way to the bank!

Seriously?

But just look at all these flavors?  And the kids get to serve themselves?

Sweet!  (No pun intended.)

Okay.  Look at those happy faces! 

I guess that's $6 well spent!

After that, the girls just had fun hanging out with their friends, and even watched the magician who had a show in the gym later in the evening. 

Bekah decided she needed some Spirit Hair as well...

Very colorful stripes!

It wasn't long before the girls found Stephanie, Jordan and Lauren.  What a fun night! 

(L-R: Lydia, Stephanie, Jordan, Lauren, Bekah)