Smoky Mts {part 2}

{Our first hike, up to Cataract Falls; it was short- only half mile up and half mile down}

{Audrey enjoyed the water along the way}

{Pops, Ike now on Pops' back & Uncle Jacob}

{Aunt Christy & Audrey}

{I love this pic because Isaac is just amazed by this stream below him, his mouth is wide open}

*  excuse the foggyness of these pics, it was so HUMID that my lens was fogging up  * 

Smoky Mts {part 1}

{Pops enjoying the ride in the reclined seats in the Swaggar Wagon}

{Halle & Audrey watching a video}

{After 14 hours (which were split up into two days) we arrived with 5 kids that had a LOT of energy to get out.  Here they are swinging on our porch swing waiting for the next group to arrive}

{William arrives!}  oh yes, Ben & Christina and Jacob & Christy too :-)

{Isaac & William having some time together to reconnect.  The FIRST thing Isaac did was showed William his "ouchie" on his hand.  It was the most precious thing.}

{William just sitting there while his cousins look, poke, kiss, tweak, pet & love on him}

Wordless

Future Musician?

A harmonica.  A little boy.  A future musician? Who knows but it's darn funny and so cute.

Wordless Wednesday

The End of a GOOD Thing

You know when you have a GOOD GOOD thing?  We sure did.  Audrey went to "Rita's" every Tuesday to play and enjoy a day away from Mommy and Ike and to be with and learn from Rita and the other kids there. 

Audrey's last day was the end of June.  Rita and her husband just had their fourth baby- a precious girl. 

I hope preschool is as good as (or at least close) to going to Rita's. 

The Swagger Wagon

Our last family pic in front of our Murano.  Man, I loved this vehicle.  Many special moments in this car:  brought our baby girl home in it, a move to S-town, brought our baby boy home in it to name just the top three.

I needed a hug. 

Now off to bigger and better:  the Swaggerwagon baby.  3 miles on this sucker when we got it. 

Family pic after church. 

Yep, we're a van family and proud of it.  I am already in love with the sliding doors & the extra room.  Oh yes and... you push a button and the van starts, no key needed!  It's super sweet. 

Out with the old...

in with the new.

Ahhh, so glad to see the old stove gone and the new one in place. 

Wordless Wednesday

Bird Education

Pops came over Sunday morning before church with a dead Great Horned Owl in the back of his truck.  It had gotten hit by a car and was on the road near their house, so he picked it up and came by our house for some Sunday morning Bird Education class with the grandkids.

Pointing out the various markings. 

Now, that's an eyeball folks.  It was pretty amazing. 

The neighbor's grandgirls from KC were visiting so they came over to see what was going on.  We got our bird book out and read all about this various owl. 

Then Pops plucked a feather out for each of the class participants.  Nothing like a reward at the end.

Yep, we are a bird family. 

Last year- THIS BIRD (see link) seems to take the cake though- it was beyond beautiful and it was alive! :-)

It's the Dad Life

Similar to the Swaggar Wagon video but funny.   Here's to all you Daddy's out there: 

the pick

It's tradition.  We've picked blueberries at Grimm's Gardens on the 4th of July for three years in a row now.  I love tradition and I especially love this one.

the pick

the eat

Where's Waldo?

These kiddos probably ate more than they picked but I don't blame them- they are that tasty!

Ike's fightin' it.

Picnic lunch after the pick.

Eating their dessert cookies walking the fields.

Wordless Wednesday