Our trip to Holiday World

We went to Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana in July. Its a great amusement park. They have a regular amusement park and a water park that is included in the days' admission. I didn't take any photos at the water park, though. The boys loved it. Papa and Grammie joined us. Caiden is already asking when we can go again.

***Sparklers***

If you think I'm crazy...

...you should meet my family.

Out for a Saturday ride...

at the NASHVILLE SUPERSPEEDWAY! Yes, I said it. I was able to take a 3 lap ride in a Nationwide series car at the Nashville Superspeedway today. It was awesome! I'm a Nascar fan and was so excited when this opportunity came up (Thanks Frank & Harry too!). It totally made my year! Now, I can check that off my Bucket List. Now, I just have to save $400 to drive 8 laps around the track. Anyone wanna make donations?

Happy "Blog"anniversary to Me!

Yep...today is my one year "blog" anniversary. I can't believe it either! Its been just a year ago that I entered in to this era of technology, gave in to the promptings by a really great friend and took off on this adventure. My blog has certainly "evolved" over the course of this year - maybe not in to exactly as I had imagined it but then you know God is still working on me too. So, those who read often, I hope you enjoy this next year too. For those who don't, they're just plain missing out!

Totally gnarly dude!

I just had to share this picture with you. The guy in the middle is my cousin, Tyson (the other 2 guys are his instructors helping him keep his form). He had his first skydiving experience on Saturday, September 20th in Tecumseh, Michigan. He loved it and is thoroughly addicted. I just like to look at the pictures and will continue to live vicariously through him. Incredible, huh?!

The last hurrah...

It has been so hot here lately. Yesterday was no exception. So, we decided to head off to the lake and enjoy the last hurrah of the season. By Monday, it is supposed to cool off here. To tell you the truth, I'm glad and really ready for the fall. I love the time of the year when the leaves turning colors and you can wear jeans/a sweatshirt and still be comfortable outside.

Anyway, come on fall weather. But in the meantime, enjoy these pics of the boys loving the last hurrah at the lake!

Dragon Boat Race Silver Medalist

Dale and a bunch of his co-workers participated in the 2nd Annual Nashville Dragon Boat Races last Saturday. Dale and his friends placed 16th overall last year. This year, they took 2nd PLACE! Can you believe it? We had so much fun. And the best part? the competition benefits the Cumberland River. And, if you live anywhere near Nashville, you know that the Cumberland River could use a little benefiting. Congratulations Pollution Prevention Pirates! Just in case you wanted to know, the Nashville Outlaws Rugby Club took 1st place.

The Pollution Prevention Pirates sport their 2nd place medals!

Brrrrr...snow cones

Who can resist a snow cone on a hot, August day?



Uh...no one here!

Bowling

The boys had their first experience bowling at a friends' party a few weeks ago. It was so funny to watch.

Caiden liked it right off the bat and "experimented" by using the ramp some and trying to throw the ball on his own.

Dawson did not like it at first and then after awhile, I could not pull him away.

It was much fun. We'll have to go again sometime soon.

Oh...and yes, they served cupcakes too (thanks, Lesley!).

Another sweet day

Our little boy is growing up. Dawson turns 2 this weekend. I just can't believe that time goes by so quickly. We celebrated today with some of our friends. Buzz Lightyear (otherwise known as daddy - thanks honey!) from the movie, Toy Story, even attended. He's Dawson's favorite cartoon character.

Despite the 90 plus degree heat, a good time was had by all. We are exhausted tonight but what another sweet day it was.

rediscovering our town

We had some family in town last weekend that have never visited the sate of Tennessee. They were so eager to see ALL the sights that we wore ourselves out. But, we have caught up on the sleep this week and have had fun recapping some of the memories.

You know, we have lived in the Nashville area since 2003 and there are so many places we have not visited or even discovered yet.

Isn't that the way it goes? Once you settle in and get slightly acquainted with your town, you begin to forget of all the cool places to go and the new things to see and do. Dale and I need to make our list but here are a few places we are going to visit soon: Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the Frist Center, Cheekwood Gardens and the Hermitage. Some of these things won't even cost us anything.


If you live in Nashville, I encourage to visit these places too. If you don't live near Nashville, find things in your town that you haven't done or tried before. There are so many things don't cost anything. It also helps you get involved in your community. We are trying to this more as a family too. So during this summer of staycations, get out of the house and rediscover your town.

Boots

I have been coveting some of my friends' rubber rain boots. You know what I'm talking about. They make the cutest ones for the kids and finally, they have made some really cute ones for women too. However, I've just been way too cheap to buy any - until now.

We were at Target on Monday and they had some of their more "fasionable" rubber boats on sale for $9.89. What a bargain! And yes, I scooped up a pair. So I finally have a pair of black-and-white polka dotted rain boots to wear letterboxing, Chelle!

I firmly believe that God gives us the desires of our hearts. On Monday, I recieved a "kiss from the King" as He gave me the rain boots that I had been wanting for so long. Now, if God will just hear my prayer for an IPOD shuffle and He already knows that I don't want to pay full price.

Here's Caiden modeling my new boots.

Shirtless Dinner

Around dinner time things can really start to get crazy in our house. The boys have been around me all day and are really ready for some "daddy" time. They are anxious to run wild with him or wrestle on the floor. Caiden is usually jabbering endlessly about something as I'm trying to get Dawson to eat something. On this particular night we were having pizza, one of the things that I don't have to coax Dawson to eat. However, no matter what, he always gets it down the front of him. He had on a nice white shirt so I took it off of him to eat (since I didn't have a bib and hey, I'm a mom who improvises!). Caiden couldn't stand it that his brother got to eat with his shirt off so he took his shirt off and Dale followed suit also. Dale eventually put his shirt back on saying "it just wasn't right" to sit at the dinner table without it. It didn't seem to bother the boys though. They ate their entire meal shirtless. Nothing is boring around here!

A Reflection of Me?

Carrie at Three Girl Circus did this a few days ago and I enjoyed seeing her photo collage. I thought you might want to see mine. Go and make your own, just follow the directions below. Its so much fun and easy (because you know I'm not at all tech-savy)!

Here's how it works:

Type your answer to each of the questions into Flickr Search.

Pick an image from the first page of hits (don't cheat).

Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker

1. What is your first name?

2. What is your favorite food?

3. What high school did you go to?

4. What is your favorite color?

5. Who is your celebrity crush?

6. Favorite drink?

7. Dream vacation?

8. Favorite dessert?

9. What you want to be when you grow up?

10. What do you love most in life?

11. One Word to describe you.

12. Your flickr name.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday. She is a dynamic woman - one who keeps me smiling/laughing and one who keeps me grounded. She is my biggest supporter and the one who's comments and suggestions often ring in my ears. Now that I'm a mom, I appreciate the sacrifices she made for me and my sister over the years. The only best thing other than she's my mom is that my boys have her as their grammie! I love you Mom! Enjoy your crocs (shhh...that's what she's getting for her birthday!).




















Here's me and my mom with Three Girl Circus' Carrie and her mom as we were getting ready to go to the Deeper Still conference last weekend in Atlanta. It was awesome to share that experience with great friends and my mom too!



















Here's my mom, my sister and me at my step-sister's wedding last summer. This is one of my favorite pictures of us!

Vacation Bliss

I can't believe that I haven't blogged in so long. We have been back from vacation over a week now and I feel like we are just getting back to normal again. We had a wonderful vacation in Florida, despite the lack of sleep that all of us suffered all week long. We spent time at Disney's Magic Kingdom, Sea World, Clearwater Beach and the pool at our resort. The boys grew to love the water and actually enjoy playing in it. Dawson was even able to meet his hero, Buzz Lightyear. Enjoy the pics. Oh...and I'll try to blog a little more often from now on!