August 2014

Edenton, NC

 Thanks again to Mom and Daddy, Kevin and I were able to get away for a couple of days. We went to Edenton, the oldest town in NC. It was the first capital of NC. We went on a walking tour and saw a lot of the older buildings and homes. It is right on the Albemarle Sound so we took lots of walks along the water for the cool breeze.

 The original court house.

 Roanoke River Lighthouse

Visit to the Beach

A visit to see Grandma and Papa Jack always means a visit to the beach as well. We had fun times on the beach and in the boat. I've never been stuck in a down pour on a boat before. I can't say it was fun but it was an adventure and something to remember! Kevin, Papa Jack, and the boys left me and Sarah on an island while they went fishing off the boat. The sky started looking a little dark and the wind picked up. The other people on the island started taking shelter. One guy even mentioned my being stranded out there. I told him not to worry that my father-in-law takes storms near the water very seriously and would be there to get me anytime. About ten minutes before it started raining, the boys were back, the umbrella, sand toys, and stuff was loaded, and we were headed back to the boat ramp. Unfortunately not soon enough. It was pouring, thundering, and lightning all around us. Everything was soaked and the kids were a little freaked out, but we made it back safe and sound!

 

 

Jackson threw the throw net and caught a crab!

 

 Sitting on one of the boat docks in Morehead City.

 There was a cute little park under this bridge in Swasnboro. Just walking under the bridge with cars riding over your head was fun enough!

First Day of School

Sarah started at a new school this year. She is in the preschool program at Burlington Christian Academy. Her first day of school was about a week earlier than the boy's. Jackson is now in the fifth grade and Adam in the first grade at Smith Elementary School.

 Sarah's first day. Her teacher is Mrs. Suzanne. She is in the Shining Stars K3 class.

 Adam's first day. He has Mrs. Campbell.

 Jackson's first day. He has Mrs. Porterfield for homeroom and Mrs. Sharpe for math, and Mrs. Mize for science.

 Adam sitting at his desk.

 Jackson is a safety patrol this year. He arrives at school early every morning and helps open car doors. He also assists at dismissal, too.

Kevin's Birthday

We went to the lake to celebrate Kevin's, Philip's and Val's birthdays.

 Ivey looking cute.

 Julia's not sure about all these people.

 Licking the icing from the candles.

 Cousins!!!!

Can't go to the lake without some swimming and some fishing!

The Big Birthday Bash

We gathered the whole family together at Dan Nicholas Park to celebrate Adam's fourth and Jackson's eighth birthdays. Gramma, Grandad, Nana, Aunt Jamie, Natalie, Philip, Philip's friend Val, Aunt Emily, Uncle Joe, Ivey, Grandma, Papa Jack, and Aunt Jeanne all came to help celebrate. Grandad left the hamburgers and hot dogs at home and had to go back to get them. Thank goodness they lived the closest! Grandma, Papa Jack, and Jeanne took the scenic route but made it just in time for Grandad's return with the food. We ate just a little later than planned which didn't leave us a lot of time to play. The kids (and several adults, too) rode the train, the carousel, and the paddle boats. Adam was a little upset about not getting to play on the playground, but heading for ice cream at the end of the day made it all better.

Sarah loved blowing bubbles.

Baseball and soccer was the theme this year. Baseball for Jackson and Soccer for Adam.

Sarah got some presents too! She was very excited about her purse.

Adam riding on the carousel.

Sarah refused to get on a horse so we sat in the sleigh to go round and round.

Kevin took Adam and Uncle Joe took Jackson for rides in the paddle boats. They raced each other all over that lake. The rest of us (Emily, Gramma, Grandad, Sarah, Ivey, and me) sat in the shade and watched.

Thank you to everyone who came and made the boy's birthdays extra special. We love you!

Happy Turkey Weekend!

We went to Emily and Joe's condo at the top of Sugar Mountain for Thanksgiving. Since we couldn't all (Mom, Daddy, Jamie, Roger, Natalie, Philip, and Nana) fit in their condo, Jamie rented another one just a little ways down the mountain. We spent a lot of time going back and forth. Fortunately Emily and Joe's condo was nice and toasty warm. The low of Friday night was 12 degrees. The wind was howling horribly outside. I'm sure the wind chill was probably below zero.
On Friday, Mom, Emily, Natalie, and I ventured out to Blowing Rock about the time the cold front was moving in. We hit the main shops we wanted to and then headed back to a nice warm fire and a yummy birthday dinner and celebration for Jamie. The warmth didn't stay around long though. The rental condo's sliding glass door started leaking all the cold air in. Emily, Joe, Kevin, the kids, and I headed to their condo for that cold night. The rest of the family showed up to thaw out on Saturday morning. The heat in the rental condo was having to work overtime that night and chose not to work too well. Luckily the maintenance people came and fixed it that day. The temp on Saturday rose to a toasty 25 degrees. I chose to stay in while Kevin and the boys headed out to "climb the mountain". We had our Thanksgiving meal and then the boys, Kevin, and Uncle Joe went to Valle Crucis to the Mast General Store. I believe Adam and Jackson were amazed at the amount of candy they had.

Mountain climbing (according to Adam) on Saturday.

I'm not sure who took this picture. Remember I was inside where it was warm. Did Joe go mountain climbing too?

About a quarter of the way down the mountain on the way to Valle Crucis, the boys jumped out of the van to take a picture with the bear. Jackson and Adam came in and immediately told everyone they went to see a bear.

Sunday was so much warmer. We all ventured out to do some mountain climbing- even me! We walked up to the ski slopes. Sugar Mountain actually started making snow on Saturday. They start down at the bottom and work their way to the top. We snuck out to the top of the slope where there were no people and no snow. That will be the closest I will ever come to being on the black diamond slope. In fact, these crazy knees will never even hit the bunny slope. The boys enjoyed running around, watching the ski lifts operate, and watching the people skiing down below.

Look, we started shedding our hats and gloves.

We can never leave the mountains without a Christmas tree on Thanksgiving weekend. Here is our "perfect tree" for this year.

Labor Day Weekend at the Lake

We all met at the lake for Labor Day weekend. Thanks for the pictures Emily and Joe.

It was quite a competitive weekend. We played all kinds of games- real ones and on the Wii. Here the boys are "playing" Boggle.

Adam jumps in Granddad's lap at a chance to drive the boat.

We are all on the neighbor's floating dock watching the boys jump in over and over and over again...
It was a challenge to stay standing when those boats went by.

Our family portrait. There sure are a lot of us!

Kevin's and Philip's Birthdays

We went to the lake over Labor Day Weekend. Everyone was there, so we celebrated Kevin's and Philip's birthdays.

Kevin got lots of help opening his present.

We all pitched in and got him an iPod Touch. I'm not sure who was more excited- Kevin, Jackson, or Adam.