The Stirland Family Show

PEACH DAYS

Grandma's cloggers are still dancing... and so is grandma!

Her students put on their anual Peach Days show over labor day.

THE STIRLAND FAMILY SHOW

My family has this thing where we perform together every year and annual town events.

I must say, this was one of our best shows to date.

We had it all: Dancing, Violins, Guitar, Singing, Piano Solos, and a few jokes.

The Burrs and KJ even made a special trip down just to be in the family show this year.

Mom, GPo, and Michelle can find harmony in anything!

We brought out Moses Supposes again- it almost killed me!

The peanut gallery was awesome. We had a pretty big crowd- you know: the usuals.

(yes, we have fans)

We decided our fave number was when Dave brought out the "All of Dancers"

Video Footage:

This first one is so classic! Grandm was in her element and so blissfully happy singing "You Make Me Feel So Young" with her daughters. They have sung this song at Peach Days for years and years and years. Something about this time was super special though. I need to remember to get close ups next time so you can see her eyes sparkle with joy. Really, we all came back this year because of her. Over 35+ years of Stirland Family Shows and she is still dancing and singing and loving every minute of being on stage with her kids. It's not about attention or fame, it's about fun and doing it together and tradition. The second clip is our biggest crowd of family Irish dancers ever! Even Michelle and Becky joined in on the Riverdance bonanza!

We're still hitched!

6 years.

We took Doug to Powell and spent the weekend on the houseboat. Q thought it would be a good idea to get this lovely middle photo of me bending over. Thanks Q, I really appreciates it. Serves him right that this hoped-for butt shot really only ended up featuring "flat-calf-metcalf" at its best.

Antelope Marina built this new and way cool wading platform. Careful Q- that's a 400 ft drop off.

I think Q loves Doug as much as he loves me.

O.K., so Doug and I have some similar qualities:

We both cost a lot of money-we take a while to get going-and we're looking a little rough around the edges as time goes by.

Beware of the DUCKS!

Good trip.

We set some pretty lofty goals for the next 6 years- all of which start with selling our condo! Then it's off to school again...

In 6 years we have:

Lived in NYC
Moved 9 times
N finished 2nd BA
Q finished AA and Mort School
Bought condo
Got real jobs
Traveled like crazy!
No debt except condo (BLAST YOU CONDO, BLAST)
Survived with our stuff in storage half of our marriage
Lost a parent
Officially gained 10 pounds (each)

Iraqi Sniper visits my class!

On September 10th and 11th, for the last three years, I have invited servicemen from nearly every field (military, infantry, airforce, nave seal, coast guard, etc.) to share their experiences with my students and me. I must say, I have been absolutely blown away by their stories and photos and information. I can't believe how broken our media is. I can't believe civilions don't get to hear the voices of our troops and learn the truth about the war and the Middle East. I thought I had heard enough to give me a good understanding of the conflict and Middle Eastern culture (specifically Iran -I'm intensly interested in the Iranian Revolution of 1980)- but this year as stories were told and photos were shared, once again my eyes were opened and I am blown away by the amazingness of our soldiers, the battles they fight (AND WIN), and their love for the Middle Eastern people who need us and want us there.

This year I invited the first ever sniper to come and speak to the kids. Sans the graphic bloody dead terrorist pictures, his experiences were captivating and eye opening. Out of all the men and women that have been in my classroom, I believe he has seen more action. He has also spent more time in Iraq than anyone else we've met. Oh the spiders (two feet flesh eating spiders). He showed us one picture and dared us to find his spotter who was hiding in his "mop" out in the Iraqi desert.

I have learned so much and these will be some of my most reasured memories. I am so lucky to have heard these stories. Sometime (but only sometimes) middle school is worth it.

Last Days of Mark

But first:

Doesn't this kid look like Matthew? I don't know what it is but when ever I hold K I swear I am holding the baby version of mini-Matt!

Mark's mission farewell was a smashing success.

I've never seen food fly off the table that fast.
We must have served nearly 140 people!
It was SO good! ...Especially Chris's Pasta Salad.

One week later, and just days before Mark checked into the MTC (Missionary Training Center:

We had a final Sunday dinner at Grandma Polly's.

Not only did Mark go- but he STAYED!

It's a miracle... and totally weird to be getting these amazing letters from our once wayward brother! Mom is joking that he may become the favorite son! Ah-Oh Matt ;) My how fast we forget... but good to forget. Mark is doing awesome and you can read his amazing letters on the blog Matthew is keeping.