More Spring Break

Tuesday morning I took Nate & Henry (without the camera) to HighFalls Park. We had so much fun & even got a little sun. I wasn't prepared (no towels or change of clothes) and ended up taking everyone home covered in sand & wet (gross!) They didn't care. After Bryan went to work we went and hung out for a bit at DeeDee & John Daddy's (see video of Egg Chunkin' below).

Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of Wednesday. The boys were at their MeMa & Papa's bright and early for a big day of fishing! They had a great time and caught 4 catfish from a pond near Dacusville. Papa & Nate cleaned them and they're in MeMa's freezer. She is going to cook them the next time the boys are there for dinner. Nate was so proud that he helped clean the fish. I spend the morning at a Dr.'s appt and then the rest of the day going to Target, Old Navy, etc.

Thursday started with some bloodwork for Joy, a quick trip to the grocery store and then on to pick up our friends, Madison & Stryder. Bryan was sleeping and it's so hard to be quiet so we
decided to go play in the sand along the edge of the lake. Yeah right, by the time I got the blanket spread out all the big kids were soaked! I thought it was freezing outside (mid 60s) but even wet these kids were unstoppable.

After a minor injury at the lake (Madison dropped a rock on her finger) we decided to clean up and go to the movies. We voted and Rio won 4 to 1! Luke wanted to see Caillou but it wasn't playing.

While we were at the movie, Bryan woke up and started dinner. We grilled steaks, asparagus, brocolli, baked potatoes & bread...yum! Even after a large bucket of popcorn, a bag of gummy worms, m&ms, fun dips, and caprisuns, everyone ate like little pigs! by the way, I only bought popcorn at the movie, the rest I brought from home.

Madison is one fun girl. She could hang with these boys, she was tough, funny & fast!

After dinner we went on a very short boat ride. Madison & Stryder loved it!

Henry & Stryder getting ready to spin on the tire swing.

Nate & Madison swinging high!

What a fun day! Thanks to the thunderstorm our baseball game was cancelled and we enjoyed hanging out with Bryan (finally!) at home.

spring break swinging

Egg Chunkin

Only boys would decide that instead of hiding Easter Eggs, they would fill them up with sand and smash them against a brick wall. And only a DeeDee would would make it into a fun contest!

Spring Break - Sunday/Monday

Sunday night we had a sleepover. Nate had his buddy Colin and Henry had his buddy Stryder. We got up bright and early to hit the Children's Museum in Greenville when it opened. We pretty much had the place to ourselves until around lunch time and we had so much fun. We hurried back for piano lessons and a baseball game. How tired were we after all this fun? I think this picture of Luke says it all!

Spring Break 2011

Spring break is here! The boys are ready to have lots of fun! Only one little problem, Bryan is on night shift for the next 5 days. He goes in around 4:30 pm and gets home just before 6am. My goal is to get these guys up and out of the house as early as possible so I don't have to try to keep them quiet. So, I am gonna pack some fun in! Saturday was the Mayberry Days Festival in Westminster. The absolute highlight of the event was seeing Cliff drive Dad's Rambler in the parade riding Aunt Bea, little Opey and the mayor of Westminster. It was even better than when Cliff dressed up like the Subway man for the West Union Christmas parade. I am sorry to say that my camera battery went dead just when Cliff passed by. But I know there are many pictures of him out there, considering the size of the crowd.

Tonight we have 2 friends spending the night. Nate has Colin over and Henry has Stryder. Tomorrow morning I will take all 5 boys to the Greenville Children's Museum. We may not be at the beach, but it will be a great spring break!

Marlowe thinks Luke is funny

After 8 years it finally happened!!!

After 8 years and 3 months, and I am not exaggerating, all 3 of my boys slept all night in their own beds! Luke has been in bootcamp for a week...He has never learned to sleep through the night and has always woke around 11 to come to our bed then frequently after that for some milk. After being so sick his chocolate milk consumption after hours skyrocketed. Last Sunday night he woke every 1 1/2 hours for a cup of milk. I decided it was time and I was gonna do it! So, we made it a point to run out of milk every night at bedtime and maybe, it's finally worked!! So did I sleep all night? Of course not! Bathroom break at 3am then Henry was up at 5am, but I'm not complaining. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and it's not the refrigerator light!

Ripple of One

Today I started what may be a new adventure. My good friend, Stephanie has founded an organization called Ripple of One. (be sure to visit her website at www.rippleofone.org ) I have decided to help out some so I am going to be working with a precious girl (mid-20s) with 4 children who has lost her job and has no family. I spent the afternoon with her and was overwhelmed with her situation. I don't know how she has the strength to get out of bed in the mornings. While I want to just take her and her kids home with me & take care of them, that's not the way ripple works. I have to help her learn how to get back on her feet: emotionally, financially, spiritually, physically (she's skin & bones). Sounds like a lot, but this group helps me help her every step of the way. Please keep her and her kids in your prayers and me too that I'll lead her in the right direction, and hopefully help her find Jesus in the process.

Surprise! We're going to Florida

Thursday morning we picked Nate & Henry up from school around 10:30 and surprised them with a airplane trip to Florida to visit Silas & stay at the Nickelodeon Hotel. It took a few minutes for it to really register with them that we were going. Once we hit I-85, they were very excited!

Luke pulling his own carry-on!

Checking in with Allegiant Air. Flights direct from GSP to many Florida destinations!

Waiting patiently in the airport. Security is reason enough not to fly any more than you have to.

Finally! We see cousin Silas. These boys were so silly. They always have a blast together.

We went to the most wonderful restaurant in Deland for dinner. Perfect Spot was not only good food, but also very entertaining. Sky divers, playground and a wagon!

Luke & Silas waiting for more skydivers. Check out how much taller Silas is than Luke. They are only 3 months apart!

Here are the boys in their hotel room. Nate & Henry had bunk beds and Luke slept with Mom & Dad, of course! It's really Sponge Bob!!

Luke was really amazed to see all the characters at breakfast. It was quite a celebration!

We love Patrick almost as much as we love Sponge Bob!

Nate & Henry spending fun times with Robin's children Trace & Tara who live in Punta Gorda, FL. She drove up to spend the night in the hotel with us.

Subway for lunch with 7 kids was exciting. Everyone eat so we can see Silas & go to Downtown Disney!

Downtown Disney was lots of fun! This is Mark & Silas, Bryan & Luke, Tara, Nate & Trace before dinner at the Rainforest Cafe!

BUZZ LIGHTYEAR!!! Luke is "Toy Story Crazy" and can spot Buzz a mile away.

Luke & Silas rode the carousel & train together. They missed Marlowe though (they thought she would love the carousel)!

Outside the Rainforest Cafe, aren't these guys handsome!

7 am flight means wake up at 4am...yikes! Vacation is fun, but it's always nice to come home.

Silas, Nate & Henry

I'm so behind on blogging and promise to catch up. I'll kick it off with this video of Henry, Silas & Nate being boys!

Bleach

I did a crazy thing with my hair. I asked for bleach on scalp.

Do I regret it? No, it's just hair. But will I do it again? Probably not. I think I glow in the dark.

February Fun!

Nate's tornado poster for tornado safety week. Even though he was a little under the weather, the poster was super!

Thanks Shannon for going with me to Erika's CD release party in Greenville at the Lazy Goat Restaurant. We had a blast eating lots of exotic food & listening to Erika sing.

Playing with brothers is so much fun! Check out this Batman & Robin dynamic duo!

A visit to Great Wolf Lodge in Charlotte to celebrate Bennett's 8th birthday.

Waiting not so patiently to go into the waterpark Sunday morning....

At Craig & Camille's very awesome Pediatric Dentist office in Seneca! Nate & Henry watched movies above their chairs while they had their teeth cleaned.

Who knew going to the dentist could be so much fun? Ms pacman, Galaga & Pole position, free!

Playing basketball is the latest craze. Nate & Henry are out there every spare minute they have shooting hoops.

Here's Nate & Henry at this years Blue & Gold banquet. They Father/Son cake decorating contest is always fun. This year, Nate's cake won. Penny=vote and he had $67!

The Catapult

Playing war with Cliff

Uncle Cliff is so much fun. He plays war with the boys and really gets into it. They love it! Here's the latest battle.