Tennessee Trip

We had the BEST vacation! Mom, Ricky,the kids and I met Travis and his family in Townsend, TN. Travis and Dawne have been renting these cabins for the past couple of years. They kept telling us how great it was, so we decided to go there this year. The cabins are right by the Little River.It wasn't deep or anything. In fact, here in Indiana we'd just call it a creek! It was perfect for the kids. They swam, went tubing, fished, collected rocks and snails, threw rocks and just had a great time. My boys who are rarely seen without their handheld video games, were rarely seen WITH the games!Sunday, we hung around the cabin and in the evening went to a Smokies minor league baseball game. Ryne Sandberg who played for the Cubs is their coach. Sandberg is Travis' favorite player. Dusty really thought the game was cool! Monday, we went to Cades Cove. Dawne's mom, Hilda knows all the history there, so we pretty much had our own personal tour guide. We saw 10 bears that day! And lots of deer, which wasn't really all that exciting to us Indiana folks because we see deer all the time! Usually when they are running in front of our cars! Tuesday, Dawne, the 4 boys and I hung around the cabin. Hilda took Mom, Ricky and Bry to the Dragon's Tail. It's like 300 and some sharp curves in 11 miles. Very popular with motorcycle riders! Bry saw the Bryson City sign and had to get her picture taken under it! Later, Hilda took us out to dinner at Deadbeat Pete's. It was a burger place on the river. It was nice because we sat out on the patio looking over the water. Plus, the food was great! Wednesday, Dawne's sister Amanda got us all tickets for Splash Country. She also got us a retreat where we could go to relax and order lunch to be brought to us there. That retreat came in handy later in the day when a storm came through! I had never been to a water park and I am now a big fan! I was really proud of Jordan that day. He's scared of heights and also nervous in water. But he went down the biggest water slide there. It' 70 ft. in the air and goes straight down! Needless to say, I didn't do that! About 4, a storm came through so we went back to the retreat to wait it out, lucky for us most of the people left, so when it was over, we pretty much had the place to ourselves!Thursday, we just hung around the cabins. Friday, Dawne, Amanda, my 3 kids and I went to Dollywood. Dusty got to experience his first roller coaster. Word of warning-when taking your kid on his first coaster, it's smart to start small! He started with the 2 biggest ones and wasn't feeling to great after that!It took some coaxing but we did get him on some other rides! That was another really fun day! Oh, and I got to see Dolly in the parade! I was so mad that I didn't bring my camera because I didn't want to have to keep track of it. The kids had so much fun! Again we had to thank Amanda who got us the tickets to go. Bry has decided she is going to go down there during her summer breaks in college and work at Dollywood.She wants to dress up in the old fashioned clothes! Saturday was our last day. We all hung around by the water and visited. We had a clean out the fridge and cabinet dinner that turned into quite a yummy feast! It was like going to a buffet! You name it we had it! And Sunday was the very sad day that we had to head home. My kids will always remember this vacation.Dusty liked to sleep with windows opened so he could go to sleep at the sound of the water. Bry liked sleeping in the living room because she liked waking up and looking out the big windows. Jordy loved looking for snails and rocks. They all liked watching the bats at night. They had such a good time.It was so nice to see the five cousins together. My kids all liked being the "cool" older cousins. They were all so good with Shaun and Peyton. It was so cute to see Peyton following them around and looking up to them. I hope my boys didn't teach him too many bad things to take back to daycare! It was also cute to see Shaun imitate their actions. He doesn't really interact with them but he watched them and often did what they did. If Dusty threw a rock, Shaun threw a rock. If Dusty jumped into the water, Shaun jumped into the water. Shaun is the happiest boy ever at the cabin by the river. And Aunt Heather was pretty happy too! Just hanging out with my family and spending time together was the best! It just doesn't happen enough...

Jordan and I at Cades Cove

The kids with Colonel Sanders at the original KFC

Uncle Travis teaching Jordan how to fish

Shaun after his long tube ride

Sweet Little Peyton's gone fishin'

Travis, Dawne and the boys at Cades Cove

The gang riding in the back of the truck at Cades Cove

This picture of Shaun is my favorite! He looks so deep in thought. You can the reflection of the mountains in the window. My dad says this should be a poster for Autism. Opening the doors and windows to Autism. I think he's right...

All 5 kids

Had to get a window pic of Bry!

Mom with her kids and grandkids

The 5 kids and Ricky

Bry in the chicken coop at Cades Cove. Watch out for snakes Bry!

Dusty on his tube

Travis and Dusty coming down the big slide at Splash Country! Jordan did this too! Twice!

Peyton being silly

Jordan, Dusty and Peyton

Jordy with his Memom

Bry under the Bryson City sign

How is it Possible???

It doesn't seem like that long ago that my Jordan was this little...




And it seems like just overnight, he grew up! My Jordan graduated from 6th grade last night! He's always been the hardest child for me to let go of. I don't know why. It just seemed like he stayed a baby for such a long time. The other 2 have always seemed way beyond their years. But, even though he wasn't my youngest, he was always my baby. I had no problems dropping Bryson and Dusty off at preschool and leaving. I wanted to sob my eyes out when I left Jordan. And that first day of kindergarten about killed me! Maybe it was those big eyes and those fat little cheeks! Or that sweet little voice! Now that sweet little voice is deeper than his Dad's. And he's sprouting a mustache, which will make his dad jealous since Steve can't grow hardly any facial hair! LOL! Now the disney channel and cartoon network have been replaced by MTV. And he always has this loud, obnoxious music blaring and driving me nuts! My boy is growing up! He's becoming his own person. And he's a stinky boy! EEWW! So, that morning routine of hair brushing and teeth brushing has added a new step- Deodorant! Hee, hee! So, I don't know how this whole thing will work out in August. I'm sure he isn't going to want to have me following him into the high school sobbing my eyes out, taking his picture in front of his locker! All I know at this moment I am very proud of my Jordy! A little sad, but very proud!

Small Town Video

I wanted to make a video that showed where I'm from. The town I come from is a very small town. I know the big city folks probably think we're a bunch of rednecks around here. But, I love where I live. I love the small town living. I like the fact that everyone knows everyone else. My kids are being taught at the same school I went to. A lot of times being taught by the same teachers I had. I like the way our town comes together in a time of need. I never realized how much I appreciated it until Trevor died and seeing the way our community was there for our family, I knew this was where I needed to be. I am home now and this is where I intend to stay! I am proud to say this is where I'm from!

Spring is here!

Spring has finally arrived! Yesterday was beautiful! Well, if you don't count the wind! But sunny and warm! So, I actually talked the kids into letting me take them out to get some pictures. I took them to Union Church where Pappy and Granny are buried and to the old iron bridge down the road from Dad and Sharon used to live. Travis, Trevor and I used to go down there and play in the creek. I think I got some pretty good pictures, so I won't bore you with my meaningless ramblings! Be prepared for a picture overload! Enjoy!

I took this picture, but my very talented friend Kim got ahold of it and made it awesome! You'll see the original further down!

This picture portrays Jordan perfectly! This may be my favorite!

Good News :) Bad News :(

Good news is, the puppy is growing on me! He's such a sweet boy. And very smart! He already knows what "no" means and listens very well when you tell him no. He's sitting for us and we're working on shaking with us. I actually had him in bed with me the other night. Yes, I know he's supposed to be an outside dog, but it was cold out and I didn't want to leave the dogs out all night. Steve was gone and the kids were still up, but I was ready to lay in bed and watch TV, so I just let him lay with me. It worked really well. Everytime he got restless, I took him out to potty and we didn't have any accidents that night. Problem is, I look for him to be a big dog, so I know I'm possibly creating monster! We'll end up with a 130 lb. dog that thinks he needs to sleep with us! Wait! He's supposed to be an outside dog! Yeah right!
Anyway, bad news... He's doing very well except in one category. Housetraining! We're having some issues there! My house is going to smell like dog pee! Yes, I know he's supposed to be an outside dog!

My Hubby's in the Dog House!

So, yesterday morning I was sound asleep in my bed. Bryson comes in to ask me why there were 2 dogs in the backyard. It took me a minute, like I said, I was sound asleep, to realize what had happened! One dog was ours. The other was the puppy Steve had told me about 2 days before. He had delivered something to a guys house that had puppies. Steve told me all about these puppies. My response? NO WAY! Well, he decided he wanted one of those pups pretty bad, so he brought him home and just put him the yard! No discussion, no anything! His reasoning was so Cinci wouldn't be lonely!Well, I have to say, Cinci IS NOT happy for her new brother! Now let me tell you, this dog is going to be huge! His mother was dalmatian and black lab. The father was full blooded St. Bernard! You should see the paws on this little guy! They are so big, they flop when he walks! Steve swears he will help clean up poop and take him for walks. Let's just see how long this lasts. The kids are already taking bets! I do have to admit, he is very cute and pretty mild mannered. I am finding myself falling in love pretty quick. But, his daddy better keep up his end of the deal or he will find himself right out in the doghouse with him! Oh, by the way, Steve named him Bo!

Bo hanging out on Daddy's lap

A very sad and jealous Cinci

Bry and Bo. His head looks pretty big here.

My pretty girl

Laying with Dusty and looking sweet.

Snuggling with Steve

The boys and the dogs. Cinci is laying claim to her Jordan.

Getting ready to lay a big one Dusty!