Tallahatchie Riverfest

Yesterday our family ran the Tallahatchie River Run in New Albany. We woke up to not only rain, but thunderstorms, seems to be the norm for all of our race days! We dressed, headed out and ran into torrential downpours! Thankfully, closer to race start it was just a drizzle, which is actually wonderful to run in! The Spartans once again showed up in the green sea of shirts! Wow, it is really cool to see all those shirts all over the place! I am so incredibly proud of the whole team, but especially proud of my boys! They have come such a long way since they first started running! It was a very difficult course with LOTS of hills, but we had lots of fun! I am pretty sure we will run this one again next year!

Me at the beginning smiling & feeling strong!

John Parker ran his best race with a PR of 28:01!

Way to go Park!!!

Me at the end of the race NOT smiling & wanting to die!!!


Carson finishing strong!!!!




Top 3 overall female finishers!!!
Notice the shirts..... Yeah Spartans!
Coach Heather 2nd, Danielle 1st & Catherine 3rd


Stephen showed out with a 20:40 and won 2nd in his division!!


Us after the race looking lovely!!!

Some of our Spartan family!


Say Cheese!!!!!

Spartans XC

The Spartans


This year John Parker and Carson joined the Spartans, our home school cross country team. This has been such a wonderful experience for our entire family. We have enjoyed the company and fellowship of old and new friends! Coach Heather is AWESOME!!! We love her, she is so great with the kids. It is really amazing to see how everyone has improved week to week. The team has run in several local 5k races and will compete with other schools in meets. Our season ends in October, and I am afraid I am going to have withdrawals!!!

Here are a few random pictures from the season.

Avery & Leah enjoy their play time during practices!

John Parker & Carson with friends after a run

Jared found a kitten hidden in the grass


Stretch Time!

Saltillo Meet

This is how everyone looked after their race!

It was so rainy and muddy! Some of the runners had to climb hills on their hands and knees!

Can you say Determination & Dedication?!

All of our Varsity & Jr. Varsity teams did great!

We had 11 varsity girls place in the top 20!

To good friends and good times!

Last week after practice, the whole team went to Mi Pueblo to enjoy some yummy Mexican food! We took up the entire restaurant! There was standing room only!

Coach Heather got a pie in the face!

She made a deal with the girls.......the price you pay!!!!!

She is a great sport!

Avery's 5th Birthday!

Giving Stephen a thank-you hug for her 'Fancy' dress!

I truly can not believe that my baby girl is 5 today!!!! So much has happened in her 5 years. She was born during Kelly's activation in Iraqi Freedom. Thankfully, he was still in the States and was able to be at her birth, spend a few days at home with us, and see her a few more times before going to Iraq in January of 2005! At the time, I couldn't see, but now I know we were blessed with her to help me get through that year! Kelly may have missed her first year, but he definitely has made up for it in the past 4! She loves her Daddy!

As our tradition, We celebrated her special day with friends and family! This year she wanted to have a "Fancy Nancy" tea party and that's what we did! If you don't know who Fancy Nancy is, you should check her out, sooooo funny and cute! The girls had a fabulous time playing games, making bracelets, learning a little French, and having a tea party!

Avery & Maddi all dolled up!

Here is the table all set for the tea!

Avery helped me do this first thing this morning!

She kept asking all day, "How much longer till my party?"

Making her wish!

One, two, three... BLOW!

Ella Joan in her 'fancy' dress!


All the girls!

John Ashford is really concentrating on his ice cream!

Leah & Avery

Sorry about the quality of my pictures, my flash wasn't on!!!

Chick-Fil-A 5K

The Mims and Johnson Crew


Jared , Avery, Sam & Leah with Mr. Moo!


Today our family traveled to Memphis to run in the Chick-Fil-A 5k. We met up with the Johnsons and had a fun time! Thanks to Roan, who needed rest after running the Tupelo 14.2 Miler yesterday, for watching Jared and Avery! This was by far the largest race we have participated in. I am not exactly sure how many runners, but my guess is between 800-1000! I was so happy to get to run with my sweet friend, Stacee, even if it was only for a little over a mile! The beginning of the race was so congested that we were basically walking the first 1/4 of a mile! When we were finally able to run, I tried to make up for the lost time! Unfortunately, my partner, Carson, didn't like the faster pace! He gets extremely nervous in large crowds, hates them as a matter of fact, so he always runs right with me! Today, though was too much for him, and I had to stop and walk with him 3-4 times. I felt terrible to leave him and didn't this race! It was a fun, scenic course, but also a little tough! Oh, I forgot to mention that it was super HOT! We did not have great times, but I am totally okay with that - just can't wait until next year to beat it! HA! Kelly ran with Parker and pretty much had the same experience as me, just a little slower! The race clock showed 32:39 when I came in, but haven't seen the official posted times yet! The after race refreshments were pretty impressive! Free Chick-Fil-A sandwiches, pizza, hot dogs, donuts (Yuck), fruits and lots of drinks to choose from! Congratulations to Julie and Olivia for placing in their age division! After seeing the girls get their awards, we all headed over to the Smoothie King for a yummy lunch! Can't wait till next time!

Carson & me right after the race!

Kelly & me - the race ended at 3rd base on the Memphis Redbird's field!

Olivia! Love her shirt!

"Running is a mental sport & we're all insane!"

John Parker enjoying his sandwich

Jimmy, Julie & Roan

Jared, Avery & Sam

Carson & Clay

Kelly and me with our boys! So proud of them!

Roan & me

Our family! Last picture of the day!

Welcome Ella Joan!

August 4, 2009

7 lbs 3oz.

18 1/2 inches

Big Brother, John Ashford

First nap together..... Precious

Joan is our mammaw's namesake
I'm sure she is smiling down on Ella!

Carson lovin' on his new cousin!

All my parent's grandchildren
Ages 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and New!

Avery is loving it, Ella Joan not so much!

John Ashford and Ella Joan