Grandparents!

The boys spent this week doing fun things with their Grandparents. Tuesday and Wednesday they camped with MeMaw and Papa at Mile Creek Park in the motor home. This vehicle (the motor home) completely fascinates both of them. They are amazed that there is a small shower, toilet & refrigerator inside something that Papa drives. They swam, rode bikes, grilled hamburgers and simply enjoyed relaxing with family. They especially enjoyed a thunderstorm that rolled in just after they bathed. I asked Nate "What did you do when the storm came?" and he replied, "I was naked!"

Thursday and Friday they went with my parents (John Daddy and DeeDee) to ride the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad from Dillsboro to Bryson City. Then spent Friday morning at Santa's Land - a place they really thought was wonderful fun! Can you imagine, a small rollercoaster with reindeer antlers, Christmas music in the background and a visit with Santa - all in blazing 90 degree summer heat! They loved it (the boys I mean, I'm not so sure about DeeDee and JohnDaddy).

Grandparents are such a gift. I am so thankful that my children have 4 grandparents that love them with all their hearts and take time to teach them about life, about love, and about their heritage. Bryan and I have 3 grandmothers between us still living and we cherish each moment we spend with them.

I look forward to meeting my own grandchildren one day...

Chattanooga Fun!

The boys and I joined Bryan on a trip to Chattanooga, TN this week. While Bryan was in classes learning about heat exchangers, Nate, Henry and I explored the city! While I was getting them to sleep tonight, I wanted to know what their favorite thing about our 5 day adventure was. I recapped all the fun things we'd done like exploring Ruby Falls,

playing in an interactive water fountain at the park,

visiting the Children's Creative Discovery Museum and

visiting the Aquarium. After a unanimous vote they decided that their favorite part of the trip by far was riding the elevator at the Marriott to our 5th floor room.

Guess that saying is true:

4 tickets to ride carousel at Coolidge Park - $3.00

4 tickets to Aquarium - $50

Riding the elevator at the hotel & enjoying every minute of it - priceless!

Things Joy learned while on a 9 day vacation in Myrtle Beach:
1 - When you get to the beach, just get wet and then lay down in the sand. Then all the pressure to not get sandy is gone & you can just enjoy building sand castles.
2 - Getting stung by a jelly fish or a man of war isn't that bad, when you 4 years old and your dad tells you how tough you are.
3 - Going to see an IMAX movie IS something you can do everyday, if you want to.
4 - Spending 9 days at the beach means you get to catch the tail end of Black Biker Week and the beginning of Senior Week.
5 - Nate and Henry will NOT participate in Senior Week, or ever go to the beach without parental guidance.
6 - Eating Ultimate California Pizza for 5 meals in 1 week is a good thing. YUM!
and 7 - 9 days isn't enough when you're having a blast with your family and getting tan at the same time.