2017 – Snowshoe
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.
2017 – ATL
We took a trip to Atlanta with our friends, the Moores – Stone Mtn, Top Golf, Murphs and the Braves!
2017 – Racks by the Tracks
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.
2017 – Chattanooga Visit
Alexa and Stacey took a trip to Chattanooga to visit Alexa’s great friend, Molly.
2017 – UT Graduation
Today, we celebrated Alexa’s accomplishments. She is an amazing women! We are so very proud of her.
2017 – Mt. Airy, NC
Stacey takes the kids on a birthday trip each year. This one was to historic Mt. Airy.
2016 – Christmas
Closing out another great year with an addition to the family, Penelope Elliot Cleek.
2016 – Chicago
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!
2016 – Oz
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.
2016 – Hilton Head
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.
2016 – Treasure Hunt and Funfest
Samuel and his best friend, Matthew, found the medallion twice in this year’s treasure hunt!
2016 – State Championship for Track and Field
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 […]
2016 – Samuel’s 8th Grade Tack and Field
Strong developments in speed, strength and jumping for Samuel this season.
2016 – I Am They Concert
The Cleek’s took a trip with the Cross family to small town Georgia to watch one of our favorite bands.
2016 – National Prayer Breakfast
Stacey and I were privileged to receive an invitation to this year’s National Prayer Breakfast.
2015 – Samuel’s 8th Cross Country Season
Samuel has speed and can sustain over a fairly significant distance.
2015 – REO Speedwagon
Our family loves 80’s music; so, of course we went to Knoxville to see REO Speedwagon when the opportunity presented itself!
2015 – Back to School Camping Trip
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.
2015 – Stacey and Savana Cruise
Savana deferred a senior trip in order to take an extended cruise with Stacey. They swam with sharks!
2015 – Savana’s High School Graduation
We celebrated the completion of Zana’s years at DB with a creative outdoor party designed by the guest of honor.
2015 – Stacey and Savana take NYC
Stacey and Savana took a trip to New York City for adventure, shopping, theater and more.
2014 – 7 Bridges Marathon
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.
2014 – Samuel’s 7th Grade Football Season
Samuel had a great season as wide receiver and cornerback!
2014 – Rhythm & Roots
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.
2014 – Bonnaroo
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.
2014 – Family Cruise
We took a family cruise to Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Nassau. A great time was had by all.
2014 – Fishing at Dave Clark’s
We went to hang out with friends at Dave’s house. This evening included fishing, ATV riding and a bonfire – great time!
2014 – Samuel MS Track
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!
2014 – Savana Junior Prom
Savana’s Junior Prom made me proud in so many ways. Here are a few pictures of my beautiful daughter.
2014 – Savana Valentine’s Sleepover
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.
2013 – Christmas
We still love to play Santa Clause in the mornings and spend the entire day with family.
2013 – Samuel 6th Grade Fall Band Concert
Samuel’s first concert as an alto-sax player was wayyyy better than I had imagined it would be.
2013 – Family Decorating for Christmas
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.
2013 – Samuel School Play (Murder at Crooked House)
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 […]
2013 – Cross Country
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.
2013 – UT Move-In Day
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.
2013 – Annual Father/Son Trip
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.
2013 – Camping Trip
Samuel and I took advantage of the girls being out of town and went camping, hiking, biking and theme parking in Sevierville.
2013 – Bonnaroo
I had the opportunity to take Alexa, Molly and Jocelyn to the greatest concert festival in the nation again this year.
2013 – Last Day of 5th Grade
We sent Samuel off to his last day of elementary school and ended the day with a party.
2013 – Avett Brothers at Knoxville Coliseum
Jeff Rainey and I took Alexa and Savana to see the Avett Brothers. Great show!
2013 – Samuel as Napoleon Dynamite
Samuel played the role of Napoleon in this Washington Troupe performance.
2013 – Alexa Senior Honors
Alexa was honored as the most outstanding marketing student at Dobyns Bennett’s Senior Honors ceremony.
2013 – Samuel Singing at Dollywood
Washington’s Troupe (singing choir) were invited to Dollywood for a performance.
2013 – Samuel 5th Grade Field Day
Samuel and friends signing annuals and competing with each other at school.
2013 – Samuel Being Silly
Samuel decided to show off at a Steak-n-Shake stop on the way home from Asheville.
2013 – Alexa Becomes a Minister
Alexa decided she should get certified to perform marriages, silly girl.
2013 – Avett Brothers Concert at Clemson
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!
2013 – Final Four
I took a trip with some friends for golf, Atlanta Braves baseball and the NCAA Final Four and Championship in Atlanta.
2013 – Samuel Band Assessment
Samuel has decided to give band a try once he gets to middle school. He’ll be playing the alto sax.
2013 – Family Fun at Eastman Cabins
Savana had the idea to go play together followed by ice cream at Sweet Frog. Great evening!
2013 – Knoxville Weekend for Stacey and Matthew
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.
2013 – Bon Jovi Concert
We took a trip to Nashville to see Bon Jovi. This is one of Samuel’s favorite bands!
2013 – Alexa and Stacey in NYC
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.
2013 – Alexa Mainstage at CF (Everyday People)
Alexa took the mainstage at Christ Fellowship on Sunday, February 24 to sing Everyday People.
2013 – Family Trip to SnowShoe
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!
2013 – Savana Sweet 16 (Bieber Concert)
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.
2013 – Samuel 5th Grade Spelling Bee
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.
thecleeks.com - a collection of life lived well
Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out - Heb 10:25a (msg)