A HOT Vacation

This is Blake, Adam and my nephew, Jack who came to spend the night with us at the cabin. We took Jack to Redneck Island---kind of like an open-air bounce house on the lake.

I REALLY look forward to vacation every year. I mean, REALLY!! I love summer and the boys are out of school. It is very nice to have a 1 week break from everything and just for us to do whatever we want to do. This year, I actually did not want to plan anything so we went to our cabin in Dover for the week. We had a blast!! We went on the lake every day. We got to visit with Jeff's parents and sister and my parents. We ate out alot and I slept past 7am every morning! (For me, 7am is late :) We ended the week with Blake playing in a baseball tournament here in Murfreesboro with a travel team, the MT Mayhem. I try not to complain about the heat because winter is SOOO cold and SOOO long--but, spending ALL day in the heat with heat index 100+ degrees is really HOT. Watching a great group of 8 year olds play ball and have fun made it all worth it. Hopefully, we can end our Summer Vacation on a high note with more fun, baseball and lake time!!

Visiting the Discovery Center

Last Sunday, I FINALLY took the boys to the Discovery Center, a chidren's museum, in Murfreesboro. We have been many times before, but Adam loves it and has been asking me to take him back for a few weeks now. It really was the perfect day to go. Even Blake had a good time! I always take my camera, because it is one of the few times I can get good shots of both of them without them knowing and we usually see cool wildlife there, too.

Spring Break at LBL

Since Rutherford County's Spring Break falls in mid to late March each year, we usually plan a local "get-away". Even the Gulf Coast can be chilly this time of year. We spent our first full week at our lake cabin in Dover and spent time fishing with my mom and dad and visiting with Jeff's family at Land Between the Lakes and in Paris with family pictures. Here are a few shots from our activities. We had wonderful weather for fishing, boating and taking in the buffalo at LBL!

Deck the Halls and Sweet CeCes

Well, since Jeff was ushering in Arkansas duck season (yes, we live in Tennessee-I don't get it), I took an excursion to Franklin with Blake and Adam. They were pretty upset when I said we were going SHOPPING, but I did promise them a special treat afterward so they complied. I met my friend Amy Seabrook Wilson, who lives in Brentwood at the Factory in Franklin for their annual "Deck the Halls" exhibit of local vendors. (Deck the Halls is putting it nicely. I felt like "decking some kids" before we were done!) While Amy shopped I wrangled the boys through the maze of lovely merchandise--but it was okay, because there is a neat toy store nearby that we landed in. I got the boys glow in the dark stars for their rooms and they were happy. Next we went to an amazing frozen yogurt place called Sweet CeCe's where you choose your flavor and add any number of toppings you want. The best thing of all was that Jeff came home a day early from duck hunting. Apparently, ducks just don't fly when the weather is in the 70s in November. Here's a shot of us at Sweet CeCe's.

Halloween 2010

Blake dressed as as Titans football player and Adam as a Cowboy. We had fun and got some good candy!!

Blake's First Deer

Although Blake is only 7 years old, he is becoming an avid sportsman and enjoys hunting and fishing. He has accompanied Jeff on many "hunts" for duck, dove, and deer. He improves his shooting abilities with each passing season and has gained much respect for firearms in the outdoors. Juvenile deer season was open on the last weekend of October so we headed to Rives for Blake to hunt on my dad's farm. He hunted both early Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon. It was the afternoon hunt that proved successful. He shot an 8-point buck right at dusk with 1 shot using a 243rifle loaned to him by my uncle. We are so proud of him!! He was so excited!!

A Very Ordinary Day

I really cannot recall the last day I had to be home without any outside commitments. I tried to remember and all I came up with was 2 weeks ago on a Saturday when I cleaned the ENTIRE house and went to Blake's basketball game (which technically is a "commitment" but I thoroughly enjoyed it). Adam and I went to the gym, bank, car wash, grocery store and then I came home and switched out my summer wardrobe to fall clothes. Some of the more notable things that happened: I "found" a long-sleeve Titans shirt that I forgot I had (yay!!); Adam got "new to him" shoes with laces so now he has "tennis shoes like my brother" which made him very happy; Adam took a nap (he NEVER takes a nap anymore) although it only lasted about 45 minutes--it was nice!! It also rained!! It has not rained here in several weeks; and it rained only because I washed my car (also something I've not done in WEEKS because I was waiting for it to rain) and watered my flowers. All in all a good day!!

Oh, and did I mention, I baked (yes baked) pumpkin bread. Those who know me know that I am not a cook. The bread was a box mix left in my pantry from LAST fall--but it was very yummy and my boys liked it.