Spring Break 2012 - Harlem Globetrotters

The Harlem Globetrotters!!! This is something I always wanted to go see when I was a kid, so after I convinced Magan that it was something the kids would like to see also, I finally got to go. The guy pictured above is Big Easy from...you guessed it, New Orleans. There was another guy named Stretch that was about 8" taller than this guy.

The first thing we did at the Pete Hanna Center on the Samford Campus was visit the globetrotter merchandise stand. As you can see, the boys found that wristbands made them the coolest and newest members of the globetrotter fans.

As you can see, we were basically the first ones in the arena, and the boys enjoyed smacking each other with their new wristbands. Luckily the cotton candy quieted them down...at least for a bit.

After that the show begin with the mascot "Globie" performing some dance moves out on the court. If you haven't ever been to a Globetrotter game or seen one on TV, it is basically a 2 hour basketball skill show, comedy routine, with some acrobatics thrown in. Really fun, and the kids were laughing the whole time. Even Belle found some things she thought was pretty funny.

The pre-game show had some breakdancers spinning on their head, the halftime show had some funny character that ran around and headbutted some folks, the basketball game had several funny moments when a players shorts were pulled down...to reveal they were wearing Elmo boxer shorts. :) The globetrotters had one white guy named Hops shorter than me, probably about 5'10", but we quickly realized how he got his nickname when he leaped to his 50" (!!!) vertical windmill dunk. WHAT!

The best show of the night was when the globetrotter made some crazy moves, but the ball went out of bounds, the refs called it out on them, but Big Easy asked for a replay. The globetrotters and the other team then did an amazing choreographed rewind sequence...then did the replay in SLO-MO...It was really funny and amazing at the same time. Sam and Davis are still finding things they want to do in SLO-MO...not as funny when I need them to do something quick.

Are seats were also right on the side where the globetrotters went out during halftime, and Big Easy and Stretch clapped Sam and Davis as they went by. Davis told me it was because of their new sweatbands.

About midway through the first quarter, Magan got some visitors that sat down right beside her. Two guys that both needed two seats apiece, but squished down beside her. It was somewhat funny, but not so much for poor Magan who got a rest from their large frames only for a bit during halftime, then they were back shortly after that with sweat rolling down their faces (apparently from the 5 steps to the nacho bar).

Anyway, one last story about the globetrotter wristbands...Sam and Davis were very excited that they both got their own set of wristbands, and Magan explained to them both that the bands were for them to wipe their sweat on them. Magan told me that once as she was trying to keep Belle still, being squished to one side by one of the Big Boys...and she said she starting sweating then felt something rubbing against her head...looking over she found Davis wiping the sweat off with his sweatband. Then after the game, as we went to get our picture with Big Easy, Magan caught Sam with wristbands off wiping his underarms with them. :) It was pretty funny, and even when she told him that was not what they were for, Sam starting laughing getting a kick out of his silliness.

Hodge Podge

Just a hodge podge of pictures...Sam and Davis have recently wanted to sleep on the floor, and since their Mom thought they would be sleeping on the floor with Tornados in the area, she let them practice.

Picture below is with Belle and Mr. Scott Vinsant at church. We don't know why, but every Sunday, she finds Mr. Scott, and grabs his finger and tells him to come "sit". She takes him to this bench in the foyer, and they just "sit".

LOOK AT THE HAIR...I let it go, and finally got it cut right before Katies wedding. But this was definately the longest it has ever been. I think Magan cried tears of joy when I came home without my fro one day.

Deidra Calvert came to see Magan one day at the house, and from what Magan says, the kids had a blast with hers...

And the last two pictures show a trip to McWane with Nanny, Marcia, and family...

Katie Gets Married

Katie Beth Junkin found someone that would listen intently to every word, one with a beard to scratch and ponder the words that she said, that would consider everything she said and never joke during serious wedding planning matters...oh wait, nevermind, she has Mark (see below), and we are glad to have him as part of the family. I also like that John is learning this same "appear to be listening" technique from Mark. My technique is not as believable, as I sometimes have my eyes closed and am snoring. :)

We had a great rehearsal then rehearsal dinner. My favorit quote of the night was from Mark after someone told him great job on picking the BBQ from Johnny's...He replied "Yeah, that's probably the first correct choice I have made in a long time"...then realized that was not the best thing when he was getting married the next day. :)

Mom and her boys. Sam had the sweetest smile all day, and I was so pround of him. Davis smiles well too, yet can not seem to look at the camera. The junkin men that I was not very proud of on this day. Dad was almost crying. John and Colby almost lost it, but I had no problems except for the bad sinus issues that hit me right as Katie starting walking down the aisle.

My beautiful MawMaw above, and the beautiful bride (or as Belle called her "princess") below.

Lot's of family there to share in the moment. Seemed to go by so quickly...but I guess we have another wedding in only a couple of months.

Davis Turns 5

My little buddy turns "a whole hand" on this day. We had a smaller party at the house, then made it to Chuck E Cheese later. We were able to take his best friend from pre-school Tyler with him, and surprise...Nanny and Marcia got to come with Sylus, Addy, and Eli. This made Davis very happy as I believe Addy is really his very best friend right now.

Anabelle did not get a present. And she is a princess and deserves all of the presents...such a sweet little pouty face.

Magan got the cake from Publix, and it was really need made of many cupcakes coating with icing to make it look more like a cake...and it had Monster Trucks. But we found the perfect gift for Davis that he had been wanting for a long time...a scuba diver. The Scuba Diver has had many adventures in the bathtub at our house.

And no birthday is complete without some of Mrs. Benet's (NaNa) cupcakes. So she had a special party for just him later at our house.

Bama Game for Valentines Day

Oh well, I got some free tickets to the Alabama vs Florida game, and Magan was nice enough to let us boys go...on Valentines day. Sam and Davis appear to be Bama fans because of the chant "Alabama Tennessee, Auburn is a big baby". Can't say I'm a big fan, but they like it. They were surprised at the game that Alabama has a football team, basketball team, and baseball team. For baseball, they are both still big Pittsburgh Pirates fans, and to them, they all play against one another. :)

After going to this game, I am realizing they are probably NOT ready for a college football game, unless they can shorten it to less than an hour. The boys had a good time, but their most fun was spotting BIG AL the elephant, and walking around the coliseum to collect free prizes (shirts and koozies) and unfree cotton candy.

We arrived to the game a little late, and it was fun to watch Sam cheer for bama, then shyly curl up next to me when he thought someone might hear him, then hearding Davis yell out "Go defense". And back to our car where we were not towed even though parking next to the sign that said it would be towed. Oh well, did I mention we were late...