~Alabama Alders~

2010-12-05T12:40:00.002-06:00

Life is proceeding as it always seems to..... Jason is in his senior year, Connor is a freshman, Madison is in the 7th grade and Duncan the 4th. It is amazing to me just how fast time really goes.

Andy is living in Panama City. The rest of us are still here in Birmingham. Who knows what the next 6 months will bring?!?

Here is a family shot from earlier this year :) Enjoy!

2009-04-13T23:29:00.001-05:00

Okay I promised a few pics and I will post even more in the coming days! Had the BEST birthday ever!!! These are from my actual birthday. Much fun was had!

2009-03-13T12:10:00.001-05:00

2009-03-13T12:03:00.003-05:00

No pictures...yet but you all know me...they're coming! We leave in the morning to go to Disney World for spring break!!! I am about to jump out of my chair I am so excited~ Everything is packed and ready to go the pets are all set, timers on the lamps....why wont today go any faster?

I will be celebrating my 20+15th birthday at the Magic Kingdom! Watch out Mickey HERE I COME!!!!!!

2009-02-22T12:14:00.003-06:00

Recently Andy found out that he needed to have neck surgery. MRI on Friday, results Wednesday and surgery Monday...WOW what a week! First Madi and then Andy~ His surgery went well but he struggled to wake up in recovery. Three hours after finding out he was done with surgery he finally gets up to his room. Nurse is kind enough to share that they pulled the crash cart over by him because he kept trying not wake up. Why did she feel like she needed to share that? Since he works at the hospital he had many visitors...meaning he pretty much worked the whole time he was there. Here are some pics ... enjoy!

2009-02-08T23:49:00.001-06:00

This has been quite the week! I finally feel like I am going to survive and not cough my lungs out. Madison has been sick too so I let her stay home on Monday. Well...she was coming down the stairs and slipped (NO, I did NOT push her) down the last 6 stairs. At the bottom of our stairs we have hardwoods. She stopped her fall by putting her foot down hard & broke it. So after a trip to the ER and several to her orthopedic we are in a cast for now. Notice the toes they match the cast. We had to add the stairs for dramatic effect. LOL

2008-12-31T16:36:00.001-06:00

It looks like everyone is happy! Pretty sure everyone got what they wanted and then a whole lot more!!!

2008-12-31T16:34:00.000-06:00

You just have to love the sleepy feel of Christmas morning!

2008-12-31T16:25:00.001-06:00

Our elves made a prison...ELFCATRAZ The rest are Christmas Eve shots...you have to love the elves going home to the North Pole!

2008-12-31T15:59:00.000-06:00

Matt Tracy and the girls came over for a "pre-Christmas" visit. Morgan had a great time with the Potato Heads. I love her creativity! Had to share~

2008-12-31T15:49:00.001-06:00

2008-12-31T13:57:00.004-06:00

Connor played cornerback this year for Middle School Football. His banquet was great...the goofy kid with him is his friend Van...proof that my kids aren't the wierdest ones out there!

2008-12-31T13:53:00.003-06:00

Madison had her holiday concet and only about half of the kids showed up. The hat she wore A LOT this season...

2008-12-31T13:47:00.002-06:00

Duncan turned 8 on Thanksgiving this year. He was baptized by his dad on the 30th. Gratefully we had Mom and Dad, Matt, Tracy and family there to celebrate! We love you guys! When asked if he was going to stay as perfect as he was that day Duncan answered..."umm no." At least he is honest!

2008-12-31T12:49:00.004-06:00

Time for a quick game of catch up....

These shots are from Jason at UAB Honor band that he attended Dec 11th - 13th. He was given the oppurtunity to play with the second highest level. (Juniors and Seniors) About an hour before performance he called asking for us to bring him his shoes and socks....

2008-11-11T21:47:00.001-06:00

2008-11-11T21:36:00.002-06:00

This past weekend our cheerleading program went to UCA State Competition for the first time. We have in the past gone to a lesser competition and placed consistantly. So it was time for a new challenge. Talk about "BRING IT ON"! Our girls did so well and I am so proud to say that Madison's squad that I coach took 5th over all. GO HORNETS! Now that we know what to expect watch out next year!!!

2008-11-02T10:50:00.000-06:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2008-11-02T10:43:00.002-06:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Because Connor's b-day is on the 1st we use it as an excuse for a big party! Lots of teenagers at my house. Jason was "Gothic Brother" Andy and I were "Gothic Parents" Connie "Joker" Madi "Batgirl" and last but never least Duncan "BATMAN"

2008-10-30T11:12:00.001-05:00

We just finished up our Homecoming game and my girls "Rocked the House" thus me in the headband~ (yes I realise that I look like a hippie)

2008-09-21T21:05:00.002-05:00

These are pictures of Madison's 11th (yes 11th) birthday party.As you can see there were A LOT of girls there, last count with adults and extras was 61. Andy set up our AWESOME "redneck" drive in. All in all I think that everyone had a great time!

2008-08-10T23:38:00.001-05:00

Andy and I are SOOOO excited that school has started!!!!

Connor and my other son Jeremy

2008-08-10T23:29:00.000-05:00

First Day of School 2008

2008-08-06T23:06:00.004-05:00

Most of you know that I am EVIL! I saw this and almost wet my pants I was laughing so hard. If ever I need to smile I just watch this and it brightens my whole day! It could be that I totally see Andy doing this to me.... ENJOY!!!

Gun Scare Prank

2008-08-04T10:15:00.002-05:00

Just a quick note here....I have realized something this weekend. I am no longer 18. I know BIG SHOCKER! But we had building camp for my cheerleaders (they were learning to stunt) and I was one of the back spots. I lost count of the number of girls that I caught. We aren't even going to talk about the ones that walked or fell on me. Every muscle in my entire body hurts! Enough for my rant. My girls did great they learned tons so I guess it is all worth it. This is the point when I look at you and just ask for a couple of tylenol and a nap. LOL Megan I can hear you laughing all the way from here!

2008-07-06T19:46:00.004-05:00

One of the "highlights" of our evening? CAST~ Riley- Ron Weasley Lexi- Harry Potter Madison- Dumbledore Jason- Snape

2008-07-06T19:37:00.000-05:00

More "COUSIN" moments

2008-07-06T19:32:00.003-05:00

Here are some more shots from up at Fishlake. I tried to get a bunch of all the kiddos together. My favorite part this year (aside from winning Iron Fish) was the way that all the cousins got to know one another! I hope that the friendships that they formed will last a long long time....

2008-06-26T22:37:00.000-05:00

Just one of the many pictures that I was able to take while at Fishlake....this one is my favorite!

2008-06-26T00:33:00.003-05:00

As some of you know we just got home from an AWESOME vacation. The kids and I drove out to UT and spent a week at Snowbird before going to the "Alder Family Fishlake". Here are a few highlights...more to come!

2008-06-25T14:48:00.003-05:00

I have just been informed for the ZILLIONTH time that I never take or post anything of Jason so here we go......I love being such a meaner!

2008-05-20T12:36:00.001-05:00

Madison got two awards this year. "A" honor roll and an award for art!

2008-05-17T13:04:00.000-05:00

This is the newest member of the Alder clan.... Puss in Boots

2008-05-15T11:15:00.003-05:00

This video was taken after watching a series of 1-act plays at Jason's high school. Please remember that this was at the McDonalds drive through at about 11:00 pm. You can hear all the kids in the background adding their imput. Gratefully I am behind the camera!

2008-05-13T12:08:00.001-05:00

Baseball 2008

Both boys are playing catcher. ~Duncan is on the Cardinals and Connor is on the Red Sox~

2008-04-29T15:30:00.003-05:00

We run a food booth at Talledega Speedway as a fundraiser for our cheerleading program. Although I am not a big fan of NASCAR it gives you a definite respect for how fast those cars are going!!! This is why we have chili for Thanksgiving~

2008-04-09T20:47:00.000-05:00

HAPPY 15TH BIRTHDAY JASON!!!

2008-03-27T22:29:00.001-05:00

HAPPY EASTER!
(yes I know that Duncan looks like his neck is brocken...he does this in almost every family pic that we take!)

2008-03-20T15:58:00.001-05:00

For St.Patrick's Day Andy and I took the kids to Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Madi stayed with her friend because she wasn't up to the hike. The "extra" girl in the group is Jason's best friend Sharron.

2008-03-20T13:16:00.001-05:00

Cont....

2008-03-20T12:55:00.002-05:00

Birmingham Botanical Gardens St. Patty's Day 2008

2008-03-12T21:49:00.002-05:00

Just to update those of you who were wondering. Madi is home and slowly healing. She spent 3 days at Children's Hospital and they FINALLY took her appendix out. They did exploratory surgery to make that decision but at least she is feeling better now. After a week + of her hurting I am very relieved.

Thank you to everyone who sent flowers and cards and all the yummy food! We love you all!!!

2008-02-12T17:21:00.000-06:00

Duncan and his classmates were asked who was their Valentine and what were they going to give to them...here are their answers. ~This is in the February issue of PORTICO Magazine~

2008-02-12T09:57:00.000-06:00

Okay, I finally found time with all the kids together to get some good shots in! Enjoy~

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-02-05T00:33:00.001-06:00

2008-02-05T00:05:00.000-06:00

These are Madison's "angry eyes"

2008-02-05T00:03:00.000-06:00

I took this in our backyard. I hate how grown up they all are...yes I do know that we are missing someone! ~This is a "boys only" shot~

2008-02-04T23:52:00.000-06:00

Okay I have finally decided to follow up on this blog! I don't know if you all know but we do a lot on Myspace and Face book so I think we tend to forget about the rest of our blogs!

This year has been a wacky and wierd one to say the least. I think that we are finally on the down side of the hill though (knock on wood)!!!

Jason is home again and going to his new high school. He is in the play, Annie get your gun. As always he is definatly in his element~ DRAMA! He is still playing in the band with both of his instruments. I just hope that he is able to settle and enjoy.

Connor and Duncan are gearing up of baseball again. This will be Connor's last year in rec ball before he moves up to 7th grade Middle School ball. There are times that I really struggle to wrap my arms around the fact that my kids are growing up so quickly! Duncan was just featured in a local magazine. He talked about all his "girlfriends" and what he wanted to get them for Valentine's day. What a ham!!! He has been asked to be on the morning news show on Valentine's day so that he can follow up. He swings between being very nervous and excited.

Madison has decided that she wants to try the whole softball thing again. I dont know what I think about that just yet...she so hated it the last time! Her best friend will be on her team this time so maybe it will be better.

As for Andy and I, we are pretty much the same. We miss having family around! We have been so blessed to have great friends here in Alabama. But it just isn't the same. Hopefully this year we are able to make it to Fishlake for the family vacation. Cross your fingers!

2007-03-13T20:29:00.000-05:00

Egg Boy and his four egglings.....just waiting to be scrambled

2007-03-01T21:27:00.000-06:00

This is the storm that went over our home tonight. Spooky isn't it? We were very lucky, all we saw was a lot of rain and wind~

2007-02-13T21:23:00.000-06:00

Duncan lost his first tooth tonight. Hopefully the Tooth Fairy remembers... I'm sure she will, who could resist that face?

2007-02-13T21:20:00.000-06:00

Connor ran his first marathon. The Mercades Kids Marathon! He finished in the top 50...way to go!

2007-01-19T15:13:00.000-06:00

100th day of School

Duncan had to dress up like he was 100. I think he looks pretty cute!

2007-01-08T21:13:00.000-06:00

Connor's 5th grade pic.

2007-01-08T21:08:00.000-06:00

Duncan's Kindergarten pic.

2007-01-08T20:58:00.000-06:00

This is Duncan at the POLAR EXPRESS. He is on the caboose

2007-01-08T20:55:00.000-06:00

Madison's 3rd grade pics

2007-01-05T12:16:00.000-06:00

Do De Do De Do.....

EGG BOY STRIKES AGAIN!!!!

2007-01-04T22:13:00.000-06:00

Sometimes being the youngest and having an older sister really stinks!

2007-01-02T15:05:00.000-06:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS! This is everyone Christmas Eve. Connor (holding Mickey) , Madison, Duncan and Jason (holding Willow)

I keep trying to get the kids to wear matching jammies but they are all getting too grown up for that kind of thing.

2006-12-22T17:52:00.000-06:00

This is Andy all ready for a day playing paintball. He is playing on a tournament team. ~Triple Threat~ doesn't he look scary?

2006-12-22T16:45:00.000-06:00

Connor decided that he really wants to be a cheerleader. Lucky for him I had a uniform that fit....

2006-12-16T19:14:00.000-06:00

GOOGLY EYED MONSTER!

2006-11-26T13:10:00.000-06:00

Just another adventure at the Alder's.... We like to call this one a Jason Sandwich"

2006-11-19T18:10:00.000-06:00

Competition finally ends this year of cheerleading for Madison and Mom! Our squad took 3rd and Madison took home a 5th in individual comp. WAY TO GO~

2006-11-19T18:06:00.000-06:00

After a great season the boys finally hang up their pads....until next year!