Landry's 3rd Grade Christmas Concert

Khttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDg9E-zYfj4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps2i227DUjw

With Nathan Copeland. 

Daddy Knee Boarding

Summer of 2014, we went on Uncle Steve's boat. Daddy did a great job knee boarding. I was able to get up briefly and Landry just laid flat and got smacked around. Brooks did not catch on quickly which is out of the ordinary for him and therefore frustrating. We had so much fun and cannot wait to do this again. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFw_G0xKAgE

Toby Mac Concert

December 10, 2015

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qm5zgzHudQ

The concert was unforgetable. Colton Dixon, Britt Nicole and Hollyn opened and they were terrific. TM's show was truly amazing. Beautiful worship, such amazing talent, the whole family knowing all of the lyrics, singing,the skills by the band, dancing!  Brooks said - I will never forget that concert. I certainly feel the same way. Our expectations were exceed!  Sharing the night with 40 + friends was beautiful!

Halloween 2015

Very fun year. A few nights before Halloween we met friends at Summerfield Farms for trunk or treat and story time. 

On Halloween, we trick-or-treated in our neighborhood before stopping by to say hello to the Lovetts. Their neighbor who has the scary house was out of town this year which really disappointed you both. Brooks had planned his costume around the idea of helping out to scare people at the scary house.  Your still scared plenty. Landry was Alex Morgan, the professional soccer player. Yum!

Change Is In The Air

Yes, change is in the air. Brooks, in October at almost 11 years old, your began wearing deodorant. This is a unique experience for my nose because now my son smells like my husband. There was moisture regularly and then one day a slightly unfresh smell so we knew it was time. Why are you guys growing up?  I love you. You are certainly gorwing into a young man and one that I am very proud of. 

Suited up in lacrosse gear at a tournament. This is your latest sporting interest. 

Big Changes for Stuckie

So, from the time Landry was a few weeks okd, Landry has sucked her right index finger. 

You have outgrown "Stuckie" which you "stucked" (verb). In October, at 8 years old, you announced you wanted to put a band aid on Stuckie so you would not put it in your mouth during the night. You have to understand that Stuckie was not only for naps and bedtime but also any time you were crying, sad, hurt, in pain, etc.  Stuckie was your way to self-soothe. I am proud of you for deciding to do it in your own time and sticking with it. Change is sad too though. You have also recently sold your kitchen set and your doll house. You are growing up and you recognized that you were no longer playing with it   You  actually never loved playing with your doll house. You did play a lot with your kitchen which wasoriginally Brooks'. This is a little sad but I am thankful for each day of your life which requires growing up. I love you Lan!

Happy 8th Birthday Landry

K

8!!!  So great!!!  Landry, we are so proud of who you are.  Your heart really shines through and God continues to grow you in to the young lady he has planned you to be. We see you give your best in all you do, work hard, encourage friends, love deeply, adore Brooks and your family, show compassion to those who need it, love with your whole heart and be adventurous enough to keep trying new things.

Third Grade with Mrs.Finch is going very well and you love having Mrs.Gilbride for 4th Grade Math and Mrs.Tripp for Move Up Reading. You are chugging right along. You are loving soccer and will be starting Ballet soon at Greensboro Performing Arts. AWANA is fun for you and you learn as much as you can every week. Your memory is exceptional. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12IQicRPCIE

Here is a clip of you girls singing Toby Mac!

For your party this year you invited Kate Sheppard, Anna Sasser, Jensen Huitsing, Lanie Lovett and Taelynn Smith over. Macon Lovett and Anna Barnett could not come. You did a scavenger hunt in the nieghborhood and yard for them to find their party favors and we played chalk games, inside scavenger hunt and yard obstacle courses too.  You had really good ideas and enjoyed your dear friends and even wanted us to keep all of the clues and locations a surprise for you as well. You girls were really funny. The first clue was to go to the cul de dac across from us but as soon as you girls guessed cul de sac, you took off down the street in a sprint. Wrong direction!  So fun to watch you all smiling and running together. For dessert you chose ice cream sundaes and the pizza menu was a surprise even to you. 

We also headed down to Salisbury to see Julia. We were able to join her for her party and enjoy celebrating two very special girls. You two love each other so much!

Weight 64 lbs., Height 51 1/4 ", 20/20 Vision

Recognition from Brooks' Teachers

We are so proud of the character you show through out the day. We receive a few messges like this each school year about you Brooks. Mr. J recently said this:

On Sep 2, 2015, at 7:43 PM, CHAD JOHNSON <20.cjohnson@nhaschools.com>

wrote:

Hey there,

Nice to talk with you yesterday.

It is great to have Brooks in my class for the parts of the day that he

is!  He seems like a great kid.  Always engaged and ready to receive.

He is pretty much the reason why I do what I do.  Have a great 

night.

Daddy also corresponded with Mrs. Higginbotham about you last year:

MADE MY DAY!!!!  Thank you!  I’ll certainly have a great day now, due to hearing this from you.  God has blessed us with a wonderful son.  Thank you for taking the time in your busy day to send this note.

 

Robert Gray

Greensboro City Executive

 

Mr. and Mrs. Gray, 

Hello. I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy having Brooks in my technology class. He really has a great understanding of the things that we do and is quick to participate in class. He has a great attitude and is a joy to teach. I just wanted to let you know. I hope that you have a great day. 

 

Blessings,

Heather Higginbotham

Library Technology Specialist

Greensboro Academy

Landry's Loving Heart in her Writing Assignment

Good Morning Mrs. Gray, 

 

I just wanted to share Landry’s writing response to the prompt- If you inherited a million dollars, what would you spend it on?  Many students wrote expensive cars and houses, TVs, gaming systems, etc.  I could not believe how sweet and thoughtful Landry’s response was.  She wanted to help others rather than herself. 

 

Have a great Friday!

 

Kayla Finch  

3^rd Grade Teacher 

Greensboro Academy

 

4th Grade Trips

4th Grade Field Trip to Biltmore Estate. What a beautifuil place. We had a great time!  Your 4th Grade class with Mrs. Gilbride was awesome. 

Here are a few from the beginning of the year when we went to Haw River. 

 You are trying to identify a tree you previously selected as yours with you eyes open!  More difficult with eyes closed. 

Landry Soccer Spring, 2015

Wow Landry!  You are quite the talented 7 year old on the soccer field. Always big on defense, hustle, scoring, speed and grit. If you hit the ground, you hop back up immediately and can always be counted on to score a hand full of goals!

Happy Mother's Day 2015

AWANA 2014-2015

Wow!  To say that you both do a great job at AWANA is not enough. You both work diligently to learn more of God's Word every week and then most special part is that you truly learn. We discuss Scripture years later and you guys can pull it right out of memory just like you learned it last week. Every year you both work hard to not only complete your books but to do extra credit work. You are good examples to your peers and I am thankful for God's Word that is stored forever. 

Encouraging Verse

I Samuel 30:6b

" But David found strength in the Lord his God."

Brooks Gives Daddy a LEGO Shave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyW_9QBYKmQ

Friendly vs GVP 50 Back 7/6/15

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECM5gYjf-As

2015 Long Course JO's

100 Backstroke

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdFJxVgoG4c

City Meet 2015

.Landry swims 28.87 25 Breast for 6th Place Thursday City Meet. (Results in DQ but swam great.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G_tjW00h9U

Landry swims 23.55 25 Free for 35th Place Thursday City Meet.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uNaOy9VrXA

Landry swims 27.84 25 Fly for Place Thursday City Meet. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ4w57o7W4M

Brooks swims 35.14 50 Back for BRONZE!

Swim:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u-lY231n1o

Medal Presentation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbR_nC2xjbI

Brooks swims 1:07.05 100 Free for BRONZE!

Swim:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbX2UXOsCW4

Medal Presentation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyZqUTP0E9M

Brooks' Medley Relay Wins Bronze!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZWXy50cG6Y

Brooks wins Bronze 100 IM with 1:18.19!!

Swim: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEjEivllKA8

Event 62  Boys 9-10 100 Yard IM
===============================================================================
      Record: R 1:10.01        2010 Andrew Taylor, GCC                         
    Name                     Age Team                 Prelims     Finals        
===============================================================================
A - Final
  1 Noah Rock                 10 HL Hornets           1:16.58    1:13.39  
  2 Dax Harris                10 Hpelks               1:17.86    1:15.59  
  3 Brooks Gray               10 Gators               1:19.67    1:18.19  
  4 John Copeland              9 HL Hornets           1:25.45    1:21.60  
  5 Brady Dole                10 Elks Gso             1:22.89    1:21.79  
  6 Andrew Seeber             10 Friendly             1:26.32    1:22.95  
  7 Jacob Huitsing            10 Gators               1:23.22    1:23.44  
  8 Michael Harding            9 Lightning            1:26.08    1:23.51  
  9 Davis Mohorn               9 Gcc Swimming         1:25.88    1:26.12  
 10 Maxwell Gerber            10 Gators               1:26.11    1:28.98  
B - Final
 11 Brady Rolland             10 ORCA                 1:26.65    1:24.93  
 12 Grant McCormick           10 Gcc Swimming         1:27.00    1:25.00  
 13 Robert Michel             10 Gcc Swimming         1:27.84    1:25.17  
 14 Jack Sullivan             10 SESC                 1:27.26    1:28.15  
 14 Charlie Hager             10 Elks Gso             1:29.76    1:28.15  
 16 Elliot Cooper             10 SESC                 1:27.66    1:30.46  
 17 Lucas Newton               9 Fins                 1:34.62    1:31.14  
 18 Trey Thomas               10 SESC                 1:32.29    1:32.45  
 19 Matthew Szott             10 Marlins              1:33.76    1:33.67  
 20 Reid Rouse                10 Cardinals            1:34.41    1:35.11  
Preliminaries
 21 Grant Connors             10 Sherwood            J1:34.62             
 22 Logan Smith                9 Ridgewood            1:39.54             
 23 Tyler Wiedwald             9 Hammerheads          1:43.14             
 24 Mattox Toledano            9 Starmount            1:45.40             
 25 Will Jacobs                9 Sherwood             1:45.92             
 26 Aiden Clapp               10 Lightning            1:46.67             
 27 Boone Redding              9 Sherwood             1:49.33             
 28 Walker Meyers             10 Friendly             1:51.73             
 29 Jake Golinski              9 Grandover            1:55.23             
 -- Will Curtiss               9 Lightning                DQ              
 -- Alexander Fink            10 Friendly                DNF  

Brooks' Free Relay wins SILVER!

Swim:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZgCTXbTDeU

Parade: Pink in honor of Coach Scot's wife, Melissa's, fight against breast cancer. 

Brooks Gets 2 more JO Cuts = 5! (2015/ 10 years old)

50 Back http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGmSCayuuuw

200 IM Finish http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3D7fK5O0o0

Relay sets GCY 9-10 Boys Relay Record. 

Landry Horse Camp 2015

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzAyl4Zk6Ww

We were able to call in a few favors and Steve Nelson planned a horse camp just for Landry. To make the time more enjoyable, she invited along one friend - Taelynn. Landry had the time of her life. 

Riding Low Rider

Greensboro Ballet Student Concert 2015

Landry has enjoyed ballet at Greensboro Ballet with Mr.Dennis (Mommy's instructor). We were able to record a portion of your student concert at dress rehearsal. 

http://youtu.be/bMnl6aYPHDI

Washington DC May 2015

We are wrapping up an amazing trip to DC. Planning and the help of Sentor Riched Burr have afforded us an awesome stay. God has blessed us with beautiful 76-80 degree, sunny weather and great energy and health. 

We arrived in DC with quite a wish list itinerary and have had a memorable time seeing so much of our Nation's Capital for the first time. 

The initial glimpse of the Washington Monument as we drove in to town was exhilarating. Seeing it for the first time was awe inspiring and elevated everyone's excitement for the days ahead. We also passed the Pentagon as we neared our first official stop at Arlington National Cemetary. We were impressed and humbled at the Changjng of the Guard we were able to witness twice as well as the Military Wreath Ceremonies. Seeing the Kennedy graves first hand was special as well. 

Day two was a big one. We started off with a bang with a White House Tour. Highlights there were the small pieces of knowledge Secret Seevice shared about hidden areas in the walls, furniture. how decor has changed , learning that the president is not allowed to drive and seeing the China from presidential families.

We then hiked around to the  following memorials; Lincoln - wow, Korean, Vietnam, WWII, MLK, Jefferson.

A true highlight was meeting two Holocaust survivors (one named Greenburg).  

We also toured the Smithsonian American History Museum.  We saw the buggy which carried Lincoln's body during his funeral, the actual flag that inspired the "Star Spangled Banner", First Ladies' gowns and china, and many glimpses in to our past. 

Day 3:  Okay, this trip keeps getting better...  So we head over to Ford's Theater to take a look around at the place where Lincoln was assassinated. We end up getting tickets to "One Voice", a 30 minute play recounting Lincoln's last days alive and what took place in the theater that infamous night. We then toured the Petersen House where he was cared for until death and the museum next door. Robert was thrilled and amazed.

We then hung out in China Town and decided to pop in to the Smithsonian Art & Portrait Gallery.

And who should we meet but Abraham Lincoln (who insisted we take our first photo with him the historical way by not smiling and then make history by using jazz hands) and Thomas Jefferson who taught us that he was the first President to shake hands with the people rather than bow. 

Finally, we ventured to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. We enjoyed meeting an astronaut, seeing Doolittle's many medals, learning about all the shooting compartment on WWII planes, seeing the Wright brother's airplane, trying to land a jet on an aircraft carrier and seeing Amelia Earhart's plane, coat and flight goggles. 

Boy has the Metro been handy and a learning experience but we have successfully navigated and learned a lot along the way though we did log 13 miles of walking on the pedometer the first day and around 10 the other says. And, we have met such nice people with restaurant recommendations, help on the metro, and even coupons for free milk shakes at Shake Shack. 

Day 4 we venture to the top of the Washington Monument. What a view!  The kids really loved it.

They have read so much over the years, both fiction and nonfiction, and they have been impressed with the experiences of seeing first-hand what it is all about.  They have observed and studied many of the details and we have had enjoyed conversation about the people and places that have shaped our country.

They ran the circle around the Washington Monument to verify all 50 flags were present. 

We took a serious step in to the Holocaust Museum. Brooks and I have long awaited the opportunity to see some of what Brooks has developed an interest in knowing about. Brooks has really related to the stories of boys who survived the Holocaust. We breezed through the dark museum to begin the process for Brooks to understand just exactly how horrible the images really are of these realities. There was a children's area called Daniel's Story which was an appropriate area for Landry to explore. Smithsonian Natural History may be our favorite of theSmithsonian  Museums. We saw an IMAX about Mammoths and fossils being uncovered in American and enjoyed seeing the Hope Diamond and other breathtaking jewels. Brooks and Landry both loved seeing the rare beauties. Some of the creatures that live deep in the ocean were impressive to see as well, such as a 40 Meter squid - yikes!

 Our final day was spent touring the Capitol Building.  In front of the Capitol Building was a monument to President Grant and President Harrison as well as a Peace Memorial. There was a cool little brick building that had water fountains inside. Senator Richard Burr was responsible for giving us many of the passes we had in DC. A member of his staff gave us our tour of the Capitol and it was cool to see where much of history takes place as well as some super cool statues and paintings. Landry and Brooks are pictured here with a statue of Helen Keller. 

This trip truly exceeded our expectations. The pedometer which marked the 13 miles the first day and around 10 minutes subsequent days, was proof to the kids' grit and lack of complaining. They are just no whiney kids which is so helpful. We all learned a lot and have a better appreciation for our amazing country and those who pursued and fought for the freedoms we enjoy every day. God has blessed America!

Steps Taken on our trip:

Friday: Brooks - 32,002

Saturday: Landry - 27,544

Sunday: Brooks - 28,618

Monday: Landry - 16,755