Moving right along...

Ouch. Last post two months ago! We wrapped up our summer with simple activities and a stay-cation around Charleston. Roman and Corinne were busy designing tie-dyed shirts. Too bad they shrunk so that only Sam can wear them. They turned out really cute.

Roman celebrates his birthday. Two cake mixes later, I put our new cake mold to the test to brush up on my cupcake skills!

Mmmmmmm...giant cupcake!

Do all children love shoes? 'Cause my kids love shoes. I can't keep Sam out of my closet. Some mornings he lets me know that I chose the pair he wanted!

Awww, you're not planning to blackmail me with this later, are you?!

Summer strumming

I think we're all ready for some cool fall days/nights. Personally, I love an oyster roast. We're into the 'r' months! School and work keep us busy, but we are fortunate that we both love what we do. Corinne stays busy with her dance class. Sam is just busy. Busy. Busy. We're looking forward to a little Panic this weekend and gj and Pappy visit. It'll be nice to play this weekend. Have a good one!

Charleston Stay-cation

I love vacationing in our own hometown. Usually when Pappy and GJ visit, it's a working visit for everyone as we scramble to keep the kids, get to work, fix the house, and squeeze in QT where we can. The spring rains around Kentucky and Tennessee ruined Pappy and GJ's basement, so they are in the middle of home renovations, i.e. there's no 'play room.' We switched gears from our usual KY visit to a Charleston Stay-cation. With nowhere special to be, we did the beach, water park, children's museum, pirate park, movie theatre, and just about every restaurant in the vicinity.

Corinne warmed her gj's heart with the latest addition to the area: 'the hot dog restaurant', Jack's Cosmic Dog. No child or gj should be denied the experience. :)

Sam and Pappy polish off the guacamole at Taco Boy

Mom and I thought it would be awesome to take Corinne to her first movie, Toy Story 3. She was only a little squirly and only asked to leave a few times. My girl just doesn't do movies. She stuck it out, though. There was no way I was leaving without finding out the fate of Woody and friends! Good thing I brought along my kleenex!

Roman and Pappy tried to outsmart the local fish.

As always, we had a fabulous time. Every visit, I feel like I'm ten again when they leave; I have to keep myself from running after the car for just one more hug!

Love and miss you guys. Thanks for everything!

Creekside Crowd

We ventured to Virginia to meet Roman's family over the fourth. Angela flew into the states from Bangkok to visit Mimi in Michigan. They were adventurous enough to drive and meet us halfway (more or less). Roman found this beautiful creek off of the New River in Pearisburg, VA. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful venue. This is where we found Roman each morning and evening.

Fly fishing the New

Sam & Mimi kick back

Who needs toys when you have jacuzzi bathtubs? The kids had a blast each evening soaking all of us as the jets roared.

Nighttime sillies

AA brought badminton and the kids found many uses for the rackets. No one broke anything and they both managed to hit a birdie or two.

Sam really blossomed on the trip. His vocabulary is really building along with his level of understanding. He's so easy-going (as long as his tummy is full :-) and full of laughs. He's cutting molars now and should have them all after this round.

Corinne didn't let AA too far from her side all weekend. They had lots to catch up on.

Corinne has matured a lot this summer. She's so proud of herself for 'staying in the lines!' when she colors, dressing herself, and doing things 'all by myself!' Her swimming has far exceeded our expectations. She's now jumping into the water and swimming under to you and back. Corinne has also started dance classes. To the delight of her aunt and her Mimi, Corinne would quite often break away into an arabesque or shashay in her tutu.






Fortunately, she adores Sam and loves to do for him. Just keep him out of 'my stuff, Mama!'

What stuff?!!

Who needs water?

Making memories

It's been awhile since I've been rolling down hills, tubing down a real lazy river (no offense, Splash Zone), watching fireflies and fireworks on the lawn, and drinking coffee on a swing on a cool summer morning. . It was wonderful.


Have a good one!

First Fish

The first Saturday of June Roman's work hosts a Kids Fishing Day. This year we gathered all of Corinne's friends to try their luck. I'm not sure who had more fun, the kids running around eating hot dogs or the dads who got to throw a few lines (helping children, of course!). Seriously, the kids have to be the ones to reel in the fish.

Can you see Roman's chest bursting?!

In response, Roman just HAD to purchase a pink tackle box for Corinne. He's outfitted it with plenty of fake worms with shimmers and sparkles. She slept with it then was up at 5am this morning rattling around with that darn box.

Happy Fishing!

Summer begins

Hopefully, this will sum up a little of the early summer events. The video is a little long; maybe one only grands will love. Kids are doing great! Enjoy.

Spring Bunnies

This Easter, the kids and I flew to Glasgow to visit family and friends. I'll skip the details of flying solo with two young children. Let's just say I was begging gj and Pappy to pack a cooler of beer in the car!

The weekend started out with numerous Easter egg hunts, many of which were in gj's backyard. Every morning both of the kids headed for the backdoor to hangout on the patio or the swing. The neighbor cat, Charlie, was a great source of amusement for the kids. He even let Sam put him in a choke-hold. "Gentle, Sam!" The weather, warm and beautiful. The spring flowers, stunning-- especially the purple redbuds, forsythia, weeping cherries and dogwoods. Purple, white, yellow and pink poised on Kentucky hillsides.

Corinne and Maren split their attention between serving up soup in the sandbox...

"Do you want chicken noodle or black bean, Mom?"

and bouncing around to Ring-a-round the rosies...

Queens of the Trampoline. Eat your heart out Olivia!

Sam jams at the music table.

You have to go to 'the farm' when you visit Glasgow. Spencer and Carrie have a stunning view of the countryside while home to many horses. The kids got to see several foals, one as early as four or five hours old.

Spencer and Sam share the tractor. What contentment.

Austin plays the drums nowadays in addition to hosting their exchange student from Spain, reading, and swimming on the swim team. He was kind enough to treat the kids to a private jam. Corinne said it was too loud.

Sam said bring it on!

Seeing friends on the visit home is always a plus! I was able to hook up with Britney and Ryan at Cave City's own Dinosaur World. The dinos were actually pretty cool. Ryan was so attentive to Sam and very grown-up! Lesson of the day--the colored belts of karate! He had some cool moves, too!

This is so scary, kids can't resist. Corinne watched awhile to make sure T-rex didn't spit anyone out like so much spinach.


Pappy was swamped with tax season, but caught up with us in the evenings.

Always refreshing to introduce your children to new situations and make new family memories with everyone. Thanks for a great spring break!

He's ONE!

That's right, he really is. And, yes, this year went by even faster than our first year with Corinne. Sam is such a happy little boy and can always be seen smiling. Or eating. :-) Sam loves to snack all day if you'd let him. Which is why I was surprised that he was less than excited at his first cupcake. He was concerned about the icing on his fingers and kept trying to flick it off!

I want YOU! (To bring me more cake ;-)

Happy Birthday, sweet Sam!