Since we've been back

Since we've been back Robby has started second grade, the kids are in full swing classes at the Y, Johnathan started homeschool and speech therapy and Rob was out of town for two weeks. Oh, and lets not forget Kendrick cut two more teeth(ie crabby and sick), Robby and I got colds and the red storm blew in. It has been busy. That said...

I've gone for an adjustment on my back, lost 5 lbs. and am working to schedule in a massage! Calgon take me away! :)

Surprise!

If you don't know Abby is infatuated with horses. There are 3 horse stables within a mile of our house and we frequently drive slow or stop to watch. She loves them only from a distance though. She will only pet them, not sit, straddle, or pretend to ride them under any circumstances. That is the intro.

Before we left for GA we saw a neighbor, who lives behind our house, putting white tape on posts. Our first thought was that they were moving. We didn't dwell on to much while we were gone but when we got back we took especially good notice. To what should our wondering eyes should appear...horses. Much excited exploded in our home. Currently there are four.

Been a While!

Yes we are still here. We have spent the last 11 out of 14 days without dad and husband around so you can imagine what craziness has prevailed. Well we are back on track for at least one month so I will pick up where I left off...

After we left Atlanta it was Albany or Bust! We enjoyed swimming, bowling and just plain hanging out with the cousins and Tammi and Steve. We got to see Tammi's amazing volleyball coaching ability. Rob and Johnny witnessed Steve's first ever on air experience as he was the radio m.c. for the school football game. And Tyler was the sweetest little baby. They are so blessed to have their little bundle. He is the most layed back personality of everyone.

These pictures are from a vineyard we visited. These are muscadine grapes. They are native to GA, the locals eat them by splitting the skin, sucking the juice out of the flesh and spitting it out. The Still Pond Vineyard has been with this family for generations. They provide muscadine juice to local wineries which adds up to be thousands of gallons. A few years ago they decided to make their own wine. They make a delightful Confederate Peach. The story goes that Confederate soldiers sat at the pond at the end of the property would make peach brandy during the war.

This about wraps up out trip. We stopped at some more universities on the way home, visited some college friends in OH, and stayed at hotel that hadn't even had its Grand Opening. We miss Tammi and Steve tremendously, and as alway parting was such sweet sorrow. Be sure to visit Tammi's blog for our family pictures and more.

Atlanta

This picture is from The Varsity restaurant. It is a very popular greasy spoon in Atlanta.




Johnathan and Kenzie Luke are waiting at the subway. They were cozy buddies all day. When Johnny falls it will be truly head over heels.

















This picture was taken at Centennial Park. The day was unbearably hot and all the kids enjoy running through the water. As you can tell, Johnathan was true to form and on the constant go.

We closed the day with a swim back at the Luke's when a huge storm came through about 10 minutes after we arrived at the pool. We went back and put seven tired children to bed. We left for Albany on Sunday morning.

Louisville Kentucky Tennessee

University of Louisville

Churchill Downs

Tennessee Titans

As we headed toward Georgia we made a few pit stops. Louisville was gracious enough to let us in the gate at the stadium, or Rob and the kids walked in because the gate was open for football practice...from there we ventured to the Kentucky Derby so Abby could see some horseys, but the guard at the gate said sorry so we were left to peer through the fence. After visiting the Titans, we arrived in Atlanta around 10pm to visit our friends, Russ and Chris Luke.

Georgia or Bust!

Beginning and ending our vacation came with some unexpected surprises. This is truly expected for all vacationers, but I am led to believe this was a little exception to the rule.

NOTE: Trampoline before

NOTE: Trampoline after

Wednesday night we were introduced to the first of many big storms for the fall. We lost power about 7:30pm and it came on sometime after we left on Thursday. The news said the winds were in excess of 80 mph. As we have no trees or other houses close we experienced all 80 mph. The trampoline hit our swingset, broke a metal bracket off, pushed the climbing wall about a foot over which made the whole tree house lean.

The wind picked up the tramp, threw it into the corn about 100-200 feet ripping the net on the surround and braking the metal frame. It took me 3 hours to drag it out of the corn. Not how I was planning to spend the morning we were leaving for a week long vacation!

My next feat was to shower as I was wet and muddy from trapsing in the dirt. We have some gracious friends who live close by. Shelly Beach I can not tell you how thankful I am!!!!

I drag my 4 kids over in our pajamas, of course. We bathe, put laundry in their dryer and plug in the crockpot. Rob's dad comes over to help in the chaos and we are finally on the road at 4 hoping to get a half hour south of Indianapolis before midnight. Thus ends day one of vacation...