The ORIGINAL Gingerbread champions...

As you can see, "The Jenkins Gingerbread Contest" started many years ago, before Brad and I graced the family with our presence. Here is Blair and Lee Anne sometime in the eighties. They've had a lot of practice...

And the winner is....

Drum roll.......

SUGAR SHACK by Diane Jenkins and Tara Jones! (They pulled it off by only ONE vote over Spot's retreat, submitted by Blair and Cara Jenkins). Chris and Caroline McGlade, first time contenders, came in third with their very creative "Last Chance Christmas Trees." When we get back home, we'll post the picture of the winners with their trophy that they will keep this next year.

We're very glad for the new champions (plus, I think Diane needed this win). Stay tuned for more posting...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Gingerbread house contest 2008!!! PLEASE VOTE!

Alright friends and family across the USA, the "Jenkins Family Gingerbread House Contest" is ON! We have a new contender this year representing the great states of Texas and Colorado: Chris and Caroline McGlade (loud stadium cheer). We NEED you to vote by making your selction and LEAVING A COMMENT at the bottom of this entry. We will announce the winner next Friday December 18th. Remember, there is a trophy at stake so don't forget to VOTE! Past winners include Brad and Lee Anne Porter (2006) and Blair and Cara Jenkins (2007). Good luck to all contestants! May the best house win!

HOUSE #1: "Sugar Shack"

House #2: "Spot's Winter Retreat"

House #3: "Last Chance Christmas Tree Lot"

The BIG Announcement...

You would think pigs were flying in our household because we

FINALLY GOT CABLE AND INTERNET! I can't tell you how much I realized how out of touch with the world we have been until the cable man came and hooked everything up. All of a sudden my eyes were opened to instant communication! Here's just a few ways that technology has already changed our lives.....

1. I don't have to check my e-mail at the public library anymore (I don't think the Librarian liked me very much and I had a 55 minute time limit)

2. We don't have to put foil on our antenas to watch March maddness

3. ABC is no longer our only source of news (I'm still mad a Charlie Gibson)

4. NETFLIX!

5. FACEBOOK (not yet, but coming soon)

6. We don't have to drive to Atlanta Bread to finish papers and e-mails late on Sunday nights.

7. Skyping (not sure how this works, but sign me up with a webcam)

8. We aren't limited to Hannah Montana on Saturday mornings (Blair knows the theme)

9. We don't have to tape "Friends" anymore

10. We can keep up with friends and family!

"We deserve to win..."

Check out this video on You Tube that showcases the men in our church plant here in Asheville playing the game madgab, it's hilarious....

Off to Washington DC for the 4th of July!

That's right, I will be watching the fireworks along side one of my best friends from college, Tara, at the WHITE HOUSE! She has some crazy job that none of us really understand and works in The Pentagon. So excited! I will post pictures when I get back!

Ballet classes are for little girls...

This past semester, I thought it would be a good idea to start taking ballet class again. I danced for almost twelve years until I had to choose between dance and music (there's only so much a girl can do!). I absolutely LOVED ballet when I was little. My mom and dad took me to see the Nutcracker every year. I guess you could say that signing up for this class really showed me that 30 is just around the corner. I had a great teacher, Lyle, who seemed to have the ability to make me think I wasn't that bad. I know the truth, even Lyle can't hide that. Those days are long gone. Check out the old pictures in my "glory days." I still have the same legs!

Blogging begins again...

Thats right! Now that summer is here and I'm not planning on working more than a day a week of teaching oboe lessons, I will have lots of time to post pictures and thoughts that I have been wanting to get on line for a long time. Things coming soon will include...

1. Charleston trip 2008
2. My thoughts on turning 30
3. Fellowship Asheville
4. Our plans summer plans and adventures

ATLANTA!

So, my sweet husband decided that after a long year, we needed a weekend get-a-way. He planned this fantastic trip to Atlanta this past weekend where we relaxed, we talked, we ate, and we hit the big tourist attractions. I highly recommend this same trip to anyone looking for a good mix of a kicked back but well-planned weekend. Here are the highlights...

Here's the view from our hotel room. We stayed on the
65th floor!

Atlanta Braves game! They won in the bottom of the 9th!

Centenial Park: Home of the 1996 Olympics! It was hot!

Coke Museum, Blair's favorite beverage...

Saved the best for last: Georgia's new aquarium. This
harkens me back to the days when my family would go
to the Monterey Bay Aquarium every year...

Can you see the tiger shark in the midst of the fish?

Here's a better picture of him. There are four at this
aquarium and were transported from Thailand...

Jellyfish...

Sting Ray...

We finished the weekend with dessert above our hotel
at the Sun Dial restaraunt. The top rotates around in
a full circle so you can see the city. It was amazing!

We're coming up on three years this month. I can't believe how time flies so quickly. I feel like the luckiest woman to be married to my best friend. I'll be posting more about what's going on in Asheville this coming week. We're at my sister-in-law's house and have internet (a luxury for the Jenkins).

Bell Elementary 4/5 Program

OK, so as many of you know, I do things 110%. I hope you enjoy watching one of my 4th grade classes performing "Thriller" for our program last week called, "Music Through the Decades."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rZPgtz6CFc

Back on line...

I know it's been several months since I've blogged, no internet. So, here's a quick overview of the past two months. My kids at school have a big program this week, so I'll be sure to past pictures of that soon....

Blair and JJ - brothers!

New Year's Eve at the Grove park with Caroline, Chris, Jay and Kate! Check out BLair's beard!

Ah yes, we DID take the trophy!

Snowshoing with John Besio...OUTSTANDING!

Have you ever seen a sign like this in NC? Only in California...

Christmas with the cousins, Emily and Colleen...