IONA Video

David playing with IONA in Franklin, on Friday night.

IONA Concert

David's been on tour with IONA and we've been missing him.  But we were blessed this time around that the tour made a stop in Franklin.  Not only did we get to see the show, but we got to spend some extra time with David while he and the band stayed with us and friends.

The show was really great, with a whole evening full of music.  Dave Bainbridge, one of the founding members, plays guitar, keyboards, and bazuki.

Joann Hogg plays guitar and keys. 

Phil Barker plays bass. 

Martin Nolan is the piper. 

And Frank Van Essen plays the drums and violin. 

They had a dance contest, which Lydia was more than pleased to join.  In fact, she and another girl won a free CD at the end of the night.

Lydia had the entire band sign her CD, but she really wanted her picture with Jo.

At the end of the night, the band did their last song and gathered on stage for a bow. 

But they had a surprise in store. They came back out to say their thanks-yous and to do one last song. When they did, they announced that a sixth member of IONA would be joining them that night, playing the djembe. A local boy. From Thompson's Station!!!

I had trouble getting the camera out fast enough!! I videoed the entire song while Bekah took pictures with another camera.  She got this great shot!  =)

Here is David with the band: Phil, Frank, David, Martin, Jo & Dave

I thought that David was joining the band for just the Franklin show, since that's where he's from and had so many friends in the audience.  But no!  We got the big surprise that he played with them tonight in Ohio!!  The show was being streamed live, so we were able to watch it and to grab some screenshots from the performance!!

How awesome is that!

If you want to watch his performance, you should be able to view the IONA Encore here.  There's a short ad at the beginning you have to sit through, and then it's them playing.  They thank David as their tour manager at minute marker :39 and then start playing at about the 3 minute mark.  David's playing the bodhran this time, an Irish drum, to the Castle Reels.

You're In Big Trouble Now Mister

Are Watermelons Hardy? I Sure Hope So!

Lydia has been growing a watermelon seedling she planted at the Pay It Forward Festival.  When she planted it, they told her to put it in the ground when it had three leaves.

The time has come to plant it, but we had a difficult time finding a good spot for it in the yard.  David said to plant it in the front flower bed, but we discovered that he'd put landscaping material under the mulch.  So that was a no go.

So we decided to try to plant it between the shrubs in the front shrub bed.  That way it won't get mowed over and it has room to grow.

Lydia was not the gentle gardener, so I don't know how well this plant will survive actually being planted.  Do you see the mud splatter on the side of the house?  Yeah, that's how this planting experience went!

When she watered the plant, it toppled over and she had to pack more dirt around it.  We'll see if it produces anything.  Here's to keeping our fingers crossed.  =)

Neve's Birthday Present

Neve's birthday was Saturday.  The girls celebrated at Sweet Cece's with her on Friday, but they really wanted to get her a present this weekend.  Neve loves loves loves cupcakes and candy - specifically - jewelry with cupcakes and candy on them.  So Saturday, we went in search of said jewelry.  Instead, while shopping for fabric for Bekah, we found this cupcake fabric the girls thought Neve would love.

I told Bekah she should make Neve a pillow.  She didn't think she could do it.  I knew that she could.  I bought the fabric and some stuffing, and off we went.  Bekah asked if I was as nervous as she was.  Nope, I wasn't.  I knew she could do this!

She measured and cut the fabric.  Just look how professional she looks with that tape measure draped around her neck!! 

Then she sewed the sides and turned the pillow inside out.  I think stuffing the pillow was one of Bekah's favorite parts! 

Her finished project turned out fabulous!!  She was so excited, she squealed, "I am AWESOME at this!" and announced, "From now on, I'm making pillows for everyone's birthdays!" 

Well, we couldn't wait to give Neve her presents!  We just had to take them over to her house!

Neve loved her pillow!  In fact, her mom said that she had just asked to be called by the name "Cupcake" instead of "Neve" from now on.  LOL!

Since Lydia was not in on the sewing (she was at a playdate) she bought Neve a beautiful silver bracelet.

Happy birthday to Neve!

Lydia Shows Off Her New Glasses

Lydia got her new glasses yesterday evening.  She was more than a little excited...can you tell?  Ha ha!!

When we got home, she couldn't wait to rush over and show all the neighbors her new glasses.

I think she looks adorable!

Just Add Water

Flipped

Lydia's New Look

Lydia had an eye exam this morning, and it was there we learned she has a slight astigmatism and is just a little nearsighted.  The doctor said she'll need classes for school, to see the board, but not while she's playing or anything.  Her vision is about 20/30 or so...so not too bad. 

But we did get a chance to pick out some frames for Lydia.  We liked these first two, but decided to go with the last pair.

They should be ready in about a week, so we're excited to see how they look!

Happy Father's Day, David!

Happy Father's Day to the most awesome man!  We started our morning with yummy pancakes, coffee, cards and presents. Lydia made several cards for David and Bekah picked out one at the store.

I got David some photobooks for his last two trips (Brazil and Guatemala) and pre-ordered a CD from one of his favorite artists.

And the Father's Day gifts didn't stop there.  At church, the pastor had a hilarious idea to give dads what they really want for Father's Day- salted and cured meats.  They had quite an assortment of means, SlimJims and beef jerky.  Too hilarious!

After church, we had lunch with the Pughs and then went to a cookout with the pastor and some other families from the church.  It was a really awesome day!

Happy Father's Day!!