Spring Break in Perdido Key - Day 4 (4/7)

After getting to the Pensacola / Perdido Key area, we heard about the Blue Angel practice sessions from quite a number of people and got the information while at the museum the day before. When in town, the Blue Angels practice every Tuesday and Wednesday morning at the bright and early start time of 8:30 AM. We were told to be at the museum parking lot by 7:00 AM in order to insure a parking spot, although we did find out they don't open the gates to the flight line until 7:30 AM. A cold front had come through the area (we heard it snowed in TN!) so when we left for the practice session it was 38 degrees outside, with winds up to 15 mph.

Despite the wait and the cold, we all thought the show was very much worth all of that - it is incredible to see these planes and how close together they fly in their formations, not to mention, all of the tricks and other maneuvers they execute.

Here we are, bundled up before the show.

A couple of shots of the crowds - there were two large bleachers, along with space on the asphalt and grass for spectators. The gentleman standing up was located just to the right of us and is a frequent attender of these practice sessions. He helped us out with locating the Angels and knowing what direction they were coming in from, during the show.

One of the planes below is flying upside down and then passed over top of the other plane - amazing!

So close together, they look like one unit!

After the Blue Angels show, we headed back to the house and then Miss K and I went shopping while Mr. M tried his hand at fishing in the back canal. For the shopping, we checked out a couple of flea market type places we saw on our way back from the museum the day before. As far as the fishing, Choo thought it was too cold for the fish to be biting.

Once we had lunch, we headed out to the Adventure Center in Orange Beach to do some mini-golfing and go-cart riding. (We also ran into Miss K's homeroom and math teacher and her family while mini-golfing!)

Mr. M got a hole-in-one!

Spring Break in Perdido Key - Day 3 (4/6)

Today was much colder and windier (windy since we arrived but today had advisories out) so we decided to spend the bulk of it at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. This is a great museum, highly recommend it to anyone visiting in the area! We saw an IMAX show, viewed the exhibits and tried out the motion simulator (some of us!).We at a late lunch at the Cubi Bar Cafe inside the museum - the food was really good! The cafe is a reconstruction of an Officers Club from the Philippines - everything was packed up from the club, transported to the Museum and then unpacked and used to create this cafe.

A beautiful sunset ended the day.

Spring Break in Perdido Key - Day 2 (4/5)

This break was much needed for everyone - a good time to spend together (and away from work and school) to recharge. We spent quite a bit of time at the beach this day. Miss K buried Mr. M in the sand, we walked and spent a lot of time just relaxing.

Spring Break in Perdido Key - Day 1 (4/4)

We had the good fortune to be able to go to Perdido Key, near Pensacola, for a few days of spring break. We got in late the night before so by the time we "emerged" the next morning we were ready to go out, see some sights and eat lunch. We decided to head over to "The Wharf" at Orange Beach to see what this was all about - we found a sports place where we had some seafood, and, believe it or not, some BBQ as well!

Ferris Wheels happen to be one of my favorite things so was very excited to see this one here! It didn't take too much arm twisting to persuade everyone to take a ride. (By the way, Mr. M got contacts a couple of weeks ago and also finished up getting his braces put on before we left on this trip. Not sure if can see the braces very well in the picture(s) but thought I'd mention it, in case someone notices!)

This place had some cute shops that we walked around and browsed through. Choo and Mr. M found some very cool hats!

We did get to the beach during the afternoon, after all that is why we came here. We spent a lot of time looking for shells - found many great ones here. The beach near the house we stayed at is very quiet - appreciated that!

Resurrection Day - Christ the Lord is Risen Today!

He Is Risen Indeed!

Luke 24:1-7 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went into the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wonderind about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' "

The morning was beautiful (sunshiny with spring flowers popping out everywhere), worship sweet and lunch wonderful today.

And, maybe this will sound like something already written, said or cliche' by many people but not to me (or our family)....Glory and thanks be to God for sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to save a wretched soul like me! I am thankful every day for His saving grace for me; and for us.

Eating, Sleeping, Breathing Violin...

As can see, there has been a heavy concentration of violin events this year, since January! All of them have been very enjoyable and the kids (and us as well) continue to learn so much through the Suzuki program, many life lessons along with the music. I finished a couple of violin posts from March but will be moving on to some other topics for a short while - although we're not finished with violin events yet for this school year! Stay tuned for the spring group recital, another Rudderville performance and NAMTA State Competition.

Columbus Suzuki Tour Friendship Concert with MTSA (3/29)

A touring group from Columbus, OH came to Nashville to perform a Friendship Concert on Sunday, March 29th. This Columbus Suzuki touring group consists of violin players that are Book 6 and above - they gave the primary concert and then some members of MTSA played a couple of songs for them (Two movements of Shostakovich and Orange Blossom Special). At the end, the Columbus and MTSA violin players played a few songs together (Perpetuo Mobile, Bach Double and then a Play In).

The MTSA violin players warming up before the Friendship Concert with the Columbus Suzuki Touring group.

The more advanced MTSA violin players practicing the Bach Double with the Columbus Suzuki Group.

All of the players (Columbus Suzuki Group and MTSA) during the Play In at the end of the concert.