Isn't this what summer should look like....
Some sidewalk chalk inspired hopscotch...
A budding photographer with her rock-solid camera...
And someone to clean up after the other two (usually it's me, what a nice change!)
Saturday, July 31, 2010
A Summer Snapshot
Isn't this what summer should look like....Some sidewalk chalk inspired hopscotch...A budding photographer with her rock-solid camera...And someone to clean up after the other two (usually it's me, what a nice change!)
Thursday, July 29, 2010
The End!!! (Phew!)
It was a very busy two weeks but it had to come to an end. We drove back to Atlanta, unloaded the whole troop, the boys returned our cars, and off we went back home. While not much eventful took place that day, I thought I would share some things from the trip that didn't quite fit anywhere else.
1. When we traveled it was always in this presidential motorcade. Since Jeremy and Amanda had the black car, we decided that Juliette must have been the president of something or maybe a princess. But what we really like to call our traveling arrangements, was a reverse Oreo cookie - it seemed a little more kooky, like us.
1. When we traveled it was always in this presidential motorcade. Since Jeremy and Amanda had the black car, we decided that Juliette must have been the president of something or maybe a princess. But what we really like to call our traveling arrangements, was a reverse Oreo cookie - it seemed a little more kooky, like us.
2. When you have 11 people traveling that is a LOT of luggage. Also, it is very important to identify your black suitcase with some sort or bright ribbon so you can find it in the sea of everyone else's black suitcases.
3. If you are short on money, just use your kids as carry on baggage. Here Konner demonstrates that, yes, small people can indeed fit underneath the seats. (He played down there for a good twenty minutes.)
4. My kids have no standards when it comes to food and the "three second rule." We were in the very busy lobby / food court / shopping center of the CNN towers. The kids were getting fed lifesavers by Grammy. Konner dropped on the floor, so he went to pick it up. Thing is, he just didn't pick it up. Instead he decided to lick it up off the floor - it even left a saliva mark on the floor. Nice, Konner, nice.
5. I take a ton of pictures and apparently like to say "cute" after I take them. Kassidy and Konner played for over a half an hour taking pictures of each other and then telling each other that they were cute. I tried to take a video of it - you can barely make out the cute underneath Konner's paci, but it's there.
6. We taught Kassidy how to say, "Hey ya'll!" It's too cute! (There I go again!)
7. I am not sure that we will start doing "pee-pie" instead of "peek-a-boo," but we have now decided that we will call a fly swatter and fly flap, just because it sounds so funny!
It was a wonderful trip, we had great hosts and hostesses (a HUGE thanks to Don, Elizabeth, David, Maryanne, Blair, Aunt Lynda, Uncle Steve, Megan and Tyler), spent some great family time together, the kids never took a "proper" nap (and yet still lived), and made some great memories. I'd do it again, but not for a while!!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Cheaha and Bass Pro Shop
It was our last full day in Alabama so we thought we would take in a few more of the local sights. Our first stop, Cheaha State park, was just a few minutes drive away. Mt. Cheaha is the highest point in Alabama and a short flight or two of stairs up the observation tower had the views to prove it. It was then a little way over to a walkway out to Bald Rock for more breathtaking views.
After lunch some of us went for a drive out to the Bass Pro Shop, For us "city slickers" it was an adventure all it's own. While we didn't happen to take advantage of the giant boat sale, or take home an ATV (which Kyler was very bummed about), the guys did practice their shooting skills (dad is an advanced marksman) and we managed to kill two hours shopping and wandering around. Kyler sis get to bring home a toy gun, which he is in love with.
After another yummy dinner made by Aunt Lynda we had a few sparklers to still burn off and then it was the daunting task of repacking and figuring our where all our souvenirs were going to fit! The next morning we had to get a very early start (again!) to drive to Atlanta and come home.
After lunch some of us went for a drive out to the Bass Pro Shop, For us "city slickers" it was an adventure all it's own. While we didn't happen to take advantage of the giant boat sale, or take home an ATV (which Kyler was very bummed about), the guys did practice their shooting skills (dad is an advanced marksman) and we managed to kill two hours shopping and wandering around. Kyler sis get to bring home a toy gun, which he is in love with.
After another yummy dinner made by Aunt Lynda we had a few sparklers to still burn off and then it was the daunting task of repacking and figuring our where all our souvenirs were going to fit! The next morning we had to get a very early start (again!) to drive to Atlanta and come home.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
A Fourth with Fireworks
With the 4th of July falling on a Sunday this year, it just seamed right to dress the kids in their finest red, white and blue. Grammy bought the girls these super cute dresses (from Cracker Barrel of all places) and then the boys shirts from Wal-Mart (the other southern staple!), and they couldn't have looked cuter. The girls even sported new hair barettes made especiallt for the day by Amanda.
Dad and Jeremy had to get their pyro fix in and went to go buy some fireworks that made some nice loud booms, stuff we can't get here in California. They lit them off in the driveway, much to the enjoyment of Konner (but not so much for Juliette!).
The tradition in the area is called "Big Thunder on the Mountain." We took a drive over to Birmingham and found a spot to watch the fireworks they shoot off from a central mountain high location. Everyone tunes in their radios to a particular station which plays the soundtrack for the show. It was really spectacular. While we waited we even has time to squeeze in a dessert run and the kids played some games too.
Dad and Jeremy had to get their pyro fix in and went to go buy some fireworks that made some nice loud booms, stuff we can't get here in California. They lit them off in the driveway, much to the enjoyment of Konner (but not so much for Juliette!).
The tradition in the area is called "Big Thunder on the Mountain." We took a drive over to Birmingham and found a spot to watch the fireworks they shoot off from a central mountain high location. Everyone tunes in their radios to a particular station which plays the soundtrack for the show. It was really spectacular. While we waited we even has time to squeeze in a dessert run and the kids played some games too.
Monday, July 26, 2010
US Space and Rocket Center Plus Saturday Fireworks
One of the must do things on Jason's vacation list for Alabama was a visit to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. It was also our luck that they were housing a traveling exhibit on Star Wars during the time we were there. It was way cool. They had costumes, models, real size movie props, and fun interactive experiments we could do. 
When we had toured that part of the center it was off to the main attraction following the action as the United States was in the "race to space." We got to check out several Apollo missions as well as a real size Saturn V rocket system. The kids got to sit in a module (comfy) and we even got a peek into what the future might hold for us and the space frontier.
Once outside we checked out various planes and rockets and other military vehicles. We even braved riding the Space Shot ride that propels you upward then lets you yo-you back down. Mom, Amanda and I rode it first just to make sure the boys could handle it, then it was Jeremy and Dad's turn. (Well at least that is the way I am telling the story!)
On the way home it was another Cracker Barrel visit which always lends itself for some more cute photos, so enjoy.
On Saturday, we finally decided that we had a few moments of down time, in between loads of laundry, to take in a movie. We saw Toys Story 3, in 3D, in shifts so Juliette would have someone to stay with. I loved it - oh, yeah, so did the kids! After dinner we witnessed one of the Oxford traditions of a fireworks show the night before the 4th of July. Me, the kids, Megan, Grammy and Granddaddy parked our cars at Megan's house and walked a few blocks to get a prime spot for viewing them. Kassidy has been not in love with fireworks of late, but they seemed to have won here over and she told me that each pink one she saw was hers. It was a nice way to end the evening
It was a late night since the fireworks didn't start till well after dark and the kids were just plain wore out. When all was said and done the kids were just so pooped they fell asleep on the way home and we put them to bed in their clothes. For some reason the babies turned toward each other and the next thing we knew Konner had his arm around Kassidy - it just melted my heart. (I am sure they will kill me later in life for snapping this one, but what mom could resist!)
When we had toured that part of the center it was off to the main attraction following the action as the United States was in the "race to space." We got to check out several Apollo missions as well as a real size Saturn V rocket system. The kids got to sit in a module (comfy) and we even got a peek into what the future might hold for us and the space frontier.Once outside we checked out various planes and rockets and other military vehicles. We even braved riding the Space Shot ride that propels you upward then lets you yo-you back down. Mom, Amanda and I rode it first just to make sure the boys could handle it, then it was Jeremy and Dad's turn. (Well at least that is the way I am telling the story!)
On the way home it was another Cracker Barrel visit which always lends itself for some more cute photos, so enjoy.
On Saturday, we finally decided that we had a few moments of down time, in between loads of laundry, to take in a movie. We saw Toys Story 3, in 3D, in shifts so Juliette would have someone to stay with. I loved it - oh, yeah, so did the kids! After dinner we witnessed one of the Oxford traditions of a fireworks show the night before the 4th of July. Me, the kids, Megan, Grammy and Granddaddy parked our cars at Megan's house and walked a few blocks to get a prime spot for viewing them. Kassidy has been not in love with fireworks of late, but they seemed to have won here over and she told me that each pink one she saw was hers. It was a nice way to end the eveningIt was a late night since the fireworks didn't start till well after dark and the kids were just plain wore out. When all was said and done the kids were just so pooped they fell asleep on the way home and we put them to bed in their clothes. For some reason the babies turned toward each other and the next thing we knew Konner had his arm around Kassidy - it just melted my heart. (I am sure they will kill me later in life for snapping this one, but what mom could resist!)Tuesday, July 20, 2010
One Lazy Day Then Talledega and a Birthday Dinner
Wednesday was just a day for a little down time - finally! We did laundry, played games, and read books. I must say though that the highlight of the day was meeting some dear family friends at a Cracker Barrel for lunch. We love hanging out and visiting with the Watsons. It's like no time has past since we got together last, and that is so nice. We also come away with the first of our Cracker Barrel souvenirs - a weasel that chases a ball, some candy sticks and a dress for Kassidy. (There were other gifts obtained at later visits too - Grammy loves to spoil her kids!)
The next day we decided to check out the racetrack and International Motorsports Hall of Fame at Talladega. (We had passed it the day before on the way to lunch, and it peaked more than a few guys' interest.) There were tons of race cars to check out - old, new, innovative, from famous drivers - pictures and bios of their Hall of Fame inductees, plus a tour of parts of the racetrack. I think Jason, dad, Uncle Steve, Aunt Lynda and Megan just ate it up. I made everyone pick their favorite race car to have their picture with. Some picked by their favorite driver, or because it was pretty, or because it matched their outfit (okay, that was just me!), or because it was pink (yep, that was Kassidy). We even got to take our picture in the winners circle.
I have to admit though that the most memorable part of the day came from our adventure to have dinner. It was my mom's birthday and she said before we even got to Alabama that she wanted to have a catfish dinner to celebrate. Uncle Steve had a recommendation from a gal at work that told us that we just had to go to Red's Catfish. So that is where we went. We left at 5:00ish and knew we would have a little drive ahead of us, but no problem, right, we are going for the best catfish in the area. We were looking for highway number something or another and just could not seem to find it. We had driven for more than an hour when we decided we must have missed it and began looking for a place to ask for directions. Wouldn't you know it, all the gas stations were closed. We eventually turned around and drove 20 or so minutes back to a station we remembered was open. Uncle Steve and Dad went inside. They came back out about 10 minutes later with a hand drawn map to our destination! Turned out we had to take another highway to get to the highway we were looking for - oops. So 45 minutes after that we finally arrived at the place. In our car we tried to make the best of our many hours of driving time by playing Alabama Bingo. You know looking for things that are typical to that state. We were able to find a tire swing, a gazebo, a porch swing, cattle, a car on blocks, several Baptist churches, and a three legged dog - no joke! It helped to pass the time and was driving Tyler crazy, so it was even more fun! We were hoping that the place wasn't going to be closed when we got there, but luckily we arrived at 7:15 and they closed at 8:00. But the trouble getting there turned out to be just the start of the problems. They promptly informed us that they had no bathrooms and the a/c was out - something about a well pump not working. Are you kidding me! We just drove for over two hours with no bathroom breaks and now that we are here their restrooms are out. Needless to say we were not getting back in the car to try to drive another million miles to somewhere we didn't know again, so we just drank very little of the drinks we ordered and ate our catfish dinners very quickly. It was delicious (super yummy hushpuppies) and it lived up to their reputation. We think it is a riot now, but that night we couldn't wait to get back to some gas station somewhere and go to the restroom, oh yeah, and get something to drink because we were thirsty since we didn't drink anything at dinner. Let's just say we won't be forgetting this birthday anytime soon!
The next day we decided to check out the racetrack and International Motorsports Hall of Fame at Talladega. (We had passed it the day before on the way to lunch, and it peaked more than a few guys' interest.) There were tons of race cars to check out - old, new, innovative, from famous drivers - pictures and bios of their Hall of Fame inductees, plus a tour of parts of the racetrack. I think Jason, dad, Uncle Steve, Aunt Lynda and Megan just ate it up. I made everyone pick their favorite race car to have their picture with. Some picked by their favorite driver, or because it was pretty, or because it matched their outfit (okay, that was just me!), or because it was pink (yep, that was Kassidy). We even got to take our picture in the winners circle.
I have to admit though that the most memorable part of the day came from our adventure to have dinner. It was my mom's birthday and she said before we even got to Alabama that she wanted to have a catfish dinner to celebrate. Uncle Steve had a recommendation from a gal at work that told us that we just had to go to Red's Catfish. So that is where we went. We left at 5:00ish and knew we would have a little drive ahead of us, but no problem, right, we are going for the best catfish in the area. We were looking for highway number something or another and just could not seem to find it. We had driven for more than an hour when we decided we must have missed it and began looking for a place to ask for directions. Wouldn't you know it, all the gas stations were closed. We eventually turned around and drove 20 or so minutes back to a station we remembered was open. Uncle Steve and Dad went inside. They came back out about 10 minutes later with a hand drawn map to our destination! Turned out we had to take another highway to get to the highway we were looking for - oops. So 45 minutes after that we finally arrived at the place. In our car we tried to make the best of our many hours of driving time by playing Alabama Bingo. You know looking for things that are typical to that state. We were able to find a tire swing, a gazebo, a porch swing, cattle, a car on blocks, several Baptist churches, and a three legged dog - no joke! It helped to pass the time and was driving Tyler crazy, so it was even more fun! We were hoping that the place wasn't going to be closed when we got there, but luckily we arrived at 7:15 and they closed at 8:00. But the trouble getting there turned out to be just the start of the problems. They promptly informed us that they had no bathrooms and the a/c was out - something about a well pump not working. Are you kidding me! We just drove for over two hours with no bathroom breaks and now that we are here their restrooms are out. Needless to say we were not getting back in the car to try to drive another million miles to somewhere we didn't know again, so we just drank very little of the drinks we ordered and ate our catfish dinners very quickly. It was delicious (super yummy hushpuppies) and it lived up to their reputation. We think it is a riot now, but that night we couldn't wait to get back to some gas station somewhere and go to the restroom, oh yeah, and get something to drink because we were thirsty since we didn't drink anything at dinner. Let's just say we won't be forgetting this birthday anytime soon!
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