Rave Family

Homeschool!

2008-08-05T13:42:00.000-07:00

As of Monday we are officially homeschoolers! So far it has been a great thing for us! Cameron says he enjoys being homeschooled and so far I enjoy teaching him! ;) Kaylen wanted in on the action, so she gets a "mini-lesson" each day too! I've added pictures of our first day, the school room, and the "required" 1st day picture (I added in the 1st grade and kindergarten ones too to show how much he has grown.... notice the door handle in all 3 when he is turned sideways!)

My big 2nd grader!!

Ready to start the new year

Kaylen's felt board and our calendar

The folder holder, paper holder in the art closet

Kaylen's desk

My desk, the "show-off" board,

and Cameron's orange desk

The dry erase board and the curriculum shelf

My silly boy

Standing tall and proud

Notice where the door handle is.....

2nd Grade

1st grade (look at the door handle)

1st grade

Kindergarten (look at the door handle)

Kindergarten *adore*

Catch-up with random pictures

2008-08-05T13:32:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy month for us! We have been getting everything ready for our first day of homeschool, swimming at the pool and just enjoying the summer every chance we get!
Here are a few pictures from July (apparently I was too busy to even take many pictures!)

Kay got a haircut!!

She looks SO big now!

The back view

A sweet profile

An EXHAUSTED Cam

Family Business??

2008-07-08T18:07:00.000-07:00

Billy started his new job on Monday and the kids wanted to make him a cake to celebrate. We didn't get to it on Monday, so we decided today to make not one, but 2 cakes for Daddy! Maybe they will follow in my cake decorating footsteps!

Kay's masterpiece
Cam's monkey cake
So proud!
So proud!!

Happy 4th of July!!

2008-07-08T17:58:00.000-07:00

Ok, so really it was the 3rd, but close enough! Every July 3rd we go to the area's best fireworks display! The symphony is there and there are inflatables for the kids and a huge fireworks display! The kids sported their nifty patriotic shirts (made by their talented momma!)

Kay showing off her new shirt
Had to be silly too
Cam had to be silly first

Then came a proud moment
The kiddos together
Being silly together
Daddy and Kay waiting to jump
My handsome hubby

Cool glowing balls
Cam in his glowing goodies
Kay in her glowing goodies
Showing off her flower
So pretty!

The End of June

2008-07-08T17:54:00.001-07:00

After the beachfest we spent most of the rest of June just resting. Cam still had some ball games, and then the awards dinner. Both kiddos also got a try at Karate... they LOVE it and we plan to let them keep taking it (Billy and I might join them too!)

Cupcakes for the team (I was in a MASSIVE hurry)
Getting his award from Coach
Cam on the floor
Tough Karate Guy
Isn't she too cute??

Myrtle Beach - Beachfest!

2008-07-08T17:43:00.001-07:00

Myrtle Beach had it's Beachfest in June and we decided to go! It was so much fun! We drove to Carolina Beach on Friday and camped out there. On Saturday we drove on down to Myrtle Beach for the day. We walked around on the beack some before the excitement started! On the beach the kids got henna tattoos. At the beachfest we got to see some extreme sports shows (the motocross guys were the best!), then we saw a few concerts. The night ended with TobyMac (the whole reason we went... the kids are HUGE TobyMac fans). It was so much fun! We came away DIRTY and exhausted, but so happy! We got back to our tent just to have a huge storm hit. It was by far the worst night of camping we have had! Still, a fun weekend! 8) Enjoy the pics (and check out the motocross pics!).

Kay's henna butterfly

Cam's henna dragon (never get a henna tattoo there!)

WOW!

I told the kids they can't do that

(mommy's heart couldn't take it!)
Eating a snowcone

Daddy waiting for his turn
Kay dancing

Our DIRTY feet
Look at the dirty face

Another dirty face

Watching TobyMac

TobyMac!!

Field Trip!

2008-07-08T17:40:00.001-07:00

We had our first official homeschool field trip.... we went to a police station. It was great! We saw a TON of things (like the 911 call center, the room where all the traffic cameras feed into, the conference rooms, and we got to meet the Police Chief!). It was such a fun day!

Cameron hanging out in the police car

(I missed the picture with him in the back!)

Kaylen in the police car... for a split second... she wasn't a fan.

In the conference room

Daddy and Kaylen listening to the policeman talk

Giving a speech

My Fishies

2008-07-08T17:36:00.000-07:00

The first week or 2 of June was 100+ degrees. It was flat out HOT! So, to keep us in the shade and still keep the kids cool, we put our kiddie pool in the garage. Here are my little fish playing away.

How sweet are they?

I LOVE this picture!

Dancing Princess

2008-07-08T17:29:00.001-07:00

The first weekend in June means dance recital time for us! Kaylen was in a dance called "Snuggle Puppy". She was so adorable! She loved to pose for all of the pictures...such a diva. The other little girl in one of the pictures is Kay's best friend Gracie. They are 2 peas in a pod!

Camping with the Warren's

2008-07-08T17:20:00.000-07:00

We spent Memorial Day weekend in Boone camping with my parents (it was my mom's first time camping and she LOVED it!) We had a blast!! Lots of cooking on the camp fires, seeing the sites, and being a little chilly!!

The family at Moses Cone Manor

The family (with a slight switch) at Moses Cone Manor

The Rave Family at Moses Cone Manor

Kaylen and Mam-ma at Moses Cone Manor

Mam-ma and Pap-pa at Moses Cone Manor

Kaylen and I got tired!

Kaylen loved the horses!

She got to get up close and personal.... Cam tagged along

Playing in the tent

Eating our hobo dinners

Happy to be eating pancakes!

Cookin the pancakes

Sweet Picture

Just chillin'

At Grandfather Mtn.

Picnic on Grandfather Mtn.

Cameron and Mam-ma on Grandfather Mtn.

Getting ready to cross the bridge

We had just crossed the bridge

Kaylen wanted to go again, so Pap-pa took her

(she's got him wrapped around her little finger!)

Climbing the Mountain

Relaxing

Taking a break

The Viaduct "Over look"....guess they meant "Under-look"

Kinda locked our keys in the car..... 4 hours later

The camp site

Cameron peeking out of the tent

Going on a scooter ride

Mommy had some scooter fun too!

Roasting Marshmallow

It's on fire (I love mine burned!)

May = Baseball!!

2008-07-03T12:11:00.000-07:00

May means the start of baseball season here..... Cameron played his 3rd year of ball and Billy coached his 1st! 8) Cameron decided this year that his favorite position is catcher (just like his Mommy! And he was number 9, just like his Mommy!)

Cameron ready for some action

Batter Up!

"Coach"

Seeing the "big boys" play.... aka Mudcats

Kaylen and Daddy watching the game

Arts in the Park

2008-07-03T06:09:00.000-07:00

One town over from us hosts an "Arts in the Park" every year and we LOVE it! There is always a lot to do there. They have face painting, booths set up, inflatables, food, and dancing.

Kaylen in line to go on the inflatable slide

Cameron in line to go on the inflatable slide

Cameron making the big climb

WHEEEEE!!!

Kaylen and Daddy sliding together

Kaylen got to join the NC State Clog Team

My beautiful girl

My handsome boy

Climbing the Rock Wall

Getting Higher.....

Ok, that's high enough....

One brave smile before letting go

Kaylen's 4th Birthday!!

2008-06-10T12:19:00.000-07:00

My baby girl turned 4 years old on April 1st! I just can't believe how big she is!! 4 just sounds so grown up to me now! She has mastered writing lots of words, and is just becoming more and more of her own person. At times she is 4 going on 14!! This year she opted to have her 3 best friends over to go to the movies instead of a big party. We saw Horton Hears a Who. They are so cute together...they have known each other since they were a few months old.... best friends for life! 8)

Birthday Girl!

Early Morning Present

(the rest had to wait until Cameron got home)

A Hannah Montana Shirt!!

Wearing her birthday shirt and ready for present time!

Lily doll from Hannah Montana

A Jasmine doll!!

A pretty pink purse Ms. Tammy made her

A Cinderella doll!!

She was THRILLED

Kay and her "gang" ;)

Just chillin'

Presents from Mam-ma and Pap-pa

A pretty dress from Mam-ma and Pap-pa

Birthday Cake!

Blowing out the candles

Kaylen and her best buddies for her movie party!

Easter Pictures

2008-06-10T12:14:00.000-07:00

Here are our Easter pictures from this year....

Cameron got a bike and Kaylen got

a singing Hannah Montana doll

My beautiful kiddos in the Easter Outfits

The whole family

A trip to Boone in March

2008-06-08T15:43:00.000-07:00

Our plan had been to go camping in Boone, however when we got there it was snowing and the wimp in me said no! We got a hotel room, but still braved the cold to have some fun!
We went trout fishing, to a gem mine, and hiking. It was a fun weekend!

Kaylen caught the first trout!

"Hello little fishie!"

Cameron caught a fish too!

Cameron and Daddy with Cameron's fish

Cam and Kay checking out their catches

Cameron and his fish (notice the "eww" look on his face)

Kaylen and her fish (even more of an "eww" look)

The gem mine was helpful to distract Kaylen from the knowledge her "pet"

was becoming dinner

Mommy with the kiddos in front of a huge trout

Cam showing off some gems he found!

Daddy and his creative Kaylen carrier 8)

Cam and Kay posing for us

Daddy being "artistic" ;)

A nice lady offered to take one of all of us!

Taken by Kaylen

Taken by Cameron

Taken by Kaylen (with help from Cameron)

Daddy and the kiddos in a tree

(Kaylen did NOT want to be up there!)

February 08 Pics

2008-06-05T08:15:00.000-07:00

I figure I will go month by month to catch up....

Kaylen learned how to write her name on her own

(since then there are few things she won't write!)

A close up of the first time

Mommy turned 29!

(Some early morning silliness)

Kaylen got a hold of Cameron 8)

Kaylen and Brady at the beach

Christmas in June??

2008-06-02T13:38:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas! Well, better late than never right? I am finally getting around to loading my pictures on here, so I figured I'd keep going from where I left off.

Cameron and Kaylen got a "Tough Boy Truck" aka power wheels from Santa. Probably the best gift they have ever gotten! They still play in it daily!

Driving the truck at Mam-ma and Pap-pa's House

We got Mom and Dad an iPod

They love it!

Cameron's marshmallow gun

High School Musical Dolls!

A new board game (he LOVES to play games)

Baby Alive

A whole box of ear rings!!

A star wars toy

Fur Real Lamb (such a cool toy!)

Another board game!!

First time in the "tough boy truck"

Checking out the truck (it plays music)

Driving down Mam-ma and Pap-pa's street

We realized all of the many uses for this truck,

so we love it too! It was a garbage truck that day

Big smiles in the truck

PJ's from Grandma and Grandpa

Grammy and her gifts

Kaylen's Living Nativity

(she's the stripe shirt on the front row)

Cameron as Wise Man #3 at the Church's Musical

(Look at how small he is next to the other two!)

Cameron in the musical... next to someone his size this time!

Sweet Kiddos

The Yearly Family Christmas Picture

Christmas Dinner

Cameron and Pap-pa both showing off their missing front teeth

A cute snowman a friend made for me!

Washington DC!

2007-12-19T11:59:00.000-08:00

We went to Washington DC this past weekend! It was such a fun trip, but it sure was COLD! We all had a lot of fun! We stayed with Billy's aunt and uncle and had a blast with them too.... and then their kids were too sweet and they gave Kaylen a TON of barbies and Cameron some Legos and K'nex! The kids are going nuts with all the new toys! 8) Here are some pictures of our time in DC!

Kaylen waiting to go into the Washington Monument

Cameron and Mommy after walking around the monument

My pretty girl

Inside the Washington Monument

The kiddos watching some ice skating

Kaylen watching the ice skating

Sweet Girl

Cameron watching the ice skating

My sweet boy

The kiddos wanting to join in

The Richmond Children's Museum

2007-12-19T11:39:00.000-08:00

On our way back home from DC this weekend we stopped at the Children's Museum in Richmond. We all had a blast! There were SO many fun things for the kids to do, and Billy and I enjoyed the art center too! It was a really cool place.... if you are ever in Richmond I would highly suggest this place.... loads of fun, plus it was cheap!

Kaylen the snowman

Cameron the snowman

A mouth to teach about digestion. Cameron said it burped on you while you were in there.

Kaylen and Mommy in the tree house

Go speed racer go!

Cameron loved this thing! You picked apples and then could take them into the tree for a machine to re-load them.

Daddy and Kaylen digging for dino bones

Cameron showing off the dino he "found"

A dino slide

Kaylen going for a ride

Cameron going for a ride

Pierced Ears!!!!

2007-12-19T11:31:00.001-08:00

Kaylen has begged and begged and begged us to get her ears pierced. Finally the Saturday after Thanksgiving we let her do it! She was such a tough cookie about it! She cried quietly for a minute or 2 after it was over, but was totally over it within a few minutes. She LOVES her new ear rings and can't wait for the Saturday after Christmas (she will be able to change them out then). Cameron was very nervous for her..... right after they put the dots on her ears he sat down and closed his eyes and covered his ears. He was a sweet big brother after it was over and asked if he could pick out some ear rings for her!

Daddy and Kaylen all excited!

Still very excited

Wait, what's the gun for???

Look at those little tears 8(

Proud and feeling pretty!

Christmas Pictures!

2007-12-19T11:20:00.000-08:00

Cameron has lost both of his front teeth (so yes, he can say that all he wants for Christmas are his two front teeth!). While trying to get a good shot of his gappy grin I ended up catching a great picture of the kiddos.... thus, our Christmas picture was created!

Aren't the just too sweet??

Still loving on each other

my toothless wonder

Crazy Kazie.... she wanted a picture of just her and I ended up with this!

Clearly.....

2007-12-19T11:01:00.000-08:00

this will be a month to month thing for me. I am going to try to get better at this, but at least a monthly update is better than nothing!

Last update was Cameron's birthday, so lets move on to his party. As happens every year God really blessed us with a beautiful warm day! He had a Transformers party and it was fun!

Learning the rules for the relay race

Starting the race

Time to eat!

Chowing Down and Clowning Around

PRESENTS!

More Presents!

Birthday Boy

The Cake

6 Years Old!!

2007-11-06T14:36:00.000-08:00

My baby boy is 6 years old! He turned 6 on Oct 2. I just can't believe I am the mom of a big 6 year old 1st grader! I love this kid more and more every day!!

The Birthday Boy!

The birthday boy in the car at Daddy's office

The kids being silly waiting for Daddy to get to the car

Opening his gifts in the car (look at the excitement on his face!)

Transformers Tattoos!

Another EXCITING gift!

Lego Star Wars video game.... the favorite gift!

The biggest was saved for last

K'Nex.... how cool!

Gifts from Mam-ma and Pap-pa

Dolphins Football from Pap-pa

A thermos he told Mam-ma he wanted

A new Bible devotions book

Reading his card

Tennessee Orange... can't go wrong!

Blowing out his candle

2 birthday smiles!

Cam's Ninja Turtle Cake

New Hair Cut!

2007-11-06T14:12:00.000-08:00

Kaylen got her first real hair cut in September. She has had her bangs trimmed lots and she even had 4 inches cut off her hair earlier this year, but she was begging for a short hair cut, so we gave in and gave it to her. Here are before and after pictures of my crazy gal!

Again I say "told you!"

2007-11-06T13:58:00.000-08:00

Wow, over a month...sad huh? I'm going to go through and try to catch up on all that has happened in the past month....

For starters, Billy and I went to Tennessee for a weekend in September to get my Mam-ma' s old table for our dining room (I love it!!). Cameron and Kaylen stayed with my folks while we were gone, and all 6 of us had a great time! Billy and I enjoyed our break and the kids enjoyed every minute they had with Mam-ma and Pap-pa. Here are a few pictures from that weekend...

Cameron and Kaylen in Kaylen's new bed (my old bed)

A fun day at Pullen Park!

Our New Pets

2007-09-20T14:00:00.001-07:00

I got 2 Guinea Pigs for my preschool class, but on the weekends they live with us. The kids have claimed them as their own pets. They are too sweet! The one with the white stripe on it's face is Banana and the one with the brown face is pudding (Banana Pudding .... I thought I was creative with that one.... oh, and my classroom is the monkey class, so it works even better!)

Told you

2007-09-20T13:39:00.000-07:00

Told you I would be bad at this! In my defense I have started teaching preschool and have been mega busy with teacher workdays and stilling being a mommy.

What all do I need to add..... like I said I am a preschool teacher and this year I am teaching the 4's instead of the 2's. WOW .... HUGE difference! I love working with this age and we have such a great group of kids! I am really enjoying this job!

Not only did I start school, Kaylen did too! She is in the 3 year 3 day class, aka the Disney class, and she LOVES it! Here's a picture of her first day (and a picture from her first day last year too)

Camping at the Beach

2007-08-07T08:19:00.000-07:00

Back in June (maybe May) we took the kids on their first camping trip! We went to the beach and all had a blast! On the 2nd day some of our friends drove down to hang with us on the beach.

Cam and Kay playing on the beach

Daddy joining in the fun!

My 2 cute beach bums!

Lookin for shells (and she found a TON!)

Kay was the last one up! That's rare!

Mommy peeking in at snoozing kids

A messy smores face (the morning after!)

Playing on the beach with our friends (Cameron
had just poured a bucket of water on Kaylen)

My Silly Girl!

Our trip to Boone

2007-08-07T07:57:00.001-07:00

In July our family went camping in Boone. We got to Boone around 10 that night and set up camp. It was FREEZING! We got up early the next morning and went hunting for some warmth (aka, a place to eat breakfast). We packed up camp, drove into Boone and ate then went driving around the parkway. We stopped at Moses Cone and walked around (and took lots of pictures!). Then we headed up to Watagua Lake in TN. Set up camp there and then went off to explore. That night we went to a drive in and Billy got sick.....SOOOOO, we came back to the site, packed up camp and drove all the way back home. Not much of a vacation, but it sure was an adventure! Here are pics from Moses Cone (none of the camp sites though...wonder why!)

1st Day of School

2007-08-06T16:33:00.000-07:00

As promised earlier here is Cameron's 1st day of 1st grade picture. He's gotten so big! Don't you just love his skull shoes and flame lunchbox??

oh, and to compare....here is 1st day of Kindergarten!

The Diva

2007-08-06T13:30:00.002-07:00

Little Miss Diva..... she is such a girlie girl. Wanna be model in the making? Just a few cute pictures of my Princess.....oh, and her talented Momma made the flip-flop shirt!

Pictures Galore!

2007-08-06T12:06:00.001-07:00

So, we went to Portrait Innovations this weekend and can I just say that I LOVE them! While the wait is HORRIBLE (unless you get there early), it is the best picture place! Here are just a few of my favorites!

Take 1

2007-07-25T11:27:00.001-07:00

Ok, I admit it. I have been sucked into the whole blogging thing. My journals have months between them, so we will see if this actually comes about.

Cameron started 1st grade this week (once I load the pictures I'll add one on here). I am still amazed that my baby boy is old enough to be in 1st grade! Where did the time go?? He's so grown up now and just such a little adult. This is an age that I just LOVE! He still needs my help, but at the same time we have so much fun together. He's a blast to talk to and just so smart and witty. While I love this age I hate how fast it got here, that just means that before I know it he really will be grown. He told me the other day that he was ready to be in middle school so he could have Daddy as his youth director at church. Did I mention I love that kid?

Kaylen will be starting preschool in about a month. She'll be in the 3 year old class across the hall from my class. Hopefully this year will go smooth with her going to "mommy's school". She had a birthday party today for a friend that she goes to school with and she told me on the way home how much she really misses her friends. It's also amazing to me how much kids can change in just a few months. Today they all suddenly seemed so much bigger. They weren't the little 2 year olds they were last year, now they are all big 3 year olds-- and they are PROUD of it.