Hammons Family: April 2011

Thursday, April 28, 2011

You can see the High School from the distance (before all of this you could not see the high school because of all the trees)

Tornado April 27, 2011

This is a trailer that was thrown into a tree.

A house that was thrown against the side of the road

These pictures were taken a few streets over from where we live.

You always say it will never happen to me. We could not have been more wrong. In the many years that I have lived in Ringgold it felt like our little town was always in a bubble. Every strong storm that came by would just disappear or move completely around us. Now we understand how safe we have been. Last night around 8:00 things started to get a little scary for our family. The news reported that a tornado was heading towards Ringgold with winds over 80mph. The kids were quickly put into the closet and we waited listening until the time was clear and was safe. We were not out of the closet for more than 10 minutes when we heard that the reporter say that it was on Cherokee Valley Rd. (This road is just a street over from where we live) We rushed the kids back in the closet and stuck it out for a little while longer. When the reports started coming in there was nothing that we could say but where in complete shock. Our little town was destroyed. There were many businesses that lost everything and some that had major damage. There were also three hotels that had roofs taken off. There were also 3 different gas stations that were completely destroyed and there is nothing left. The middle school where Madison goes is destroyed. The eight grade wing has no roof. The football field that is in between the high school and middle school only one light remains standing. The press box is in the parking lot. Field houses are half missing. There are also a lot of houses surrounding the school that looks like nothing more than rubble. The devastation is massive but we are truly blessed that we have a Heavenly Father that kept our family safe and our families surrounding us. We need to have faith and hope that we will prevail from this disaster and become stronger. Our little town will rebuild and we will be better than ever. WE ARE RINGGOLD

Monday, April 25, 2011

Dance Competition Chattanooga Tn. Mar. 2011

She could not get anything on her make up

Getting ready back stage

"Don't blink Madison"

Ian's first soccer game April 2011

Olivia waiting for the game to start

Ian making the last minute adjustment before kick off

My little soccer player. The won there game 4-1 and Ian made 2 goals!!!!

Madison's birthday pics Mar. 2011

Madison's cake

She had a few friend over and they wanted to do blind make over.

They had so much fun but it was a mess to get off :)

Madison's 12th Birthday Mar. 2011

I still cannot believe that I have a daughter who is 12. I most be getting really old! Madison is always full of energy and wants to try everything that she can get her hands on. This year in Middle school she started band playing the clarinet (after her mother) which she loves. She also has been in dance for 6 years and this year started going to competitions. In the 4 that her team had done so far this year they have placed 1st! If that was not enough she want to try out for cheer leading for the following school year. And yes she is the newest addition to the Ringgold Middle School cheer leading squad. She will be cheering for the Basketball team since she will also be in pep band next year playing at the football games. In doing all this I am proud that she has kept a 4.0 GPA during her 6th grade year. She amazes me in everything that she does. I could not have asked for such a wonderful daughter.

Miniature Golf in Piegon Forge Feb 2011

Jaxon and Olivia taking a quick picture while Paige plays through

Everyone wanted to go first

Paige trying hard to hit the ball

"Almost there Jaxon"

On each hole Paige wanted to stop and take her picture by each animal that was there.

More from Gatlinburg Feb. 2011

Dance Competition in Gatlinburg TN.

She had to kiss the bear!

Taking pictures right before she went on stage

This was Madison's first competition of this year. The competition was held in Gatlinburg Tn. The song that they will be dancing to all the competitions this year is "Naturally". She place first in her group. Way to start off a great year.