Missouri - Part 2, 4th of July

Justin got this one while walking around Columbia hearing music and doing a little hat craft before firework show.  

We got ice cream before the firework show. Elias was so mesmerized by the fireworks, I almost had to force bites into his mouth. So needless to say, he didn't get much.

We went to The Arc again while in Columbia. Very fun! This is the kid area.

There is a cool lazy river that shoves you around with a good current, another circle thing that moves so fast you feel like you are in a tornado in the water, and a water slide that goes real fast. 

While hiking through some woods to play at a playground nearby, Justin found a turtle. Elias threw it down to the ground after this picture. Poor turtle.

This was Nana and Olivia getting ready for the Big Paint. Nana taking off O's old polish while I and O took off Nana's old polish.

I don't have the final product, but this is the beginning. Yes, I let Isaac do his toenails. J wasn't too keen on the idea, but how could I make him watch all the fun??? We all had red and blue nails for the 4th of July.

Riding pillow pets. Yee haw!

Us going fishing at Don and Grandma Phyllis's pond. Doesn't look too eventful until....

Isaac caught this whopper of a fish!!!!

And he even held it! Look at the mouth on that thing!

And Olivia caught this giant snapping turtle!!!! Don ended up keeping it and giving it to a friend. J had to hold it till he came back with a bucket. Gramp had to take a turn while waiting because it was so heavy....and not to mention it took awhile for Don to walk up a long hill and find the bucket!

And this is the huge one Don raked in with J's help.  Although probably not much to him after seeing his picture with the bear he killed while bear hunting!

On the way home from Columbia, we stopped by the St. Louis zoo. The train ride was fun and this sea lion show was cool. We spent longer than expected there so we didn't make it home till 2 in the morning. It threw us off for a few days, but it was nice to have the kids sleep so much of the trip!

We had a great time in Missouri! Thank you family for all the great memories!  We love you!

June Happenings

The kids went to their first movie at a movie theater!!  We met some friends there and saw Dr. Suess's The Lorax. Elias made it rather well.  He liked seeing the horse (donkey) and climbing on the seat and over the armrest.

 Elias helping to feed Luci.

 Love it.  My boys and daisies!

 The pool is out!

 It's so cool how Elias likes to wear things....like hats, glasses, gloves, hoola skirts...

 Isaac was reading Elias one of his favorite lift-the-flap books.

 Justin found Isaac sleeping like this during naptime.

 Pooltime in the kitchen. Isaac stuffed Elias with balls.

 Dad got to play too!

Tribute To 34 Year Friendship

So my friend I've known since...birth....has moved from Knoxville to start a church in Chattanooga with her husband.  I'm so excited for their new adventure...but alas....I already miss her in Knoxville!  

We took our kids to Krispy Kreme for free doughnut day...my kids' first experience there ever...unbelievable I know. Joshua, Oliver, Samuel, Isaac, Olivia, Elias.

 I'm sure Isaac is yelling something about how good they are.

 Since only lasting a short time at the library story time with the sugar high, we took off to the park! 

 Looking at bugs.

 They were "building fires" with the tree stump.  Must have been an old tree.

 Them taking turns IN the tree.

 My friend Katie.

 I watched her younger two for awhile one day...super fun! I thought this one was cute. Having an early morning chat...Elias eating breakfast and Samuel eating his second breakfast.

  Concert time...Jesus Loves Me, with a gun... 

 They jumped on the trampoline with the sprinkler.

 Ate together and napped together.

We will miss you Katie and kids!!!!  Looking forward to coming for a visit!!!

Family Camping

Yes, more camping.  We wanted to get it in before it was super hot. This time we went as a family which makes it Elias's first camping trip.  We went to Fall Creek Falls State Park.

This was what it looked like in the car on the 2hr drive there.  Downpour. I really had my doubts and couldn't believe we were still going.  However, the rain stopped and the rest of the day was overcast which made it GREAT camping weather. I must say, since we've been 2 for 2 with rain, I'm kinda liking the effects of it.

 This is Elias so happy once I finally gave him the cookie.  He was saying "cookay". 

 Hot dog dinner.  The easiest. Elias helped cook his own. He kept pulling the stick straight up and throwing it back down into the fire, laughing. Part of it ended up breaking off. 

 There was a nice guy across the way that offered his diesel fuel and  some firewood from his land.  He told J to go get some from his huge stack whenever he needed. J still felt a little funny taking 2 pieces in the morning while everyone at their campsite was sleeping.

 I thought our campsite was pretty nice. The kids could go to the playground while we watched from our site. We also backed up to some trees so no one was on that side of us.

 Let me just say Olivia LOVES these swings. I spent a lot of time pushing her and Isaac, and Elias just a little bit. 

After we put the kids to bed, we enjoyed time around the fire. We saw a skunk pass right by in front of us within a few feet of our tent (J says 10, I say 2...who do you believe???).  We never got sprayed but followed it with our flashlight for a while. While walking across the field to the bathrooms by myself, I came across deer in the field...also within feet (ish)! Yes, I was a bit scared! My flashlight made it freeze long enough for J to come see it.

 Everyone going BACK to sleep after a bathroom break in the dark-thirty morning just before all the birds began to sing. Fun times!

 Breakfast. Luci did pretty well. Only barked a few times at the neighbors and other noises. 

 The falls.  That speck is a person down there. We hiked to the bottom with Elias on our hip and dog on leash. We made quite the family memories. Olivia was so cautious on the rocks, Isaac was fast as a bullet leading the fam, and Elias filled his drawers.

 At the bottom on some rocks.

 It was really really cold water so we didn't get in too far.

 They enjoyed walking in the water.

 I attempted to stay on the rocks with Luci.

 That didn't last long. She wanted in SO bad. We eventually let her off her leash for a bit after a few of the people left.

Hiking down, getting closer to the bottom.

 Also on the hike down. Justin and I took turns: One had the bag and dog, the other had Elias and Olivia's hand when needed.

 Family pic getting ready for the long trek UP.

 They got a little worn out. Luci and Isaac also slept in the back the whole way home.

Good times, fun times.