Hard Labor Creek

Just home from an awesome weekend camping with Jack and the kids.  We didn't have to go too far to enjoy Hard Labor Creek and all it had to offer.  It seems the heat wave drove off many campers so we had our choice of campsites, and we got a GREAT one!  The kids had the most fun riding their bikes ALL over the place.  Saturday night, after a quick swim and paddleboat ride at Lake Rutledge, we had a fun cookout which we wrapped up with homemade ice cream (the kids wanted to do the hand-churning) and roasting marshmallows by the fire.  Sunday morning, Jack cooked us a yummy breakfast on the campstove and then we hit the trails for a 4-mile hike and nature scavenger hunt.  After lunch, more bike riding and some playground time and then it was time to clean up and head home.  Sure love our camper...just wish we had more time to explore with it!

Go Bravos!

Tonight, we went with several members of our Sunday School class to go cheer on the Gwinnett Braves.  It was an awesome game, complete with four Braves homers and a grand slam.  Fireworks post-game made it complete!

Leadership Retreat

Thanks to my parents, some of my co-workers and I got to enjoy a min-vacay at Lake Keowee this week.  We did get a lot of work done, but the best part was the quality time we got to spend with our friends and getting to know the ones we didn't know so well.

Six Flags

Earlier in the school year, Kinsey earned a free ticket to Six Flags through the school's reading program. Today, we joined Teresa and her nephew Thomas for the kids first trip to the fun park. The kids both loved the old wooden Scream Machine (although I was positive Max's little head was going to jostle right off his body) and the Dahlonega Mine Train. We all loved the water rides and Skull Island water slides and Max really enjoyed the Mindbender on his first (and second!) experience going upside down on a coaster. Kinsey tried it, but her opinion is that the loops are for the birds! :)

Lots of Funopolis!

Kinsey girl scout tropp voted earlier this year to take their end-of-the-year field trip to Funopolis using some of the cookie sales money they earned. Since I agreed to chaperone, Max was allowed to tag along with a few other brothers. Funopolis definitely lived up to the name! We were there for over 4 hours and the kids rode water rides, go carts and bumper cars, climbed the rock wall, rode carnival rides, played laser tag, and tackled the arcade. We got home waaaayy after bedtime and were exhausted the next morning, but it was definitely worth it!

Stone Mountain (again)

After church today, we decided on a last-minute trip to Stone Mountain. The highlight of this trip was the new attraction, Geyser Towers, a fun little water park to cool off in. Max had a big day on the Sky Hike ropes course as he braved the top level of climbing and I also got to enjoy watching the sun set from the top of the mountain with my little man while Kinsey and Jack lounged on the lawn awaiting the laser show.

Paradise in the Bahamas

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Suprise!

For Jack's 40th, Nan, Granddaddy and I all joined forces and planned a big suprise party at one of our fave restaurants in town. We had a great turnout and yummy food and I think Jack was at least partly suprised by the ordeal. We are so blessed with wonderful family and friends and our lovely little community!

Kamp Keowee

Kinsey, Max, and Cousin Thomas all got to play pirate this week as cute little peg-legs and jolly rogers at Pirate Camp. Nanny and Papa and a few of their neighbors hosted and organized a week-long camp at Lake Keowee. The little scallywags had a grand time swimming, crafting, and tackling the obstacle course during their week of grandparent fun. The camp was concluded with a closing ceremony at the Keowee Springs pool with a cookout, swimming, and of course some singing of camp songs. Thank you Nanny and Papadad for all of your hard work and patience with the camp and for all of the fun you provided the kids this week and all of the time! We love you---argh!!!

Girls Trip

While the kids were away at camp this week, Mary and I decided to take a quick girls trip to Charleston. We had a great time tanning, reading on the beach, shopping, and sipping by the gorgeous sunsets--all the things we never get to do with the kiddos around! :) Love that girl!

Hakuna Matata

We had the most wonderful day today in Greenville. For Christmas, Nanny and Papadad gave all the family tickets to the beautiful Broadway hit, Lion King! We got to town early for a delicious Brunch with the Pitmas crew and then headed over the the theater for the show. It honestly has got to be one of the most amazing performaces I have ever seen! The opening act gave me goose bumps and brought tears to my eyes. The best part about the whole experience was looking at each one of the kids' faces (including sweet Davis, who was glued to the entire show) and seeing their eyes sparkling in wonder and their little jaws dropped open in awe! What a special treat this was!!!

Silverthorn Farms Show

Another great (but HOT) day for Kinsey and Joe and their High Point Buds as they reached midpoint in their second show season. Kinsey ended up with several ribbons but also a first--she was disqualified in the Medal Class for forgetting the course. It was a tough lesson for her, but we were very proud that she pulled herself together for her next event, Crossrail Hunter, which she Reserve Champed!

Camp: Round One

This week began the two week whirlwind of camps for Kinsey and Max. Kinsey's choice was an intense 4-days of riding and jumping at horse camp while Max chose 5 days of Tae Kwon Do, crafts and games and karate camp. In addition, both atteneded VBS "Amazing Aviation Adventures" at church every night as well (Max below on "Crazy hat and glasses night"). Both kiddos had a grand time having fun, learning, and making new friends, but the shedule definitely wore them out!!!

Father's Day Bike Ride

Guess who learned how to ride his bike yesterday?!?

"Stop it!"

Sleepy little guy on the way home from the dude ranch yesterday!

CCR 2012

Kinsey settled on Cody, er, Clear Creek Guest Ranch for her birthday celebration this year (much to my approval!) So once again, we convinced the grandparents to hit the horse trails with us for a long weekend getaway. We all had a wonderful mini-vacay riding horses, swimming, fishing in the trout pond, line dancing, and meeting new friends. Kinsey rode beautiful Bleu most of the weekend while Max chose Jubilee as his steed. This was the first year Max was old enough to go on the Junior Wrangler picnic ride and he did great! Also a first was the Guest Rodeo, as last year's got rained out, as well as the Running of the Horses. Both Kinsey and Max had fun participating in the rodeo as well as Jack and I. Kinsey's cake this year was a cool Indian village and her main gifts were Kaya (native American Girl) and a HUGE bicycle that she cannot get enough of!) Also noteworthy was Kinsey's fishing experiences. She caught her very first fish on her birthday morning and hooked another monster that afternoon using, what else, gummy worms!!! :)