Overall, the ’17-’18 ski season included 12 trips to Snowshoe, WV with a couple of quick trips to Banner Elk thrown in for good measure.
We took a trip to Atlanta with our friends, the Moores – Stone Mtn, Top Golf, Murphs and the Braves!
We all went to Kingsport’s ribs festival. Matthew and Stacey hung out to spend the evening with one of Matthew’s favorite throwback country bands – Sawyer Brown.
Alexa and Stacey took a trip to Chattanooga to visit Alexa’s great friend, Molly.
Today, we celebrated Alexa’s accomplishments. She is an amazing women! We are so very proud of her.
Stacey takes the kids on a birthday trip each year. This one was to historic Mt. Airy.
Closing out another great year with an addition to the family, Penelope Elliot Cleek.
Stacey and I took a trip with friends to Chicago. We enjoyed a lot of great things, the highlight being a Cubs game at Wrigley where they clinched a playoff spot on their way to a World Series Championship!
At the top of Ski Beech is the Land of Oz. This attraction is only open 1 weekend per year and our kids have really enjoyed our trips down the yellow brick road.
We spent a week in Hilton Head. It was wonderful! Our family doesn’t typically repeat vacation destinations, but I have a feeling we will be back here.
Samuel and his best friend, Matthew, found the medallion twice in this year’s treasure hunt!
Only 16 individuals from across the state of Tennessee qualified to compete in the middle school state championships for each event. Samuel qualified in 3 different events – he was top 16 in the state in high jump, discuss and 4 x 100 relay. What an amazing accomplishment! He went on to win the silver […]
Strong developments in speed, strength and jumping for Samuel this season.
The Cleek’s took a trip with the Cross family to small town Georgia to watch one of our favorite bands.
Stacey and I were privileged to receive an invitation to this year’s National Prayer Breakfast.
Samuel has speed and can sustain over a fairly significant distance.
Our family loves 80’s music; so, of course we went to Knoxville to see REO Speedwagon when the opportunity presented itself!
Each year, Samuel and I take a trip together just before new new school year gets started. They stayed close by at Warrior’s Path and enjoyed many of the wonderful things this region has to offer. One of their many events was mountain biking where they learned that they hate mountain biking.
Savana deferred a senior trip in order to take an extended cruise with Stacey. They swam with sharks!
We celebrated the completion of Zana’s years at DB with a creative outdoor party designed by the guest of honor.
Stacey and Savana took a trip to New York City for adventure, shopping, theater and more.
I set a goal to do something that felt impossible after turning 40. I ran my first full marathon. The family and a friend came along on the trip to Chattanooga for fun at the aquarium, Rock City and Ruby Falls.
Samuel had a great season as wide receiver and cornerback!
Stacey and I enjoyed hanging out at this year’s annual Rhythm & Roots at the Birthplace of Country Music – Bristol, TN/VA. Alexa joined us for part of the festival.
Alexa and I took our annual trip to Bonnaroo. This year’s lineup included Elton John, Cage the Elephant, Neutral Milk Hotel, The Avett Brothers, Yonder Mountain String Orchestra, First Aid Kit, Skrillix and many more, but Jake Bugg stole the show for me.
We took a family cruise to Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Nassau. A great time was had by all.
We went to hang out with friends at Dave’s house. This evening included fishing, ATV riding and a bonfire – great time!
Though many 6th graders participate in middle school track, Samuel was one of very few given the opportunity to compete at the meets. He is an excellent high-jumper and long-jumper!
Savana’s Junior Prom made me proud in so many ways. Here are a few pictures of my beautiful daughter.
Savana and some of her girlfriends decided to forgo the whole romance scene and spend the evening together at our house. This didn’t stop some interested guys from stopping by, but they did enjoy most of the evening together.
We still love to play Santa Clause in the mornings and spend the entire day with family.
Samuel’s first concert as an alto-sax player was wayyyy better than I had imagined it would be.
No one was really in the mood to decorate the Christmas tree; so, we made the kids. Instead of sulking, they made a wonderfully silly time of it.
Samuel decided to go out for the school play. During tryouts, the actors were told to sing Happy Birthday or some other song of choice. One-by-one, 7th graders, 8th graders and a few 6th graders stepped onto the stage and gave their best “happy birthday.” 6th grader, Samuel Cleek, decides to set himself apart. He […]
This is Samuel’s 6th grade year. He joined the cross country team for Sevier Middle School. They had a great season and made it all the way to the state championships. Here are a few pictures of Samuel and his friends from throughout the season.
We moved Alexa in to her dorm room a week early so she could take part in a leadership/service program. Knoxville just moved up a notch in class, style, intelligence, wisdom and beauty.
Samuel and I stayed a little closer to home this year – Warriors Path State Park. We camped, hiked, went horseback riding and played frisbee golf. Great times, better memories. The girls even came to visit one evening.
Samuel and I took advantage of the girls being out of town and went camping, hiking, biking and theme parking in Sevierville.
I had the opportunity to take Alexa, Molly and Jocelyn to the greatest concert festival in the nation again this year.
We sent Samuel off to his last day of elementary school and ended the day with a party.
Jeff Rainey and I took Alexa and Savana to see the Avett Brothers. Great show!
Samuel played the role of Napoleon in this Washington Troupe performance.
Alexa was honored as the most outstanding marketing student at Dobyns Bennett’s Senior Honors ceremony.
Washington’s Troupe (singing choir) were invited to Dollywood for a performance.
Samuel and friends signing annuals and competing with each other at school.
Samuel decided to show off at a Steak-n-Shake stop on the way home from Asheville.
Alexa decided she should get certified to perform marriages, silly girl.
I drove Alexa to Clemson University so she could meet up with friends for this concert. While walking her to the venue, a radio station representative gave me a free ticket; so, I got to enjoy the show too. This was probably my favorite concert ever!
I took a trip with some friends for golf, Atlanta Braves baseball and the NCAA Final Four and Championship in Atlanta.
Samuel has decided to give band a try once he gets to middle school. He’ll be playing the alto sax.
Savana had the idea to go play together followed by ice cream at Sweet Frog. Great evening!
Stacey and I took a trip to downtown Knoxville this weekend. We spent some time familiarizing ourselves with UT’s campus since Alexa will be going there in the fall. We had no idea how fun downtown Knoxville could be; and, to our surprise, there was a concert scheduled for Market Square while we were there.
We took a trip to Nashville to see Bon Jovi. This is one of Samuel’s favorite bands!
Last year, Alexa started a fashion marketing club at Dobyns Bennett High School. She was able to convince her teacher sponsors to put together a school trip to NYC for the club members. Of course, Stacey had to go along as a chaperone.
Alexa took the mainstage at Christ Fellowship on Sunday, February 24 to sing Everyday People.
We decided to take a spur-of-the-moment trip to SnowShoe, WV for some family fun including games, movies, skiing, snowboarding, zip lines, shopping and – as always – good food! Great time together!
For Savana’s 16th birthday, she and Stacey spent a couple of days in Charlotte. While there, they did some shopping, dining and went to a Justin Bieber concert.
Samuel was 1 of 12 elementary school students out of 86 who passed the qualifying examination for this year’s spelling bee. He did an awesome job and made it through more than 20 rounds. He placed 5th overall.