Most of them wanted to storm the governor's palace, but some of the men wanted a more civilized response. It was an amazing reenactment of an actual time in history.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Storming The Governor's Palace
On our first morning in Colonial Williamsburg, we had stopped to take a photo in front of the Governor's Palace (first picture below) when a group of Jamestown residents rushed by in a panic about their weapons being taken. You see, in Colonial Williamsburg, these men and women study a particular person in history and then become this person so they can live their life on a day to day basis. We were encouraged to follow them to a meeting which was being held on the other end of the commons. A huge debate was being held about how to handle this. They were all angry that their weapons had been taken. They were also discussing the recent dumping of tea in the Boston Harbor.
Most of them wanted to storm the governor's palace, but some of the men wanted a more civilized response. It was an amazing reenactment of an actual time in history.
Most of them wanted to storm the governor's palace, but some of the men wanted a more civilized response. It was an amazing reenactment of an actual time in history.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
On The Road Again
It was nice to have three drivers. Hubs liked to do most of the driving because he tends to get car sick unless he is driving or sleeping. For those moments when he needed a nap, Big Guy would take photos and talk to me while I was driving. While he was driving I would hold my breath. *smile*
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Best Way To Start A Vacation
As soon as we told the boys we were going on vacation, one of their first questions was "Can we see our friends in Atlanta either on the way there or on the way home?" You did not have to convince us. We love spending time with our friends as much as the boys do. Whether they are here or we are there, those are some of our favorite times.
Our kids have known each other their whole lives. When our friends moved in next door to us, Little Guy wasn't even born yet. The little princess was just toddling around everywhere. Look at them now.
Saturday morning we woke up and my friend made a huge pancake breakfast. Forget IHOP, she made all kinds of pancakes. She made a chocolate chip and peanut butter chip pancake that the boys said tasted like a Reeses Peanut Butter cup. What could be better than that?
After breakfast, our husband went downstairs to the "man cave", their basement family room, to watch SEC football all day on the the big flat screen tv. We didn't see them all day and they like it that way. The kids did whatever they wanted to do: played video games, jumped on the trampoline, walked around the neighborhood, crafts, whatever. My friend and I? A day of shopping. Yes!
On Sunday we all woke up and went to church. See this picture...
Yes. That is our husbands dressed very similarly for church. It gets worse. My friend and I came downstairs dressed almost exactly alike. I was wearing a black and white striped dress. She was wearing a black and white striped shirt and black slacks. Our kids were making fun of us. We almost went to change, but didn't because we didn't want to be late for church.
I didn't really think about it again until later that day when my friend and I went out shopping again. Yes... again. Don't judge us. We don't see each other very often. Anyway, I kept noticing that people were staring at us. I looked at her and said, "Um, people keep looking at us." She said, "I think because we are dressed alike people think we are a "couple"." That possibility had NEVER even entered my mind. Oh, good grief. From that point on every time someone looked at me I got the giggles because of how ridiculous it was.
It was a wonderful weekend and definitely went by too quickly.
Our kids have known each other their whole lives. When our friends moved in next door to us, Little Guy wasn't even born yet. The little princess was just toddling around everywhere. Look at them now.
Saturday morning we woke up and my friend made a huge pancake breakfast. Forget IHOP, she made all kinds of pancakes. She made a chocolate chip and peanut butter chip pancake that the boys said tasted like a Reeses Peanut Butter cup. What could be better than that?
After breakfast, our husband went downstairs to the "man cave", their basement family room, to watch SEC football all day on the the big flat screen tv. We didn't see them all day and they like it that way. The kids did whatever they wanted to do: played video games, jumped on the trampoline, walked around the neighborhood, crafts, whatever. My friend and I? A day of shopping. Yes!
On Sunday we all woke up and went to church. See this picture...
Yes. That is our husbands dressed very similarly for church. It gets worse. My friend and I came downstairs dressed almost exactly alike. I was wearing a black and white striped dress. She was wearing a black and white striped shirt and black slacks. Our kids were making fun of us. We almost went to change, but didn't because we didn't want to be late for church.
I didn't really think about it again until later that day when my friend and I went out shopping again. Yes... again. Don't judge us. We don't see each other very often. Anyway, I kept noticing that people were staring at us. I looked at her and said, "Um, people keep looking at us." She said, "I think because we are dressed alike people think we are a "couple"." That possibility had NEVER even entered my mind. Oh, good grief. From that point on every time someone looked at me I got the giggles because of how ridiculous it was.
It was a wonderful weekend and definitely went by too quickly.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Used Book Love
McKay Used Books & CDs
Located at..
7734 Lee Hwy, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37421
230 Papermill Place Way, KNOXVILLE, TN 37919
636 Old Hickory Blvd, NASHVILLE, TN 37209
I have never been in a bookstore like this. It was a book lover's dream. Everything was so organized and separated by category. You can find a little of everything here.
The Last Word
Charlotte, NC
We stopped in Charlotte to eat lunch and the boys asked to find a Redbox to rent a movie. Big Guy noticed this bookstore in the little shopping area where the Redbox was located. He asked if we could go in and look and I never discourage looking in a bookstore. We wound up staying an hour which was a long time considering this was to be our quick lunch stop. There was something for all of us.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Home Sweet Home
We just returned from vacation. Both boys are sleeping in this morning and I am enjoying a second cup of coffee. I am listening to the sounds of the washer and dryer which will probably keep me company all day with all the dirty laundry we brought home. I just finished uploading the 838 photos we took and I am amazed that we managed to do so much.
Things I will miss about vacation:
No computers and no deadlines for work.
Having all day every day with my boys.
Seeing my husband completely stress free for the first time in over a year.
Not having too cook and clean! A friend of mine said she didn't envy us being gone so long and having to eat restaurant food. We were so fortunate because we were super close to a Whole Foods AND a Trader Joe's which meant we could eat fresh food all the time. I enjoyed spinach orzo, asparagus pasta, fresh fruit, teriyaki baked chicken, fresh soup, etc... I didn't eat a burger until the last day on the drive home. Awesome!
Getting to go on a new adventure every day. I hope the boys learned as much as I did on this trip!
Things I will NOT miss about vacation:
Being so far away from friends and family. It was so sweet to get so many emails and text messages from church family and friends who said they were ready for us to come home because they missed us.
I missed our sweet cat and she missed us. We left someone to take care of her, but apparently she didn't like them. She hasn't left our side since we walked in the door.
Living out of a suitcase. I do not envy people who have to live that life on a consistent basis.
Sharing the bathroom with my three boys. It wasn't horrible, but the worst part was getting my shower and staying decent in such cramped quarters. There are not enough places to hide in a hotel room.
Long rides in the car. The drives were beautiful, but after 10 hours in the car I felt like I had been beat with a bat.
Speaking of driving, Big Guy and I loved all the wildflowers planted in the median of the interstate of Virginia.
Things I will miss about vacation:
No computers and no deadlines for work.
Having all day every day with my boys.
Seeing my husband completely stress free for the first time in over a year.
Not having too cook and clean! A friend of mine said she didn't envy us being gone so long and having to eat restaurant food. We were so fortunate because we were super close to a Whole Foods AND a Trader Joe's which meant we could eat fresh food all the time. I enjoyed spinach orzo, asparagus pasta, fresh fruit, teriyaki baked chicken, fresh soup, etc... I didn't eat a burger until the last day on the drive home. Awesome!
Getting to go on a new adventure every day. I hope the boys learned as much as I did on this trip!
Things I will NOT miss about vacation:
Being so far away from friends and family. It was so sweet to get so many emails and text messages from church family and friends who said they were ready for us to come home because they missed us.
I missed our sweet cat and she missed us. We left someone to take care of her, but apparently she didn't like them. She hasn't left our side since we walked in the door.
Living out of a suitcase. I do not envy people who have to live that life on a consistent basis.
Sharing the bathroom with my three boys. It wasn't horrible, but the worst part was getting my shower and staying decent in such cramped quarters. There are not enough places to hide in a hotel room.
Long rides in the car. The drives were beautiful, but after 10 hours in the car I felt like I had been beat with a bat.
Speaking of driving, Big Guy and I loved all the wildflowers planted in the median of the interstate of Virginia.
Monday, September 24, 2012
In Washington, DC
We are on vacation in Washington, DC. My boys have fallen in love with being here. We hop on the Metro and ride to whatever we want to do. So much of DC is free which makes it seem like a huge playground. Our car has been parked since we have arrived and we have walked everywhere.
One of the things we dreaded was having to eat out so much, but we are one block from a Trader Joe's and two blocks from a Whole Foods which means we can eat fresh food anytime we want. Little Guy and I have been in heaven with all the choices like spinach orzo, grilled chicken and asparagus, and fish.
Both boys have been fascinated with how cultural diverse it is here. People from everywhere visit DC so you never know what language people will be speaking when they are standing next to you. We have started playing a game "Guess the Language" when people start to approach us. We are almost never right.
When we get home I will be able to download all the pictures we have taken. Until then, we are about to head back to the Metro to go explore some more!
One of the things we dreaded was having to eat out so much, but we are one block from a Trader Joe's and two blocks from a Whole Foods which means we can eat fresh food anytime we want. Little Guy and I have been in heaven with all the choices like spinach orzo, grilled chicken and asparagus, and fish.
Both boys have been fascinated with how cultural diverse it is here. People from everywhere visit DC so you never know what language people will be speaking when they are standing next to you. We have started playing a game "Guess the Language" when people start to approach us. We are almost never right.
When we get home I will be able to download all the pictures we have taken. Until then, we are about to head back to the Metro to go explore some more!
Monday, September 10, 2012
Celebrating Little Guy's 11th
Little Guy's birthday weekend was rained out because of Hurricane Isaac. He wasn't surprised. Hurricanes are a pretty normal thing for his birthday. The biggest hurricane to arrive on his birthday was Hurricane Katrina.
He wanted to invite the guys from his Sunday School class over to spend the night. He thought it would be fun a great way for them to get to know each other a little better. Little Guy is low key. When I went out to buy some special plates and napkins for his birthday he said, "Mom, you wipe your mouth with the napkins and put food on the plates, is there really any need for them to say "Happy Birthday"?"
The guys were not at the house long when we packed them up to head to play frisbee golf. They loved it. Little Guy has played a lot, but his friends had never played. He gave them all starter frisbees and he is hoping it is something they can go and do together on Saturday afternoons every once in a while.
Once they got back home they were ready for supper. I had plenty of food for all the hungry guys and one of the boys held his plate up in the air and said, "We feast like kings!" He was so funny!
During supper Little Guy revealed that his best friend was also having her party about three houses down the road. They couldn't believe it when I suggested that they go ding ditch them. I had a package of fake moustaches and they wore them as their "disguises".
They spent the next two hours running around outside playing flashlight tag and sardines. Laughing and hollering and having fun.
Finally we knew they had to come in for showers. One of the boys just didn't want to take a shower. I wasn't sure why, but he didn't. I wasn't sure how to handle that until one of the other boys said, "Dude, you smell like a horse! Go take a shower." Thank goodness for positive peer pressure.
We gathered everybody in the living room and laid out their sleeping bags. We told them we were going to have family prayers. One of the guys said, "Do we need to leave?" Hubs said, "No way. You guys are part of our family." It was such a sweet time.
The boys all settled into their sleeping bags and talked until they drifted off to sleep.
The next morning they woke up with big appetites and ate three dozen eggs, two dozen biscuits, two dozen cinnamon rolls and sausage. Hubs said they STILL ate more when they got to Sunday School. Growing boys are hollow logs I tell you.
Happy 11th birthday, Little Guy! We love you and we love your friends.
He wanted to invite the guys from his Sunday School class over to spend the night. He thought it would be fun a great way for them to get to know each other a little better. Little Guy is low key. When I went out to buy some special plates and napkins for his birthday he said, "Mom, you wipe your mouth with the napkins and put food on the plates, is there really any need for them to say "Happy Birthday"?"
The guys were not at the house long when we packed them up to head to play frisbee golf. They loved it. Little Guy has played a lot, but his friends had never played. He gave them all starter frisbees and he is hoping it is something they can go and do together on Saturday afternoons every once in a while.
During supper Little Guy revealed that his best friend was also having her party about three houses down the road. They couldn't believe it when I suggested that they go ding ditch them. I had a package of fake moustaches and they wore them as their "disguises".
They spent the next two hours running around outside playing flashlight tag and sardines. Laughing and hollering and having fun.
Finally we knew they had to come in for showers. One of the boys just didn't want to take a shower. I wasn't sure why, but he didn't. I wasn't sure how to handle that until one of the other boys said, "Dude, you smell like a horse! Go take a shower." Thank goodness for positive peer pressure.
We gathered everybody in the living room and laid out their sleeping bags. We told them we were going to have family prayers. One of the guys said, "Do we need to leave?" Hubs said, "No way. You guys are part of our family." It was such a sweet time.
The boys all settled into their sleeping bags and talked until they drifted off to sleep.
The next morning they woke up with big appetites and ate three dozen eggs, two dozen biscuits, two dozen cinnamon rolls and sausage. Hubs said they STILL ate more when they got to Sunday School. Growing boys are hollow logs I tell you.
Happy 11th birthday, Little Guy! We love you and we love your friends.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Things I Love About Fall
1. New school books
2. Pumpkin patches
3. Boots
4. Sharp yellow pencils
5. Crunchy leaves
6. The arrival of cooler air
7. Wood smoke
8. Tailgating
9. SEC football
10. Soups and Chili
11. Sitting on the front porch
12. Candles
13. Fall decorations
14. Baking
15. Hot chocolate
2. Pumpkin patches
3. Boots
4. Sharp yellow pencils
5. Crunchy leaves
6. The arrival of cooler air
7. Wood smoke
8. Tailgating
9. SEC football
10. Soups and Chili
11. Sitting on the front porch
12. Candles
13. Fall decorations
14. Baking
15. Hot chocolate
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Happy Birthday, Little Guy!
Happy Birthday, Little Guy!
I can't believe you are 11 years old. Yet when I look at you I realize that my "baby" is turning into a young man more each day. You are a mere inches from being as tall as I am. Your feet are much bigger than mine (you wear a men's size 8 now). With all of your CrossFit workouts you are giving your Dad and brother a run for their money in wrestling matches. I love that you are so adventurous. You are not afraid to try new things. You asked for things for your birthday to fuel your adventurous side.
Once again a hurricane has arrived for your birthday. This year is Isaac. Thankfully not as big as Katrina, but still making an impact. We have always known not to plan a beach vacation around your birthday because a hurricane ALWAYS arrives on your birthday, doesn't it?
Your favorites on your 11th birthday...
Favorite color: blue
Favorite food: caesar salad
Best friend: Jessica Hamer
Favorite television show: Chopped
Favorite book: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Favorite subject: art
Favorite hobby: drawing
Favorite sport: ultimate frisbee
Favorite drink: coke zero
Favorite chip: Sun chips
Favorite dessert: frozen yogurt
Favorite band: For King And Country/Family Force 5
Favorite Bible verse: "Let your light shine before men so that they can see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
Shine on, my sweet precious boy! We love you!
I can't believe you are 11 years old. Yet when I look at you I realize that my "baby" is turning into a young man more each day. You are a mere inches from being as tall as I am. Your feet are much bigger than mine (you wear a men's size 8 now). With all of your CrossFit workouts you are giving your Dad and brother a run for their money in wrestling matches. I love that you are so adventurous. You are not afraid to try new things. You asked for things for your birthday to fuel your adventurous side.
Once again a hurricane has arrived for your birthday. This year is Isaac. Thankfully not as big as Katrina, but still making an impact. We have always known not to plan a beach vacation around your birthday because a hurricane ALWAYS arrives on your birthday, doesn't it?
Your favorites on your 11th birthday...
Favorite color: blue
Favorite food: caesar salad
Best friend: Jessica Hamer
Favorite television show: Chopped
Favorite book: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Favorite subject: art
Favorite hobby: drawing
Favorite sport: ultimate frisbee
Favorite drink: coke zero
Favorite chip: Sun chips
Favorite dessert: frozen yogurt
Favorite band: For King And Country/Family Force 5
Shine on, my sweet precious boy! We love you!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Picky Eater?
I have never considered myself a picky eater, but lately I have discovered more and more things I do not like. Is it kind of strange that my palette has become more discerning as I have gotten older?
1. Pumpkin. This is the time of year that everything smells and tastes like pumpkin. Ewww!
2. Nutella. Every other recipe I see lately features Nutella. I couldn't figure out why I didn't like this until I realized the main ingredient for this was hazlenuts.
3. Hazlenuts. Obviously, I don't like this. And I do not like my coffee to have a nutty flavor either.
4. Quinoa. So far I have not eaten it and enjoyed it. Is it "gross" to me? Not really, but not worth wasting my time eating it either.
5. Coconut. The big trend right now is coconut and coconut oil. My husband bought granola bars the other day and I took a bite and could tell immediately that it had coconut oil in it. He argued with me until I forced him to get the wrapper out of the trash and read the ingredients. It may be healthy, but I do not like the taste of coconut.
6. Peanuts and peanut butter. This is a tricky one. I don't mind the taste of peanut butter. It is the smell. Smelling peanuts or peanut butter makes my stomach turn. This is a recent development for me.
Don't ask why I shared all of that. It just occurred to me today that I have developed a lot of pickiness about food over the last few years and to my knowledge I have never had such aversions (with the exception of coconut which I have always hated!).
Do you have foods which you hate eating?
1. Pumpkin. This is the time of year that everything smells and tastes like pumpkin. Ewww!
2. Nutella. Every other recipe I see lately features Nutella. I couldn't figure out why I didn't like this until I realized the main ingredient for this was hazlenuts.
3. Hazlenuts. Obviously, I don't like this. And I do not like my coffee to have a nutty flavor either.
4. Quinoa. So far I have not eaten it and enjoyed it. Is it "gross" to me? Not really, but not worth wasting my time eating it either.
5. Coconut. The big trend right now is coconut and coconut oil. My husband bought granola bars the other day and I took a bite and could tell immediately that it had coconut oil in it. He argued with me until I forced him to get the wrapper out of the trash and read the ingredients. It may be healthy, but I do not like the taste of coconut.
6. Peanuts and peanut butter. This is a tricky one. I don't mind the taste of peanut butter. It is the smell. Smelling peanuts or peanut butter makes my stomach turn. This is a recent development for me.
Don't ask why I shared all of that. It just occurred to me today that I have developed a lot of pickiness about food over the last few years and to my knowledge I have never had such aversions (with the exception of coconut which I have always hated!).
Do you have foods which you hate eating?
Little Guy's Father/Son Weekend
Hubs and Little Guy packed up the car and head out yesterday for their Father/Son weekend. They were both so excited about this time together. Saturday was also hubs birthday and Wednesday is Little Guy's birthday, so they thought it was awesome that they got to have time together celebrating just the two of them.
A trip to the Blue Bayou water park...
A QUICK trip by the LSU campus.
A trip to the Blue Bayou water park...
Supper with our nephew, Jared, and his sweet fiance, Jennifer.
A QUICK trip by the LSU campus.
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