Just the D's!

Christmas in Pennsylvania

2011-12-30T15:38:00.003-05:00

2011 Christmas we planned to gather in the snowy Pennsylvania mountains with the entire Wallace crew at the Torrey Home in Montrose, Pennsylvania. It's been since 2005, when Lydia was a wee infant, when we last had Christmas in PA. The kids have been looking forward to this trip for quite some time. They so enjoy spending time with their cousins and this was good enough to even give up all other gifts, just to make the trip. We talked about giving up gifts, but we managed to find a few things for them to enjoy as well as the trip.

We were very fortunate to manage all the time away from work that enables us to make such a long trip. At the hospital, it's actually a HUGE deal to take time off during the holidays. It's also the only time the kids have away from school long enough make the trip. So we took full advantage of getting the time off and planned our getaway!

We left early Sunday - Christmas morning, packed in with toys, movies, dolls, and snacks. Our goal was to get to the hotel in Virginia at a decent hour so the kids could swim a little and get some rest before engaging with the family of 25! We made good time. Stopped for gas and potty. Made sandwiches and passed them back while on the road. Nobody complained or asked to stop. Nobody asked the dreaded "how much longer?". The kids watched a couple movies, which seems to pass the time rather quickly. We got in about 6pm and met up with Grandpa and Grandma. They had arrived an hour or so ahead of us and had time to take a quick nap. Grandpa also was trying to find some place to eat supper that was actually open on Christmas night. We finally found a Chinese buffet that was open "just little longer" and headed up the road. It was the ONLY place with lights on in the entire strip mall. Bennett commented how it reminded him of the Christmas Story when they also ate Chinese for Christmas dinner. We suffered through some less-than-fresh buffet and went back to swim. Grandpa entertained the girls for a while and taught Ruth how to do the back stroke. I'm not so sure it will stay in her head until the next time we swim. Maybe.

Grandpa and the kids in Winchester, VA

Maggie - floating in the hot tub

Bennett - floating in the hot tub

Lydia and Mommy practicing our whistles

Grandpa was teaching the kids to whistle with their hands.

and he got tickled with Maggie when she made a noise and surprised herself.

Enjoying their time in the "hot pool". It's the reason we go to hotels!

Monday morning we enjoyed a warm breakfast all together at the hotel and loaded back in for the last little leg. Since we started at the northern end of Virginia, we crossed quickly into West Virginia, then Maryland, and finally into Pennsylvania... across the Mason Dixon line. Curtis mentioned to the kids that we were in Yankee territory. They had no idea what that meant.

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Somehow, we managed to make only 1 pit stop before stopping for lunch in Scranton... just 30 minutes from the destination. But everyone was hungry and ready to stop. We enjoyed some Red Robin burgers - served by Micah, a local student at a Bible College and student minister at a nearby church. We swapped Daddy for Grandma and headed on to the Torrey Home while the men stopped at a store or two. Being the day after Christmas, stores and malls were not the best place to be (in my opinion!).

Maggie wanted to capture the huge windmills that we saw along the PA countryside

The Torrey Home

Pennsylvania normally has snow. Lots of beautiful snow. But this year we just had a mere dusting. Not enough to sled or make snowballs... but enough to stomp through and make footprints. Ice to scoot across. And cold. Very cold! In fact, Dan says it was the coldest day of the season so far. Temps in the teens at night and didn't get above freezing during the day. The kids don't seem to notice once they're running around, but preparing to run around (shoes, hats, gloves, scarves, coats) takes way too long.

Grandma bought all 15 grandkids a tee shirt that has ILYMOAT & ILYBOAT printed on them. She wanted a picture of all the matching kids together. It might not happen again since Emily, Marci and Zack are almost ready to go off to college and start their own lives - away from all of us. Well, Zack may be a while - but the girls will be gone soon. I do know that the family has greatly changed in the 6 years since our last stay at Torrey. When they were 6 months to 11 years it was much easier to contain and entertain and feed and keep them happy. This time, they want to run off together and go play in other areas. Do you trust them? We managed a couple hours of playtime down at the Gym and Rec Hall where there are other games of entertainment. It is a short distance from Torrey Home so the kids can't just go there whenever they want. That would be nice as the boys really wanted to go back. Maybe next time. We did have a smaller Game Room the kids could play in at any time. They had pool, ping-pong, carpet ball, and general running around area. The Torrey Home is large enough to accommodate all of us, even at this age. 6 rooms and a very large living area give all the adults beds and 10 of the kids. We can all eat together in their dining room too. The kitchen, however, is teeee tiny! But we managed to feed all of us without too much turmoil from the cookers. We took turns with the meals - but Grandma managed to be a helper for almost all of them. She just can't stay away! We appreciate that too. She also supplied us with the pots and pans and utensils and all those little things none of us thought about.

all the cousins ready to exchange their gifts

The cousins all drew names and exchanged gifts with each other. Bennett gave Micah a Jellyfish! (a poster) and a survival bracelet, knife, water bottle... general boy survival type things. Maggie gave Briella a watch and a game. Ruth gave Emily a necklace - one of a kind, handmade creation from a glass bottle. Lydia gave Tyler a game too. Bennett got a knife, shirt and the best gift of all... camo cargo climber pants!! Maggie Ruth got a ton of school supplies for when she's teacher to her siblings. Lesson plans. Art supplies. Good stuff! Lydia got dolls, paperoni crafts and her favorite... Shocking Gum! It was what she asked for. :)

Ruth - reading her section on the Nativity story

Briella and Maggie - reading the Nativity story

Esther was quick with her section and gave me a smile.

AnnaGrace reads her page with her baby

Micah's turn to read.

Adam reads while Bennett listens intently

Bennett reads under the close watch of Zack, Adam and Tyler.

Bennett opens his gifts from a Rose cousin... a knife.

Climber pants.... cargo (extra pockets) his favorite gift of all!

Lydia opened her box of goodies... dolls, crafts and SHOCKING GUM!

Grandpa's special gift from Seth

Grandpa's Potty mug.... again, from Seth.

Singing carols with Aunt Stacy... Lydia loves her Aunts

Emily G. Rose... always hiding behind a lens. She's good at it.

Grandma and ... who IS that? (cousin Zack!)

Game time with the girls

The boys played DS games together too

Lara arranged for the kids (and adults) to tour the local radio station, WPEL 96.5 FM. It was just 2 houses down from the Torrey Home. It took us longer to bundle up than it did to walk there. It is a small station, but the man who was working was very patient and generous and kind. A lady was actually on the air to DJ but we got to go in the studio and see all the controls, ask questions, and hear what was playing at that moment. He took all the kids into another studio room and recorded them talking, showed them how to edit and play it back. Zack actually got to do a bit for that evening's Odyssey episode. After all, he does have a terrific narrator voice (he told us several times). When we left everybody got a mug with all kinds of little WPEL items. The kids were very pleased with their treasures!

Ruth, still bundled after our walk to WPEL

Bennett and Micah enjoy Jared's motorized creations

The 8 Kids...

Grandpa and Grandma with their kids... hard to open eyes in the bright sun.

Grandma and Marci just before Grandma headed home to Georgia.

We had a young photographer come to the house and take family photos so Grandma could get a good shot for her Christmas card. While we were all "fixed up".... we shot a couple of the kids as well.

Uncle Seth snuck into Maggie's shot... as well as the ghost of Torrey Home

It was VERY cold this day... the kids were great sports to smile and shiver!

Thursday morning we all packed up and left the Torrey Home. Everyone headed back south except our family... we stayed an extra day with the Roses. It was a quick drive to the Rose Homestead just a few miles north. We have not visited PA in 3 years and the kids were very excited to be back. Lydia didn't remember it at all.... the other kids were remembering together what it looked like and what they did. 3 years is too long! It was cold, but they didn't have any snow more than just dusting and flurries. The ponds were frozen, but not enough to really play on. Briella is much more courageous and was willing to scoot out pretty far away from the safety of shore. We took a hike, all 13 of us, to the top of the mountain... The Summit, where the kids swung on swings high in the trees. We found traps in the leaves and Jared activated one with a stick. Very exciting things, those traps! I was more concerned about one of them activating it with their foot!

Lydia - hiking in the woods

Bennett and Maggie - checking out the cousins' playhouse

Dogpile of cousins

Emily working on beads with Ruth and Lydia. Em was a great sport to help with the younger kids.

Jared and Bennett - still working on motorized building projects

Ruth shoots Uncle Dan's potato gun!

Posing afterwards to get a face shot. That thing was heavy!

Ruth on a swing

Swinging high

Marci and Lydia.. keeping warm while the others swing.

The Rose and Davidson cousins....

Emily satisfied Lydia by carrying her down much of the mountain while the 3 girls walked ahead of them.

Maggie - working on finding a Scrabble word

Ruth and Aunt Lara share warm beverages over Scrabble

Lydia made Emily the multi-colored horse from one of her bead projects.

Titus and Lydia snuggle a bit

Sad faces when we packed up to leave PA

We stopped briefly in Gettyburg for a little history lesson with Daddy

Ole Abe and the kids

A Confederate soldier's uniform

The band

more weapons

Maryland... which means leaving Pennsylvania. Sad.

Bennett is collecting every state map that we drive through.

We left Pennsylvania and headed toward North Carolina on New Year's Eve... Maggie's birthday. She was a little bothered that all we were doing for her birthday was being stuck in a car. We made our stops for Bennett's maps, potty, gas, and an unplanned stop in Gettysburg. It added about 2 hours to our trip but the kids enjoyed getting to see all the stuff. We want to go back when it's warm and we can tour on the bike paths! We planned to be at the Hartman's new home just after dark... but it kept getting darker and darker and ended up being 9 or so.
We did stop for Chick-fil-A just before they closed at 6 for some special birthday dinner and milkshake. Maggie was kind enough to share a few sips with her brother too.

Maggie's birthday milkshake.

We were able to shoot 2 small fireworks in the Hartman's road... they were supposed to be noiseless and not go higher than about 10 feet... but the man who sold us the items must have underestimated the height because we ended up having several go well into the trees. It was fun. The kids enjoyed the show. Then we had sparklers for everyone to wave around and pretend it was already the New Year. The kids actually all stayed up to the midnight hour and watched the ball drop in NYC. Woo Hoo.

Maggie's birthday celebration with the Hartmans

Maggie - blowing out candles... one... at... a... time.

Andrew just wanted to help so he could eat the brownie sundae!

Alex and Ruth... Bella and Bennett.

Alex, Ruth, Maggie, Lydia, Andrew, Bennett

Alex enjoys her sparkler

Lydia

Andrew

Official fire starter - Bobby

Andrew and Bennett work on lighting sparklers

Sunday we took a trip to Duke University's Gardens. Michelle is now teaching at Duke in their nursing program... so she has the inside scoop to all things Duke! At least she's still ACC. The day was a bit odd... sunny --> cloudy --> sunny --> windy but it was warm. January 1st and we're running around in t-shirts. They have a field to run and play, trees to climb, gardens to explore, birds to watch... just a nice place to be outside and enjoy all that God created for us!

Duke Chapel

Monkeys in the Asiatic gardens

Bennett - Maggie - Andrew - Ruth - Alex - Lydia
11 - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6

Karate Kid!

Maggie is pointing out the Red Tailed Hawk

climbing the BIG magnolia trees

Maggie climbed the highest

One of the trees the kids climbed

Baseball practice

After Duke, we went home and let the kids play in a local park... a little running around, a little ball practice. The kids really enjoy playing with each other. We had a few stray kids also join us. Junior was my favorite. He was about 2, spoke very little and was very dark. His smile lit his whole face. He just wanted to throw the ball with us. I wanted to steal him. I don't have a picture - and it's probably a good thing. :)

The girls on a boat!

Maggie's birthday dinner at Copper River

We had a great visit with the Hartmans, as always. Monday morning we got up and headed out for the last leg of our trip. Not a bad day's drive. We stopped for a late lunch to once again celebrate Maggie's birthday. She only asks for a ribeye! :)
This is the only time she can order one and get to eat the whole thing without other forks stealing bites. Somehow, that little bitty belly manages to house the entire ribeye. She did share her salad and sweet potato. AND when the server brought out the ice cream - she was generous to her siblings. It was a good day. We watched a little football as Georgia lost in triple overtime to Michigan State.

watching the chef cook

Ribeye and sweet potato - pre attack!

Posing for Daddy.... all full

Really how she feels... LOVE that steak!

Happy Birthday Maggie Moo!

after the ice cream was all gone

We made it home. Picked up Russell from his sitter (the Taltons) and warmed the house up with our stories, laughter and love for family.

Russell brushed his teeth when we got home.

What a blessed Christmas indeed!

2011 Christmas Letter

2011-12-25T08:03:00.011-05:00

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family!

It’s hard to know where to start, so we’ll dive right in. While re-reading last year’s letter I noticed that not a lot has changed this past year. I re-read 2008 as well… a fun year. It started off telling of Ruth’s salvation earlier that year. Since I didn’t write a letter in 2009 (and I didn’t write well last year) I missed telling that very important information for Maggie and Bennett. Maggie’s heart was pricked January 18, 2009 after an evening of AWANA at church, and right in the middle of our kitchen floor… Maggie joined our heavenly family. Just a few months later, Bennett answered the call on April 13^th after many, many months of inner turmoil. So…. I wanted to make sure that news was broadcast from the highest mountains since I missed it last year. We now wait patiently for

Lydia

to turn her ear to the truth that she knows… We certainly love being their parents and are thankful that God has entrusted them into our hands for such a short time.

Curtis has kept very busy this year working in his friend’s law office. Doesn’t that sound fun!?!?! He has gained valuable experience from it, but as with our ever changing seasons in life and economy, the work load coming in dictates the manpower needed. We are trusting God that this new year will bring new opportunities. Jenny’s work will never be different. Still in the NICU. Way too busy. Way too full. We’ve outgrown our new building. We renovated old space for the “overflow” of babies… and it seems there are always some of those extras! On to our kids since that really defines us these days.
Bennett is now 11 and in 5^th grade. He’s having an excellent year thus far and even made the A-team for the 1^st quarter. He is in the school chorus again this year and we’re looking forward to several local concerts and a special spring trip to Disney! He has joined Curtis and Maggie in the running activities… he has the quickest 5K time and enjoys that time together. He has great friends and is making great choices in general. My favorite thing is to hear him read or play with Lydia. They both giggle (if he thinks I can’t hear him). And recently, he has been very generous in sharing his Legos! It’s more fun to build and create with your sisters when they oooh and ahhh over your expertise! He spends any spare time honing his business skills in hopes of joining the Forbes elite. He’s your man for paracord survivor bracelets.

Maggie is 10 this month and in 4^th grade. She is also having an excellent year and also made the A-team for the 1^st quarter. She is also in the school chorus… but she actually will come home and share what songs they are learning and will sing them for me. Sometimes, she’ll even show me the “dance” moves. I love watching her run… for real, or for play. She’s quick and lean and still enjoys her daddy dates in running shoes. She is a story teller and enjoys creating plays and writing stories. She recently wrote a Thanksgiving letter that touched our hearts.

Ruth is 8 and in 2^nd grade. She is turning into a little social butterfly and always wants someone to come over and spend the night. She has some fun little friends too, so we usually oblige her. She is still my little kitchen helper and loves to bake with me. She is full of knowledge and always willing to share what she knows with those who don’t. Even if they don’t want to know. Most of the time it’s her sisters. I’m often reminding her who she is responsible for… hmmmm!

Lydia

is 6 and in 1^st grade and somehow still the baby. She started off slowly (just like last year) but after that first 9 week hump, she is doing better. She is becoming a reader and will tell me “this is easy” when she finds the words she knows. It’s always fun to see them open up that whole new world… when they finally get it! Reading IS fundamental, after all! J I tell them often – reading and math – those you will use forever! Learn them well.

Our weeks are filled with school and birthday parties and friends and doctors and those simple little daily things that keep us busy and happy. We had a BIG snow storm in January that shut school down for the week… and captured me for 3 long days “stuck” at the hospital. We hosted a lively group of girls for our Youth’s Disciple Now weekend. Always fun – and enlightening for our kids. “Camp or Camping” seems to be popular for any extracurricular activities. We took our camping trip to Ohio for the Wallace family reunion in June… SO worth the time/money/energy! We spent a week at Strong Rock Camp… and Maggie got to go back for a week of strictly horses! She loves to ride. Speaking of horses, this year we learned Ruth is allergic to horses! It makes camp activities a little harder since everyone has horse dander on them by the end of the day. Vogel State Park fills in many extra weekend slots that come up. The kids have made lifelong memories associated with fire, hotdogs, s’mores, snores, and public bath houses. Mom and I went on a cruise to Bermuda in October. A much needed week of sunshine and reading and visiting and laughter and napping and remembering those Bermuda times of long ago. Curtis has also had some fun times… he and Bennett spent a week in Colorado exploring the highest peaks and narrowest Jeep trails of the San Juan Mtns. The CO pictures are AMAZING! And the stories are fun to hear too. The Dixie Run also made the list, their annual over indulgence of all things dirt, rocks, and 4x4’s . This fall we made a new addition to the family… Russell the boxer! He strayed up to a friend’s back door as a small puppy in October and is now growing quite quickly at our back door! Bucky, our beloved lab, died back in August – so the kids are thankful for a new friend. To round the year off we have Christmas planned with the Wallace Clan in Pennsylvania, We’re hoping for snow – but not too cold. J

Our year has been so full, so blessed beyond our needs or desires. The One responsible, our God Jehovah-Jireh is His Name!

We pray that His perfect provision, His Son Christ Jesus, finds and fills each and every one of your lives this New Year!

www.davidsonupdate.blogspot.com

cnjd@windstream.net

Curtis, Jenny, Bennett, Maggie, Ruth, Lydia Davidson

Summertime with the D's.

2011-08-05T08:12:00.001-04:00

Summertime at the D's is always full of stuff.... random, unorganized... but stuff. For 2011 we picked Strong Rock Camp as our big "vacation" and a weekend trip to Ohio for the Wallace Family Reunion. No trip to a beach. No trip to Pennsylvania to visit the Roses. No visit to the Hartmans in Virginia. Just us. Just home. It really was a good summer.

Strong Rock 2011 - Pure

WAYA - Maggie, Amelia, Bennett and Ruth on the front row

Our new friend Garrison Skipper drew the RED chip too.

Ruth... Waya Pride

Maggie heading out to the barn

Rocket time with one of the couselors

The counselors love to play battle ball against the kids

Bennett takes a shot

Camp in a nutshell.... the 3 eldest and the Momma went to camp for a week at the end of June. The baby picked Camp Grandma instead. We can't get Lydia motivated for Strong Rock because "I don't like being outside". She's still pretty little to go anyway. I was resident camp Nurse again and love, love, love it! I had a kid quarantined for the first 2 days, but the week was mostly uneventful. This is good for all who are involved! The kids had a great time, as always. I was mostly unable to take my sneaky mom pictures... so we don't have much in the form of photos, but plenty of memories. We want to do the 2 week session next year, but I'm not sure it's possible... with life and work and other trips. Strong Rock is highly recommended for all kids 6-16! It's pricey, but if you save your pennies and make it a priority, eliminate other things, you can do it!

There were many more camp photos... somewhere. If I ever find them, I'll add them!

School is D-O-N-E! Stick a fork in us.

2011-07-27T23:08:00.000-04:00

We officially have 8 school days left at the time of this writing... but by the time I finish this post, I'm sure we'll be finished. It has been a completely different year for us with all 4 finally in school. I think I have less free time with them out of the house... because on my days off I feel the need to eat lunch with someone, volunteer somewhere, sit in the car line sometime... a long time. There have been some days when I stay home and wash, cook, sit, sleep... but I can guarantee they were fewer than one hand's worth! If I'm not at work.... the kids want me to pick them up. We shave a whole 5-10 minutes off the bus drop-off time... and spend a gallon of gas. But they're worth it. Every time. I like the stories I hear in the van that I would otherwise miss... because when we're home, they're off running, playing, fighting, etc. There is very little sitting and talking in the afternoon.

Last week we had back to back field days at WCIS (3-6) and JPN (K-2). I must say... after having spent both days in their entireties I enjoy WCIS much more. I'm not sure if it's because the kids are older and more "into" the competition, or if it's just that much more organized. Coach Barrett puts a ton of effort into having all the activities run correctly and even has an instruction manual for the volunteer parents to ensure it happens. They have winners! Someone actually keeps track of points and places and posts them on a board for all the world to see... and the kids survive knowing they aren't winners all the time! Some win... most don't. But it's still a very fun day for everyone.
My "job" for WCIS Field day... 50-yard dash. No, I didn't have to do the dashing! No worries. :) I was one of the finish line people. And I only had to do the first hour. Then I was free to roam and enjoy the kids do all their other activities. Well, the 5th grade classes dashed first and we were done in less than 20 minutes... lots of "down" time between the grades to roam and enjoy all the activities. So I decided to just stick with the 50 yard dash for the entire day. It was lots of fun there because every kid got to run through "my" finish line. I took a few pictures of other kids I know, who's parents were working. I congratulated, cheered and called them by name. Some were surprised to hear their name in the "way to go... " sentence. But they all smiled.

Carson and Bennett... a crazy pair!

Hula Hoop competition... won by a girl, of course.

Maggie and the Egg in the Spoon relay.

Maggie's 50 yard dash... right side.

Maggie throwing horseshoes.

Noah, Bennett and Matt - softball throw.

Mrs. O's Yellow Team... 6 Man Relay. Kaylee, Austin, Bennett, Armon, Natalie, Ansleigh.

Bennett ran the 3rd leg...

Bennett's 50 yard dash... middle.

Crazy Cheers for the team.

I walked back and forth a lot trying to find Bennett or Maggie's classes... taking a few pictures, patting backs, and saying "I'm going to check on ___, I'll be back in a little while". Both their classes did pretty well in the grade level competitions. Both teachers made the "academic vs physical" comments - their classes are known for their academics! But both classes did really well physically as well. Not that it matters! Tug of war is one of my favorite contests. I think it stems back to my many trips to LeTourneau College while Dan and Lara were there... and I got to watch the AO guys compete... REAL Tug-of-War competitions! I like yelling for the kids... dig... lean... pull.... plant those feet... lean... pull.... lots of fun for me, since I'm not the one putting forth the muscle! All in all - it was a terrific day!

The next day was Field Day for JPN. So, of course, I had to be there as well. The kiddos here play different games... very little "real" competition and very little organization. I'm not complaining though, because I'm not volunteering to make it better, or different. But parents volunteer all day long, therefore the games have different rules with each changing of the guard. They have tug-of-war, sack race, bean bag toss, rocket throw (I guess the substitute for softball throw)
It was a long day after a long day and I paid for it. We left JPN and picked up the big kids early and headed home where I was in bed with a migraine the rest of the afternoon. It's so worth it though!

That night I took the kids and headed to the local rec field to watch Cousin Eddie play ball... Union vs White, and I think Union (Eddie) won 21-0.

Ok, here we are.... about to start school BACK and I have not published this post. I'm not re-reading it for errors or for flow... the end! :)

Six Flags 2011

2011-07-15T21:48:00.002-04:00

Our annual day trip to 6-Flags... the reward for reading 6 extra hours during the months of January and February. This year all 4 kids had tickets. It was a family event... and we met up with Aunt Stacy and Adam, Uncle Seth, Aunt Leslie, Micah, AnnaGrace, Esther, and our friends, the Princes. We went last year with the Prince family... and the kids really enjoy that yearly date. Our 2010 day was the hottest day of the year... and this year seemed to be shaping up to be a close second. Our Himstedt friends went Wednesday, which was the hottest day. We picked Thursday... which was a good 10 degrees cooler. And Friday was downright cold! So, it seems we picked good the right day.

It was Bennett, Maggie and Ruth's return trip - but for Lydia, it was all new and exciting! We had our day planned... start with the Wile E Coyote Canyon Blaster, ride it as many times as we can before the line gets long, then move on to less important rides. The Dahlonega Mine Train was closed when we got there, so we skipped that area. Lydia's very first ride....Tweety's Tree House in Bugs Bunny World. We made it to the Canyon Blaster with zero line! And managed to meet up with our cousins and friends. We traveled across, around and through the park... sometimes together... sometimes split in groups... but we rode all the rides we wanted. We started the day when the park opened at 10:30 and managed to keep everyone happy and whine free until closing time at 9pm! Ruth's favorite ride... the old classic Mind Bender! Lydia's favorite... all of them! Maggie's favorite.... the super fast drop of Acrophobia, 16 story drop. Eeeks! Bennett's favorite... well, it was his first year doing the "adult" rides and I think he was pleased. Goliath, Batman, Ninja, Scream Machine... he did them all. I used Lydia's short stature as my excuse for not riding any!

I did ride the Mind Bender as everyone is tall enough for that. I sat next to Lydia explaining the G-force, keeping your head back, look for the sky, etc... while she grinned ear to ear and loved the thrill. She is SO small in that seat! I kept my arm across her chest (the old Mom seat belt) during the whole ride and realized at the end I was probably close to choking her... but she was not going to get slung forward from the loops. When asked if I choked her, she laughed and said nope and wanted to go again. Whew! My old Mommy nerves can't handle her riding those big rides.

We moved to the swings... where she really was too short to ride. The swings! Who knew?!?! Judy rode the big Splashwater Falls with the kids while I took pictures and managed to stay dry. That's Holly, Maggie, Ruth & Carter with Judy and Lydia just behind them. We took the Sky Buckets back toward the front gate before we stopped for our lunch picnic.

We picnicked under the trees in the parking lot and then headed back for an afternoon at Skull Island, the water park. We played with all the cousins for a while then headed back toward our favorite rides. As the evening progressed the air cooled and the lines thinned. We really enjoyed our last 3 hours.

The girls got to ride the Log Jamboree (Flumes) over and over with no waiting. Bennett paired up with Adam and left with Aunt Stacy for an overnight adventure in Senoia. The rest of us prepared to leave... they were playing all the "goodbye" songs over the speakers, reminding us that it was time to go home.

I bought Lydia's superhero cape she had asked for ALL day long. She ran circles around me in happiness. Literally.

A great time was had by all.... a long day but so worth the memories!

More Family Reunion Memories - June 2011

2011-06-21T17:58:00.002-04:00

The good thing about visiting Ohio relatives is it gives us an opportunity to visit Indiana relatives as well. Grandma and Grandpa both came from this area of the country and there is a lot of history and many memories here.

Grandpa & Grandma Fleisch's old homestead

Bennett and Ruth waiting for the picture

the girls... smile patiently for the camera - in the Fleisch yard

The quiet road we played in... one single tractor passed us this entire time.

Grandpa

Playing in the road

The lone tractor that drove past us while we visited the Fleisch farm

the famous well pump... we watered Grandma's flowers from this pump when we were little kids.

Uncle Joe and Aunt Verna's home in Boston, IN... not quite the same, but the memories are there.

Grandma's school in Boston

The airfield

Grandma's Grandma's house...

Grandma and Maggie going to find Aunt Tommae's headstone

Lydia didn't want to get out of the van, so she waited patiently for us to finish.

Grandpa shows Ruth another family headstone

The Army plaque for Grandpa Fleisch's headstone.

Where Bennett got his name! His Great-Great Grandparents. (The parents of Grandma Esther Fleisch)

Grandpa and Grandma Fleisch

Lydia decided she was tired of waiting - so she joined us.

The Bennett and Fleisch headstones

The Wallace Farm - Grandpa Phil and Grandma Ree

The porch seems different and much smaller now.

Fields of grain

The State Line - I'm in Indiana/ I'm in Ohio!

Back at the Fleisch Farm

Grandma and the farm

Back at the High School in Boston... not used today.

The Famous Clara's Restaurant

We always have to eat at least one meal at Clara's. The have pizza and pasta type foods... and it was always better as a kid. But we have to continue the tradition with our own kids. They enjoyed the time and the food.

The Bus inside Clara's

the kids posed in the bus - since we didn't get to eat in there.

Grandma's tenderloin sandwich!

The family table - Bennett went up to the other level to take this for us

YUMMY Tenderloin! There's no other like it.

Packing in to head back south

Kentucky State line... just getting started.

Our Picnic lunch in Berea, KY

we love warm days for eating on a blanket.

Strawberries for Lydia

Strawberries for Maggie

Water for Ruth.

Bennett and his strawberries too.

The Ocoee River in Tennessee had already diverted the water for the day. The use it for power, but during the day they use it for white water rafting. On the way up we stopped to watch the kayakers manage the rapids, but today we were able to get close to the water and see all the spots usually hidden by rushing water. This ramp is where the rafters walk their rafts into the water. The water would usually be over their heads.

Maggie was trying to hid from the camera... but I captured her!!

On the Ocoee River in Tennessee

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Daddy explains to the kids how the water flows around the dam for energy, or over for the rafters.

Daddy and the kiddos

Tennessee state line... getting closer to home.

Princess Lydia - prancing up the ramp.

Almost Home!!

What a terrific trip. We drove a ton for a long weekend.... but we saw many places and family that we only see once a year. Until next June!

Wallace Family Reunion - June 2011 - Photo Memories

2011-06-20T23:47:00.014-04:00

In June, over Father's Day weekend, we took our road trip to Ohio for the Wallace Family Reunion. It happens every year... we've just recently begun making it a priority to stay involved in all the lives of those cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and relatives we didn't even know we had! This post is mostly pictures to help us remember these fun times.

All packed and ready to hit the road.

We travel fast! Stopping at the state visitor centers for picnic lunches and bathroom breaks. These kids are terrific!

Driving into Cincinnati

OHIO! The last State line before we get there.... this means we're making progress. Plus, the sunlight is fading and we're losing play time.

Ruth found a cozy spot up in the loft of our cabin. The kids slept up there while Curtis and I took the one bed. :)

Lydia's sweet face

Maggie tries out the kiddie swing :)

Bennett spent much of his time on his bike.

This campground is great for bikes as the whole thing is FLAT!

Cousin Andy Manlove and his family

Aunt Nancy and Uncle Norman Manlove, relaxing under the trees.

Trena and her pooch keeping cool on the porch

Grandpa Nelson... enjoying the conversation with his siblings

Daddy.... keeps an eye on the kids

Lydia enjoys some watermelon

Cousin Nick Manlove... yep, that's him!

Cousin Gretchen Williams - she lives behind this lens.

Cousin Scott Manlove gives Maggie "the eye".

Our little cabin - better than a tent, cheaper than pulling a camper! Plus, it has air conditioning, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a porch to hang wet towels.

The kids got to fill water balloons. Macey, Bennett and Maggie working hard on keeping them from breaking before finding someone to tie them. They ended up wetter than their targets.

The kids had great game times with cousin Phyllis Manlove... here she gives Bennett a little of what he deserved!

Noodle Wars - Maggie hands off her weapon to her partner Lindsey.

Bennett goes after this random boy who wanted to play along. In fact, those two boys in the background were also neighboring campers who just wanted to play along with all the kids. Fun times!

Mr. Big Stuff...

Ruth, Charlie, Bennett, Lindsey face off... well, Charlie and Bennett were on the same team, so he was just supervising.

Phyllis - the Game Guru!

Uncle Mike and Aunt Linda Wallace

Ruth is enjoying her water balloon look... I love this toothless smile!

Lindsey and her bead frog... another great craft idea from Phyllis

Bennett created a Jeep

Pretty impressive

Bennett created a Jeep.

Super Gretchen!

Cousins... Carlos Gonzales and Wayne & Donna Wallace

Uncle Mike - Cousin Tom

Grandma Jody talks with Bennett and Charlie

Tesa and Eric

Cousin Katrina Gonzales

Tesa and Holly - sisters, crazy cousins on mine.

A more serious photographic moment from Tesa and Holly

Cousin Dave Wallace

Swim time in the lake with Ruth

Bennett and Daddy discuss the techniques of a proper cannonball

And this is how you do it!

Swim time in the pool with Lydia and cousins Olivia and Grace

Cheerleader Lydia

Cousin Becky Colley

Bennett and Dave were being serious here... then ole Gretchen sticks her head in the middle. :) Love this family!

Grandma and Katrina

The coolest Cousin Stacy Wallace!

Mommy

And then the camera got into the hands of the 6 year old, Lydia!

A BEAUTIFUL self portrait

the loft of the cabin

Looking for the 4 leaf clover... for big money. Charlie found it.

Charlie Williams and his winning 4 leaf clover.

Phyllis and Macey Manlove

Breakfast by the Manlove boys

Nick - in charge of the pancakes

Bennett, Ruth and Lydia enjoy their breakfast

Jason - the bacon man

Clint ---> Eggs!

And then we eat it all.... Tesa - syrup happy!

Seriously, these girls are normal and fun.

Macey and Corban Manlove

Holly Renee brings out the best in all of us

Aunt Nancy didn't know I was taking a self portrait

More Lydia

Smiles from Grandpa!

Aunt Terri Thompson

Lydia and a new friend Madison

Cousin Katrina Gonzales... we still claim her.

More Grandpa smiles

Love these eyes.

Tesa & Eric

Holly and Aunt Terrie... probably discussing Holly's upcoming mission trip

Love the Family love!

Time around camp on a golf cart - creates a breeze and a smile!

Uncle Dan was able to drive into town for dinner.

Olivia Gonzales

The Gonzales crew... with Aunt Terrie too.

Lydia got a good smile out of Wayne!

Cousins Nathan Thompson and Holly Wallace

Mom and Katrina

Most of the kids...

Always good for a silly face shot

Minute to Win It games.... Charlie Vs Ruth - shaking the tic-tacs

Lindsey VS Jenny - dice stacking

Curtis VS Stacy - picking up keys... he has 4 left to her 1 and still ended up winning

Bennett VS Katrina - cup stacking

Cousins... Holly, Sarah, Stacy, Katrina, Jenny

Ruth and Nathan working on their game

Maggie had to sort colors... she won!

Daddy works on dropping the ball through the hole.

Ruth - flicking the can with a rubber band

Wayne shines his light in the camera for a cool effect.

And that's the end... the end of another weekend with great family. We missed seeing many cousins and aunts and uncles. Uncle Jeff was sick and in the hospital, so he and Aunt Trudy, along with their kids, didn't make the trip. Uncle Mike wasn't feeling well either and had to leave early. Lara, Rob and Seth didn't get to come. We hope next year it will work out for everyone to come. It certainly is worth the time, effort and money. We love them all! Until next summer.

Camping at Vogel - MAY 2011

2011-05-23T22:49:00.002-04:00

Our weekend camping trip...
Curtis planned a family trip to Vogel State park for the weekend. The Knott family planned one too... in fact, I think the boys planned them together because our campers were next to each other. We prepared our supplies and Friday (while I was working) Curtis gathered the children from school (early) and headed north. The park is only about 30 minutes from our house so it's an easy place for us to camp. They unpacked and played for the rest of the day while waiting for my arrival ( not too expectantly). At one point, Curtis looked over at the kid's table during a game and realized there were two extra kids. Nick and Alex were camping for their first time with their grandparents, and Will joined us too, but mostly rode bikes with Bennett. Alex (a girl) is Lydia's age and they were fast friends. I was able to arrive about 10 pm, after stopping by the house for last minute items and ingredients for s'mores. They were just finishing their bath time, so I was there to tuck them in! Camping in the camper is great fun for all of us...bedtime is well after dark and morning comes with the sun and birds. There is no need for watches and schedules... unless you're on the beach and need to reapply sunscreen!
Lydia's teacher and her family were also camping this weekend. Their daughter is one of Ruth's friends from school as well. It was a good thing to play with her as well. The Knotts are fun... but they are boys! Sometimes an added girl or two is a good thing for decreased sibling issues. The big kids rode bikes... a ton! Over many trails and paths. The little kids walked a bunch... and rode a little. We drove down to the lakefront for swimming and beach digging. On Saturday they dug a huge hole... which was smoothed flat by the night time tractor. They filed it with water and dug paths and tunnels. Many other children stopped by to give aid. Sometimes it was welcomed. Sometimes the boys just wanted to destroy.
I did get to have some good conversation with Kirsten, Katherine's mom. It's often hard to get to know parents from the brief encounters at school, field trips, parties, PTO, etc. I always hesitate sending my kids to other homes... until I know the parent at least a little. I would rather have them in my home, where I can watch them. :)
Saturday evening the Himstedts came out to eat and play with us. I failed to take pictures this weekend but Maggie took a few during dinner for me. The creek water was FREeZING but the kids enjoyed playing in it anyways. Not me!
Sunday we enjoyed a little more time down at the beach while Curtis packed up the camper. It helps to have all the "helpers" out of the way to make things move a little more quickly.
A fun weekend that went too quickly... but so worth it.

Unmotivated...

2011-05-23T21:42:00.000-04:00

Lately I have been totally unmotivated to find pictures and come up with any sort of dialog for this blog. I have been intending to go ahead and order the 2010 book... yet, I still haven't done it. I think it's just that time of year. For me, at least. Other people are turning over the ground and starting their flower gardens and vegetable gardens. I... am NO green thumb or Farmer John. Nope. Not in the least. No planting and growing here. I'm pretty sure Curtis is as non-green as I am. It's the end of the school year. The kids are unmotivated... and I guess it's contagious. They must have started it. So... I have started 3 posts in the past month and have completed zero. I have one of pictures that I can't remember what I wanted to say about them. I have one with a couple quippy little comments from the kids... context lost and forgotten.
So, now I try again. I'll start again and maybe finish those others. Less text and just publish the post to have it here forever and ever. ;) yeah!
As the school year winds down we become less and less academic driven and more fun and games driven. The teachers save all the fun stuff for after CRCT and other such yearly goals. So, we've had a few fun field trips with the little girls and we're looking forward to Field Day x 2 schools! It's getting hot around here and the sun is out until well after 8... and bedtime is very difficult. Who wants to do homework when it's hot and sunny and the yard and garden hose is calling your name?!?!?! The kids have created a water slide on our playground... hose at the top of the slide, big blue tarp at the bottom. Sometimes, it's a little painful... but mostly it's just fun - and muddy.
Let's see... Lydia's class went to Vogel State Park. They learned about bear safety, birds (sort of), took a hay ride through the camp ground (where I lost my camera), hiked around the lake and down to the waterfall and had a picnic hot dog feast with all their friends. It was super windy and cold that day and many of the kids were not prepared for the chill in the air.
We huddled and shared our jackets and blankets and still enjoyed the day.

After we got home from school I decided a picnic dinner might be in order - back at Vogel - so we could search for the lost camera. I knew I had it on the hay ride and I knew I didn't have it at a certain point... so the area where it had to be was not too large. There were only a handful of campers that day so the likelihood of someone else finding it before the weather elements destroyed it was pretty slim. So, we packed sandwiches and headed back over the mountain. We took a quick drive through the path of the hay ride and exactly where I suspected it to be... Curtis spotted it out his window. Hooray for Daddy!! We had plenty of time left to eat and play in the freezing breeze before heading back home again. And I got a couple good kid shots!

Ruth's class went to Unicoi State Park and Anna Ruby Falls two days later. It was hot and we kept shedding layers and were still all sweaty! They learned about snakes, bears and did a fun little scavenger hunt for nature items. Ruth's team of girls finished first! There was no race or contest or award for first place... but they still were proud of themselves for getting done quickly. We had a picnic lunch with all our friends then hiked to Anna Ruby Falls. It's at Unicoi, but no longer part of Unicoi... somehow managed by the Forrestry service instead of the state park service. The Rangers are lots of fun and full of information. We didn't have a guided hike.... but he did give us lots of information before we started the hike. Curtis even took off from work to come hike with her class. It's an easy path but pretty intense incline and several of the 7 year olds were pokey about walking... so we marched and jumped and skipped and sang songs. One or two of Ruth's friends stuck themselves next to me to take advantage of the camera time, my expert singing, and motivational speaking for getting up the hill!! They love me. ha!

Ruth, Katherine Smith, Kendall Cantrell... 1st grade friends.

Chloe and Ruth make their way uphill.

Ms. Kelli Usher's class at the falls.

Ruth at Anna Ruby Falls.

Chloe, Curtis and Ruth... at the falls.

Rock Star posing at Betty's!

Another evening, after much prompting by Bennett, we took a family picnic to Helen. Mostly, so we could visit Betty's Country Store. You see... after Ruth's field trip to Unicoi I stopped in at Betty's to look for a couple last minute items (Mother's Day cards) and a drink. I was reminded of their vast assortment of glass bottled drinks... fun flavors you don't find in just any store. Plus, they're glass bottles... which mean bottle caps. Bennett's latest collection item. I told him I found a great place to get these caps. They even have a little bottle opener at the register and most people just let their caps fall into the collection container. I told him if he asked the lady really sweetly, she might just let him have a few of those leftover caps too. He was beyond excited with the possibility of a jackpot of bottle caps. (P.S. the abundantly found beer bottle caps are not acceptable, per Bennett) We went to Betty's, shopped for the perfect flavor drink (Coke/Sprite/Stewart's Orange) and sweetly batted long, dark eyelashes at the young lady behind the register. She brought forth a brown paper sack with a day's worth of bottle caps!! Jackpot! He was quite pleased.

Picnic sandwiches by the Chattahoochee River and playground romping. What could be better?

Lydia has mastered the monkey bars!

A few moments in the frigid waters of the Chattahoochee!

Lydia was much too fragile to get cold or muddy. So she was carried up the bank by her loving father. See the resemblance?!?!

Here's a quote I remember...

Quizzing Bennett after school, "Did you do your homework, Do you have reading to do"... he answers he did homework at school and finished his reading on the bus. "So, you aren't going to ask me to read when I tell you it's bedtime?" "I will"... he laughs. He always asks me to read at bedtime... despite the hour of the day, despite if he has already read 3 hours, he always wants to read more. I like that. I usually let him since he's alone in his room and won't keep anybody else awake and he's the oldest and he's Bennett! :)

Random Photo Post

2011-05-23T21:22:00.000-04:00

I went to dinner with my friends Kelli and Rebecca. PF Changs. I always want to go there and typically get vetoed. You can see the bowl of cherries. Rebecca can tie the stems in a knot. Kelli and I can not knot. She asked for a bowl full of cherries so we could practice. It was kind of funny. Our server, Miranda then said she and her friend were going to practice as well because she wanted to learn how to do that. Interesting talent.

Kelli was really concentrating on tying that stem!

Out front with the PF Changs' horse.

Grandma's crazy hair creation.

Crazy hair by Grandma.

Pictures by little people.

Grandma... posing for special picture time. Upside down on purpose.

Ruth and Grandma

Grandpa... captured by a little person.

Ruth's early morning, before school face.

School really wears a kid out!

Waiting the the pick-up line for Bennett & Maggie

April Fool's Day joke... by Ruth.

Spring Break to Tennessee 2011

2011-04-02T01:08:00.002-04:00

Spring Break. Time for rest and relaxation away from school. Except with 4 kids - vacation is never about rest and relaxation. You don't realize this until you have kids of your own that you have to take with you on these "vacations". This year I wanted to go to the beach. We haven't been to the beach since Lydia was a newborn... 5 years ago. Well, we did take a quick trip to Charleston 3 falls ago, but it wasn't a beach trip as we were unable to play due to cold and sandstorms! There are a few token pictures so we can TELL the kids they were at the beach. But it wasn't a beach trip! Well, since spring break is in March... Curtis vetoed the idea of spending cool days on the beach. Sigh! So, we've come back to Tennessee. This time it's Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg. We haven't been here in a while... probably 3 years as well. The little girls don't remember it at all. Bennett only remembers the go-carts that he was too short to drive alone. That's ALL he wants to do. Drive Go-carts! When are we going? When? When? Too bad it's a rainy weekend and he has to wait, wait, wait!~

Our trip north started on Saturday morning... we took our time, packed the van during the lighter moments of the downpours and finally hit the road about 11:30. The kids could hardly stand those few hours of waiting. Constantly underfoot and asking "how much longer". They just never seem to understand that being underfoot causes more delays. One day! :) I told Ruth a very generous 3 o'clock as an arrival time thinking, surely, we'll be there by then! 12:30 - she asks "are we in Tennessee yet?" No, Ruth.

We drove in a little rain - off and on, ate Chick-fil-A in the van so as not to have to unload and track wetness all over the stuff, and made it to Cherokee in decent time. We stopped for a potty break at the local DQ (do not recommend this particular location), got some ice cream to hold us til dinner and headed into the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Such a BEAUTIFUL day despite the rain. The clouds were thick, but the green was so green. The moss on the rocks alongside the road were that amazing shade of spring. The trees are thinking about budding forth in color and the bright, non-sunshiny clouds allowed us to see all the greens without dulling the colors with rays of sunshine. Some of the fields were wet with the rain, but green with new growth. No wildlife was seen on this trip. I'm not sure the bears are out of hibernation yet!
Then we got to the top of the state line... NC/TN... Newfound Gap.... elevation 5046 ft. Today was visibility of about 20 feet. Maybe 21! The cloud cover was thick! And it made it a little more exciting not being able to see off the sides of the mountains and just imagining how far down, or out you could jump, fly, run, or see. Bennett said "let's open the windows and fill the van with clouds"... so we did. We took some pictures and walked up the sidewalk to the Appalachian Trail sign. Saw some "through hikers".

Bennett climbing the wall - 'cause he can.

Maggie climbing the wall - 'cause Bennett did.

Lydia and Ruth on their "tower" 'cause they can!

Climbed up a "tower" to take pictures from the top. We could sort of see the road (and Daddy left of Bennett) below. It was a good time for leg stretching and expending of energy! Time to go... time to go... let's goooooo!

On our way out of the parking area we passed some more hikers who were looking for a ride into town for the night. I had my window down and said "sorry, we're full of kids" and they smiled and nodded. I turned around to the kids to explain what they wanted and why we didn't pick them up and realized... we are NOT full of kids. So, Curtis pulled over a few hundred yards up the road and Bennett climbed in the back. We told the hikers they could pile in next to Lydia and we would take them to Gatlinburg, wherever they needed to go. They were grateful. Jake and Meghan... from Iowa City, Iowa. They started hiking at Springer Mountain, GA 2 weeks ago and were planning on completing the AT by August. They look like they could do it. Young. Motivated. Dirty. The kids in the backseat said they smelled like the dump... I guess because their backpacks were piled behind them in the back. I thought they just smelled like wet mud. They said they would send us an email when they get to the end... I hope they do! The kids really enjoyed being silly and making noises while Curtis and I were trying to engage them in conversation. She cooks. He bakes. For a living! What a delicious combination. They have enjoyed their time together so far, but 6 months is a LONG time to hike. Whew! They said they had met up with some really nice folks who are also hiking through, as well as some really cool groups who set up along the AT with hot cocoa, snacks, drinks, etc. If you want to set up a station to help the hikers... have Snickers and Honeybuns. The hiker's planning guide did not give Gatlinburg credit for all that is there. It said "restaurants - 70+, Shoneys". Amazed! The streets were pretty crowded for a post-rainy day. Tons of people. We were looking for a specific motel that was also in their guidebook... and not knowing exactly where it is we drove through the strip and back before we spotted it. We snapped a quick photo for this blog, our memories. They obliged. Meghan's face reminded me of Susan Pell. Jake reminded Curtis of Josiah Borg's. I guess that's what prompted me to first say yes to bringing them with us. Her face. Good memories for the kids, I hope!
As we were driving them around looking for their motel we also spotted Mrs. Kelli - Ruth's teacher, unloading at her hotel. We laughed and I texted her "I see you" just to see what she would say. My phone rang promptly, "what??". So, we said hello and left them for their special couple weekend. Now, that's a rest and relaxation kind of vacation!

Our hotel is the same hotel we've stayed at before. Nice people. Nice rooms. Nice pool. That's what is most important! The pool!! They actually have an outdoor area with a lazy river, hot tub, shower mushroom thing, and pool. Inside (where it's warm) is a pool and hot tub. We tend to always come when it's too cold to actually enjoy the outside part. They keep trying to get in the lazy river, but it's freezing!! They haven't turned on their heater yet. Burrrrr!

Sunday morning the kids swam for a couple hours while I blogged and Curtis got lunch. It is still pretty cool and rainy so we can't go ride go-carts yet. Not a good day for hiking either. We drove around Pigeon Forge just looking around and spotting all the punch buggies. Lydia is very sad because she never spots them first. Come on guys, give her a break. Nope! In it to win it Mom! We sat in a Books-a-million for a while to pass the time and because Bennett likes to look at books but didn't understand why we agreed to stop and look if we weren't going to buy all the books he kept asking us to buy. Hmmmm, I wonder. We did get Lydia's Bible to save for her birthday. Don't tell! :) She'll be ready for it in a couple months and sometimes this particular one is hard to find. So, it wasn't a pointless stop after all.
Since it had been mostly dry all afternoon Curtis thought it would be fun to take a quick hike in the Park before dinner. We drove through Gatlinburg and it got foggier and mist-ier as we drove deeper into the Park. There was a brief moment when we thought about not hiking... but I figured, it's just mist and we're here. Let's do this! He had found an easy, paved path to a waterfall the kids could handle... surely! It was 4:30 - here's half a granola bar to get you through.

Drinking fresh water from the rocks.

We hiked. It was paved. It was foggy. It was misty. It was all uphill. We told them it was almost like doing a 5K... 2.6 total miles. No problem. It was steep. It was slippery. It was dangerous. Straight down... if you got too close to the edge... the end for you! At least that's what we told the kids. Stay close. Walk carefully. It really was an enjoyable hike all the way to the falls. Coming back was quick - all downhill. Curtis and the big kids scooted on down.

Being crazy silly at the falls for Ruth's picture taking.

Ruth and Lydia found walking downhill was a bit more challenging and painful than uphill. "My legs hurt. I'm tired" So we sang all the songs we could think of singing as we hopped, slipped and limped down the path. Eventually, I had to give Lydia a brief piggyback ride until we could see the cars again. We were all a bit lacking in the glucose storage. It was dinnertime for sure. If it weren't so foggy, I'm sure there would have been breathtaking views from the top of the path. Quite an elevation change. It ended up taking about 1 1/2 hours to do the whole thing with all our photo stops.
After hiking, we pigged out on some cheap pizza and headed back to the hotel for more swimming before bedtime. Times like these I really wish we had access to a pool. The little girls need some work on their confidence in their flotation abilities. Tomorrow - we move to the waterpark resort. Very excited little people.

At the falls

Looking straight down off the path at the river below the falls.

Fun times in the hotel.

So, Monday brought about the move... from our "suite" to our "sweet" room. Well, not exactly... but try to follow my thought here. At the weekend hotel (cheaper rate) we have a kitchen and eating area which makes the room bigger and the space more appropriate for eating cheaply with 4 kids. We buy sandwich stuff, chips, cookies and eat meals in our hotel room while enjoying the pool and hot tub. The kids would stay there and never leave the hotel if it were up to them. Plus, it was cold and rainy - so why bother? But Monday was our move day. The Wilderness at the Smokies has an indoor waterpark and the biggest reason for the trip to this area. Only their weekend rates are crazy high compared to weekday rates right now and their rooms are just enough to get by. We certainly didn't have room for food stuff, or for eating, or storage. We loaded up all our stuff and spent some time at the local outlet stores while we waited for official check-in time. The girls "need" spring Sunday shoes in the correct sizes and this was as good a day as any to find some. We had planned to meet our friends David and Kelli for lunch, as they were in the same area for their spring break as well. We sat and talked over homemade salsa for 2 hours.... well into the check-in time. The girls love Ms. Kelli (she teaches their 1st grade year) and successfully and continually said "Ms Kelli... look, Ms Kelli... play, Ms Kelli... guess what" as she tried to enjoy her taco. Thankfully, Ms Kelli shows lots of patience! We finally parted ways and headed out to the Wilderness. Checked into our room. Changed into swimwear and FINALLY stepped into the water. It was cold to me... but little people have much different thermostats. They took off! There is a little people area just for Lydia. A "learn to surf" wave area. A big wave pool that spits huge waves every 15 minutes. 4 BIG slides that require tubes to sit in... the first set of slides is 72 steps, the 2nd set is 90!! And a hot tub big enough for all our friends... it's like 8-10 tubs all connected, half inside and half outside. It's very salty and even has some sand in the bottom to make it feel more like the ocean.
Lydia is the first to wear out - as expected, plus it was dinner time. I brought her and Ruth back to the room and fixed sandwiches and got ready for bed. We waited for Daddy and the big kids to get back... for their "30 more minutes" had long passed. We went out to the hotel lobby in our pjs to sit by a very nice warm fire and waited, read a book, and warmed up. Finally, we gave up and went back to our room... and they showed up 2 seconds later. Figures!
We snuggled in our room and watched a movie until we were all passed out... before 11 even! That water is good stuff.

Mommy & Ruth passing Bennett!

Tuesday was a pretty weather day. We opened our hotel window to see bright sunshine. We felt like we had been in a cave for days and the sun hurt our eyes, it was so bright. We talked about the miners who were trapped for weeks and how they might have felt coming out into the bright sunshine. It was a beautiful day.

Bennett... in his element!

Our first, most important, order of business was Go-Carts for Bennett. That's all he wanted to do. He has wanted to come back to Pigeon Forge since our last trip 4 years ago so he could drive his own cart. He needed to be taller. He needed to drive! So we shopped around for the best deal, track, and carts. And we ended up at the one we always end up at... Wild Woodys! They have early bird specials before noon and we planned it that way. The girls got to ride for free with the sacrificing, paying parents... at least 2 of them. Little Lydia was uninterested in the fast carts.

While we were riding the carts... Lydia was the acting photographer. She was instructed to stand by the fence and take pictures... an action that would keep her from wandering away from her spot where I could see her. She did a pretty good job at catching us in action.

She just wanted to ride the "ferris wheel" which was really the carousel. Teee Tiny little carousel. But it made her smile and wave.

I LOVE this smile and wave. Every time she circled around where we were standing by the fence she would cock that little head and wave her little hand. She was the only one on the ride and she was royalty! It made perfect sense.We had credits for mini-golf and decided since the sun was shining and the air was warm, we could use those as well. Good thing Lydia was free... she was good for about 7 holes before she turned again to photographer. I played her spot... she took lots of action shots. Most of us had no head.

Maggie's Expert swing.

Bennett... sort of posing for Lydia... or swinging slowly. :)

The view of the water slides... Storm Chaser = orange!

Curtis gave lots of instructions for proper putt-putt technique. Ruth listened. Bennett ignored. Maggie cried. It was more enjoyable on the back 9...

Ruth's frustration level increasing....

So Daddy gives help

better swing... :)

Finishing out Lydia's holes so she can take pictures.

Quality photography by Lydia!

The Family Shot by Lydia... she posed us too.

Photo by Daddy

Ruth and Maggie at the end of a slide

We needed more swim time so we headed back to the waterpark to play until dinner. We stopped long enough to find food for dinner and headed back in for a night time swim. The "light" tunnels are no longer light when it's dark outside. They are much different rides when you can't see anything... also very different when you ride backwards... and very different when you're enjoying them with your littlest people.
They have a ride called Storm Chaser. It's the biggest, baddest ride they have. Lydia isn't big enough to ride so she had to sit in a chair and wait while we rode it. She did a great job being patient for the big kids (and parents). Ruth insisted she wasn't going to ride this ride. We (Maggie and me) finally talked her into giving it a try... and she did. Her face of fear at the beginning (she doesn't like thunder and lightening- the sound effects), the utter torture of dropping so far, so fast... then the awe in realizing she wasn't going to get hurt or die and enjoyed the speed of the ride. Her little giggle to try to cover up how scared she was... yet had a great time. I told Curtis I wished there was some way to capture that face in the middle of the ride. They need a camera mid-point - I would buy that picture!

The wave pool is on a 15 minute timer. There is a short alarm that sounds just before the waves start. There are lots of little screams (of excitement) when it sounds and people go running to the pool. Our kids included (minus Lydia). You can sit in tubes if you like... or brave the waves alone. Bennett and Maggie are confident in their height and swimming abilities to brave it tube-less. Ruth liked to stay close to the edge, with me. I never have liked the way waves make you feel.... helpless and out of control. Lydia doesn't like the waves either!

Ruth gives surfing a try

They also have a surfing spot... a constant, controlled wave. Curtis and the 3 big kids all gave it a go. Hard on the first try, but once you figure out what you have to do to control the board... they all did well. Bennett even tried standing up, like a pro. They made us sign a waiver first... probably because when you fall, you fall hard. He fell... and he got back on it... and fell again.

Bennett tried standing and did pretty well for his first time.

Maggie surfs... she actually got up on her knees too.

He went away rubbing his belly, so I know he knocked it hard... but he was smiling too big to make a deal out of it!

We closed the park down. 10pm... all 6 of us. Lydia had wanted to be done about 9:30 - but we sat in the hot tub a few minutes and she perked up. She likes being warm! We've also got some arcade credits we need to use up before we leave on Wednesday - so the big kids went to take care of that while Lydia and I got ready for bed. Almost time to head back to the real world of the working class.
Wednesday morning we spent a couple more hours sliding and surfing and floating and swimming. We found some friends from back home (a classmate of Maggie's) and their little Sierra enjoyed some girl time with Lydia and Ruth. Archer (Maggie's friend) enjoyed getting to ride the big rides without his parents! :) Did I say the slides had 72 and 90 steps just to get up to them? The parents were glad to let the kids ride together too. Our noon check-out came way too soon, but we had to dry off and clean up and get moving southbound. After we emptied the room we went back to the arcade to empty the game card they gave us and redeem all our tickets. We ended up with 1300 some odd tickets to pick out kid friendly junk. They pondered and thought and pondered some more until every last ticket had been redeemed. Bennett scored with a pack of shocking gum... you might get some offered to you if you come visit. The girls all got the usual trinket stuff. Maggie's favorite is the old school whoopie cushion - which she has used over and over again. Ruth got a pair of fuzzy dice for her favorite teacher (shhhhh, don't tell) and Lydia's favorite is the little Barbie imitation doll. I had to glue her shoes on because they just won't stay on by themselves. So frustrating for a 5 year old!

Curtis surf too...

making lots of splashes

The little "town" outside the water park.

The outside of the Storm Chaser... lit up at night.

Lydia... totally beat!

Ruth didn't make it through the movie either.

Packing to head home. We like their individual suitcases!

Family photo inside.

In front of the kid section

The top section of the hotel... where we stayed.

Storm Chaser in the daytime... ready to head home.

10,000+ pound granite rock... spinning and floating on water.

Family photo in the Smokies... matches one from 4 years ago. I need to find it!

Silly girls

We had a casual drive home after eating a buffet lunch. Remember, do not go to the Wood Grill buffet. We tried it for you and it's not worth the time or money! We stopped for a family photo in the same spot as Thanksgiving 2006. We saw some elk as we were leaving the park so Bennett took a few photos. We tried to stop for some dairy fresh ice cream at the state line - but we were just a few minutes after they closed. Boo.
Home again, home again. This was one of our best trips! The kids are finally big enough to play without constant supervision. It gives me more freedom to enjoy the trip as well. It's nice when they can find their own snacks, make their own sandwiches, get their own drinks. Even at the buffet - they can fill their own plates and know what they want to eat. I saw a mom at the waterpark sitting enjoying a book and a coffee. Her kids are teenagers. One day I'll sit in a chair instead of pacing back and forth from slide to slide to wave pool. At least we all got to enjoy the fun of the slides together!
We highly recommend Wilderness at the Smokies for your family getaway! :)

Wilderness at the Smokies.

Family Lunch Day with Lydia

2011-03-22T22:14:00.001-04:00

Friday was family lunch day with Lydia's class. Her school lets a different class have a special lunch day each Friday. I was supposed to work and really wasn't looking forward to it because it just makes me sad to have to miss special days like that. Now that all 4 kids are in school I have spent a lot of time at the little girls' school helping in the library or just general loitering in the halls. :)

Grandma and Grandpa drove up for the lunch. Grammy and Papa came too. AND both parents. Lydia was a popular little girl this day. Ruth even got to go to lunch a little early so she could enjoy the grandfolks. The sad thing is I didn't have my camera at school. I hope to get the good pictures from her teacher. We had our family dinner group dinner that night at Rebecca's house. It seemed to be grandparent night with so many extra parents around. Mom and Dad stayed in town to eat with all our friends. James' folks were there as well. Rebecca's Mom, although she didn't speak to any of us inside the house. I'm thinking, either she had lots to say to the men (who were also hiding on the porch) or she was scared of the houseful of kids.

Since we didn't take any of our own pictures for family day... I left a note the next morning requesting a picture of Lydia with Grandpa and Grandma. I had to leave for work bright and early and I knew I wouldn't get to see them before they went home. These are the pictures I got from the camera that night. Apparently, the camera was sent downstairs with little people and the pictures were taken by little people.

They don't quite have the whole "frame the subject" concept. I don't know which little people took the pictures... but I'm guessing it wasn't Lydia! :)

This was our "supermoon" this month. It was full Saturday night (although I think Saturday morning on my way to work was bigger and brighter). It was closer and brighter than recent years. I can't remember all the numbers... 20% closer, 13% brighter than the previous 50 years? I don't know. But everyone was making a big deal out of the whole thing. Bennett's class has been using the whole "follow the moon" as a project. Each night he looks and then draws what he sees. It also makes the girls interested in what's going on since they like to be like him. :)

Ruth left Bennett a note under his pillow this week. "Hey Bennett. I love you. From Ruth"

I told him to keep it because one day she won't be nice to him. And his reply... "then I can shove it in her face and remind her that she used to love me?" Yeah. Shove it in her face! That'll work.

I have another picture I need to get from Corie and I'll add it here eventually!

Another Day in the Life...

2011-03-19T23:07:00.000-04:00

We took the kids skating today between church and the Super Bowl party. We joined a couple other families we tend to hang out with often. The kids are getting good at staying upright, except Lydia. She just decided as we were leaving today that she was ready to skate. Next time. The parents have yet to put on skates. I can help them much more if I'm not curled up in the corner in pain from falling, again. I tried to get pictures of everyone but I missed Maggie and Amelia. They were spinning circles in the corner.

Elizabeth... she skates. She's TWO!

Half of Corie's head...

Ruth - you just never know.

Glowing in the dark, but not skating!

At least that's the back of Maggie's head. Her token shot.

Sarah and Tamara (they rhyme)

Bennett...

Sure is tall these days.

I'm not sure where I was going with this post - except to show our skating pictures. Now it's um, well... March 20th?! I think this one got lost in my list of things to do.

On the 4th day of Creation...

2011-03-13T23:05:00.000-04:00

God created the sun, moon and stars.
We've been studying creation this month in Sunday school. This isn't my first time teaching it, or studying it, or hearing it. Yet - there's always something new to absorb.
Bennett had a project in school recently... the Moon Phases. I'm sure I've read them before, studied them, heard about them. Yet - there's always something new to absorb. He remembers much more than I can. The other night we looked at the moon as half-full. He explains it's a waxing crescent and it's getting bigger in this part of the cycle.
So, my creation question for all you theologians out there... on day 1 God separated the light from the dark. Was He the light? Where did the light come from? Because day 4 was when He created the sun, moon, and stars to make light to govern the day, light to govern the night, etc.

Today was Open House at Strong Rock Camp. We try to go each year. It's a fun day for the kids to get to play with the camp family, as well as participate in all the activities for free! Not that they understand the cost of camp... it's just a fun day. It was an absolutely beautiful day. Clear blue skies and 70+ temps. We enjoyed horse back rides, rock climbing, archery, riflery, and canoeing... oh, and snacks! I had 6 kids in tow (mine + 2 Himstedts) and I actually got to participate in the shooting of the guns and bows. My first time ever at camp! Woo Hoo! I hit my targets. Nobody was as impressed as me but it was fun. Bennett scared a snake on one of the paths and they both ran/slithered. We saw several of our family friends. If you're reading this and have never visited Strong Rock Camp... we highly recommend it! It's worth the financial sacrifice for a week or two of summertime fun. Save, scrimp, and give up a coffee or dinner out - it's for the kids! :)

In spite of all the fun happenings around here we are still devastated by the news of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. We've let the kids watch some of the news videos and they are just as amazed as we are with the total destruction. Unreal. Unbelievable. And what do we do here? Eat our fill of gluttony and enjoy our climate controlled comfortable beds.
I pray we understand even a fraction of what they're going through today. I pray we suffer just a little. I pray our kids will desire to help, serve, and share.
Oh, to understand the God of the sun, moon and stars. And earthquakes. And tsunamis. Creation - and death.

At Any Given Moment...

2011-02-06T22:28:00.000-05:00

On any given day, at any given moment... these 4 little people will be entertaining me. Here's a glimpse into this moment today... approximately 5:30pm Sunday, when we weren't getting ready to head back to AWANA. Tonight is the Super Bowl party... we're going to watch the Steelers and Packers play while enjoying some of our favorite families, food, and kids. We're rooting for the Steelers (who by now have lost).

Here's Bennett, riding his "trick" bike. He had just spent about 30 minutes tearing his 4-wheeler through the woods. He got a little close, in a tight squeeze with two trees. He asked if I heard him yelling but he managed to push and pull and gun-it until the tires gripped the cold, wet leaves and pulled him up the hill. He was supposed to be getting ready to leave for our party. He put away his full helmet and donned his bike helmet to take a few trips over his ramp. Are all 10 year old boys fearless? I love that he loves to be outside doing boy things and doesn't want to come in the house, even when it's really cold.

Maggie... spending a few moments writing thank you cards for her Boosterthon sponsors. She likes to be inside. She likes to play. Even though she enjoys running... she still just isn't an outdoorsie girl. I think it's cool that she's left-handed. The pink bracelet is from going skating today. That's another story...

Ruth... snuggling in "my" chair playing her brother's DS Guitar Hero game. Normally, he answers no when she asks to play. Today I guess he was feeling generous... we both played. She knew I was taking her picture... she was grinning at me sort of in her "I don't want you to know that I know" kind of way.

And tucked away in the bedroom was a very sleepy little Lydia. She's under there... and she's terribly warm and snuggly and smells like a baby when found in this position. I hated to wake her up... but it was time for the party! :) She's been fighting congestion for 11 days so far and probably is turning (or has turned) into an ear infection. I'm glad she'll go take a nap and rest when she's not 100%.

There are the things that fill my heart on a daily basis.

The Girls' Turn

2011-02-06T00:37:00.000-05:00

Last weekend Curtis and his pal James went on a "trip" to pick up a new vehicle for our driveway. It was a good deal. The evening trip turned into an all evening event and Corie (his wife) and I asked for our turn. They agreed to let us go out for dinner, since they enjoyed dinner, and a kid-free moment as well. Corie homeschools her 4 kids (well, 2 school aged and 2 pre-schoolers) so a night out is a rare and appreciated thing. We took along 2 other favorite peeps, Rebecca and Alison. We started with a little pottery painting at the local INK. It was entertaining, relaxing, and stressful all at the same time. Sometimes it is a difficult thing just to decide which piece to paint. A starting point. The beginning. Then... the pattern, the colors. What to put on the blank canvas to make it your own... We each started with the same white beginning. Corie, Rebecca and I all opted for a coffee mug (they didn't have the sugar bowl Corie wanted). Then we made it our own. Color choices. Design. Patterns. Swirls. Dots. Sticks. What we started with was the same. What we ended with was all our own. Alison opted for a little bud vase because apparently the boys in her family still bring her a flower every now and then. I don't need a vase! The painting was to conclude at 5pm, when they closed, but we were a little slow and lovely Phil didn't rush us out at all. He was very helpful, in fact and gave us great ideas.

After finishing up the pottery perfection we drove south to P.F. Changs. A place I never get to eat because Curtis always vetoes it. It's a fancy Chinese cuisine spot at the mall. Location. Location. Location!! The mall is NOT the place to be on a Saturday evening no matter how early you think you might be. The wait was to be 2+ hours. Well, 3 of the 4 of us had early curfews for the boys to go watch a fight... so we didn't have 2 hours to wait... we had to be back on the road in 2 hours. That would never work. So we opted to drive across the road to Olive Garden... another eatery that is non-existent in our neck of the woods. We made it the length of ONE single traffic light... it took us way longer than expected. I think 1-2 cars went through each light cycle. We almost took the curb to swing a U-ey several times since we were in the Jeep 4x4... but I decided it wasn't worth the chance of forking out the cost of a potential ticket. We waited until we could squeeze by into the turn lane, threw it around the corner and floored it in the opposite direction. Ok, ok... I really didn't floor it... but I did appreciate the free lane to actually drive! We drove around in circles and when we got to OG, the wait there was an hour - which we didn't have. So we opted to drive back toward home and ended up at the Thai Dish... delish! Alison had been there before so we knew it was safe. :)

Alison and her bud vase

Corie and her fancy mug

Rebecca - aiding the drying process

You're better off just not knowing

My mug... our stick family

Dinner at Thai Dish

Our appetizer... quickly devoured by starving ladies!

When we got finished eating we had about 10 minutes to spare so we ran in the Starbucks and grabbed a cup-o-joe to go! A yummy way to end the evening. And to top it all off... we ALL made it home before our curfews. Yeah Mommies!

Bennett's Blog

2011-01-25T07:22:00.000-05:00

Bennett decided he liked writing stories and adding pictures and having the possibility of printing it out in a book form. So, he has created his own site.
Please feel free to follow his stories. :)

http://www.otherbennettposts.blogspot.com/

Maggie turns NINE... & Happy New Year

2010-12-31T22:27:00.000-05:00

One of the good things about Maggie's birthday is it's considered a holiday/party day. One of the bad things about Maggie's birthday is it's also considered a hospital "critical" day... meaning we are required to work it as part of our holiday rotation. This year was not my turn to work.

So, we planned a special day out. I had won tickets to the Atlanta Aquarium off the radio earlier this fall and with our school schedule full we hadn't had the time to go yet. We decided New Year's Eve would be a great time to take a family of 6 downtown Atlanta for a fun time.

Well, Chick-fil-A also decided New Year's Eve would be a great time to sponsor a collegiate football Bowl Game downtown Atlanta... the ATL (read A-T-L; NOT hotlanta!) We headed south early enough to get there before lunchtime, walked around, oooed and ahhed, had snacks, saw MERMAIDS, and bumped elbows, rubbed shoulders, and shared spaces with all the Florida State and South Carolina fans who were experiencing all that Atlanta has to offer. EEKS!

Those 4 little heads on the front row are mine!

Ruth and Bennett both enjoyed the perks of their sister's "party" and sat watching the Baluga whales as they gracefully swam around and around their tank.

Here are the kids as they crawled through the penguin exhibit... talk about crowded! This place was packed... and stinky. And there were people there that I didn't want in this tunnel with my children... they were rude and loud and obviously not from the south. So I hurried them through and we moved on. The kids were unaware of the craziness around them, I think.
We had to take a couple of token pictures to prove we were there. It was a good time and I think the kids really enjoyed being there... even if they were hungry and didn't get the snacks they wanted.
After we spent ample time oo-ing and ah-ing at the aquatic life we headed back home.

There were no big plans for the evening except dinner where Maggie could get a STEAK! That's all she wanted to eat. She loves steak. She wanted Texas Roadhouse but there's not one in Atlanta and we were too hungry to drive all the way back to Gainesville before eating. Plus, that would have put us having to wait for a table... and who wants to wait for food when you have hungry little people clinging to you?!?!

So we ended up at a Longhorns - the same one we were at for her birthday last year with the Roses and Grandma. She thoroughly enjoyed her entire ribeye. They made her happy by acknowledging her day and brought a bowl of ice cream and sang to her. That's really what she wanted. LOOK AT ME! IT's MY BIRTHDAY! :)
After dinner we tried to go over to the American Girl store to shop and look. The girls had brought their dolls along for the day and we thought it would be a fun activity... if only it weren't a holiday. The store closed at 6 and we arrived at 6:03. I think I was more disappointed than they were. We stopped a few more times on the way home looking for sparkling juice to ring in the new year. We settled for ginger ale and grape juice. I guess that's what happens when you wait.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! The kids all stayed up til midnight... not awake, just not in bed. Bennett made it til the clocked struck twelve and we went out on the porch waiting for the neighbors to shoot their guns and fireworks. We waited. Then we got Daddy to get our guns and fireworks to shoot since it seemed like everyone else was in bed. A couple booms and rockets and we were pleased to go on to bed.
Work comes early for those critical day people... and the 1st was my day.

Christmas 2010

2010-12-25T22:26:00.001-05:00

Christmas 2010 was simple and quiet this year. We didn't do any big family gatherings, but stayed close to home and enjoyed each other. No big fun stories. No huge gifts. We enjoyed each other. In fact, this was the first year in forever that we've had a White Christmas in Georgia. We played. The kids opened their gifts, enjoyed each other and we played.

Ruth at Gwinnett Arena waiting for the service to begin.

Bennett and Maggie with our friend Lenee

Christmas Eve we were able to join our "old" friends of Grace Fellowship at their service at the Gwinnett Arena. My good friend Lenee also joined us for the service. It was so good to see all the friends we spent so much time with before the mountains claimed us. Will and Shelley Heffner. Doug and Tiffanie Britt. Don and Ruth Koop. {Becka Mullinex was actually the first reason we went this year... her invitations to join Grace's service, the videos from last year... and less than a month later she was pulled from this life and into the arms of our Father. We miss your smile.}

Lenee taking a picture of Ruth taking a picture.

After the service we were able to join Philip and Marjorie Kesler for her famous Christmas Eve lasagna and homemade bread - and the fireworks and sparklers. The funny part was watching Curtis and James Dollar throw loud popping firecrackers at Bryce $$ and the Rowland boys. It was COLD but that did not deter the kids from staying outside to play. We stayed out long enough to get a few pictures and manage the fire... then Marjorie sent us home with Christmas morning cinnamon rolls. What a delight! Yum!

Garrett Rowland, showing us how to properly use the sparklers.

OOOOOOO!

AAAhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Maggie and Ruth with our SnowWoman

Bennett and his trusty pocket knife

Christmas morning with the kiddos...
as we wrapped and placed and prepared the night before my head thought this just wasn't special. The gifts were small. The piles were non-existent. We had done very little to make this year special. The kids were going to be so disappointed. My heart knew they had everything they needed, but my head wanted more.

These kids were such a blessing to me the next day. They each had one thing that was perfect in their eyes. They thanked us for what they got and never, ever complained or asked for more. Boy, was I put in my place! I was the ungrateful one... and it wasn't even about me.

Lydia's press on Princess nails

Maggie's pillow pet and toothbrush.

Maggie actually asked for an "electrical toothbrush". What kind of kid asks for a toothbrush?? :)

Ruth's Legos and fancy chocolates

Bennett is always good about helping his little sisters

Lydia's prized Pillow Pet... it's all she needed

Merry Christmas!

Christmas day we played in the snow. We sledded down our neighbor's hill. The boys built a ramp. We played. We took pictures. We had hot chocolate and played some more. It was such a nice day not to have to go anywhere or fix any special food. We just played.

Merry Christmas from the D's

2010-12-24T11:30:00.003-05:00

WOOO HOOOO!! With a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
It’s Here! For those of you who have been waiting on our 2009 letter… it’s here! AND 2010 all wrapped up in one. I’m not sure exactly what happened last year that it completely got away, got busy, got forgotten – but I’m blaming it all on the computer that won’t allow me to type word documents! So, one week before Christmas I sit to type up greetings and Merry Wishes for the Christmas Season. For those of you with internet (??) you can follow us year-round at www.davidsonupdate.blogspot.com with more pictures than you really need, video footage of the kids, and interesting thoughts from Jenny! Yes, I still have thoughtful moments… but they’re fleeting fast. You can also find us on facebook and email cnjd@windstream.net I still desire to send hand written notes, cards, and mementoes because receiving REAL mail in the box is so much more enjoyable than emails and bills. The desire is there, we just despise licking stamps.
So here we go…Our days are filled with all things children! With 4 of them (now 5-10 years) it seems everything we do, think, say, eat, feel revolves around them. I absolutely, ABSOLUTELY love our 4 little people and all we get to do with them and for them. I don’t really miss the pre-children life because before long – it’ll be back. In less than 15 years all 4 will be gone and instead of enjoying our quiet and “freedom” we’ll be longing for the pitter-patter of their feet running and jumping through the house. First up….
Bennett (10) is in 4th grade and joined the school chorus this year. He is beginning to appreciate sports (although we didn’t play this year), still loves riding his 4-wheeler and Jeepin with Dad through the woods, rides 3 different sized bikes to do different tricks, trails, and roads, loves being outside, reading books, playing his drum set from Christmas past (which he just put back together), and he still plays with and entertains his sisters… although he pesters Maggie the most.
Maggie (9) is in 3rd grade and is becoming involved in school activities (K kids), playing the recorder (yippee!), learning to like books, putting forth more effort into schoolwork, and still loves to play with the little sisters. Her biggest accomplishment the last 2 years is running!! She has become Daddy’s running buddy and they have completed several 5k races in the area, the latest (and biggest) was in Atlanta on Thanksgiving Day. She has a great stride and a pretty quick time but really has endurance. If she’ll embrace this we hope to see her excel at cross country in middle and high school. Better yet a scholarship. One can pray.
Ruth (7) is in 1st grade and entertains us daily. She has a grasp of “common sense” and often explains to her sisters how and why things work a certain way… like everyone should just know! Her quick wit leaves us laughing when we least expect it. She has made some really good friends her 1st 2 years of school and is really excelling in her learning. It always amazes us to watch books come to life as she reads so well these days.
Lydia (5) started school this year and really struggled the first 8 weeks, but has learned a TON, made a few friends and now enjoys going, unless she’s tired. She makes us laugh ALL the time. She’s silly, fun and uninhibited. She has fallen and busted her chin twice this year and both times were trips to the ER for tape and/or glue. I’ve decided next time I’m just doing it at home! Bennett just reminded us we are out of superglue to fix his truck.
We’ve taken several trips to Chattanooga to play. Chat-town is our new favorite getaway. We always enjoy the Kid’s Museum, Aquarium, Rock City, The Choo-Choo, walks in town around the river and general vacation time! We had my family’s 5 year reunion and camped at Lake Hartwell this summer and we were also able to go to Ohio and camp for the Wallace family reunion in June. The 3 big kids and I went to summer camp at Strong Rock Camp for a week this past July.
I played nurse… but mostly, I just played. I love being there with all the kids and pretending I’m young again. (join us – www.strongrockcamp.com plug..plug)
Curtis and I actually got to go on a cruise this spring. I finally convinced him to just go… he quickly changed his tune and is now a cruiser, as the veterans call it and is willing to go again. Anytime baby, anytime! Curtis and Bennett and Grandpa Nelson got to take in their first NASCAR race for B’s birthday. Thanks to Uncle Rob for the pits and all things smoked! We have a couple friends who have taken us to some of the Georgia Tech football games this fall too. The kids have become Jacket fans in a Bulldog world… we’re up to the challenge!
With all 4 finally in school and the housing construction market in the tank, Curtis has changed gears and was
blessed with an opportunity to work full time with a close friend in his Law Office. Time is spent learning the ins and outs of the real estate legal world. Collation and Court Houses are the new talk of the town. I’m still in the NICU, I resigned my charge nurse position last year and went back to bedside nursing… where I belong. Life is much calmer for me. We also got a whole new management team since last year… but it’s all good. Really good.
We stay busy, despite dropping our extra curricular activities this year. We have our weekly family dinner group and church and school and work and family and so on…and so on…and we love it.
I guess that about sums up the crazy life with the D’s. So in closing, we want to encourage you to make Much of Him, not just this Christmas, but every day and in every moment your crazy life finds you this New Year.

With Blessings of His Mercy and Grace
The D’s
Curtis, Jenny, Bennett, Maggie, Ruth, & Lydia Davidson

Punch buggy - no punch backs.

2010-12-20T13:28:00.004-05:00

Punch buggy... it's a phrase we hear often these days. The kids have found a new fun game for the car and they are learning the thrills of being the beater, as well as the beaten. Or should I say puncher and punchee? I'm so thankful Volkswagen brought back the Bug. The games we played as kids on long road trips, revisited. We sometimes have to referee, but mostly we just laugh with the winner.

Lydia and Maggie sit next to each other and always want to be the puncher... but then don't really want to play if the other is doing the punching. I've tried to explain the whole "if you punch then you can be punch" philosophy, but they aren't accepting it yet. All 4 are getting pretty quick in spotting the bugs - and I am always trying to spot it first and yell punch buggy so nobody else can start punching. Once it's been called, it can't be punched again! It keeps the peace in the backseat... but it's not nearly as much fun.

I'm so thankful my kids are good riders. For 10 years, we have had pleasant trips no matter where we go. There have been times when the last 10 minutes to Grandma's house have been noisy and painful. But for the most part, they ride well! I'm thankful (SO thankful) we do not have a DVD player installed in our van. Many of our friends have those and I'm not knocking them... but I would rather hear my kids yell "punch buggy" than hear complete silence from the zombies in the back seat. I would rather hear them play the "ABC game" than hear the words of Buzz, Shrek, Cinderella, or even Bob and Larry. I would rather them see shapes and animals in the clouds than the newest videos. Now, we have used a DVD player for trips to Pennsylvania, Virginia, and DC... trips that are longer than 6 hours! And even then, we save them for when the sun goes down "because it's too hard to see in the daytime"! But we do not use it for trips to WalMart, church, Grandma's house. Why do people turn on the video for a 15 minute trip home from church? I don't understand that logic. Wouldn't you rather hear what the kids just learned about in class, or hear the songs they just sang?

So... kiddos, when you read this post and you're 10 years older, just remember I love riding with you in the car. I appreciate your love for each other. That you talk to each other. You read books together. You play dolls, family, whatever. You make up stories. You fight each other for billboard letters. You play punch buggy! You'll remember these times when you have kids of your own. You'll appreciate our trips without the DVD. In fact, you wouldn't remember any trips if all you did was watch DVDs everywhere we went.

PS - as you become icky old teenagers, I may change my mind about movies and hand held games!@ Just saying! :)

PUNCH BUGGY!! I win!

This Just In... Girl Catches Flu, Mom Catches Up!

2010-11-29T13:00:00.008-05:00

Ok, so I'll never really be all caught up but I'm working on it.

Ruth has the flu. She alone got sick on Thanksgiving and was confined to the house and her chair for the next 4 days. This required an adult to also be confined to the house alongside her. She requested the mother. I obliged. While sitting next to her I've been able to catch up on some picture loading and blogging. I did a little laundry and dishes too.

So far, she has been the only one to fall to the dreaded illness. Her symptoms have been very mild but I'm sure if a male person had the same sickness, the world would be ending. She's pretty easy.

Earlier this month I took some family photos of our friends, the Himstedts. It wasn't too difficult. I just let James tell everybody what to do and then snapped the shots.

Here are the two littlest ones... they clean up nice like, now don't ya think?! :) Elizabeth and Avery Bavery Boo. He loves that name, really. Deep down in that big red belly. I feel the love.

The Kids' Choir also had a Sunday morning to lead worship for both services. Ruth and Maggie both got microphones for their efforts during practice each week. They were very pleased.
Bennett did sing a little, even though this picture look like he didn't. Lydia, Lyndsi and Syndey decided to entertain us while they sang. There were hand motions they did for one song. Then Lydia showed all of us her stockings. Pretty, eh?

For our Halloween thing at the church this year they had karaoke. Ruth and Amelia sang a little praise and worship and did a mighty fine job. I took video - but my card was full and it lasted like 3 seconds. Boo.
Here's a shot from a recent birthday. Our friends Tanner, Shannon and AJ around the Lego box with Lydia and Bennett.
And speaking of Bennett... here's one from school from Grandparent's day. This came off his class website so I'm not sure of the quality for blogs.
And this one with his friend Ethan Pickett, dressed up for book character day. Who knows?!?!

By the way, I went to high school with Ethan's dad way down in Griffin. Interesting, eh?
The girls had a GA (Girls in Action) sleep over... where they stay up "all" night and play. My courageous friend Corie actually stayed with them and shared a couple pictures. This was dinner... early in the evening. I did not stay!! One of them shared with me that it would not be as much fun if I were there. I agree!

Run - Run - Run as fast as you can...

2010-11-28T21:34:00.006-05:00

Curtis started running a year or so ago... right after I had to stop. The pain in my feet became so severe I couldn't do it. In fact, some days I can hardly walk... different story...

He started off running at church on Wednesdays when the kids were doing choir and there was nothing else for him to do. Since I tend to work a lot of Wednesdays he was always taking the kids and having the opportunity to run. He got better... and went further... and faster. Now he's able to run the whole 5K distance. And now... he has a little runner to go with him. Maggie has always been a natural runner. She has a great stride and ability to outrun us all. The last 5K I ran with her and Bennett... she outran both of us quite handily. And that was almost 2 years ago. So, Curtis will take her on a run around town, around the country... and she runs. She runs faster than him and he has to slow her down so she'll go the distance. But she still finishes... and never complains.

They have completed 2 official 5K runs together. The first was here in Cleveland... to support our teachers. She came in 1st for her age group and was super pleased with the recognition!! Our friend, Amelia also ran and placed 3rd. Way to go girls! (Her time... 31:06)

The second run was the Atlanta Thanksgiving Day 5K... the first T-day 5k along with the annual half marathon for the city of Atlanta. There was a big (10) group of Concord friends who went down to ATL for the long run so Curtis and Maggie went along and did the 5k. They took our friend Lenee along since they used her for lodging the night before! Plus, she's a great cheer leader and photographer and updater for the family and traffic director and... and... and...

The crowd was large. The weather was cold and misty. The age group was wide (14 and under)... so Maggie was sad not to "win" anything. However, after all the times were posted online (this was an official Atlanta Track Club race!) there was only 1 8 year old, 1 9 year old and 1 10 year old ahead of her time of 32:09. She was 33 in a group of 75 girls 14 & under. 268 out of 862 women of all ages. I love numbers... and I love hers!

Curtis came in at 32:10. :) He's a good Daddy.

So, for now... they're running partners.

She's looking for a faster one.

He's searching for more races.

MAGGIE DAVIDSON #1331
Age: 8 Gender: F
clock"32:09"
Distance
5K
Clock Time
33:12
Chip Time
32:09
Overall Place
568 / 1397
Gender Place
268 / 862
Division Place
33 / 75

Fall is in the air....

2010-10-19T21:06:00.008-04:00

It's a cliche, but I'm going to say it... fall is in the air! Our mornings are in the 40's and we wear jackets and long sleeves. Our afternoons are close to 80 and we shed the layers, pull on shorts and play outside. The windows are open and the smell of the neighbor's fire wafts through the house. The acorns attack the roof 24/7. They are large acorns and when they hit the metal roof it sounds like we're in the middle of some war. It's dangerous to stand in the yard for too long.

The kids have grown since school started.
Bennett has adapted to a new style teacher and seems to be ok with his half-hearted efforts to get just "ok" grades. He joined the school chorus, which is HUGE! He never wants to do anything in front of people and barely can manage singing at church... but he wanted to for some reason and we encouraged him to run with it. He practices once a week and will have a couple performances and trips during the year. I'll be sure to post those stories as they occur!

Maggie has found that 3rd grade truly is difficult. Her teacher expects her to follow directions and sometimes that seems to be an issue. She'll figure it out... I just hope it's sooner than later. We are encouraging her to communicate with her teacher and appeal certain scoring choices... maybe it will come in handy once she gets to high school. Maybe.

Ruth is enjoying 1st grade. She's an excellent student and has lots of friends in her class. She loves her teacher and her teacher loves her. She has informed her grandmother that she's the smartest one in the class... "except one boy is one inch smarter than me". That's Grayson. He's pretty smart. :)

Lydia had a very difficult first 8 weeks. She didn't want to sit and learn, listen, or obey. She didn't want to perform and recite and tell anyone what she knows. She only wanted to play. She would have been perfect for a half day class... had there been one. Nope... she was all in. She cried and fussed when I left her in the mornings. It was a very difficult 8 weeks for all of us. And then something happened. She's happy in the mornings. She has sweet friends. She drew a picture of 'Lydia and Jacob' and was pleased to explain it to everyone. She answers the teachers' questions. She recognizes her letters and some sight words. She does most of her homework without complaint (at least too much). She turned around and is doing the right thing. Her teacher is proud of her progress already... as we are.

We have done a few fun things in this fall season. We opted (read Curtis) to skip fall soccer this year as we skipped spring soccer. Half the kids were happy and the other half were disappointed. I was sad. I miss being on the fields as the air gets that chill. I miss taking actions shots trying to get that perfect picture. I miss cheering the kids on and learning new names. I miss it. But it's not about me.

We were able to take a quick trip to Chattanooga just before our aquarium membership expired. We like Chattanooga. I remember when one of them (Lydia maybe?) called it Chagganooga. They say it right now. That's a little sad. (side track - they all still say aminal at times!) We met up with our vacationing buddies, the Himstedt family, and saw all the aminals at the aquarium. We have some great pictures too. One of my favorite memories was being able to feed the stingrays. Since we went on a Monday morning during the school year (teacher work day) it was basically empty. The lady liked our little people and she even let them try feeding them too. It was really cool. I love those little Himstedt boys and Avery always makes me smile when he laughs. He laughed when the stingray sucked the shrimp off his fingers. We got to see a couple of replicas of the Pinta and Santa Maria and the Chattanooga Choo Choo. The 8 kids had a footrace alongside the train. Quite amusing... those eldest girls are pretty speedy and the older brother wasn't going to be beat, even if it meant wiping out on the concrete at the finish line! Even little Elizabeth trotted along... "I running" she exclaims with delight!

Ok, flight of ideas...
Curtis and Bennett got to go to a NASCAR race in Atlanta for his birthday gift. They moved the Atlanta race from October (his birthday) back into September, but we made sure he understood it was his gift. :) Uncle "no name" older brother hooked him up with some sweet deals in the pits. Grandpa Nelson got to go too. Fun times for little boys!

We also happened upon a Georgia Tech friend who has football season tickets and couldn't use some... so, out of the goodness of our hearts, we used them! Everybody got to go to at least one game (except Lydia) and made good memories and pictures. The only thing is... either Tech has changed a lot in the last 20 years, or my memory is really bad. I know they updated the stadium... but still... Granted, I was only there for one football season, and was only there for practice and games... yeah, that's it. I remember marching down the hill before games. Now they play on the steps... must be new steps!

This year the kids got to carve their own pumpkins, thanks to our friend Lenee. She came up to play one day and we ended up doing pumpkins after school instead of homework. Sometimes you just gotta do those fun things! It was hard for me... but the final pumpkins were quite cute all on our steps. And the kids loved doing that... except Lydia, who wasn't too fond of the scooping... or designing... or cutting... or... well, she liked eating the boiled peanuts!

Pictures to chronicle the events... it'll look better in the book, but now I'm just posting them.

Birthday celebrations... ours and friends.

Curtis and Maggie start a running tradition!

Dixie Run by Bennett

2010-10-05T19:59:00.001-04:00

Daddy and I went to the Dixie run in Oct. for my birthday with Mr.Knott, Trevor, and Tanner. We had a lot of fun looking at the jeeps and buggies and riding in Daddy's jeep. When we got there we didn't know where to set the tent up. We rode up and down the bumpy roads until we found a good spot to set up the tent. Once we had put everything in the tent daddy drove the jeep off of the trailer. After a little while we all got into the jeep and explored the camp a little.

We looked at the side of the mountain and saw a bunch of lights from all the people already jeepin on the trails. When we got back to the tent we laid down and heard all the engines of people's jeeps on the trails and the trail right at the bottom of the hill right under us. (pretty much).The next morning we all woke up and walked to the pavilion where they were serving breakfast.

We signed up for a trail ride then after that we went back to the tent and got ready for a trail ride. We rode a little bit then got out to watch the other jeeps and help

winch people out and did that a few times until it was time for lunch. We went back to camp and ate and then rode bikes for a while after fixing loose bike parts. We then went back to jeepin and rode to a place called bounty hill. Bounty hill is a big hill with lot of boulders. At the top there is a big rock pretty much straight up. It had about a 60 degree angle and is very hard to get up.

The first buggy to go up broke a power steering line to his rear steer. He drove back down the hill to get it fixed. Next a power wagon drove up the hill. He got up to the top of the hill and flipped a switch that stretched the frame of the truck. He started to try to get up but soon flipped over.

Trevor and I were playing in a water hole and trying to knock a sheet of moss off of a dirt ledge while waiting for more Jeeps.

A few more came and made it up the hill and eventually the guy who broke his steering line came back and successfully made it up this this time. A wrangler came and kept bouncing up and down and eventually broke something. After that a little Toyota pickup came and backed up the hill at the bottom of Bounty hill (which even big buggies were having trouble getting up)and then hammered the throttle he made it up a little ways then started spinning his tires. He backed back down the hill and started over he did that a few times then made it up farther than he had before. He kept going and eventually after a while he made it to the bottom of the rock and he couldn't get up the rock. He had to be winched up the rock. After that it was a traffic jam trying to get out. But we made it. We went back to the tent and then went to dinner. We got shirts and played on the playground and rode bikes. They had a band playing and they had a raffle to win Jeep parts and stuff.

After all that we went back to the tent to try to go to sleep. But there were a whole bunch of loud engines. So we all loaded into the jeep in search of the noise. We found the noise at the dirt track. There were people zooming around the track. The Toyota was there, the buggy, some razors, a white Cherokee, and some others. We watched them go around the track a while and then did a little more night exploring.

After that we went back to the tent and got some rest. The next day we loaded everything up and left. on our way home we stopped at a cave place and they had a big box full of tunnels.

We had a lot of fun in it. After that we ate lunch and went back home. We had a lot of fun at the Dixie run. :)

First Day of School 2010

2010-08-23T11:33:00.003-04:00

Shoot! The first day of school was August 23rd, 2010. I have saved a spot in this blog for such a post as this. But now... it's October 16th. 8 weeks later. I'm sure there are many thoughts and feelings about this day that have been lost forever in the hole of my brain. My delay. My procrastination. My bad!
I typically sit in this chair intending to write... only to find something to read instead. Or I do laundry. Or I fall asleep. My biggest excuse for delay... having to upload pictures from a card that isn't handy, or doesn't fit directly into the laptop. Then I have to go to the desktop, remove someone from that chair, and find the right file of photos, card or spot. Yeah... that's my excuse.

The first day of school 2010....

This year is a monumental, life changing year. ALL FOUR have stepped into the land of public education! Bennett starts 4th grade with Mrs. Oliver.
Maggie is in 3rd with Mrs. Carney.
Ruth has Mrs. Usher for 1st and
Lydia... sweet little baby girl Lydia starts Kindergarten with Mrs. Smith. One good things for the girls is the fact that we know their teachers from previous years. One of the bad things for the girls is the fact that we know their teachers from previous years! :)
These are my favorite pictures from that morning... walking hand in hand with her Daddy.

Everyone keeps asking what we're going to do with an empty house... so far (2 months later) there's been very little free time any day of the week. I keep saying I'm going to clean and organize all the things that have gotten stacked and pushed to the back for the past 10 years.
I do know one thing... when the kids ask me to sit, snuggle, read, play, etc... I AM going to push and stack to the back, ignore the piles, laundry and dishes until they are in bed or finished playing.

Here are Lydia and Ruth in their classrooms... Ruth's friend Katherine is also in the picture. Her mom is Lydia's teacher... Mrs. Smith.

Here are couple of fun pictures from after school...

I asked them to give me their most tired, bored, or worn out face from having to work all day. This is what I got! :)

Fare the well!