4th Stripe

June 26 - Steve & Prestin tested for their fourth stripe in jiu-jitsu. Here they are with the others who were testing, just lingering, getting ready for the action to begin. By the way, special thanks to Graham Nash for taking these photos for us!!!

Punch flow drill

Prestin hip throwing Steve! A regular happening in the Smith household!

Yep, it is just as it looks!

Prestin choking Steve. But wait...

Steve escapes and does a cross body arm bar on Prestin.

Lapel grab counter!

Prestin side kicking the bag

Steve knee striking Bob! Flashes of lightning as Erika looks on!

Steve working a paint brush arm lock (AKA Americana) on Prestin!

Prestin taking the mount as Matt looks on!

Prestin's turn to do the Americana! Check!!!

Steve leg lifting sweep to Prestin!

Prestin doing a kimura on Steve!

Prestin doing a straight arm lock on Steve! Does it ever stop?!

Now Prestin sweeps Steve and...

he goes on to set up the sleeve choke...

Tap, tap!

In the guard position waiting for next instructions.

In the mount position. By the way, that is Prestin's belt on the mat.

Prestin setting up an arm lock!

Prestin escaping from a head lock!

Steve choking out Prestin after doing head lock escape #1.

Prestin setting up a scissors sweep!

Prestin rolling Steve over to his back. Yes, it is a VERY uncomfortable exercise!

Steve setting up a triangle choke on Prestin!

Prestin rolling with Adam, who at the moment has taken Prestin's back.

Steve rolling with Dusty.

Steve rolling with Tony.

Rolling continues!!!

Erika presents Steve with his fourth stripe!

Prestin gets his fourth stripe!

Prestin & Steve with Matt...

and as the Gracie's say "Keep it real!"

Our next stop blue belt!!!

Day @ Lake

June 24 - We got to spend a sweet part of the day at the Carpenter's lake house.

From boating, tubing and jet skiing it was an awesome day at Lake Hartwell.

Prestin's first go on the tube!

Starting off strong with Evan James.

Prestin getting some air!

Just loving the time on the lake!

The ladies all waiting their turn (l to r - Shellie, Christy, Mackenzie and Lisa).

Jim & Steve - Partners at Compass Church!!! It's a new day indeed!

Matt instructing on Steve's first go!

Deron's turn to get tubed!

Mackenzie & Lisa

Deron on the red tube taking off!

We're talking... way off!

Jasen literally jumped out of the boat to swim to the jet ski for his turn!

All loaded up!

The three head off into the wide open lake. Jasen squealed with joy the whole way, even as we hit our top speed of 55mph!

Maclean catching his breath before his next go!

Enjoying the day!

Just kicking back. Matt organized this day to spend with the 706 (youth) band from Compass. This coming Sunday is his last day before heading off to Griffin to take up a new ministry.

Steven & Evan

Micah gets to cut it up some more!

Jasen absolutely loved the day on the lake!!!

As did Deron. It was a day of many first's for the Smith clan!!! We are veterans when it comes to the beach, but our boys have had very little lake time!!! I think that is going to change!!!

Chill'n

Shellie's turn for the jet ski!

There they go with young ladies in tow!!!

Lunch in the making!!!

Back to the dock for some last runs before heading back to Athens (like an hour away).

Prestin zipping it up with Matt on the back!

Matt Ammons! AKA Ammo!

Deron's moments to do the jet ski thing!

The boat is lying in wait for another trip out.

Deron and Matt return, in one piece!

Now the brothers get to have a full throttle run!

Prestin taking off with Steve on back, yep waving good bye!

Just coolin' off!

Jasen floating around! Our days in the Queensland South Pacific have prepared Jasen to love just hanging out in the water!

Here comes Prestin and Steve. Wait, wasn't Prestin driving when they took off?

The last go before we had to take off and get Grandma in Athens. That's Prestin on the right.

It was a fantastic day with special friends!!!