Race Day

Back in April we took the boys to see a Nascar Nationwide series race at the Nashville Superspeedway. It started out stormy in the morning, but became a beautiful sunny day for the race. The boys were totally excited to see all the cars, and watch them race.

Pappy and Grand K joined us along with some great friends, the Rehbines.

Here Pappy with the boys ready for the race to start.

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A shot of one end of the track.


We had heard that racing is super loud, and we found this little fact to be VERY true! When we first got there, they were doing the qualifying, one car going around at a time, and even when they would zoom by the stands it would make your ears hurt! So, when the race started (40 or so cars) there was hardly anyone without ear protection.


We had a very fun day!

Easter 2010

Easter this year started off with an egg dye and decoration with Nana and D-Dah at the lake. There's nothing like 3 very dirty boys who have been playing at the lake getting dye all over their hands (and mouth in the case of Joshua). Then they hunt for them. They love this tradition with their grandparents!


Easter Sunday we went to Melea's parents house for a family get together. Here are the boys still in their nice clothes before the egg hunt.

Peek-a-boo!
The two little ones were fascinated by sitting in the grass and getting to hold the pretty colored plastic eggs. They were very cute together!
Most of all, more than any egg hunts, we love this day as we celebrate the glory of Christ being raised from the dead to show his power over death. We are ever so grateful for our Savior who has paid our debt for sin, was raised back to life, and lives forever and is worthy of our worship. What a Savior!

March

Back in March we took a field trip to a local airport to tour an airplane. They really did a good job explaining the parts of an airplane and showing the children all around.

I thought this was funny--all the boys mesmerized listening to him explain how the landing gear works.





Inside the cockpit...

We also got to hear from the firefighters who stay on airport grounds, ready should an emergency happen with any of the planes. The boys got to try out the hoses...
and the hat...

The boys had a great time (so did I!) learning all about what goes on at an airport.

Winter Family Trip

Last year we started a tradition to take our kids snow skiing in Paoli, IN with some dear friends of ours. We had a fabulous time and knew that we must do it again. So, again, this year in February we loaded everyone up and headed north. Our first stop was the Creation Museum near Cincinatti, OH. We all had a great time! Here's the fam outside of the museum.



Here's the view as you walk in the door. We're in for a treat!


The boys with friends Kaylee and Jackson.


Next stop was Paoli Peaks, to go skiing. Soon after arriving, I realized I had forgotten the camera in our hotel room, so there really aren't that many pictures of us on the slopes. My friend Christy, graciously agreed to take some for me, so her pictures are the only ones we have. Joshua started out just hanging out with one of us as the other one was with the older boys. Eventually Jason just held him as he skiied down the bunny slopes, and he loved that. Both Elijah and Isaac took lessons which helped them tremendously. Isaac was pretty rocky to start with, but by the end of the night he had the hang of it. Both boys would go down the small slope at the top of the hill, get on the lift by themselves, and do it over, and over, and over...
They totally loved it and did it for about 7 hours. Needless to say, they were exhausted when it was time to go to bed that night. Here are some pictures of our time on the peaks.





The hotel where we stayed has an indoor water park. So, the next morning everyone got on their swim gear and headed downstairs, to this! It was fabulous. HUGE water slides, that Elijah stayed on most of the day (Isaac wasn't tall enough for the big ones, but stayed on the smaller ones). Here, the boys getting a surprise dump on the head from the gigantic bucket that constantly fills up, then dumps, over and over...

Elijah going down one of the big waterslides.

Joshua going down the baby slide.


This kind of shows how tall the slides were. Of course, you really have to see it to appreciate it.


Joshua and I floating down the lazy river...


Happy Isaac having a blast!

Catching Up -- February 2010

Ok. It has been so long since I have updated our blog, I have a lot of catching up to do. I'll be posting about the last few months over the next several days (hopefully). So, here we go.

This winter, we got a couple of good snows. One was about 8 inches deep, with the top inch or two a solid sheet of ice! Too bad that Jason was out of town (he was on the beautiful caribbean island of Bonaire) and missed some of our good times sledding down the icy back yard. Here is a shot in the middle of our big snowfall.


The ice coating everything.

We got this huge drift of ice-covered snow on our front porch (which stayed around for literally about a month).
Since our mound was covered in ice, it made for one very fun natural slide!

Elijah and Isaac all bundled up as it was super cold the day we played in the snow.



One very tired 2 year old falling asleep at lunch.

Also, this winter Elijah has been helping Isaac out with beginning to read. Here they are working together on some new words.

Caribbean Cruise

Last year in June, Jason and I celebrated our 10th year anniversary. We decided that during Jason's off season we would go on a cruise. So, this month, last week to be exact, we went on that cruise, and had a wonderful time. We went with friends, Jason and Kelly, and my brother and sister-in-law, Adam and Lisa. Our kids stayed with grandparents in Atlanta.

Here's our ride from our hotel to the port in Miami. Fun ride!


It had been a while since I had ridden in a limo. Jason and I with Adam and Lisa.


Here we are at the port in Miami ready to board our ship, the Celebrity Century which is behind us.


My sweet friend, Kelly and I with Miami behind us (and the prospect of sailing away across the ocean!)



Here's a look at our crew inside the ship. This area was really the center of the ship. We're sitting in the Cova Cafe, a great place to sit and listen to music, and drink gourmet coffee, and eat delectable pastries.


A great view of Miami from the top of the ship before sailing away.


On to our first port, Key West. Here, a picture of the girls--Lisa, Melea, Kelly. Sweet friends, and sisters in Christ.


This was fascinating to learn about. These trees are called banyan trees. This looks like many different trees. You see the main trunk in the middle, and then other "trees" on the sides. But, really, it is all one tree. The branches actually send down new roots which grow into large thick trunks, and the tree starts multiplying into adjoining yards. It was very interesting to learn about them!


Jason and I in front of our ship on Key West.


Here we are dressed up for our one formal night. It was fun--felt like prom again! Does this dress look familiar Jessica? :)


A beautiful shot of the sun going down over the ocean while sailing away from Key West.