Flower Power

Okay, so I took the camera outside one morning and started taking pictures of some of the blooming flowers that surround our house. The geraniums and begonias were not being cooperative, so they didn't get a photo-shoot opportunity. They rest of the pictures I took along with Brooke's help. Camryn had taken some of the pictures from the last post, so I let Brookie include some on this one, along with naming the post.

So, as we go through our days on our merry ways, let's all just take a little time to stop and smell the flowers along the way.

Over the river and through the woods.....

To Nana's house we go! Let me tell ya -we can burn I-40 up! It takes an hour and twenty minutes to get from our house to Nana's house in Marion. It's such an easy trip. Thank goodness. Sometimes I set the steering on auto-pilot and let'er rip! (Just kidding, Mom). But my car knows exactly where to go and we do go - often! Last week when we were there, the kids had a good time with their cousins, Brittany and Seth. They love each other! They're all four very close to each other and the time they spend together is precious.

This is my main man, Seth. He is an awesome athlete. He calls me a 'kissin' machine'. Wonder why? Yep, that's it, cause I get all his sugar every time I see him!

Seth and Cammie playing ball with Greg!

Cammie can't get enough of playing ball!

This is Brittany. Isn't she sweet? She just got through with clogging camp. She also played softball this year. I get all of her sugar too!

Brittany and Brooke hooping it up!

Brookie loves her reading!

This is my UGLY brother! I am better than him at everything. I am superior! He can't even climb Mt. Wannahockalugi!This is his lovely, beautiful, PERFECT sister!

Day Trip

The girls and I have been in Marion most of the week having a great time, as usual. Marion is our comfort zone. We're there a lot, especially during the summer months. Nana's (and Pappy's) house has special meaning for all of us, so that in itself will get its own blog time in a couple of days. Anyway, on Tuesday we decided to head up the mountain to Blowing Rock. It has become one of my newest favorite places. As most of you know, I have lots of favorite places, but Blowing Rock is such a small, quaint little town, I can't help but to love it.

We started our little tour strolling through the little town park and on to Kojay's. A favorite within a favorite for me since I discovered this little gem back in May when Thomas and I were there. The atmosphere of this little coffee house is wonderfully inviting and the coffee is awesome. You should try it some time.

Okay Mom, enough about the coffee house, but the next time we're here, I'll try the hot chocolate.

Charlie's Angel?

After meandering into a few incredibly expensive boutiques, we finally found the gold mine. MAST GENERAL STORE! WOOHOO! What kid wouldn't be in heaven in Mast General Store, especially after purchasing thirty bucks worth of candy. The store in Boone is even more amazing and huge!

HEAVEN!

This does nothing for one watching her sugar intake. I guess I'll just have to watch myself take in some of the sugar----we'll just worry about it later!

We went on to Boone after lunch and the sweet smelling ice cream shop. I can't remember the name of it, but it was somethin' for the senses!

In Boone, the girls thought they hit the mother load! Oh my, serendipity to say the least! ANOTHER new favorite that will hit hard on any mother's pocketbook (if you have girls, at least). Awesome stuff! They have Vera Bradley, jewelry, and lots of cute decorative stuff. Sort of like the Black Lion shops down our way, where vendors have their own booths! The girls were just upside-down crazy about this store!!

Mom, when can we go back?

Nana, Cammie, and Brookie

What a fun day. Mom and I will take them back some time, right after we eat all the candy and rob a bank!

Heroes

Happy Father's Day to all of you we call Daddy, Dad, Father, Pappy, Grandpa, Papa, and all of the other sweet names that proudly proclaim your honor and memory. You are our heroes.

WHAT MAKES A DAD

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle's flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so,

he called it...Dad

(author unknown)

Pappy, Nana, and company - Beach Trip, 2007

Last Picture of me and my Hero - September, 2007

Thomas and his girls!

Girls' Morning Out!

We decided we 'needed' our toes done. We didn't want them done, we needed them done. So Thomas and I bought the girls spa gift cards to reward them for good grades and an end-of-the-year present. While I was at Serenity Nail Spa purchasing their gift cards, I bought myself a pedicure service also.


This morning at 10, we arrived with big smiles on our faces. I use this spa sporadically, but the girls had never. It's pretty fancy. Big, oversized, leather massage chairs and cool decor. The girls each had two people working on them at once (1 for manicure and 1 for pedicure) and I had one. Tim talked me into getting designs put on my big toes. I think I'm now just too cool for ya'll!!

Aren't they toe beautiful?

After the spa, we went to Indigo Joe's for lunch. It was yummy. The waitress was kind enough to take this picture.

Cammie, Mom, and Brooke

Poor Thomas. No testosterone in our home whatsoever for him to 'man bond' with. He just has to hang with the girls. He seems pretty happy, though.

That's okay. We'll find a way. Maybe in the fall we can go huntin' with him, but I'll have to think about that one........Okay, I thought about it. That's not going to happen. We'll just have to go fishing sometime. That'll be fun.

End of Year Follies!

YEAH! School's out as of today. And, like everyone else, we're all dog tired from all of the end-of-year activities. Speaking of dog, we've had the opportunity to puppy-sit for a friend of ours. We had to take a break from canine lovin' for a while after Ellie died, but this little lady steals our hearts every time she's here. We're now on the prowl for a new puppy of our own. She is reason#1 we're dog tired!

Annabelle!

Both girls had field days last week as well as parties. Mom volunteered for all of it! Nevermind that I have a house to keep, people to see, and things to do. Ah, I loved it- who am I kidding?!

Cammie and her buddies at field day! Tug-of -war champs!

Brookie's party was much more fun indoors. The 90+ degree temps and high humidity made it miserable to even enjoy their water party outside.

This is Brookie and her best buddy Savannah!

Twister Fun!

Last but not least were Cammie's softball games. Bless her Mama's heart, once a cheerleader, always a cheerleader. She can't sit still, nor can she keep her mouth shut. Both teams were offering Valium! Oh well, Cammie came away without too many embarrassment wounds. She's a good hitter and short stopper!

Big Hit!

Meanwhile, her sister gets slightly tired of sitting and watching; watching and sitting. So, she decides to go on a frog hunt - completely prepared with a critter cage, filled with leaves, sticks, flowers, and an empty mint can filled with water. We have to stay hydrated!!! And as usual, we have to name every living thing that we come in contact with. Buddy and Bouncer are the lucky amphibians. Her Dad even bought her frog food. Imagine that! This particular activity of Brooke's is terribly ironic being that I used to be incredibly fearful of those things - to the point of having to be carried up the driveway on Christal's back because I was afraid of stepping on a bull frog. Buddy and Bouncer are going to be huge bull frogs sooner than later if they don't stop eating! Yuck - more froggy nightmares for me!

Brookie, Buddy, and Bouncer!

Okay, so here's my first blog. I'm feeling so technologically advanced now (NOT!). Sorry about the blurry pictures - I guess I need to work on that too. Later!