4th Grade Field Trip!

Parker's class visited historic Pamplin Park near Petersburg, VA today to learn about the Civil War and walk on the actual battlefield! Lots of battles were fought in Virginia; many of them in Petersburg, Richmond, and Chesterfield County.

Parker and Kyle on their lunch break!

Parker before he was enlisted as a soldier in the Confederate Army.

Parker as a new recruit in the Confederate Army, learning how to handle a rifle.

Parker's teacher, Ms. Evaro, demonstrating the public humiliation used on soldiers during war time. Her sign reads "thief." We aren't sure what she stole.

"Can you believe this?? Our TEACHER is getting in TROUBLE!"

SNOW DAY!!

Some real snow fell last night!! About 3 years ago we had 4 inches, so everyone has already forgotten how to drive. There were something like 300 accidents last night as the rain turned to ice and then to snow. We measured 8 inches in our yard. Parker found a drift 11 inches deep.

Around town and in neighboring counties we are hearing reports of up to a foot. Unfortunately, there's ice underneath! Of course everything is shut down. VCU took forever to admit that they would have to close. I get out of 3 classes today! Jeremy had to go to work though... the government offices are closed, but he has to go to work for the ice cream company....?
Our Honda made it through the snow okay. Jeremy insists that's because he "knows how to drive in the snow."

We don't even have a snow shovel. That's how little it snows here.

The snow is pretty dry near the top, though...so there won't be any snowman pics :( At least our power is still on... a lot of people are out right now.

It finally quit snowing, hours after they predicted. The blue sky is back and the snow is blinding!

After a nice hard freeze tonight (11 degrees) it will slowly warm up to the upper 60s by Friday, just in time for my Spring Break!

2009 ADDYS

Here it is! The 2009 ADDYs were in Virginia Beach, VA at the beautiful Westin Hotel. I don't know why I'm standing like that. I think I was falling out of my shoe.

Student and professional work was on display.

Salmon and chicken were among the courses served in the dining room.

Blurrily from the left: Colleen (my partner for the campaign), Kaitlynd, Maria, & me

A tablemate got a bit bored while waiting for the main course.

For some reason they provided us with modeling clay. Maria made her own pink ADDY award.

VCU School of Mass Communications dominated -- we took every single student award!
14 Silver, 4 Gold, and the Best in Show!

Half these kids graduated last semester, so it was fun to get back together for some VCU Advertising pride!

Here's the video of my ad that was shown on the monitor.

Rock climber!

Parker's friend, Holden Taylor, invited Parker to a birthday party at Peak Experiences, the largest indoor climbing gym on the East Coast. He and the other boys had a blast!

Parker has been rock climbing once before, so he was darn near fearless this time. He even climbed a 50 footer!

Halfway up, Parker leans over to the kid next to him and asks, "What's up?"
(Pretty sure the pun wasn't intended. )

Big Change

It may not seem like a big deal, but I had to shave my goatee for the new job I've picked up to fill in the gaps while the real estate market continues to be slow. I've had hair on my chin since I was 18. Even when no one could see it, it was there. So, It's a big change for me. My chin is cold.

I Think the Groundhog was Wrong

The last two days have been in the 70s and sunny. The week ahead is forecasted for 60s and 70s. Perhaps the Groundhog was wrong?? Or perhaps he is no match for my insistence that if we are not going to have snow, we might as well have warm weather!

You Call This Snow??

Woke up to about 1/2 an inch of slushy white stuff....Richmonders call it snow, but I'm not so sure this qualifies. It's the only white stuff we've seen since November 2006, however.

Parker, the eternal optimist, somehow managed to pack a snowball :)